Carowinds has announced its most ambitious expansion yet, unveiling plans for the largest family investment in its history along with a record-breaking water ride. To make way for these exciting new attractions, the park will retire three long-standing rides: Nighthawk, Scream Weaver, and Drop Tower.

This announcement is part of a $1 billion investment in Six Flags Entertainment Corporation’s family of theme parks over the next two years. At Carowinds, this investment includes the introduction of a family launch coaster and an interactive raft ride in Camp Snoopy in 2025, followed by the highly anticipated water ride in 2026.

For Carowinds, this feels like the start of an exciting new chapter. The multi-year expansion promises to breathe fresh energy into the park, introducing attractions designed to create unforgettable family memories. It’s clear that Carowinds is evolving for the future while remaining a destination where guests of all ages can come together and enjoy thrilling experiences.

The decision to retire Nighthawk, Scream Weaver, and Drop Tower was described by Carowinds on its website as a difficult but necessary step to make way for the park’s future. Each of these attractions has played a significant role in the park’s history.

Nighthawk, a flying coaster that opened in 2004, gave riders the sensation of soaring over the park in a prone position, offering a unique, unobstructed view of Carowinds’ skyline. Its journey began in 2000 at California’s Great America, where it debuted as Stealth before being relocated to Carowinds.

Scream Weaver, a classic spinning ride that first opened in 1979 in the County Fair area and moved to Thrill Zone in 1993, has delighted guests for over three decades with its dizzying, head-over-heels thrills.

Drop Tower, introduced in 1996, has been an iconic part of the park for generations, delivering heart-pounding freefalls from 174 feet at speeds of up to 56 miles per hour.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from fans. Many are saddened to see these attractions go, particularly Drop Tower, which has become a signature part of the park. Others, however, welcome the change, citing issues like Nighthawk’s rough ride and praising the park’s efforts to modernize its lineup.

Speculation about the influence of the recent Cedar Fair-Six Flags merger on these decisions continues to circulate among fans on social media and online forums. While Carowinds has not directly addressed these concerns, the park has emphasized its commitment to enhancing guest experiences and staying ahead of industry trends.

As nostalgic as it is to see these rides retired, I can’t help but feel excited about what’s to come. The family launch coaster and interactive raft ride will bring new energy to Camp Snoopy, making it even more of a must-visit for families. And as someone who loves a great water ride, I’m especially thrilled about the record-breaking attraction set to debut in 2026—it’s bound to make a huge splash and elevate summer visits to a whole new level.

Carowinds has promised to share further details about its expansion plans in summer 2025. However, fans won’t have the opportunity to take one last ride on Nighthawk, Scream Weaver, or Drop Tower, as none of these retiring attractions are included in the park’s WinterFest lineup. Their closures mark the end of an era at Carowinds.

The retirement of these three rides at Carowinds follows Six Flags Great Adventure’s recent announcement that the iconic Kingda Ka is being retired. This raises the question: could other parks in the new Six Flags family, like Kings Island, Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, or Worlds of Fun, face similar changes this winter as part of the broader investment plan? With over $1 billion being poured into the parks, more announcements are undoubtedly on the horizon. Stay tuned to see what the future holds.

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