Amusement park in Raleigh/Triangle area (Charlotte, Smithfield: rent, waterparks, cost)

[RaleighSentinel]

I’d drop a Six Flags somewhere between Burlington and Efland off I-40. I’d drop a water park off US-64 between Pittsboro and Apex, near Jordan Lake. My kids would definitely agree, and the don’t agree on anything.

[BoBromhal]

if you capitalize it, and build it, maybe they will come.

[Myghost]

Three major parks within 3 hours drive (easy daytrip: Carowinds, Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens.
Major water park in Greensboro
Also Wolf Lodge, and many, many, many other "amusement options" closer by (ziplines, lakes, skills courses, etc...)

I just don't see it happening.

[TheBigKahunaNC]

3 hour drive isnt enticing at all, for many people, for day trips.

[RaleighSentinel]

Not with my kids in the car...

[Thr3stripe]

I would venture to say that the Triangle is the largest populated area (Combined Statistical Area) that has neither a Waterpark nor decent sized amusement park readily accessible. Turns out that maybe Indianapolis might be very similar, and slightly more populated...

The Triangle is the 29th largest CSA in the country. A casual look at CSAs between #20 and #30 yields:

20: Charlotte: Carowinds (both amusement and waterpark), Great Wolf indoor waterpark
21: Pittsburgh: Kennywood (amusement), Idlewild (amusement and waterpark) and Sandcastle (waterpark)
22: Sacramento: Raging Waters (waterpark). Six Flags (1 hour away in Vallejo)
23: Salt Lake City: Lagoon (amusement and waterpark), Seven Peaks (waterpark), and Cowabunga (waterpark)
24: Columbus OH: Zoombezi Bay (amusement and waterpark), Big Splash (waterpark).
25: Kansas City: Worlds of Fun (amusement), Oceans of Fun (waterpark)
26: Las Vegas: Wet and Wild (waterpark), Cowabunga Bay (waterpark).
27: Indianapolis: Probably the most like the Triangle. A couple of small parks on the scale of Frankies
28: Cincinnati: Kings Island (amusement), Coney Island (waterpark), Soak City (waterpark)
29: Raleigh Triangle:
30: Milwaukee: Cool Waters (waterpark)

[TheBigKahunaNC]

Not surprising. For many years, Raleigh was the largest city in America without a public skatepark as well. Now theres one. One.

[cheapdad00]

Originally Posted by TheBigKahunaNC

3 hour drive isnt enticing at all, for many people, for day trips.

Yes, especially after being out in the sun all day. Might as well drive to the beach then and swim in a never ending wave pool.

[TheBigKahunaNC]

Don't get me wrong, I love Busch Gardens. But it's closer to 4 hours from my house, and definitely NOT a day trip.

[Myghost]

I get that some (many) won't do a day trip of 3 hours each way, but I still say it will never happen. I just can't imagine a company investing the hundreds of millions of dollars to build an amusement park with so many nearby. It's the kind of investment that would take decades to recoup, and I just don't think many companies will invest in that in this day and age.

Also, places like Indianapolis are in a different part of the country, where things are more spread out. They don't have as many options.

Anyway, I don't personally care. My days of Rollercoasters are long gone. I hope that we get one for those that want it. I really do. But I think we have a much better chance of getting Amazon first. (which in turn, might actually bring enough people and influence to tip the scale that we are more likely to get the park. who knows?)