Hard Hat Tour of Carowinds’ Carolina Harbor

Yesterday, Coaster101, along with several members of Charlotte-area media, had the opportunity to take a Hard Hat Tour of all of the construction that is going with Carowinds‘ new water park, Carolina Harbor.

Carolina Harbor Fun Facts :

• To date:  Carowinds has moved 47,000 Cubic Yards of dirt or 2,765 truckloads
• Carowinds is increasing the size of its waterpark by more than 40%.
• 168,500 – Square feet of concrete decks will be laid throughout Carolina Harbor.
• 480 – Pieces of steel used to construct the new water slides.
• 300 – Workers hired to complete the transformation of the new waterpark.
• 280,000 – Man-hours predicted for the expansion of the new waterpark, compared to 240,000 used to build Fury 325.

Even in the two weeks since our last visit, Carowinds has made a ton of progress. Check it out below!

We're live at @Carowinds for a Hard Hat Tour of #CarolinaHarbor!

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015

Seaside Splashworks

Our tour began in the parking lot on the Southern part of Carowinds’ property, where the various new elements for Carolina Harbor were being laid out. These first photos are of elements for Carolina Harbor’s new splash tower, Seaside Splashworks.

Supports stacked.

This bucket is approximately 9′ tall and holds over 400 gallons of water.

The top of a lighthouse that will be part of Seaside Splashworks.

More Supports

Soon this former wave pool location will be transformed into Seaside Splashworks.

Blackbeard’s Revenge

A major addition to Carolina Harbor is the addition of the 6-Slide Tower, Blackbeard’s Revenge.

Construction was in full swing on the slide tower, while slide pieces were organized in the parking lot.

All slides appeared to be products of Whitewater West, the leading global designer and manufacturer of innovative waterpark products and active family attractions, and billed as the “Original Waterpark and Attractions Company.”

Steel stored in the parking lot for Blackbeard’s Revenge’s structure.

Construction had gone vertical on the tower for Blackbeard’s Revenge.

The foundation for the pump house for Blackbeard’s Revenge

Supports in place for Blackbeard’s Revenge.

The splashdown pool for Blackbeard’s Revenge’s Tube Slides.

Updates From the “Existing” Carolina Harbor

A question was asked about the "old" water park vs. "new" water park. "We don't call it 'old,' we call it existing." #carolinaharbor

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015

#CarolinaHarbor @Carowinds pic.twitter.com/dlkMWDxcy0

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015

These drainage pipes will all be buried.

All of the pre-existing slides at Carolina Harbor will receive (or have already received) a fresh coat of paint, and a new name!

All slides on this slide tower have been repainted.

This elephant will be going away, because elephants are not indigenous to the Carolinas. #CarolinaHarbor @Carowinds pic.twitter.com/jAbkcW4yTX

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015

The former Bondi Beach Wave Pool.

Harbor House Restaurant and Surf Club Harbor Wave Pool

Two more additions to the new Carolina Harbor will be the Harbor House Restaurant (which we were told will have some of the best food of any water park in the world) and the 27,000 Square Foot Surf Club Harbor Wave Pool.

Steve Jackson, Director of Maintenance and Construction stands on the site of the new Harbor House Restaurant.

Future Site of the Harbor House Restaurant. Going to have their own smoker like Harmony Hall. #carolinaharbor pic.twitter.com/IFMczUbDnj

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015

Survey markers for Harbor House.

Construction equipment digging in the area where the new wave pool, Surf Club Harbor.

The Harbor House restaurant will be in NC, the Wave Pool will be in SC. ~50 yards apart! @Carowinds #carolinaharbor. pic.twitter.com/ii3cpGO6fy

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015

A new bath house being built by Surf Club Harbor.

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Thanks to Laresa Thompson and Steve Jackson at Carowinds for the Hard Hat Tour. For more information, visit Carolina Harbor’s Website. Carolina Harbor will open in Late Spring 2016.

And thanks @laresathompson for helping make this tour happen today! #carolinaharbor @carowinds pic.twitter.com/BDYg3Mmilw

— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) December 16, 2015