Carowinds' Transformation Continues in New Park Update

© Carowinds

Carowinds is currently in the middle of a multi-year series of expansions that will totally transform the theme park into a bigger, bolder version of itself.  After a record-breaking 2015 season that saw the debut of Fury 325, things are progressing nicely on all of the 2016 additions and changes.

The park has so much going on at once that it is almost hard to keep up with it all, thankfully the park is helping us out with regularly updated photos of the work.  Above is the brand new Starbucks that has been built just inside the new North entrance gate that premiered last season.  The 3,000 square foot location will have indoor seating for 100 guests - that's a seriously big Starbucks!  The building will also create a new atmosphere to the space where many visitors start their day.

© Carowinds

Another major project Carowinds is working on is the transformation of the old Action Theater into Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare: 3Z Arena.  The attraction could easily stand on its own as a major addition to the park, but is just one piece of the 2016 puzzle.  The attraction will feature motion based seats that put riders into a "intra-active 3D game experience" themed around the popular Plants Vs. Zombies games.  The attraction will be fully themed to help 'plus' the ride, and much of that theming is now being installed inside the theater.  This photo shows some of that going into place - looking really great so far!

© Carowinds

Carowinds is also totally transforming their current water park into Carolina Harbor, a massively expanded and rethemed water park.  A plethora of new attractions are being added along with a new entrance and other amenities.  Above is the largest new slide tower that is being built, known as Blackbeard's Revenge.  The tower will feature a total of six water slides of three different varieties.  In the foreground of the above photo are the run-out sections for the trap-door launch slides to be known as Pirate's Plank.  You can see the twisted sections of the other slides already in place in the middle of the tower, awaiting more pieces to be added.

© Carowinds

Seaside Splashworks, a large water play structure, is also nearing completion.  The park will soon pour concrete around the structure now that most of it is in place.  This attraction was built on the location of the park's former wave pool, which is being replaced by a much larger, more modern pool.

More photos of all the work on these changes can be seen at this link, and also from the Carowinds' official website.