Theme parks around the world are looking to their national and local governments for permission to reopen as those governments begin to lift their stay-at-home orders during this pandemic.
In the United States, state and local governments are in control of theme parks' fate. Some states are taking a more aggressive approach toward reopening, while others are being more aggressive about continuing to fight the threat of the virus. But what happens when your theme park is located in two different states?
The Schrodinger's cat of theme parks - as many Theme Park Insider readers likely know - is Carowinds, which straddles the border between North and South Carolina. The Cedar Fair park is literally caught in the middle between North Carolina's go-slow approach, where theme parks remain on the list of closed businesses, and South Carolina's open-now approach, where theme parks are good to go.
Under normal operation, inspectors from the two states cover the respective rides and restaurants that fall within their territory. But there's no way to reopen just half the park, so Carowinds as a whole has to abide by whatever is the more restrictive of the two set of rules it must operate under. That means the park remains closed until both states give it the approval to return.
Here's the only way to enjoy Carowinds right now - through the park's on-ride POV playlist:
It's not an usual issue for Carowinds - it's the price of the park's gimmick of straddling a state line, after all. But it's never quite manifested itself like this. Such is life at Carowinds - the park that needs two governor's approvals to reopen.
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It's also funny because the tax rate is different. I think the SC side was cheaper, so buy stuff in the stores on that side of the park to save some small percentage.
Seriously, it's fascinating how what must have sounded like a fun idea hits scores of logistics between the states.
I love how folks outside the Carolinas go "aren't they the same" and folks there responding "If we were, do you think we would have divided up in the first place?"
Seems like the real question is which state are the park's entrances in?
That'd be like EPCOT being half in Georgia, where the International Gateway is open, but the front of the park entrance is closed.
Interesting situation, though, for sure.
Gabriel Schroll the kicker with Carowinds is that the entrance is on the border. You can be standing just inside the gate right next to someone and be in different states.
Definitely a unique situation. I guess they have to go with the state that makes the more restrictive measures (you can't exactly have restrictions in part of the park, but not those restrictions in the other part of the park and expect guests to keep track of which part they're in).
And here I thought Disney had if bad being in two counties in Florida. Being in two states, that's something WAY more complicated under the circumstances.
@Gabriel Schroll the south carolina gate is next to afterburn and the main gate is on both sides.
Kenny vee they have to get permission from 2 states, 2 counties and 2 cities. mecklenburg county isn't going to let the open anytime soon.
If I remember something I heard on the radio right, there is a golf course on the English and Welsh border. When restrictions eased allowing golf in England but not wales, the holes on the welsh side had to stay closed.
I suppose you could get very TV and draw a line down the middle of the park, but enforcing it would probably outweigh the gain from opening.
If I remember something I heard on the radio right, there is a golf course on the English and Welsh border. When restrictions eased allowing golf in England but not wales, the holes on the welsh side had to stay closed.
I suppose you could get very TV and draw a line down the middle of the park, but enforcing it would probably outweigh the gain from opening.
It would seem to me there has got to be some some kind of marketing promotion in this. Since the office and address is technically in Charlotte, they have to follow North Carolina orders. But certainly a marketing genius could come up with something. A charity event or something -- on the South Carolina side... not to make a political statement... but to remind guests that the fun will return. Invite medical personnel, police and first responders to enjoy a few rides "as we prepare to welcome everyone back." Or make it a season pass opportunity to test virtual/reservations system and open up a few rides and food stands (on the South Carolina side) for a tiny bit of revenue.
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Wow, this is a unique situation and guess someone in management is grousing on "ugh, talk about an issue we never once considered when making this funny gimmick...."