Carowinds just announced on Facebook that Thunder Road will race its last race on July 26.

 

After 39 wonderful years and nearly 40 million scream-filled rides, Thunder Road will give its last race on July 26. The ride is being retired to make room for future family-fun attractions. Please join us this summer as we say good-bye to this iconic coaster.

 

What might these "future family-fun attractions" be?

Truly a terrible mistake, if you ask me.  Nothing was wrong with that ride except for the last leg of the trip being a bit bumpy.  If they actually remove it (who knows -- maybe we could see RMC do something to it), they'd better put something SPECTACULAR in it's place to justify it's removal.

It definitely sounds like it's going away, sadly, as it will be replaced by multiple attractions.

 

Combine this with the "big splash" teaser from media day and I'm inclined to believe we'll see a water park expansion out into the parking lot.  It's a shame, really, that they couldn't find a way to work around it.  Magnum divides Cedar Point's Soak City and yet guests find their way around just fine.

One thought: I hope Racer never leaves KI.

Considering the one at KI is an ACE Coaster Landmark and has a bit of history as helping to revive the wood coaster industry, I doubt it's going anywhere. Why Carowinds wants to take out what appears to be a popular ride is beyond me.

R.I.P Thunder Road

Definitely not RMC from the "family fun" part. If memory serves me correct, Carowinds said they were investing $50,000,000 over the next couple years or so. The addition(s) will have to cost at least $20,000,000. Which could potentially be a small B&M or even a GCI woodie.

I really fail to see any logic in this decision...

Look for A waterpark expansion announcement very soon.

It's simple.  Thunder Road is blocking in the water park from developable land in the parking lot and beyond.  It's not as if they could alter the structure to create a new walkway to the other side, and put the new water rides over there.

 

Wait...  Why don't they do that?

Would be very sad to see a coaster go away for a water park expansion. Just doesn't make practical or business sense. smh

^ I am also puzzled as to why, because there are 2-3 holes cut through Thunder Road already. Really starting to hate CF right now. >

See Rolling Thunder.

And there have been hints dropped here by at least one poster for more than a year.

I rode Thunder Road opening day. Nothing else. Then quietly, sadly left the park.

Nothing is forever.

And ACE Coaster Landmark status counts for exactly nothing.

As much as I hate this news, I have a feeling that it's not as bad as we think it is...

Just keep hopin'

But be prepared to be let....down.

I do not approve of the destruction of classic woodies

Terpy do you know if this is a park level decision or from CF? If so,can you share? 

I cannot.

I can say individual parks at Cedar Fair are largely captains of their own destinies, subject to overall corporate oversight.

I can also say five years from now Carowinds will be one of the South's finest parks, and have top of mind unaided recall and presence when vacation influencers decide where to spend their amusement dollars.

Truly, the best is yet to come for Carowinds.

I am sure it will be a nice park, I just hate to see history destroyed when it could be saved. I am planning on visiting this season. It looks like my plans are going to have to be bumped up so I do not miss out on riding this classic. 

There was once a boat, an island, a plantation house.

And Terp once adored Coney Island of Ohio...it was the grandest amusement park he had ever seen. Shooting Star, Lost River...

Most of all, for him...Rolling Thunder...

That ride was not very good when I rode it last year so I don't really mind this

Interpreter, do you actually know what Carowinds is getting? 

 

If so, and you say the best is yet to come, then I certainly believe you.

There are things I answer here.

There are things I don't.

I know what I know because I am a strong proponent for the industry.

When it comes to things like this, it's "Don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue."

Also be advised plans change. If they didn't sometimes, Kings Island would have at least five more wood coasters than it does now. The Rye Aeroplane. Sigh....

^ And no Arrow flume.

 

Sadly for Ohiocolts, plans changed and we still have it.

There was once a boat, an island, a plantation house.

And Terp once adored Coney Island of Ohio...it was the grandest amusement park he had ever seen. Shooting Star, Lost River...

Most of all, for him...Rolling Thinder...

 

Thinder? Is that a clue or a typo?

i hope that this coaster is saved, luckily i will get to ride this credit on June 26th exactly 1 month when it is expected to close.... 

Wow what an announcement, hopefully redone, and kept, and yep Land Mark Status means nothing, this Coaster makes it across two states right?

Wow Cedar Fair, better be thinking, more family fun, over a classic. 

 

Wow, what a loss, whats this mean for KI and KD, oh my could not imagine.

Wow, what a loss, whats this mean for KI and KD, oh my could not imagine.

Probably nothing considering Thunder Road is "in the way" of water park expansion.

Sad.  They have been doing quite a bit of work on this coaster over the years.  I guess I need to ride this sometime this year.  

I didn't think this would happen.... rumors only sometime come true, well this one is true....