First person to tag me in a picture of you wearing the new shirt to Carowinds wins! Get 10 percent off the new Expedition Carowinds shirt using code EXP10 - expeditionthemepark.creator-spring.com/listing/expedition-carowinds?product=2 Check out our new podcast here www.expeditionenthused.com
@@racheljackson4428 They're making the park a year-round park (They're actually open today) and opening up a new area of the park, with restaurants and new rides.
Wonderful vid!! Can't wait till ya cover Carowinds during Halloween when it's called, SCAROWINDS!! That has been me and my wife's favorite time to go since the kids are now grown.
I was the “young boy” (mentioned at 10:41) who wrote Pat Hall 50 years ago asking to buy the first ticket. My daughters and I were invited to “cut the ribbon” last week for the 50th anniversary. Much has changed, and current ownership is making investments to keep it fun and relevant. The rollercoasters were great, even for a 61 year old.
Hey Jim! That’s amazing I saw you went and cut the ribbon for the new land. Wish I could have mentioned that in the video but was just after. I was going to include your name but wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to. I hope you are doing well. Would love to chat to you more if you have time! Sam@expeditionthemepark.com
I went to Carowinds with family as a kid. First day was like any other theme park trip with family and waiting in line. At the end of the day my parents asked if I wanted to come back tomorrow with the second day pass while they went to the mall. I jumped on it and went when it opened that day. There was literally nobody there. I just ran from one ride to another and got right on the line everytime. At some point I ran into some other kid that was there alone and we hung out together for the day. Best amusement park memory every and I visited a lot of them as a kid.
This is by far the best telling of Carowind's history I have ever seen, and that is coming from a person who actually lived it from the planning stages until now. Thank you very much.
Park fans and Carolinians really felt it when Cedar Fair removed the beloved Thunder Road (and probably the log flumes just as much.) I love Carowinds history!
Your hard work at Carowinds meant a whole lot to me as a kid! All the people who worked and kept the park operating deserve credit for the amazing memories we created :D
Brings back lots of memories. I never knew about the western theme and now it makes sense with some of the left-over bits that they left. Hanna-Barbera Land was AWESOME as a kid. They had all kinds of HB characters roaming the park. I had been to Disney, and thought it was just too big. Carowinds was perfect!! You could do everything in one day. I was there in the late 70's as a kid and LOVED it. The Goldrusher is still my all time favorite coaster. It's not much really but the old wooden coaster will shake you out of your boots! REMEMBER, the very 1st gold rush in the US was in NC!! The other old coasters that are not there anymore are still my favorites, Thunder Road and White Lightning - Lightning strikes.......NOW!!!!
Thank you for doing this video. The original Carowinds was absolutely one of the best planned theme parks in existence. The overall Carolina theme tied everything together. It was a beautiful park full of water and interesting buildings and lots of things for everyone to do. This continue to exist through the Taft years. But then KECO came along And the park started seriously deteriorating because of their debtload. Then the park was absolutely devastated by paramount ownership. They ripped out every bit of Carolina charm from the park. Hardly any of the original park exist these days. They ripped out virtually every family, transportation ride, Theater, and almost all of the water. Cedar fair has done a wonderful job bringing Carolina theming and renovating the park. However. The park seriously lacks slow, moving family rides and entertainment venues. It’s still a thrill park aimed at teenagers instead of those with better incomes.
I agree that it's a thrill park, but I don't agree it's aimed at teenagers, plenty of older folks love big air and intensity. Case in point, the American Coaster Enthusiasts annual Coaster Con is being held there this summer, and although they do have some younger members they definitely skew much older than teens!
Agree, Many of those slow moving rides and theaters were great for accessibility, They didn't care about that. The park is probably the worst on the entire east coast for Family entertainment. Maybe the entire country. Of course, the same thing was done to Myrtle Beach, It's no longer family friendly either.
My favorite memory of Carowinds was in the 80's when I went to see Patti LaBelle in concert and Whoopi Goldberg sat a few rows in front of me. I didn't think it was her until I remembered they were filming The Color Purple nearby at the time.
since Carowinds is my home park (and I've been going since I was little) it always feels like I got a personal shoutout when someone says something about Carowinds in a video, let alone an entire video about it! I know know my way around Carowinds better than I do my house! lol
I always forget that there's a local park for the Carolinas. The first time I went was just a few years ago. 2017, maybe or 2018. Just a few months prior I went to Universal for the first time, so I wasn't terribly impressed with Carowinds. I feel like I need to revisit it, though.
I will never forget going to Carowinds the first summer it was open. We had a blast even though the coasters were very limited at that time. Great memories!
As someone who’s visited the park while visiting Charlotte, Carowinds is a great park to have in the area. One thing I’ve noticed is that Charlotte is devoid of a zoo or other amusements. Carowinds is a essential asset for the surrounding area.
Actually, the zoo story is more complex than you would think. NC is historically a very progressive state, indeed the home of the oldest public university in the US (UNC). In the mid-20th century, North Carolina decided to create a state-supported public zoo along with some aquariums and a state art museum. The NC Zoo - considered one of the best in the US, and the first to use naturalistic settings - is in Asheboro, a 60-90 minute drive from the three largest metro areas: Charlotte, the Triad (Greensboro/WS/HP) and the Triangle (Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh) and also close for Fayetteville and Sanford residents. The Uwharrie Mountains in which the zoo is set are some of the oldest in the world and make great settings for the Africa exhibits and others. I’m glad that instead of each metro trying to build their own zoo we have one awesome state zoo. That’s the kind of planning NC is known for.
Charlotte sucks and I live here and have for a long time. Such a void of culture or activities other than expensive overpriced food and housing. I cannot wait to move to the beach and never return. A city with no personality or persona that is made up of almost entirely mean transplants whoncomplain about it here. Compared to the triad or triangle, this place sucks and was only created for business / banking. Otherwise no one would live here.
Loved your report on Carowinds - very comprehensive! As a Charlotte native worked there 3 summers in mid 70s. Had a blast. They would have beer parties for us - made so many friends from other schools. And the girls - so much fun! One friend that started working there when we were 16, stayed for 30 years.
Every kid that grew up in Carolina has a childhood story about standing on the state line at Carowinds and jumping from state to state. And it did continue to get better. By the time I moved here as a 10 year old in 1980, they had "White Lightning," which was a one loop coaster, and "The Carolina Cyclone" which had four loops. Hell, I am 53 and I almost want to go back this weekend!
It's not just kids who grew up in SC who have that memory. I grew up in NY, but half of my family is Southern, and I remember going to Carowinds as a teen visiting my mom in Rock Hill after my parents divorced and she moved back to SC. You better believe my sister and I had fun crossiing the state line.
Carowinds also host symphonic band competitions. I truly missed hanging out with my band mates, breaking into small groups, and walking around aimlessly just having fun without a care in the world. We would also run into seniors who choose Carowinds as their senior trip on the same day! We truly had a great time at carowinds. If you haven't been there, please do visit! We Carolinians are big on hospitality!
Omg yes! I went to a band competition there with my high-school band and had a great time! We were a small school and didn't do the best but it was so fun and getting to go to the park I had been to since I was a kid afterwards just made everything so much better
Pretty cool to see all the other people in the comments who grew up with the park. When I was a kid, it was a Paramount park, and had a bunch of Star Trek stuff, like klingons and ferengi wandering around. My first concert was there, I think, when I was like 2 or 3--Moody Blues.
Seeing this reminds me of one of the last times I saw one of my uncles before he passed away. He took me to Carowind's for the day, and it was a blast even during the late 1990s. I also recall there was an A&W Restaurant in there, and you could buy the glass mug you used as a souvenir. I still think of this specific uncle whenever I use my A&W mug.
Guys, I think it's safe to say that ETP is indeed back! After a 4 month break we already got 4 videos in the course of 2 months! Glad to see this! Big shoutout from Brazil my G, keep up the great work!
@@ExpeditionThemePark I'm glad to hear that! And if you don't mind a suggestion, I think it would be very cool to go a different route and make a video on Monte Makaya - The record holder coaster that was cloned to build Colossus at Thorpe Park. It's Intamin's 10 inversion coaster prototype, which held the record for most inversions alongside Dragon Khan from 98 to 2002 (as a prototype it had 8 inversions, unlike Colossus which broke the record with 10), and surprinsilly it was built in Rio de Janeiro, here in Brazil! It is planned to reopen at Mirabilandia (not the italian one), in the state of Pernambuco, in the next 2 or 3 years. It would be very nice to see a 10 min long video about it, as it's been forgot and is almost unkown between the CE community. If you decide to make a video on it, you can contact the guys from HapFun Brasil who can help you with all the info needed!
Growing up in Virginia and vacationing in the Outer Banks every summer when school let out, later coming to love many places in North Carolina, I am both embarrassed and pleased to now be hearing about this place for the first time. Thank you.
i live 3 hrs away so i dont go as much as i would like but i do try to go at least once a yr. i love this park. fury 325 is awesome so is afterburn and copperhead strike so many fun rides. i was born and raised 40 from six flags great adventure even worked there for 7 yrs. so when i moved to nc i was like gotta check out the park here. its absolutely beautiful 😍
My Dee (Daddy) took me to Carowinds when I was little. Thunder Road had just been opened. I remember getting a little stuffed dog with an engineer hat on it - I think it was from playing some arcade games - and Dee bought me a pretty tissue paper flower that a "true Southern Belle" had made for me. It was such a magical experience and one I will never forget. We both rode the Goldrusher, the Oaken Bucket and drove the little cars around. Back when I was little, there were other options that were somewhat close to our home - Circle M Zoo near Stuart, VA, Dan River Queen in Meadows of Dan, VA and The Land of Oz near Banner Elk, VA - by far, Carowinds was the biggest and best, though. So happy we still have this landmark park! Even went to my first concert there - on my 14th birthday, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were there performing and I still have the t-shirt to prove it - Damn the Torpedoes tour 1979 - 1980!
I drove up and down the east coast my whole life and my Dad lives in myrtle Beach. I never heard of this place I’m 45.I’ll have to check it out someday. great video!
My family and I went to Carowinds on my 8th birthday the year it opened, August 25, 1973. I'll never forget it. Brought our kids there and bringing our granddaughters now. We still get annual passes. i just love the place.
I went to summer camp around the corner from Carowinds and got to visit in those early days. It was very comparable to the Kings Dominion theme park close to where I live in Richmond, Va.
What a trip down memory lane. I worked at Carowinds one summer in the early 80s. It was my first job after graduating college in Chapel Hill while I decided my next steps. It was more fun than work and I enjoyed it greatly. I made redwood signs in the Country section and remember Rocky Raccoon and Carol Lion well. Looking forward to what comes with 'to be continued'. I have a feeling you'll be covering the year I was there.😹
Carowinds is soo charming and honestly massive! We spent a few days there a couple years ago and I’m itching to go back! Fury is one of my top 5 and copper head strike’s shed beats mystic Timbers any day of the week!
I remember working there one summer back in the 90s.. I worked in the Waterpark area, on some of the slides.. Good times, lol.. Beautiful people to work with and people just having fun..
Interesting. I get off I77 at the Carowinds exit, drive down Carowinds Blvd. and have driven past Carowinds so many times, I hardly notice it anymore. Interesting stuff.
Thank you so much for the research. The photos and pictures bring back many memories. I live in Columbia (1.5 hours away). First visit was 1974. It really changed around 77’. Also, they held concerts there. I saw Ray Stevens and Crystal Gale as a child in the amphitheater. Later, as a young man, I saw Depeche Mode! I never knew Mr Hall until your research. He’s now a great hero to this grown man child! Thank you
Those Palladium concerts were awesome! I saw The Bay City Rollers there when I was 14 😊 Frankie Valli, Rick Springfield, America. So many memories. I had season passes for our kids for years-still love that park ♥️. So happy to see this! I’d forgotten or never knew some of this history.
My parents took me there in 1973 when I was 9, and I loved Carowinds the way it was then. I don't think I would care for it the way it is now with one roller coaster after another.
I’m so stoked to see my homepark on this channel. I grew up there during the Hana Barba days. I remember the monorail, train and chairlift. Wish those were still around. Well maybe not the monorail. Family moved to NYC for a time and moved back to SC during the Paramount days. To my dismay I noticed all the water was almost gone and certain areas were gone like Smurf Island. Worked there from 99-07. Still love my park. I’m there almost everyday it’s opened. 😂
I had a friend who ran all the arcades at Carowinds in the early 2000s. He was a 3rd party contractor and had access to the park in the off season so we used to head down there at night in the winter and ride around the park in his car, smoking a joint. Driving down the Wayne's World section was always the best part. Then he'd open up one of the arcades and we'd game the night away. Good times.
I loved going to Carowinds! I had family living in the area and we would visit every summer through the 90's, great times! Can't beat a park that has both amusement rides and a waterpark. Great insightful video!
I’ve been watching these TH-cam theme park documentaries for years and it’s so exciting seeing my home park getting a video! I remember as a kid (and honestly still as an adult) we would jump back and forth over the state line in the park and put one foot on each side for fun.
I’d totally do that too. I went on a road trip last year to move my best friend back home, so we went from LA to NY. I’m still grumpy I forgot about the Four Corners Monument. I, a 32 year old adult, wanted to run in a circle chanting which of the 4 states I was in each time I went around. Damn memory making me forget to go and embarrass myself.
Carowinds has a bunch of fun coasters. Fury 325 is one of the best coasters, if not the best, I've ever ridden. If you go in the summer, pack a bunch of sunscreen, the heat and humidity is like going to Disneyworld in the Summer, except you don't get as many afternoon thunderstorms.
I’m sure you know this already but your videos are top tier! You deserve so many more subscribers. So much good info on your videos. Thank you so much for keeping me entertained and also teaching me so many new things about these parks! As a theme park enthusiast, I love your Chanel ! Keep up the hard work brother!
Oh my god its my Home Park!! I never thought I’d ever see Carowinds on the channel, this is so cool! Your videos are always so well done and I love looking at all the different rides and stories of these parks. Never have I clicked faster on a video.
This is my home park. Carowinds is one of my favorite places in the entire world. It was hard not to sob during your video, the memories I’ve had here are some of the best of my life.
man, I have never ever been as sunburnt as the day I went to Carowinds. As a native of outside Dollywood, I couldn't believe there was NO SHADE anywhere in that park! Spent a whole day there to ride 3 coasters, that's it. Each line was like 3 hours wait. I got sunburnt through the weave of the threads of my shirt. Talk about a disaster! Would never even consider going back to that hellhole
@@ExpeditionThemePark I can do busy, but there was literally nowhere to hide. There was no shade in that park, anywhere. Dollywood can have long wait times too, but at least there's places to hide and cool off! Lol, but they did have some kick ass coasters, wish I could have rode more that day.
As an NC native, seeing this really warms my heart. I've loved Carowinds ever since I was a kid (I'm 31 now, #90sBaby) and I still love it just as much now. Looking forward to seeing the next part!
I just have to say, that during the Pandemic I discovered channels dedicated to amusement parks and ride histories. I fell in love with them! Your channel has been the most balanced and consistent and it means so much to me you have added Carowinds to your expedition line up! Great work and what a fun podcast you two have as well!
Gene Partrick, the first general manager of CW was also a musician and show producer. He wrote and recorded the opening theme song and he and his show manager, John Moehring produced the shows with emphasis on the magic show. We also did a media show with 20 slide projectors and 5 synchronized 16mm film projectors called Carolina Heritage about the history of the Carolinas. Fun fact. There were over 200 loudspeakers around the park for themed music in the various areas, and we used over 32 miles of wire to connect them all! Most of it underground.
I never thought I'd see the day a popular rollercoaster channel do a documentary on my local park!!!! My family has grown up with the Park sense it's first creation me seeing it rise from 2003-today and my mom growing up with it in the early days so it's so nice to see this;-;
Having grown up 30 minutes from this park but not having been born until 1980, it's a real treat to learn more about its history. Very much looking forward to part 2 - the era that comes next will have lots to dive into, like when the park was acquired by Paramount and many of the rides converted to IPs owned by that company.
My brother has a season pass and he took me one visit. We had an awesome time. I work at Disney in Orlando so to be able to actually enjoy a day at a theme park without crazy prices, overcomplicated parking and neverending lines was a pure delight.
Thanks, brother. I live 15 min from here and will always get season tickets.. great job and content.... been watching your for years... carowinds is where the Carolinas come to meet!!!
I moved to Fort Mill when I was 21, so I didn't grow up with carowinds and don't have childhood nostalgia associated with it, but the first year I lived here I had a pass and we would go in the evening (especially if it had rained) and it was friggin magical man. Barely any lines, there was alwayssomething different or fun we could find to eat, it was the most fun and I'm so glad we got our passes that year. This video was great, and I'm glad you did our small home town park justice.
My 1st memory of Carowinds is almost flying out of the Wayne's World coaster as a kid. 🤣🤣🤣 I can still see the Garth-mobile sitting out front. Ahhh nostalgia.
Very interesting, even inspiring -- in an expressive British accent no less. I live in South Carolina but have only ever heard the name of the park. It's a shame more innovators aren't thinking along such wholesome family-oriented lines. Love the idea of treating the Carolinas as an entity -- almost a country, which in a way they are.
I doubt you'll get to read this with all the other comments, but I live in South Carolina, and I remember as a kid going up to Carowinds, seeing the cartoon characters, and riding the rides. I always looked forward to summers because I knew that meant that maybe, just maybe, our parents would take my brother and I to Carowinds that year. And when they did, those are some of the best memories that I have. Thank you so much for making this video. I remember that commercial you played at the end as well. All the great memories!
@@ExpeditionThemePark I wasn't aware you read them all. That is awesome. I've been a long time watcher and subscriber, but I don't think I've ever commented. I'd love to see a video on the Six Flags over Georgia ride The Great American Scream Machine. That's the first roller coaster I ever rode (even if it is a tame wooden coaster) Your videos are the best :)
YES EXPEDITION CAROWINDS!!!! I Got to ride Thunder road the last week it was open. It was a bittersweet moment. So glad you are going through the history of my local park!
I remember going to Carowinds as kid and thinking it had so much atmosphere. You could feel the difference when visiting the different zones but all of it vanished in the early 2000s…. around the addition of Borg. It’s sad, but glad it’s still a good park.
I was there the first year it opened. It has really changed over the years. The log flume ride was the best, but unfortunately it's gone now. Thank you Sam!
As someone who moved to Charlotte 10 years ago and has an annual pass, this is really cool to see and give a lot of context to things I just took for granted.
Well, from what I've read in a book about Kings Island, this park was originally the flagship park of the Kings Entertainment parks, and that remained true until Cedar Fair took over. So Cedar Fair probably realized the previous owners were onto something prioritizing this park.
My home park! I've had the pleasure of riding the monorail, Thunder Road, white lightening, Oken Bucket, the log ride all the rides through my current fave - Copperhead strike 😀 I can't wait to experience the new Aeronautical Landings flat rides. Mr Hall is a legend and thank you for telling his/Carowinds history- Well done!
i’m so excited for this series!! Carowinds is my old home park (but forever in my heart my true home park) and I’ve seen a small handful of its many eras. I can’t wait for part 2! I loved Thunder Road and was gutted when they retired that iconic coaster.
This park is what made my mom fall in love with coasters and is why my parents took us to Orlando so much. Though I live in Charlotte, I still visit Universal & Disney more than Carowinds. Carowinds is still amazing after all this time.
Ive went to Carowinds since i was a child so about 30 years. Its awesome to see what it looked like years before i was born. I've never seen some of these videos of the original Carowinds. Very cool video!
First person to tag me in a picture of you wearing the new shirt to Carowinds wins! Get 10 percent off the new Expedition Carowinds shirt using code EXP10 - expeditionthemepark.creator-spring.com/listing/expedition-carowinds?product=2
Check out our new podcast here www.expeditionenthused.com
Wow 50 years of CaroWinds. they must do something special to celebrate.
@@racheljackson4428 They're making the park a year-round park (They're actually open today) and opening up a new area of the park, with restaurants and new rides.
Wonderful vid!! Can't wait till ya cover Carowinds during Halloween when it's called, SCAROWINDS!! That has been me and my wife's favorite time to go since the kids are now grown.
@@racheljackson4428I'm a big gay nigga ok lol
I was the “young boy” (mentioned at 10:41) who wrote Pat Hall 50 years ago asking to buy the first ticket. My daughters and I were invited to “cut the ribbon” last week for the 50th anniversary. Much has changed, and current ownership is making investments to keep it fun and relevant. The rollercoasters were great, even for a 61 year old.
Hey Jim! That’s amazing I saw you went and cut the ribbon for the new land. Wish I could have mentioned that in the video but was just after. I was going to include your name but wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to. I hope you are doing well. Would love to chat to you more if you have time! Sam@expeditionthemepark.com
Neat
hell ya that's awesome!!
🎉😊 i love this You deserve it!!!
That's amazing!
I went to Carowinds with family as a kid. First day was like any other theme park trip with family and waiting in line. At the end of the day my parents asked if I wanted to come back tomorrow with the second day pass while they went to the mall. I jumped on it and went when it opened that day. There was literally nobody there. I just ran from one ride to another and got right on the line everytime. At some point I ran into some other kid that was there alone and we hung out together for the day. Best amusement park memory every and I visited a lot of them as a kid.
This is by far the best telling of Carowind's history I have ever seen, and that is coming from a person who actually lived it from the planning stages until now. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it
The care this team/person puts into researching and producing these episodes js simply second to absolutely no one
@@CardinalKaos thank you! And it’s just me 😀
@@ExpeditionThemePark honestly that makes it all the more impressive
Exactly! The days of true capitalism. When people enjoyed making people's lives better above making a mere profit.
Park fans and Carolinians really felt it when Cedar Fair removed the beloved Thunder Road (and probably the log flumes just as much.) I love Carowinds history!
As a former Carowinds employee who loved working there, I always love to hear more about Carowinds.
Yesss
Your hard work at Carowinds meant a whole lot to me as a kid! All the people who worked and kept the park operating deserve credit for the amazing memories we created :D
BTW douche Corey. Carowinds fuuuuuckinh sucks. Sorry not sorry
MAGIC MOINTAIN 🐐
@@MM-ux7kpOh, I worked there from 2018-2021. Not exactly a long time ago. But thank you!
The idea of an attached community is really cool. I'd love to live close to a place like that.
It's q blessing lived 20 mon from there my entire life.
Brings back lots of memories. I never knew about the western theme and now it makes sense with some of the left-over bits that they left. Hanna-Barbera Land was AWESOME as a kid. They had all kinds of HB characters roaming the park. I had been to Disney, and thought it was just too big. Carowinds was perfect!! You could do everything in one day. I was there in the late 70's as a kid and LOVED it. The Goldrusher is still my all time favorite coaster. It's not much really but the old wooden coaster will shake you out of your boots! REMEMBER, the very 1st gold rush in the US was in NC!! The other old coasters that are not there anymore are still my favorites, Thunder Road and White Lightning - Lightning strikes.......NOW!!!!
Thank you for doing this video.
The original Carowinds was absolutely one of the best planned theme parks in existence. The overall Carolina theme tied everything together. It was a beautiful park full of water and interesting buildings and lots of things for everyone to do. This continue to exist through the Taft years.
But then KECO came along And the park started seriously deteriorating because of their debtload. Then the park was absolutely devastated by paramount ownership. They ripped out every bit of Carolina charm from the park. Hardly any of the original park exist these days. They ripped out virtually every family, transportation ride, Theater, and almost all of the water.
Cedar fair has done a wonderful job bringing Carolina theming and renovating the park. However. The park seriously lacks slow, moving family rides and entertainment venues. It’s still a thrill park aimed at teenagers instead of those with better incomes.
Thanks so much Doug
I agree that it's a thrill park, but I don't agree it's aimed at teenagers, plenty of older folks love big air and intensity. Case in point, the American Coaster Enthusiasts annual Coaster Con is being held there this summer, and although they do have some younger members they definitely skew much older than teens!
Too many gangsters now. Stay away
I think the Great Americas were peak, but Carowinds isn't that bad
Agree, Many of those slow moving rides and theaters were great for accessibility, They didn't care about that. The park is probably the worst on the entire east coast for Family entertainment. Maybe the entire country. Of course, the same thing was done to Myrtle Beach, It's no longer family friendly either.
My favorite memory of Carowinds was in the 80's when I went to see Patti LaBelle in concert and Whoopi Goldberg sat a few rows in front of me. I didn't think it was her until I remembered they were filming The Color Purple nearby at the time.
That’s awesome!
since Carowinds is my home park (and I've been going since I was little) it always feels like I got a personal shoutout when someone says something about Carowinds in a video, let alone an entire video about it! I know know my way around Carowinds better than I do my house! lol
I hope you enjoy it!
One of the theme park TH-camrs I watch FINALLY did a video on my local park, thank you so much!!!
Thank you! I love Carowinds
I always forget that there's a local park for the Carolinas. The first time I went was just a few years ago. 2017, maybe or 2018. Just a few months prior I went to Universal for the first time, so I wasn't terribly impressed with Carowinds. I feel like I need to revisit it, though.
Yes! What an unexpected surprise!
I will never forget going to Carowinds the first summer it was open. We had a blast even though the coasters were very limited at that time. Great memories!
As someone who’s visited the park while visiting Charlotte, Carowinds is a great park to have in the area.
One thing I’ve noticed is that Charlotte is devoid of a zoo or other amusements.
Carowinds is a essential asset for the surrounding area.
That’s true!
Actually, the zoo story is more complex than you would think. NC is historically a very progressive state, indeed the home of the oldest public university in the US (UNC). In the mid-20th century, North Carolina decided to create a state-supported public zoo along with some aquariums and a state art museum. The NC Zoo - considered one of the best in the US, and the first to use naturalistic settings - is in Asheboro, a 60-90 minute drive from the three largest metro areas: Charlotte, the Triad (Greensboro/WS/HP) and the Triangle (Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh) and also close for Fayetteville and Sanford residents. The Uwharrie Mountains in which the zoo is set are some of the oldest in the world and make great settings for the Africa exhibits and others.
I’m glad that instead of each metro trying to build their own zoo we have one awesome state zoo. That’s the kind of planning NC is known for.
@@kevindavis900One of the largest zoos in the world, too. Might take the crown as _the_ largest once the Australia and Asia pavilions open up.
Charlotte sucks and I live here and have for a long time. Such a void of culture or activities other than expensive overpriced food and housing. I cannot wait to move to the beach and never return. A city with no personality or persona that is made up of almost entirely mean transplants whoncomplain about it here. Compared to the triad or triangle, this place sucks and was only created for business / banking. Otherwise no one would live here.
Brother you have no idea how it warms my heart that my home park FINALLY has an ETP badge.
It’s finally time!
Loved your report on Carowinds - very comprehensive! As a Charlotte native worked there 3 summers in mid 70s. Had a blast. They would have beer parties for us - made so many friends from other schools. And the girls - so much fun! One friend that started working there when we were 16, stayed for 30 years.
Carowinds was my first theme park; my family had annual passes in the late 90s. It was great to see you cover it's history!
I live about 5 miles from this park now and can't wait to check it out.
Every kid that grew up in Carolina has a childhood story about standing on the state line at Carowinds and jumping from state to state.
And it did continue to get better. By the time I moved here as a 10 year old in 1980, they had "White Lightning," which was a one loop coaster, and "The Carolina Cyclone" which had four loops. Hell, I am 53 and I almost want to go back this weekend!
It's not just kids who grew up in SC who have that memory. I grew up in NY, but half of my family is Southern, and I remember going to Carowinds as a teen visiting my mom in Rock Hill after my parents divorced and she moved back to SC. You better believe my sister and I had fun crossiing the state line.
@@mindwarp42 awesome, brother
Carowinds also host symphonic band competitions.
I truly missed hanging out with my band mates, breaking into small groups, and walking around aimlessly just having fun without a care in the world. We would also run into seniors who choose Carowinds as their senior trip on the same day!
We truly had a great time at carowinds. If you haven't been there, please do visit!
We Carolinians are big on hospitality!
Omg yes! I went to a band competition there with my high-school band and had a great time! We were a small school and didn't do the best but it was so fun and getting to go to the park I had been to since I was a kid afterwards just made everything so much better
Have visited several times with our daughter many years ago. Lots of fun at that time.
Pretty cool to see all the other people in the comments who grew up with the park.
When I was a kid, it was a Paramount park, and had a bunch of Star Trek stuff, like klingons and ferengi wandering around. My first concert was there, I think, when I was like 2 or 3--Moody Blues.
Seeing this reminds me of one of the last times I saw one of my uncles before he passed away. He took me to Carowind's for the day, and it was a blast even during the late 1990s. I also recall there was an A&W Restaurant in there, and you could buy the glass mug you used as a souvenir. I still think of this specific uncle whenever I use my A&W mug.
I loved going to carrowinds as a kid, didnt know anything about the man behind it. Havent been in a while. Video gave me goosebumps
Guys, I think it's safe to say that ETP is indeed back! After a 4 month break we already got 4 videos in the course of 2 months! Glad to see this! Big shoutout from Brazil my G, keep up the great work!
I am indeed! Thank you so much
@@ExpeditionThemePark I'm glad to hear that! And if you don't mind a suggestion, I think it would be very cool to go a different route and make a video on Monte Makaya - The record holder coaster that was cloned to build Colossus at Thorpe Park. It's Intamin's 10 inversion coaster prototype, which held the record for most inversions alongside Dragon Khan from 98 to 2002 (as a prototype it had 8 inversions, unlike Colossus which broke the record with 10), and surprinsilly it was built in Rio de Janeiro, here in Brazil! It is planned to reopen at Mirabilandia (not the italian one), in the state of Pernambuco, in the next 2 or 3 years. It would be very nice to see a 10 min long video about it, as it's been forgot and is almost unkown between the CE community. If you decide to make a video on it, you can contact the guys from HapFun Brasil who can help you with all the info needed!
Growing up in Virginia and vacationing in the Outer Banks every summer when school let out, later coming to love many places in North Carolina, I am both embarrassed and pleased to now be hearing about this place for the first time. Thank you.
i live 3 hrs away so i dont go as much as i would like but i do try to go at least once a yr. i love this park. fury 325 is awesome so is afterburn and copperhead strike so many fun rides. i was born and raised 40 from six flags great adventure even worked there for 7 yrs. so when i moved to nc i was like gotta check out the park here. its absolutely beautiful 😍
My Dee (Daddy) took me to Carowinds when I was little. Thunder Road had just been opened. I remember getting a little stuffed dog with an engineer hat on it - I think it was from playing some arcade games - and Dee bought me a pretty tissue paper flower that a "true Southern Belle" had made for me. It was such a magical experience and one I will never forget. We both rode the Goldrusher, the Oaken Bucket and drove the little cars around. Back when I was little, there were other options that were somewhat close to our home - Circle M Zoo near Stuart, VA, Dan River Queen in Meadows of Dan, VA and The Land of Oz near Banner Elk, VA - by far, Carowinds was the biggest and best, though. So happy we still have this landmark park! Even went to my first concert there - on my 14th birthday, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were there performing and I still have the t-shirt to prove it - Damn the Torpedoes tour 1979 - 1980!
I drove up and down the east coast my whole life and my Dad lives in myrtle Beach. I never heard of this place I’m 45.I’ll have to check it out someday. great video!
My family and I went to Carowinds on my 8th birthday the year it opened, August 25, 1973. I'll never forget it. Brought our kids there and bringing our granddaughters now. We still get annual passes. i just love the place.
I went to summer camp around the corner from Carowinds and got to visit in those early days. It was very comparable to the Kings Dominion theme park close to where I live in Richmond, Va.
My home park!! I never see anything about it on these channels. Thank you for telling its story!
9:57 Love that chuckle in your voice as if you couldn't believe what you were saying.
Aha I forgot to redo it oops
@@ExpeditionThemePark Don’t change it. It was perfect!
Grew up in Goldsboro NC that brings back memories
What a trip down memory lane. I worked at Carowinds one summer in the early 80s. It was my first job after graduating college in Chapel Hill while I decided my next steps. It was more fun than work and I enjoyed it greatly. I made redwood signs in the Country section and remember Rocky Raccoon and Carol Lion well. Looking forward to what comes with 'to be continued'. I have a feeling you'll be covering the year I was there.😹
You might be right!
We went here as a family in the mid 90's. Nice park!
My first job was on the Vortex!!! I love this park.
Carowinds is soo charming and honestly massive! We spent a few days there a couple years ago and I’m itching to go back! Fury is one of my top 5 and copper head strike’s shed beats mystic Timbers any day of the week!
My daughter work here during her senior year at high school back in 2008, every day at 10 when they opened they played their opening jingle.
I remember working there one summer back in the 90s..
I worked in the Waterpark area, on some of the slides..
Good times, lol.. Beautiful people to work with and people just having fun..
I was able to visit carowinds o 3/31/2023 and ride the gold rusher on its 50th birthday! It was amazing!
Wow a two-parter. I had no idea and what a great idea on the state line.
Kudos to Pat Hall for creating a theme park that brings lots of fun to many people!
As a fellow Carolinian this was great to watch !
Interesting. I get off I77 at the Carowinds exit, drive down Carowinds Blvd. and have driven past Carowinds so many times, I hardly notice it anymore. Interesting stuff.
Thunder Road, the Scooby Doo & the Dale Earnhardt roller coaster will always be my favorites.
Thank you so much for the research. The photos and pictures bring back many memories. I live in Columbia (1.5 hours away). First visit was 1974. It really changed around 77’. Also, they held concerts there. I saw Ray Stevens and Crystal Gale as a child in the amphitheater. Later, as a young man, I saw Depeche Mode! I never knew Mr Hall until your research. He’s now a great hero to this grown man child! Thank you
Those Palladium concerts were awesome! I saw The Bay City Rollers there when I was 14 😊 Frankie Valli, Rick Springfield, America. So many memories. I had season passes for our kids for years-still love that park ♥️. So happy to see this! I’d forgotten or never knew some of this history.
My parents took me there in 1973 when I was 9, and I loved Carowinds the way it was then. I don't think I would care for it the way it is now with one roller coaster after another.
I’m so stoked to see my homepark on this channel. I grew up there during the Hana Barba days. I remember the monorail, train and chairlift. Wish those were still around. Well maybe not the monorail. Family moved to NYC for a time and moved back to SC during the Paramount days. To my dismay I noticed all the water was almost gone and certain areas were gone like Smurf Island. Worked there from 99-07. Still love my park. I’m there almost everyday it’s opened. 😂
I love Carowinds!
The cost of a dream, thank you and rest easy Mr. Hall.
I had a friend who ran all the arcades at Carowinds in the early 2000s. He was a 3rd party contractor and had access to the park in the off season so we used to head down there at night in the winter and ride around the park in his car, smoking a joint. Driving down the Wayne's World section was always the best part. Then he'd open up one of the arcades and we'd game the night away. Good times.
I loved going to Carowinds! I had family living in the area and we would visit every summer through the 90's, great times! Can't beat a park that has both amusement rides and a waterpark. Great insightful video!
Carowinds is my home park. My family has been going there for generations. Always have a place in my heart. Planning a trip there soon
My park!!! Can’t wait to watch this.
I’ve been watching these TH-cam theme park documentaries for years and it’s so exciting seeing my home park getting a video! I remember as a kid (and honestly still as an adult) we would jump back and forth over the state line in the park and put one foot on each side for fun.
It has to be done!
I’d totally do that too. I went on a road trip last year to move my best friend back home, so we went from LA to NY. I’m still grumpy I forgot about the Four Corners Monument. I, a 32 year old adult, wanted to run in a circle chanting which of the 4 states I was in each time I went around. Damn memory making me forget to go and embarrass myself.
Carowinds has a bunch of fun coasters. Fury 325 is one of the best coasters, if not the best, I've ever ridden. If you go in the summer, pack a bunch of sunscreen, the heat and humidity is like going to Disneyworld in the Summer, except you don't get as many afternoon thunderstorms.
I love fury!
I’m sure you know this already but your videos are top tier! You deserve so many more subscribers. So much good info on your videos. Thank you so much for keeping me entertained and also teaching me so many new things about these parks! As a theme park enthusiast, I love your Chanel ! Keep up the hard work brother!
I appreciate that!
I was a teen in the 80s and saw some of the big names in music there. Probably the best was Eddie Money and 38 Special. What a great time to be young.
Carowinds is my favorite amusement park I went there two times three times during my middle school years
Oh my god its my Home Park!! I never thought I’d ever see Carowinds on the channel, this is so cool! Your videos are always so well done and I love looking at all the different rides and stories of these parks. Never have I clicked faster on a video.
My home park too!
Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy!
It’s mine too!! I’ve never been so excited! 🎉
Mine too
I worked there 9 seasons. My brother did 10 i think. So much has changed but i still love the park.
This is my home park. Carowinds is one of my favorite places in the entire world. It was hard not to sob during your video, the memories I’ve had here are some of the best of my life.
“The name is a combination of Carolina and Winds”. It’s deadpan humor like that that brings me back every time!
man, I have never ever been as sunburnt as the day I went to Carowinds. As a native of outside Dollywood, I couldn't believe there was NO SHADE anywhere in that park! Spent a whole day there to ride 3 coasters, that's it. Each line was like 3 hours wait. I got sunburnt through the weave of the threads of my shirt. Talk about a disaster! Would never even consider going back to that hellhole
Can get busy
@@ExpeditionThemePark I can do busy, but there was literally nowhere to hide. There was no shade in that park, anywhere. Dollywood can have long wait times too, but at least there's places to hide and cool off! Lol, but they did have some kick ass coasters, wish I could have rode more that day.
I can’t believe how much it resembles Six Flags of Georgia. You can def tell the same creators were involved.
As an NC native, seeing this really warms my heart. I've loved Carowinds ever since I was a kid (I'm 31 now, #90sBaby) and I still love it just as much now. Looking forward to seeing the next part!
As a theme park enthusiast whose first park was Carowinds, I'm excited that someone is finally doing some episodes on it.
My first job was at carowinds 👍 I loved working there
🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🏽 please make more this year.
I just have to say, that during the Pandemic I discovered channels dedicated to amusement parks and ride histories. I fell in love with them! Your channel has been the most balanced and consistent and it means so much to me you have added Carowinds to your expedition line up! Great work and what a fun podcast you two have as well!
Thank you so much as always Corey
Love this video! As a Carowinds passholder for many years, I'd love to see more history of the park. I'm excited about celebrating 50 years!!
Thanks so much!
Growing up here in North Carolina its great to see Carowinds on this channel always love going their
Hell yes so excited to see a video about Carowinds! If you need photos from the 2000 - 2010 ish period just let me know!
The memories of seeing the paddle boat man I miss the old days
glad you're back! if you ever wanna go to carowinds i live just around the corner :D
Can’t wait to go again soon!
Gene Partrick, the first general manager of CW was also a musician and show producer. He wrote and recorded the opening theme song and he and his show manager, John Moehring produced the shows with emphasis on the magic show. We also did a media show with 20 slide projectors and 5 synchronized 16mm film projectors called Carolina Heritage about the history of the Carolinas.
Fun fact. There were over 200 loudspeakers around the park for themed music in the various areas, and we used over 32 miles of wire to connect them all! Most of it underground.
I never thought I'd see the day a popular rollercoaster channel do a documentary on my local park!!!! My family has grown up with the Park sense it's first creation me seeing it rise from 2003-today and my mom growing up with it in the early days so it's so nice to see this;-;
Having grown up 30 minutes from this park but not having been born until 1980, it's a real treat to learn more about its history. Very much looking forward to part 2 - the era that comes next will have lots to dive into, like when the park was acquired by Paramount and many of the rides converted to IPs owned by that company.
It’s gonna be exciting that’s for sure!
I've been waiting for this one!
My brother has a season pass and he took me one visit. We had an awesome time. I work at Disney in Orlando so to be able to actually enjoy a day at a theme park without crazy prices, overcomplicated parking and neverending lines was a pure delight.
This is one of your best videos. Earl Patterson Hall sounded like a wonderful man, forever thankful for his gift that keeps on giving- Carowinds!
Thanks, brother. I live 15 min from here and will always get season tickets.. great job and content.... been watching your for years... carowinds is where the Carolinas come to meet!!!
A great place to be! Thank you so much. I’m a big fan of Carowinds
I knew I recognized that voice! : -) Great job sir.
I never would’ve thought you’d do a video on my home park. Thank you so much! I can’t wait for part 2!
I love Carowinds!
I’ve been very happy several times as a Carolina native. The new coaster is awesome and look forward to visiting again.
I moved to Fort Mill when I was 21, so I didn't grow up with carowinds and don't have childhood nostalgia associated with it, but the first year I lived here I had a pass and we would go in the evening (especially if it had rained) and it was friggin magical man. Barely any lines, there was alwayssomething different or fun we could find to eat, it was the most fun and I'm so glad we got our passes that year. This video was great, and I'm glad you did our small home town park justice.
That’s awesome those are the best times
@@ExpeditionThemePark it really was! It was the year fury opened and I managed to ride it almost every time without having to wait!!
My 1st memory of Carowinds is almost flying out of the Wayne's World coaster as a kid. 🤣🤣🤣 I can still see the Garth-mobile sitting out front. Ahhh nostalgia.
Very interesting, even inspiring -- in an expressive British accent no less. I live in South Carolina but have only ever heard the name of the park. It's a shame more innovators aren't thinking along such wholesome family-oriented lines. Love the idea of treating the Carolinas as an entity -- almost a country, which in a way they are.
Carowinds will always be a staple for the area ❤ The success has been amazing!
I doubt you'll get to read this with all the other comments, but I live in South Carolina, and I remember as a kid going up to Carowinds, seeing the cartoon characters, and riding the rides. I always looked forward to summers because I knew that meant that maybe, just maybe, our parents would take my brother and I to Carowinds that year. And when they did, those are some of the best memories that I have. Thank you so much for making this video. I remember that commercial you played at the end as well. All the great memories!
I read all the comments! Thank you so much I really appreciate it. It’s a great park with an incredible history
@@ExpeditionThemePark I wasn't aware you read them all. That is awesome. I've been a long time watcher and subscriber, but I don't think I've ever commented. I'd love to see a video on the Six Flags over Georgia ride The Great American Scream Machine. That's the first roller coaster I ever rode (even if it is a tame wooden coaster) Your videos are the best :)
@@BeesandTeasStitching thank you! I plan to visit over Georgia soon and definitely will make a video about the park
YES EXPEDITION CAROWINDS!!!! I Got to ride Thunder road the last week it was open. It was a bittersweet moment. So glad you are going through the history of my local park!
Of course!!
I remember going to Carowinds as kid and thinking it had so much atmosphere. You could feel the difference when visiting the different zones but all of it vanished in the early 2000s…. around the addition of Borg. It’s sad, but glad it’s still a good park.
I was there the first year it opened. It has really changed over the years. The log flume ride was the best, but unfortunately it's gone now. Thank you Sam!
That’s awesome!
It just means I'm old. lol
As someone who moved to Charlotte 10 years ago and has an annual pass, this is really cool to see and give a lot of context to things I just took for granted.
Working in rides leadership at Carowinds was the best job I’ve ever had. There’s a reason Cedar Fair has all but moved their HQ down the street.
Love Carowinds!
Well, from what I've read in a book about Kings Island, this park was originally the flagship park of the Kings Entertainment parks, and that remained true until Cedar Fair took over. So Cedar Fair probably realized the previous owners were onto something prioritizing this park.
My home park! I've had the pleasure of riding the monorail, Thunder Road, white lightening, Oken Bucket, the log ride all the rides through my current fave - Copperhead strike 😀 I can't wait to experience the new Aeronautical Landings flat rides. Mr Hall is a legend and thank you for telling his/Carowinds history- Well done!
Thank you
i’m so excited for this series!! Carowinds is my old home park (but forever in my heart my true home park) and I’ve seen a small handful of its many eras. I can’t wait for part 2! I loved Thunder Road and was gutted when they retired that iconic coaster.
Thank you!
I worked on Thunder road 1977 summer in my overalls- country section. Loved it sad to see it go few years back
I love their theme song. My first full day at the park i was serenaded with one of the actors when the park opened with the song playing :)
It’s the best!
I always love learning about a theme park I haven’t heard of before! Makes me excited to go to more 🥰
It’s a great park! Changed a lot but some top quality rides
This park is what made my mom fall in love with coasters and is why my parents took us to Orlando so much. Though I live in Charlotte, I still visit Universal & Disney more than Carowinds. Carowinds is still amazing after all this time.
Agreed!
Ive went to Carowinds since i was a child so about 30 years. Its awesome to see what it looked like years before i was born. I've never seen some of these videos of the original Carowinds. Very cool video!