City of Charlotte, NC CLT, 8 Jun 2018

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From YouTube: Around the Crown Podcast - Adventure CLT, Carowinds (C139)

Description

Description

A

Okay, everybody you're listening to around the crown and, if you're watching the video that accompanies this podcast, which you might know airs exclusively on the gov channel. Well, you can see that we have taken the show on the road today. Ryan we're broadcasting live this afternoon from Carowinds. How awesome? Oh.

B

You're not kidding this is incredible. I just I might disappear halfway through this. If I do.

A

It soon we have to force him to stay here, because these rides look very, very enticing. You can tell these. People are having a blast. I hear lots of screams and they're having fun. They.

B

Are- and you know what the fun thing is we were talking about is we are having our little ride in it would be kind of amusing, a little bit of fun just working in a place where, literally you hear people screaming to their eventual fun side of world just screaming.

A

B

Day, I think it'd be awesome. This this place is just it give me goosebumps just thinking about it really yeah.

A

I mean I think it'd be hard to go to work in a bad mood when you're coming to an amusement park. So yeah.

B

You're not kidding dude.

A

I can smell the food too. It's making me hungry. That's.

B

Cuz Gina, who there's some coming for you I.

A

Know we're going to taste test, so you definitely don't want to miss that. But Ryan I grew up in Northeastern Ohio about two hours, a little bit less than two hours from Sandusky. So I grew up going to Cedar Point I love. Rollercoasters I mean the faster, the taller, the twistier, the better so I'm into it. Do you ride rollercoasters I love.

B

Rollercoasters absolutely love them. I got a fun story which I won't share here about my wife and I are one of our first dates. After we got married, we went to a theme park in New, Jersey, yeah.

A

B

We had a good time, you know, but that was our first real theme park together as a married couple, so it was first time to see each other in that type.

C

B

So it's I love theme parks. I could spend all day everyday in a place like this I'm just afraid. I wouldn't work well.

A

Of course, I think Karen's, one of their most famous Rises, the theory three-to-five that reaches speeds of like nearly a hundred miles an hour. So I am NOT leaving this park without riding that fast.

B

A

It is, and we're gonna catch up with the maintenance director here too in a little bit, and he has a bunch of cool facts and figures about how tall and fast these things are and kind of what it takes to maintain a park of this size and I mean I. Can't imagine like how many nuts and bolts they actually use to keep these things safe for people to ride, which.

B

Is a good thing and just looking around and that they're huge I mean just everything that it takes to make everybody the riders and the passengers and the password buyers. Just everybody saved was amazing. It's for.

A

B

Got a hard job, but a lot.

A

Easier to do it absolutely. Today's podcast is part of a summer series that were kicking off on around the crown and we've sort of dubbed it destination. Charlotte and our goal is to show the audience.

A

Oh you guys at home some really fun cool places in the Queen City places that you know if you have visitors from out of town or you want to take the kiddos for a fun day, so whatever it might be, you know we're lucky to have an amusement park so close and certainly Carowinds draws visitors in from all over the region, not just Charlotte. So because.

B

I, don't think we're both not from Charlotte originally.

A

Yeah, what I do have Carowinds.

B

Before I moved here, it's just I mean oh here it goes ready. Yeah.

A

You can hear the coaster there. Where are the screen yeah.

B

I'll take a bowl screams.

A

And the culture good, these people are bolder, they don't seem so scared, no.

B

It's not as creepy as that, some of the ones you get well.

A

Let's bring in our first guest first up today we're gonna talk with Larissa Thompson. She is the public relations manager and Larissa. We have set up our podcast booth in a new section of the park called County Fair, absolutely Andy.

C

So tell us about it absolutely! Well, it's a lot of fun. Core brand arrives we brought in in 2017 and so excited to actually bring this to our our folks. You know here in the Charlotte area, those visiting from wherever one of the things that you see in here behind you, of course, is the flying cobras. It used to be called Carolina Cobra. So we just included that in this area as well, so you have Zephyr dosey, doe, electro, spin and rock and roller and along with those rides, we also brought in food.

C

Now everybody loves fair food, so we have those fries you're going to get the taste some of it. So I'm really excited the fried corn, cotton, candy, funnel cakes, of course, everybody's favorite. So a lot of those foods we brought in so just to make this a whole new experience for guests. Yeah.

A

It's cool because it's sort of like a Vokoun, the actual, fair experience. You know what I mean you have like the ticket booth over there, that people can't see off camera and looking at like a fare, fries station, it looks like in there. So it's pretty cool, it's kind of like something that you would see like growing up growing in my neighborhood, absolutely.

C

And bringing back that experience of you know the fair was of course of it some years ago, but that fair feel and that agriculture, so you'll kind of see some pigs over here too. Maybe a pickup truck and pumpkins, and all of those things to add into that fanfare over here in the County Fair section yeah.

A

So is this like a big draw for the families that come I, imagine that they probably spend a little bit of time in this section absolutely.

C

It is about the families and for those tweeners too, so those folks that are maybe too big for playing at Snoopy, but not big enough for fury three to five. These four rides are the perfect ride. This section in the park absolutely well.

A

You know: what's: fun is for people who who are from Charlotte, or you know you know they've spent some time here. They may have visited Carowinds, but it's kind of cool that they can come back and experience something a little bit new or different. Absolutely.

C

Each and every year there's something new last year, of course, with Carolina Harbor waterpark, which is more than 27 acres of splash tastic fun. If you will so you know, and you get two parks for the price of one. So you get the amusement park as well as the waterpark all combined into one price yeah. So.

A

It's the second year for the waterpark and I, read somewhere that there are like some 1,200 water parks in the US and USA Today, actually ranked this one pretty darn high. We are so.

C

Excited we are number four on their top-10 list of the best outdoor waterpark in the US, so that's huge for us and for the Charlotte area. Of course,.

A

Ryan has some kids at home I feel like you should probably take them. My.

B

Kids, love the water, they love.

A

B

In the pool, if I bring them here, I'm telling you we might need to again pitch a tent somewhere, so we can just stay in here. I.

C

Was gonna say they won't want to leave.

B

I'm sure my wife is too, you know.

A

Do you have to buy like a separate pass to use that, or is it just one thing to get in both.

C

Yep two parks for the price of one, so you pay that one price and you get two fantastic parks. Yeah, that's abundant.

A

So now you know we do live in Charlotte in the south, so I have to imagine that a ton of people use that, because it's more not here today so I would imagine that people like to cool off- and you know kind of take some relaxation time absolutely.

C

So we created an oasis, a Carolina Oasis. If you will so you don't have to go to the beach you get to actually come here and just relax. You can rent a Cabana lay by the seat by the seaside. If you will, or the surf club Harbor one of our wave pools here or you can of course, there's a toddler area for the kids. There's. Also, of course, that thrill seeker Blackbeard's revenge that everybody talks about.

C

So if you're one of those thrill-seekers and you want that thrill, get your adrenaline rushing Blackbeard's revenge is the answer for you. That's what I want.

A

I said the faster, the taller, the better yeah, and if you get soaked in the process, it's kind of funny, especially.

C

A

You're with friends, it's like who's gonna get soaked out of all of us yeah and you just always.

B

Misses one towards.

A

That, when you do those things you come on everybody so anything else new in the park. That's happened in this summer. You.

C

Know, circa Majan it'll be the second year for Cirque. Imagine so if you like acrobatics those stunts things that you probably used to try when you're a little girl a little boy and those acrobats you used to try when you were little kid and your parents said no, don't do that. Well, we brought that to you it's in the Carolina theater, so you can watch circa Majan. We have our kids fest that will be held in July. So there's something for everyone here to do.

C

Well, you just missed, unfortunately, our our festive our food festival that we have every spring called Taste of the Carolinas. So it's a lot for everybody to do.

A

Well now what else is happening this summer? Do you guys have like various other events that are coming up or how does this schedule work? Absolutely.

C

And you can always go to Carowinds calm, it has all of our shows and events and all of the information, but again circum ajan will definitely be here. The Kids Fest July, 15th and 16th, and that's on a weekend, and so it's lots of it's an informational session for kids. If you will so we'll have first responders here they get to talk about their jobs and what they do.

C

You'll also have will teaming up with the CBC, see the Carolina Blood Center of the Carolinas and so they're going to be here as well and hold a fest and learn more about giving blood and what it means. When you're helping your community doing things like that, so then we'll have arts and crafts, so it'll be a lot for the entire family to do yeah.

A

And I mean there are a ton of people walking around behind us and I. Don't even think all of the schools are let out either so it you know, I feel like you guys are gonna be busy. Yes,.

C

That's a understatement:.

A

But we are very excited about the season yeah. So what's an amusement park without some food right absolutely.

C

A

You can't come here.

C

Well, we have an executive chef here that creates these menus. These fun things. So you know we don't have the typical amusement park food either, so you're gonna, you're gonna get to taste the brisket, the barbecue, the ribs, the fried corn you're gonna, be able to taste all that and of course you know we talked about this earlier, but we have a world record. We make a 20-inch funnel cake and you're going to get to sample some of the funnel cake too so yeah. So.

A

When, like now.

C

And so again, that experience is there for, for you guys and so over in Carolina Harbor. We also have Spooner's beach bar, so we serve adult beverages, so some of you guys may want to let the kids play in the park and get to sit back and relax in your Cabana. So those things are there, so you know again it's something for everyone, no matter how young or young at heart, you are.

A

B

A

Of course, the water park made that USA Today lists, but Carowinds also made a list. I think it was like the coolest ice cream, sandwiches across the United States or something yes. We.

C

Were the only amusement park to be on the list for USA Today for the the sweetest ice spin, if you will yeah so chef Chris came up with a gelato panini now. Can you imagine that? So you have warm soft bread, you put it in a panini press with ice cream and the ice cream doesn't melt. You're you're.

D

B

Taste that later on a little bit so.

C

You'll get to definitely experience that, so we're really excited about you know putting Charlotte on the map as well as Carowinds. Now.

A

What are some of the fan? Favorites, like you know, do people have things that you know you sell out way more than others absolutely.

C

That brisket with the brisket in harmony Hall, everybody wants to eat that brisket and so again, once you taste, it you'll clearly understand why they come to Carowinds. Some people just come to care wants to eat, and that's amazing that you know our menu. Is that extensive? That folks want to just come here and enjoy the food yeah so yeah? So brisket is the favorite and of course, the funnel cake. That's everybody's.

D

C

Absolutely it's never going anywhere, so those are the things that people love the most so.

A

People who are huge foodies, you said that you actually have like an unlimited food plan that you can buy. You can buy.

C

Yep online go to Carowinds com, you can get a drink and Dining Plan, so you don't have to worry about paying for drinks or food. When you come here, you've got that plan. It is, it is a life saver and so as the season pass, so we recommend that folks come on and buy their gold season pass as well, because it gives you free parking and, of course, the two new things that are coming this year. Well, one new thing: it's winter fest and but they get into scare winds and Winter Fest.

C

So it's really worth it to buy the gold pass yeah. So what is Winter Fest been? Oh, that's, our new Christmas holiday, it debuts Black, Friday and it'll, go through the end of December and so we're gonna have like live shows. We will definitely have Charlie Brown's Christmas tree light, so that's gonna be cold. We'll have an ice skating, rink we'll have animals. So it's a lot for the folks to do we'll have vendors here as well.

C

You'll get to again, our executive chef is preparing some great treats and foods for her folks, so really excited about it.

A

Well, I'll look forward to that, but in the meantime I'm going to enjoy summer because absolutely so happy that it's finally here and I'm also happy that I see some food yeah.

C

Oh, you want it now.

C

I'm gonna hold your mic wrong price.

A

Not to tell people how good it is. Thank you.

B

A

Might be kind of a juggling act with the mycourses yeah yeah doesn't.

C

A

Up like on my shirt or I, don't think we're on the ground. Thank you. So, let's see here, it looks like we have some of that fried corn, that you mentioned, and.

B

A

Some coleslaw and I think I see some of that brisket that you said folks just can't get.

C

Absolutely see.

A

The brisket and.

C

You see your rib okay and then.

A

Of course, we have.

C

Smoked wings so.

A

That's where, with the favorites.

C

Yeah absolutely the smoked wings. Okay, so.

A

You guys can't leave me hanging. Let's try this right.

B

Let's try, let's do it, I mean there any rules, how you just.

C

No finger yeah, that's all right! Kid.

A

We're all people.

C

A

I already told Steve Rogers, the guy behind the camera. I said no close-ups well, I mean.

C

Are you really nice to me and don't talk to him with your mouth full either right, yeah.

B

You know that's the hard part, you know: I got toddlers at home, so there we read dinner or lunch whatever they're doing something funny right.

B

That is amazing.

A

Well, I just tried I think be pulled pork. You mean that is amazing, especially with that barbecue sauce. It's cool that you know in the south that you have something like this at an amusement park, because I used to go to Cedar Point all the time in Ohio and up north, you know barbecues, not they don't do it quite as well. Sorry guys right.

C

The truck you know that's one of our sister parks. They have some favorites up there, too for them and so barbecue, of course, and here in the south. This is what we like to do. So we're really excited about it. Yeah. Try your wing, try it it's a smoked. I promise, you're gonna enjoy it.

C

You guys are gonna, want to get a take home plate. I, know Wow fresh.

B

Every day- and it just balls are at the bone. Yes, as far as good as it gets.

A

I'm curious to know like how many people actually order that 20-inch funnel cake. You.

C

Know mostly families, yes,.

A

C

That you see a group of people I would not want to be the person who ordered it and tries to eat it by themselves. I, don't think that would be good, but yeah so really excited about it. Now you.

B

Know anymore, the challenge for somebody. No, our director back here David might be able to handle that.

C

Let's try it David.

A

Yeah I think that'll, be great. I've been trying to convince him to do a pizza challenge and I said that he needed to invite me so I could witness this, but he hasn't, he hasn't grown the courage. Yet the fact is that he's not ready. It's not ready, train.

B

C

Are happy everybody's.

A

Having fun so I'm really excited about 29 years old and I still have one of these, but.

B

B

C

A

C

Ever had corn fries before but.

A

C

You know what our chef is phenomenal. He does a great job of coming up with these menu and it's something folks enjoy again. There are some people that you'll find they come here just to eat and enjoy the.

B

A

B

You think quick.

B

Panini ice cream right, you don't think it's tough, but the fact that that's here that hits so many different levels of America absolutely.

C

And that's what we want.

A

To do yeah I know yeah I.

B

A

When we spoke on the phone, you said that you had an executive chef, it's like he almost don't associate yes, an executive chef with a theme-park. Can you like? Okay, that's.

C

Kind of cool yes and a great investment for the park and, of course, for our guests, who are most important. So yes- and you know we talked to our guests- we asked what is it that you want to see when you come to the park, and this is one of the things that they wanted to see. So we're really excited about that as also very cool. Should we try this funnel cake, I? Think we should you want to funnel cake? Let's do the fun okay, guys I'm.

D

C

D

I can't answer to you.

C

You want okay, thank you all.

A

C

A

Didn't get the 20 inch one, but I don't think we need it between to.

C

Head it up because I don't think all three of us could I don't know I think.

A

I couldn't do it for.

B

All you guys don't like eat through your fingers. I apologize.

A

C

B

C

Gosh delicious.

B

C

B

They give she's.

A

Not talking yeah excuse me while I don't speak for five minutes.

A

B

C

Worth it delicious.

A

Good, it has like a strawberry topping, yeah yeah.

C

This is strawberry, whipped cream for this one. You can get. Of course, your traditional, if you like, okay, which is of course just you, know your powdered sugar. We have a red velvet and we have a special one, of course, during scare ones, which is pumpkin, so you'll notice the changes there and something again folks can enjoy and he'll make a special one for Winterfest as well. I, don't know what that one's gonna be just yet. So hmm he comes up with all these our executive chef. He does a great job so yeah you.

B

Guys give him creative freedom to do.

C

Yes, we do, for the most part.

B

Absolutely he's clearly very.

C

Good at woody- yes, yes,.

A

Absolutely it's most of the food here sort of grab and go or they're places where you can actually sit down like a restaurant style, type of thing, well, harmony,.

C

Hall, which is located by Intimidator, is where you can find your brisket, your barbecue, your ribs. You can find all of that stuff there and it has a sit down and they actually have live performances and they're on stage as well. So you get to enjoy your food and, of course, enjoy the music yeah and you can cool off. Most importantly, cool off I can.

B

See that, but you can.

C

Do that and some of the rides too some of the rides? Oh, yes, absolutely I think.

B

It's funny again, while you guys were talking I'm over here, you know.

C

I'm, like okay I, keep. My mom told me not to talk with my mouth mom.

A

I was speaking to someone earlier and Ryan and I are both transplants to the area. But I was surprised to know just how long Carowinds has been in this community and I know it's evolved and it's changed. But it's pretty amazing that it's um it's still here and you know you guys are obviously putting money into it and building it out and improving it every year. So absolutely.

C

I've been here since 1973 I'm sure, as you probably researched him found out a very long time again. It's just grown from something very small to now: 400 plus acres of fun, a family fun so again, every year, there's something new, that's headed on, because our guest said this is what we want. This is what we want to do. You know: can you bring this, or can we have more family fun and what is it that I can ride with my child?

C

And so those are the things that we're listening to from our guests to be able to do those things so yeah, that's awesome! So.

A

Now we were talking about how we're really excited to ride some of these roller coasters, but I'm interested to get some of the big like the facts and figures about just how tall and fast these are, and so I think that we're going to speak with the director of maintenance operations and he.

C

Has all of the information and we'll bring mr. Jackson on now, yeah I had a chance to.

A

Briefly before before the podcast this afternoon- and he seems like he is just a wealth of knowledge- you have to wait till you hear some of the stuff that this guy knows, but stiver we're happy you're here, thanks for making some time for us. Oh.

D

No, no problems at all. Okay,.

A

So you told me before before we started the podcast that you consider yourself to be second generation, so you've worked here for quite a long time right.

D

I started here in 1985 and I worked for a guy who actually helped build the particle he actually started. Marketing did maintenance back in 1972 work with Pat Hall, okay,.

A

And in Carowinds is actually a family affair for you because he said that your wife works here as well.

D

It is my wife. She started working here in 1978, I'm, not gonna. Tell you how old she is, but she's actually worked here longer than I have we actually met here and so we met here. We got married and we actually have a 13 year old, daughter together now and.

A

You said that son, the 13 year old, I, don't know her name. What's her name, her.

D

Name is Margo Margo.

A

She rides some of the rides, but she hasn't worked her way up to like the theory level. Quite yet not.

D

Quite yet loves afterburn. She loves to flip upside down yeah.

A

D

The the flying covers and afterburn a few other rides some of the bigger rides, but she hasn't ridden the Intimidator or the crew. Yet, okay,.

A

D

I'm still working on her, but you know dad's not allowed to make her ride anything. Yes,.

A

Used to do it in her own time, that's.

D

Right her own time now.

A

You were telling me about a ride that it used to be called Top Gun. What is it called now? It's called afterburn now afterburn and interesting backstory with that explain that. Well we put.

D

After Burnett, in 1999, okay and ever since then that coaster, all the elements in it are built off of the experience you have in an f-14 Tomcat, so vnm got that rod, 100% right they. They actually call that one of their best rides ever that they've ever built, because I got all the elements right. People love that ride. It feels just like you're in an f-14 yeah.

A

D

It's they built hundreds of coasters all over the world and they say that is one of their number one coasters ever built and.

A

The cool thing about that is a lot of people. Don't have an opportunity to get up in that sort of aircraft, so this sort of gives them an opportunity to maybe feel like what the pilot experiences that's.

D

Right all all the turns and curves the moves of there are all based off aeronautical moves that an f-14 would make so.

A

Now, what's the tallest or the fastest roller coaster here, is that one in the same, are they different? It's.

D

Actually, one of the same fury, 325's cat.

A

D

Fastest Giga coaster in the world so.

A

What's a Giga coaster, exactly a.

D

Giga coaster is the roller coaster. Has traditional chain lift as between 300 and 390 tall, okay,.

A

Now, how fast would you go? Do you ride that 95.

D

Miles an hour, I mean yeah, come down the first hill I.

A

Have to imagine if we were in front of fury today that we may be hearing some louder screams and this one behind us, but the flying Cobras looks fun too. It does.

D

The flying Cobras, it's a great ride, it's a real compact coaster. It goes back to the 80s when footprints were small. You know the economy was a little bit. Different people were looking for a compact coaster and that that's what the code? That's what the cover is, but it's a lot of fun. It's their unit. It's it's fast! It's got multiple loops in it, multiple inversions. That was actually the first go back to my daughter. That's the first upside down ride. She rode is what she calls. That's. Okay,.

A

And this is kind of a family area that you guys have created this year, it's known as the County Fair, and you know it's interesting. You said that Carowinds sort of identified, something that was miss, and so this is supposed to evoke for parents especially sort of that experience from their childhood. Maybe and then hopefully they pass that down when they visit with their kids. That's.

D

Right, the County Fair has got what we call classic rides in it. We went out and we shopped shop the world we end up. In Europe, we found four classic rides for Carowinds. There were different different places. One came from Japan one from China and two from Europe. We've sent them through the rehab shop. We rebuilt them, but what we were looking for were rides that were real, reliable, real, family-oriented rides that had a good track record for popularity and that's what we went after.

D

So we wanted something, that's good for the families fun to ride. Everybody enjoys, and it's also got that that County Fair feel that you may have seen some of these rides on the Midway's. When you went to the local classic county fairs back in the 60s 70s and 80s yeah.

A

It's pretty cool so now do any of the roller coasters here hold records. Besides Fury, they.

D

Do the cyclone the Karen Saqlain when it was put in, held the world record for the most inversions its first year and held that record for two weeks two weeks two weeks and then they.

A

Goody, they put him through those.

D

Coasters that you're almost the same but.

A

D

Care was open. First, we actually held the world record for two weeks. Then it.

A

D

Back when White Lightning was here, white lightnin was the first commercial, the first looping coaster and a theme park. Okay,.

A

D

Was actually a prototype, so that was white lightning. When we put in Intimidator it held the world record for the tallest hypercoaster, he was two feet taller than the one put in the year before so roller coaster records come and go so that that's kind of how that works. I'm sure that you're somebody build one a little bit bigger than Fury in the next few years and there won't be the tallest fastest anymore, yeah.

A

D

Right now it is do.

A

You guys have any wooden roller coasters. Oh we.

D

Did we have in.

A

D

Gold rush, ER and.

A

The hurler are.

D

Both wooden roller coasters, okay,.

A

Those are a little bit more shaky on my head, but I still think they're fun a little bit vintage. Yes,.

D

Well, they are a wooden roller. Coaster is a classic coaster, but you know that's how roller coaster started. They were made out of wood and they were originally based off mine cars and it's progressing. It's then it's a lot now that now that I've got wooden roller coasters that have gone upside down, so we don't have. One of those right now sounds.

A

D

It's very dynamic yeah, you know it's usually a you know it's you can do that, but the metal, the steel coasters were much much more inclined to go upside down. It's they're easier to build upside down. Yeah.

A

So how many roller coasters in all? Even if it's just a rough estimate.

D

I think I think we're 11 right now. 11.

A

Okay, like what's the maintenance schedule like to you, know, keep 11 roller coasters up and running. Okay.

D

We have 27 Kanaks on.

A

D

Six electricians and they really rotate you guys. We start at six o'clock in the morning, sometimes five, depending on what hourly right time is to get everything checked out. We use fear as the example it takes. It takes two technicians three hours, each to get that ride, checked out well,.

C

D

The same way, but it's three trains: it's a big long track. There's a lot of moving parts on it. The kiddie rides make take 30 minutes. You might. You might spend 30 minutes over here. Checking out this, you, the one person but big coasters, take a lot longer. You have to spin every wheel. You have to check the diameter on the wheels. You have to really there's a lot of stuff to look at and.

A

D

Something that.

A

You're required to do daily daily.

D

There's the daily inspections we have dailies weeklies month leaves and annuals that we have to do so. The daily inspection happens every day and then the weekly inspections would be part of that every day and then the monthly is that's usually once a month we go through and it's a it's a different inspection on different compartments, yeah.

A

I have to imagine that you know your friends or family or people you run into know that you work at Carowinds. You've had to run into somebody who's like I'm, too scared to ride a roller coaster. You know when it comes to like a safety standpoint yeah. How do you explain that for folks, it in terms of kind of put in their mind at ease, okay,.

D

Well, for one thing: I ride everything that we work on: okay, I'm, not going to ride something; that's not safe, yeah.

A

D

Go through our daily checks, we're very diligent with our with our inspections, we're very diligent with what we do every day, not just when we do inspections, we actually go out and listen to rods, so we actually watch them operate off. So care was at the very safe part. Always has been that's one thing that I really pride us on I've been here since 85, and we don't. We don't hurt people on our rods. We don't my daughter's 13 I'll. Let her write anything out here and not not bat, an eye about it.

D

So I mean we go if I, let my kids and my friends, kids ride and grandkids and great-grandkids people I know it's safe, yeah.

A

D

A

It's kind of like, if you want to prove it drinking water, would be safe and your drinking glass. That's.

D

Right yep, like I, said I, write everything out here. Yeah.

A

D

I'm a firm believer if you work on it, Ryder.

A

So now wait time so they're just kind of depend on the time of year. In terms of how long time ago,.

D

Tommy day, when you first come in the park, you know like a fury and they fight a random fury. Put afterburn in everybody runs, everybody runs a new ride or what they wanted to put County Fair. Everybody came over here. So that's how things kind of morph around, but what you'll find is? It really depends on what day of the week it's how many people in the park? How will hell out the wait times up but fewer people in the park?

D

Well sure the wait times gonna be so Saturday's a big day, so the late times gonna be a little bit longer on Saturday, Monday or Tuesday Tuesday's, actually, probably a really good day. If you're, you want to come out here and ride everything I was.

A

Gonna say give so many good inside scoop. What's the best day, if you're.

D

Able to take a day out if you're, looking if you're looking to ride, rides shortest wait times. I'd say test your Wednesday okay,.

A

B

A

To know you heard it here: first guys yeah.

B

A

Steve we appreciate you joining us. Are you welcome.

D

A

Problem I know you're a wealth of knowledge. So if you have any fun facts, but I haven't heard yet lay it on me before.

D

Let's go world record, we have five attractions that are in two states.

A

D

The state line goes right through the park, and that was one of the that was one of the unique things about Carowinds we Pat Hall started. He wanted to make it for both Carolina, so he put it in post States. The state line goes right to the park. Yeah.

A

D

The Lacey rivers in both Park both states, then we have full rides that actually cross the state line. Yeah.

A

That's cool Ryan had mentioned at one point he's like: are we in North, Carolina or South Carolina and I didn't even realize that it this.

D

Is fr over here in County Fair? It's a swing ride. We start in one state. You swing to the other yeah.

B

A

D

A

Yeah you there's not many places that you can say that about there.

B

Is can't beat that no.

A

Are you welcome, thank you yeah, so Ryan, if you had to choose which poster would ride first, are you one of those, the fury guy that wants to drop, or do you like to wine cork.

B

A

Type thing I'm.

B

A fast pace, guy I want to go hit. The fury, I don't hit the big stuff, but I'm also at the same time, I'm also the wooden coaster, guy yeah.

A

B

You're talking it does rattle yeah, but I.

A

Don't know this just something.

B

Reminds me of no park that I used to go to when I was growing up yeah.

A

That's pretty cool I, remember from my rollercoaster days that, like I, would always have kind of a headache when I get off those wooden coasters, but.

B

A

Enough to stop me from doing it again, so yeah.

B

And you know, the cool thing is Jeana. When we're done here, we haven't told you this yet we're gonna you're gonna go out. You're gonna ride some things. Yeah.

A

You're gonna go.

C

Ride some things and.

B

You're gonna do some short little things and tell us what you thought: how crazy was it? Let's have a little fun. You tell her. Tell everybody about how exciting this place is. Cuz, I gotta tell you we're sitting there talking to Lisa and Steve's. You look at their faces the whole time they were talking, yeah big smiles, both of them they're, loving it. They love this place and I. You know what I can see. Why I.

A

Know it's hard to come in here with like a frown on your face and you can just see like the excitement in people's faces they like to be here. It's a fun treat for them. Yes, it is yeah I'm.

B

A

We hope that you've enjoyed this first destination Charlotte, like as I mentioned at the beginning of the show, you can actually watch the video so I'm sure a lot of people are tuning in on the podcast on SoundCloud or you clicked on the link that you saw on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, but on the gov channel you can see everything that's going on behind us. Well, actually put some of that footage of me riding roller coasters. Forgive me if my hair is like you know it's like way bigger when I get done, but in.

B

Real life, it's okay.

A

But don't forget, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Google Play find it under the breaking news: tab on Charlotte NC, governor he's, gonna have watch that video on the gov channel that airs Monday mornings at 8 o'clock and then again at 9:00 and 11:00, and you can get the GUP tune, I think it's AT&T and Time Warner that carry it correct. Okay, we hope that you've enjoyed spending some time with us. We had a blast. I'm gonna go ride, some roller coasters, so I got to get out of here.

B

That's the case: you'll have fun. You gotta yeah, like I, said you're gonna tell us how it goes, but.

A

Something to mention and I'll say this before we. Let you guys get on with your day is: if you have an idea for the next destination Charlotte, if there's a place that you think that we just have to go. Email us chromecast, 704 at gmail.com or just connect with us on social media. The handle is at C LT gov at that C LT, gov and whatever floats your boat works for us. So join us next time.