Carowinds to Add $11 Million Ride for 2010

August 18, 2009 at 9:23 AM · I hope it is NOT a coaster.............yuck -so tired of those........a haunted attraction would be good.

August 18, 2009 at 10:04 AM · A Bolliger & Mabillard hyper-coaster, similar to Diamondback.

August 18, 2009 at 11:33 AM · Not sure what it is, but with KD getting a Giga Coaster, CW getting an $11 million ride, and CP announcing something else after those two, it should be an interesting and expensive winter for Cedar Fairs!!

August 18, 2009 at 12:55 PM · Does anyone have any information to offer on how much Behemoth and Diamondback cost to build? I saw somewhere that Diamondback costed 22 million (but I don't know where they got their information so I was seeing if someone else has information). If a B & M Hyper costs $22 million and the new ride at Carowinds is $11 million, does that mean we can dismiss the new ride being a B & M Hyper Coaster? Would like to hear your information and opinions......

August 18, 2009 at 1:03 PM · I would agree with your analysis, Jesse.

August 18, 2009 at 2:53 PM · The rumor that I'm hearing is there's some creative accounting involved to come up with that $11 million figure due to tax breaks they're getting from South Carolina. We'll find out next week when they officially announce. If it's not the B&M hyper, Cedar Fair will have to be praised for managing to keep it under wraps...

August 18, 2009 at 5:55 PM · 11 million won't cover the cost of a good B&M or Intamin coaster. It would however cover the cost of a wooden coaster. Perhaps that's where the GCI is going instead of Cedar Point. Since the heading says "ride" and not "expansion", it would rule out a kids area expansion or waterpark. Dark ride? somehow I doubt it.

Cedar Fair likes to make sport of swerving it's fans, so they could be fudging numbers like mentioned above. The B&M hyper rumor has been the most talked about, but I know that 11 million is about half the cost of Diamondback....not nearly enough to cover

August 18, 2009 at 6:45 PM · The GCI wooden coaster makes a lot of sense, but for some reason rcdb.com already has the new coaster listed as being a "sit down" coaster made by B&M, and they have a couple pictures of the track. It is definitely steel, not wood. For the life of me, I cannot find a single sit down B&M built in the last five years for less than $14 mil. I don't know how Carowinds is gonna make anything "record-breaking" or "history-making" for $11 mil. Oh well, we'll find out on the 26th!

August 18, 2009 at 7:15 PM · Well there is already track on site for a steel coaster, but not enough that you can tell what it will be. It is in the parking lot beside thunder road. Fire enging red on the parts already there.

August 18, 2009 at 8:04 PM · Just to restate, from the article I read (here), they say that "Carowinds will spend $11 million to build a new ride on the York County side of the amusement park." That's a vastly different statement than saying that it's an 11 million dollar ride.

I know that sounds like an odd point of contention, but when you read the bulk of the article it goes on to talk a lot about the tax breaks that the park is getting and what kind of previous arrangements were set up between the state and the park. The 11 million isn't necessarily the entire pricetag. They could have moved the numbers around in any number of ways to fit that amount within the constraints of the preexisting tax deal.

All the B&M hypers out there (or at least the last few installs) have run around the 20 million dollar range...

Eleven million for a woodie sounds pretty steep. I believe wholeheartedly that this is going to be the 250 foot racing themed B&M hyper that's been rumored for months and months. The only part of that rumor that hasn't panned out seems to be the early one about the coaster being (no joke) Dale Earnhart themed (with the name Intimidator). For a brief bit the KD and Carowinds rumors got intertwined and for a month or two it was believed that Carowinds was getting a B&M giga, but that eventually got debunked (that was May and June).

I know it's hard to say "keep waiting," but at this point there's nothing solid to work with. Only a week and change until we can settle all this for good.

August 18, 2009 at 8:33 PM · I see what your saying about the $11 million might not neccessarily be the total cost of the actual ride.
I'd say Carowinds is my home park. I am one of the few people who probably would not care if it is not a B&M Hyper (or a GIGA or whatever else extremely high fast coaster they can come up with). I'd be cool with it being something else (I was actually dissappointed to see the log flume ride go). However, the themeing of it to NASCAR sounds pretty cool. The themeing of it that way could definately make me more excited to see that come to the park so it would not just be just another hyper coaster like every park in America seems to start to be getting. If it is themed well and maybe has other things to go along with it.... it could be pretty cool. I guess we will get some awnsers on August 26th. Thanks for sharing the info.

August 18, 2009 at 8:44 PM · This is good news. Especially since I have a Cedar Fair road trip in the works for 2011

August 18, 2009 at 9:34 PM · Thanks for the clarification, Steve. My research proves you out, because there are no B&M sit down coasters out there for $11 mil these days. Even the mid-sized B&M Wildfire at Silver Dollar City cost $14m back in 2001 (which would adjust to about $17m in 2009 dollars). And while it is a great coaster, I wouldn't consider it History Making. So there has to be some finagling going on when it comes to the price tag, if it really is only an $11m expenditure.

August 18, 2009 at 9:13 PM · Hmmm... well, yes, james, some track pieces have been seen... well if you go to youtube and search carowinds 2010, you'll find VERY LITTLE help on the pics... it kinda looks like B&M track, but you don't get a good view... and it's not convincing enough to be B&M, because they build all of their coasters' track the same way... and that looks KINDA like it, as I already said, but not enough...

Anyway, if it IS B&M, here are the 7 types of B&M coasters (as I've said in threads):

Hyper (as in Diamondabck)
Diving (Griffon)
Floorless (Medusa)
sit-down (Kumba)
inverted (Alpengeist)
Flying (Tatsu)
Stand-up (Georgia Scorcher)

Ok, hyper is too much cash. plain and simple.
diving ... it seems like they only make them in the US is only Busch parks (and also too much money).
Floorless COULD be possible, like Hydra at Dorney, and that was 13 mil, which seems like one of their smallest projects.
Sit-down is also possible, but it would probably have to be compact, but keep in mind, they did make one very recently, but I can't think of it...
Inverted is possible, like maybe something along the lines of a Batman the ride clone (NOT THE SAME, BUT CLOSE), but I don't know how much those costed.
Flying is usually pretty expensive, probably because of the complex trains...
Stand-up... wow they haven't made one since '99, I think, for no reason, in my opinion.

ACTUALLY... It could be stand up... like maybe it's a new, different type of trains, so it's record braking, like maybe the shortest stand up coaster?

I know, bad idea, but I'm throwing it out there.

August 18, 2009 at 9:35 PM · Eli, the Carowinds site is using hyperbole like "Record Breaking" and "History Making", so the addition has to offer something very new, very big, very tall, or very fast... and if it is "very anything" , it generally means very expensive as well.

Still, a new B&M floorless coaster may be the answer. Even adjusting for inflation, Hydra's $13m price tag in 2005 would only rise to about $14.5m in 2009 dollars. You might be on to something, young man....

August 18, 2009 at 9:49 PM · It's "history making" because it's the least expensive B&M ever built? ;-)

August 18, 2009 at 11:22 PM · Well I have lived in Fayetteville for 18 years of my life and have family in Charlotte. So as you can imagine I have been to Carowinds more times than I would like to count, because it is close and we can stay with family and our tickets usually cost us $20-$25. This news makes me very happy because for the past 5 years now I have tried to stay away from Carowinds because it is always the same experience. So my family and I have been leaving the state just to try something new to us that won't bore us to death. But now that I know that there will be a new ride in 2010 I will be there to check it out. I am hoping it is a B&M hyper but if it's not I'm just happy that they are getting something new that I can check out.

August 19, 2009 at 2:38 AM · Jasmine, you mean the Carolina Cobra wasn't enough to satisfy you for a few years!?! (I'm kidding, of course, everyone knows Vekoma Boomerangs blow!).

Good one, Robert! It could also be a record breaker as the "Most Hyped Non-Event In The History Of Amusement Parks!"

August 19, 2009 at 5:02 AM · Record setting, though, can mean the Tallest coaster in SC or something like that. Since the only other park is the one in Myrtle beach, it wouldn't be that hard to beat. Same thing could apply to 'Fastest coaster in SC' or some other marketing-speak phrase.

August 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM · James, are you aware it (Hydra) was bought in '04, not '05? Just something to think about...

Yeah, Robert, as I said before, it could be the SHORTEST (in length) B&M ever, which could make it really cheap... :P Oh, and Robert, I know this is TOTALLY off topic... but did you kick Jake Rivers off the site?

Oh, thx, that's what I was thinking of. The new B&M sit down was Led Zeppelin: the Ride (now is Freestyle Music Coaster or some crap) which was made in '08.

And how do we know it's $11 mil? What source?

August 19, 2009 at 11:02 AM · One thing that amusement parks don't mind doing is touting the cost of their new attraction. The coaster war is all about numbers, and it doesn't seem that Carowinds would brag about a B&M coaster costing 11 million dollars when in reality it was 20-25 million before money moving. They would say it cost 25 million, just like they say it's the tallest 3rd hill and sharpest turn and all that stuff. Unless Cedar Fair negotiated the sale of the century with B&M, the math doesn't add up. I just don't buy the 11 million dollar figure for a Beemer.

If there is B&M track onsite and the hyper rumor is true, then something is off on the story, or they are talking about another attraction or expansion in addition to the B&M.

August 19, 2009 at 11:29 AM · Yep, Derek, could be that there are two attractions being added: a coaster and some $11m themed dark ride (HAHAHA - most likely it would be an extreme flat ride - alas). Two additions would be the best possible outcome, if you ask me.

Eli, Hydra opened in 2005, but you're right, was probably paid for some time before that - however, inflation has increased so slightly that the growth between 2004 and 2005 would produce a minimal change from what I posted. So the numbers should be okay.

As for Jake... he's right where he belongs: confined, banned from a computer, and just hoping for a nice gift from his ex-TPI friends... like soap-on-a-rope.

August 19, 2009 at 12:26 PM · Whoa, James, he had friends here?

August 19, 2009 at 12:53 PM · There was a WHOLE BUNCH of sarcasm in my comment.

August 19, 2009 at 1:01 PM · Great feedback from all. I think the best point made is that the $11 million is "technically" just the York County, SC portion - could be more $$$ involved?? My editor would slap me around for jumping the gun and calling it an "$11 Million Ride" in the headline - good insight!

Regardless of what the ride turns out to be, I'm encouraged to see CF invest more in this park. We've felt a bit like the red-headed step children of the Southeast since CBS/Paramount sold CW to CF several years ago. With Busch, Kings Dominion, Six Flags Georgia, cheap tickets from Raleigh to Orlando, etc., there have definitely been plenty of theme park options come spring time. But to have a decent park in your backyard is priceless. I admit, Carowinds barley qualifies as decent, but this ride can't hurt their fun-factor!

It feels like yesterday that we were being bombarded with Carolina Cobra commercials here in the Charlotte area - we can only go up from there, right? ;)

August 19, 2009 at 2:38 PM · Justin, I want to state that I stole that insight from Jonathan over at Carowinds Connection. I wasn't remotely motivated enough to read the whole article...

Are you guys in Charlotte stuck with all those horrible "Ride Warriors" commercials that show attractions that aren't even at Carowinds? I've gotten REAL sick of that one.

August 19, 2009 at 3:43 PM · Firstly, I am assuming that we can all agree that it WILL be a coaster: Cedar Fair=COASTERS!! So I'm just throwing this out there, but what if the new coaster is an inward first drop coaster of >90 degrees? There aren't ANY in the US (history making). Only 2 in the world: Vild-Svinet in Denmark and Typhoon in Belgium; both with first drops of 97 degrees. It could be the tallest/fastest inward first drop coaster in the world (record breaking).

August 19, 2009 at 5:09 PM · Maverick's first drop is 95 degrees. Fahrenheit has a 97 degree first drop. Steel Hawg has a 120 degree drop. So I think that record is unlikely (or I'm totally misunderstand what you mean, which is entirely possible).

August 19, 2009 at 6:09 PM · Well, "steves", first off, B&M would NEVER attempt to brake a record for that matter. They are just too professional. ;) And steve lee, Steel Hawg's drop is 111 degrees, and this year, that record was broken by another el loco S&S coaster, Mumbo Jumbo, with a drop of 112 degrees. The steepest drop in the US besides SH is Fahrenheit with a drop of 97 degrees, and I think Maverick is next with a drop of 95 degrees. Both of those are made by Intamin.

Steve L, Steve F is just saying that "what if the new coaster has more than a 90 degree drop?" That's not saying it's the first in the US, but that it's just significant. I think only 3 companies have ever made a drop over 90 degrees...

August 19, 2009 at 6:08 PM · I have always felt that the Vekoma Boomerang is disappointing because it feels like half of a good coaster. You know, it's short and....well, short. So, for $11m, maybe they are going to build the second half of the Carolina Cobra? It will be the first Vekoma Boomerang in the history of the world that actually feels like a finished product!

August 19, 2009 at 6:10 PM · Haha ok james. I was editing and making mine while you responded :D

August 19, 2009 at 7:55 PM · My mistake, Eli. The press release for Steel Hawg stated it was 120 degrees. Wouldn't be the first time plans changed. I wasn't trying to debate with the other Steve; I was just pointing out that there were already >90 degree drops in the US...

August 20, 2009 at 4:07 AM · Oh, yeah I know, it's just I think someone got mixed up. Like you didn't totally understand what he meant, I think

August 22, 2009 at 10:36 AM · We know it's a steel coaster from the track that's already there. Secondly, the area they have started construction on is huge! There is no way this can be an $11 million ride. It has to be something screwy with the numbers.

August 23, 2009 at 8:48 PM · the track parts i saw 2day were definitely b&m. it looked like standard sit down track