Just a few days remain before Carowinds reveals their plans for the 2017 season, and we have our fourth week of teases.
The tease involves Carowinds’ mayor, Earnest Lee Higginbotham, and his campaign for re-election to serve as the park’s mayor for four more years.
We’ve been keeping up with the teases, which are released each week until Carowinds makes their announcement on August 18. In case you missed it, be sure to check out the posts from Week One, Week Two, and Week Three.
To recap, our predictions from last week:
- Based on the clues and information that we’ve seen, I’m maintaining my predictions of Music Express, Breakdance, Wave Swinger, and Mondial Top Scan. I’ll back off the prediction of a Huss UFO, which was never a super serious guess.
- I think at least one of the new attractions will be a significant height, based on the Mayor’s comments of taking Carowinds “to the top.”
- When looking at the possible location of these new attractions, two comments stick out. First, Granny’s mention of “back in the woods.” This could refer to several places — Woodstock Express, Dinosaurs Alive, Behind the Hurler, etc.. I’m not sure which would be the best location. The second comment is Patty Cake’s “heart bumpin’ like a juke box,” referencing the park’s Juke Box Diner, which is adjacent to Fury 325. (The ride’s part’s have been spotted under Fury 325’s lift hill.) Juke Box Diner is also referenced in this tweet from several weeks ago.https://twitter.com/Carowinds/status/757218475324694528
- There are several mentions in this week’s Higginbotham Hotline of electricity related words. “Charged Up,” “Volt,” “Fast as electricity,” With Mayor Higginbotham’s comments about revisiting roots, I wonder if one of these new attractions will either have the name of, or be a modern representation of Carowinds’ former ‘White Lightning” shuttle loop coaster. Carowinds has teased “Lightning striking twice” before, most recently during Fury 325’s construction.
Let’s jump into the last week of teasers, which includes another YouTube video and four new clues on the Higginbotham Hotline.
YouTube Video: #VoteFourMore
Another campaign video featuring Granny, Deputy Danger, Patty Cake, Dewey Cheatham, and another unidentified woman (I think she’s the teacher mentioned in a previous Higginbotham Hotline). All are encouraging you to vote, and there are a few key phrases I picked up on.
Deputy Danger: “He is fair minded.” “He likes Square Dancin'”
Patty Cake: “He’s totally rockin’ the votes.”
There’s also a scene in the video, the only scene in this video where the mayor appears live on screen, where he is in the background looking at the location for a potential attraction, framing it with his hands.
Based on the location of the video, I’m wondering if there’s an attraction going in the space next to Carolina Cobra, where the Bloodyard Scarezone is located during SCarowinds?
Higginbotham Hotline
Mayor Higginbotham: It’s me again, mayor of Carowinds, and we’re now just one week away from securing re-election. On August 18th, I’ll be chosen to lead this park for another four years of glory. And I can’t wait to get started. What will be my first priority? I’ll have SIX first priorities. Each of them will make Carowinds the place to be in 2017 and beyond. Season pass holders will rejoice! This I can assure you. My entire campaign has been a whirlwind. It’s had it’s ups and downs and a few arounds. But I’m proud of the work we’ve done. Call me overconfident, but I’m already working on my acceptance speech. Of course, I couldn’t have done any of this without all of you and my friends here at Carowinds. They are the spokes that make me go round. They are my wings. They give me power. (They can be antsy). I’m so proud of them, but mostly, I’m proud of my self. Don’t miss the announcement on August 18th, and continue to show your support and cast your vote on social media by using #VoteFourMore. Together we can continue to grow greatness where the Carolinas come together. Check back in next week at Carowinds.com and on social media to see all of the mayor’s plans for 2017.
Granny: Granny here, the world’s greatest fun-raiser. I’m happy to report that last week’s swing dancing party went splendily. And everyone was drinking up my world famous barbecue sauce by the jar. It seems safe that Granny’s little shin-dig has almost raised enough fun for the mayor’s re-election campaign. That went as well as a soft channel breeze on a warm Carolina day. Whoo! We are now just one week away from the big day – the day when the mayor will be re-elected and all of his new plans will be revealed. He’s really swinging for the fences. Heck, some fences may need to come down a little, or be moved. Heh-he! Now, the big day is August 18, next Thursday. Use #VoteFourMore on social media and help us sway the swing vote. And when all becomes revealed, be sure you’re sitting in your chair, because you will be next year. He-heh-whoo. Check back next week on Carowinds.com and on social media to see all of the mayor’s plans for 2017.
Patty Cake: It’s me, Patty, Patty Cake. Whew, we’ve just one more week of this election left and it looks like things are on a pivot for my uncle winning and being re-elected for four more years. We’ve been racing around trying to get the final voters callin their support and looks like it’s going to happen. I credit myself convincing my uncle to embrace the Rock and Roll lifestyle. We’re going to be shining so bright when he gets re-elected on August 18, you just wait and see. I will tell you that this campaign has been a lot of fun, but it has me tired. I think it’s fair to say that I need a break from all this. We just need to hold on and keep spreading our wings. I’m off to the record store. Be sure to show your support on social media using #VoteFourMore. We sure do appreciate it. And don’t miss the big announcement on August 18. Be sure to check back next week on Carowinds.com and Social Media to see the mayor’s plans for 2017. It’s gonna rock!
Deputy Willard D. Danger: Hello again, this is Deputy Willard D. Danger here. With one week until the election announcement on August 18, I’ve been working very hard to perfect my square dancing routine. And, I even wrote a little song that I hope they’ll sing during the comptetion. It goes a little something like this. Turn your corner upside down, there’s somethin’ special comin’ to town. And turn your corner like a swinging gate, and meet your partner for an old-time date. How hurry up boys and don’t be late, look at our mayor he’s mighty great, Grab your honey and strut your stuff, 2017’s gonna be great, sure enough. Now go dance and (hear that snake,) and promenade your partner for goodness sake, and watch the (lines and make the call,) on August 18th we’re gonna know all. Pretty good huh? It goes to one of my favorite dances. Well, I gotta get back to my square dancing, we don’t have much time left.
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I visited the park on Friday, trying to make sense of any of these hints, aside from some survey markings in the park’s county fair area, there wasn’t much else that I saw. Tried to track down the mayor for a live interview, but couldn’t find him.
Not one who goes around taking photos of paint on the ground. But there's a good amount of markings in the County Fair area. 👀 #VoteFourMore
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) August 12, 2016
My Final Predictions. (Just having fun with it. If I’m right, I’m right, if I’m not, don’t rip me for being wrong.)
- I’m guessing Carowinds will be adding six attractions based on the Mayor’s Comments of Six First Priorities.
- Music Express – Patty Cake has been talking about Rock and Roll, and what I choose to link to a Music Express. There’s also an uncovered sign underneath Fury 325’s lift hill that clearly says Music Express. Lock it in.
- Wave Swinger – Granny keeps talking about the Swing Vote. Also talks about sitting in your chair, which is what do you on a classic Swings attraction. Lock this one in too.
- Breakdance – I’m choosing to believe that this is what Willard D. Danger has been referring to with his many mentions of square dancing.
- Top Scan – The mayor’s mentions of ups, downs, arounds, as well as the fact that Top Scan vehicles have been spotted at Carowinds. Lock it in.
- Troika – Mayor’s continued mentions of working with his 3 friends.
- Giant Frisbee or Ferris Wheel– My new prediction this week. Based on the mayor’s comments about being his friends being spokes in the wheel, and also due to the success of similar attractions at other Cedar Fair parks. Also having some fun with the Carowinds Connection forum theory that the ladder game background is predicting the future.
- Possible locations
- County Fair – Based on survey markings, and continual mentions of the word “fair.”
- Wings Plaza near Carolina Cobra – Two separate mentions of “wings” as well as the Mayor’s framing an attraction there.
- Behind a fence – There are several areas with fences in the park, where Carowinds could possibly expand.
Just a few more days, and we’ll know everything! You can follow along with the Carowinds 2017 tease by visiting the park’s website, and following them onFacebook,Twitter, and Instagram. Don’t forget the hashtag #VoteFourMore on social media!
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