AKA Vulcan91's roller coasters of 2015 thread, where the biggest project in the amusement industry for 2015 will be in Charlotte.

https://www.carowinds.com/swarm
http://www.carowindsconnection.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4162

8/21/2014 1:16:32 PM

Looks awesome.

8/21/2014 1:27:22 PM

I've read that Cedar Parks is really trying to turn Carowinds into the coaster destination of the south. Do you think that'll mean the removal of any of the older coasters in the coming years to make room for newer coasters?

8/21/2014 1:48:38 PM

I sure hope so. Some of them are quite uncomfortable for tall people.

8/21/2014 1:50:44 PM

They have plenty of space to expand, but I think the Cyclone, Vortex, and Nighthawk all have to be long-term candidates for removal at some point.

They are definitely pouring a lot of money into Carowinds. It makes sense with the rapid growth of the Charlotte region. The park is going to look completely different next year and not just because of this insane coaster. They've already ripped up a lot of the entrance area and are completely redoing the front of the park.

8/21/2014 2:02:24 PM

^Which one is Nighthawk? Is that the former Borg or Top Gun?

Why that one instead of say The Hurler?

8/21/2014 2:08:44 PM

Oh man, I used to work on the Vortex in the summer between my fresh and soph years at NCSU. I'll be sad if they tear that one down but it is understandable why they would.

8/21/2014 3:14:46 PM

The wooden ones need to go. They give me a headache every time.

8/21/2014 3:21:41 PM

I haven't been to Carowinds in at least 10 years. That Fury 325 coaster by itself doesn't make me want to return, however continual upgrades of that caliber will, in time.

8/21/2014 3:41:41 PM

am I the only one that doesnt like roller coasters?

8/21/2014 3:44:18 PM

Yes

8/21/2014 4:00:46 PM

Quote :

"I haven't been to Carowinds in at least 10 years. That Fury 325 coaster by itself doesn't make me want to return, however continual upgrades of that caliber will, in time."

They've already kind of been making those continual upgrades. Intimidator in 2010 was the largest roller coaster in the southeastern United States and now they are breaking their own record.

Both Thunder Road and Hurler have received extensive rehab work the last couple of offseasons so I don't think they are going anywhere.

8/21/2014 4:54:18 PM

This looks even better than expected. The next few seasons at Carowinds should be pretty exciting.

8/21/2014 5:18:39 PM

The Hurler sucks.

Thunder road will never go away, it is a classic.

8/21/2014 7:01:02 PM

bring back White Lightnin

8/21/2014 7:02:41 PM

the hurler died when they got rid of all the Wayne's World memorabilia/intro.

8/21/2014 7:29:50 PM

Re: Carowinds
If you are seeking an adrenaline rush, look elsewhere

8/21/2014 7:52:17 PM

Quote :

"am I the only one that doesnt like roller coasters?"

I am not a fan either. I lived within sight of Carowinds for 3 years and never went once.

8/21/2014 8:10:52 PM

Saw this getting some press today, looks like fun

3/25/2015 10:51:03 PM

I am DEFINITELY riding this!

3/25/2015 11:55:18 PM

Rode it seven times yesterday. It's unbelievable. I've been on over 400 different coasters and this might be the best steel coaster I've been on. Unbelievable that it's at Carowinds.

3/26/2015 8:31:28 AM

i've got the opportunity to go ride it today as part of a contractor appreciation day (my company is doing some work out there). Unfortunately deadlines have me tied to the desk.


^will you be writing an official review?

3/26/2015 8:36:47 AM

Here are the photos I took: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhawkins/sets/72157651252703590/

It's right up there with my favorite steel coasters like Magnum XL 200, Bizarro/Superman at Six Flags New England, Leviathan, Phantom's Revenge, etc. It might be the best steel I've been on, but I'm still not ready for a final judgment on that.

The first drop seems to be endless, especially in the back seat. The high speed low turns are fun with some weird sideways airtime in a couple of places, the best probably being the turnaround before it dives under the walkway where the track is banked 90 degrees and there is airtime. The ride finishes with three great airtime hills. It's a long ride but maintains great speed throughout. It's really going to put Carowinds on the map.

3/30/2015 10:49:11 PM

did you take a POV video where the entire time you yell "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

3/30/2015 10:55:42 PM

it looks awesome at night!

3/31/2015 8:09:53 AM

Still can't believe Carowinds of all places built this.

This is the first time in over a decade 15 years I'm even thinking about going there.

3/31/2015 11:08:40 AM

Quote :

"Still can't believe Carowinds of all places built this. "

sure, Carowinds went into a bit of decline once Paramount sold it but it's been owned by Cedar Parks for about 5 years now and they have invested a lot of money into the place. Not just the added rides but a complete park face lift include main entrance promenade, new concessions and amenities, more parking, an RV and camp site, and a lot of other things. you are doing yourself a disservice to assume it's the same park it was years ago.

3/31/2015 11:53:46 AM

Last time I went to Carowinds, I was underwhelmed. It just doesn't have the complete theme park experience. Compared to Busch Gardens or Islands of Adventure. It's just rides and concrete. Because of that, I think it's hard to pick Carowinds over Williamsburg, for instance. Granted, they may have changed it to make it a more comprehensive event in the last 15 years, but I kind of doubt it.

3/31/2015 12:43:26 PM

Exactly. Carowinds feels like a parking lot with rides.

3/31/2015 12:53:17 PM

Oh i would choose BG - Williamsburg every time.

3/31/2015 1:43:20 PM

I too prefer the total overall experience of Busch Gardens.

I was at Carowinds just a year or two ago and a lot of things felt really dated. Really hope they improved concessions since the last time I was there. I guess they're going to continue to market themselves as primarily a place to ride coasters, but I think they could do a lot for themselves if they upped the aesthetics and provided some nicer places to eat.

Granted, last time I was at Carowinds, I felt like I could see the same folks at a NASCAR event or the local Walmart..

3/31/2015 7:09:14 PM

They just hired an executive chef and revamp most of their dining options, including the addition of Harmony Hall, a giant indoor dining hall and performance venue. They are also starting the Taste of the Carolinas festival this spring (https://www.carowinds.com/what-s-new/taste-of-the-carolinas). I have had samples of a lot of the food from that and it is legitimately good, not just amusement park good. They are really trying to improve the atmosphere of the park.

That said, it will never be like Busch Gardens, which is one of the most beautiful parks in the world. Busch Gardens is more of a theme park while Carowinds is a traditional amusement park and doesn't aspire to be more than that. They are trying to get back to the original vision behind the park though which was to be focused on the Carolinas.

I prefer Busch Gardens too, but it's hardly fair to slight Carowinds for that, because I've been to parks all over the world and Busch Gardens is one of the absolute best.

[Edited on March 31, 2015 at 7:20 PM. Reason : .]

3/31/2015 7:20:22 PM

I can now say with certainty that this ride is ridiculous. And dat turnaround

My official review:

HOLY FUCK

4/1/2015 9:10:20 AM

Can't believe nobody had a GoPro on the ride. I was waiting for that. Not that I would ever ride this thing. I can't stand coasters.

4/1/2015 10:02:28 AM

i enjoyed the hell out of the intimidator 305 at kings dominion. this has a higher 1st hill and the raised seats/lap only of apollo's chariot? yes please.

4/1/2015 10:24:15 AM

^^https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fury325

4/1/2015 10:40:18 AM

It doesn't have the balls to the walls intensity of I-305 (ie you don't literally lose consciousness in the first turn), but it's a much more comfortable ride with more airtime.

4/1/2015 3:20:08 PM

yeah i got a concussion on the hurler

4/1/2015 4:24:04 PM

http://m.wbtv.com/wbtv/db_346288/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=3FUeiySg

4/18/2015 11:12:41 PM

"Safety feature works as intended, more at 11"

4/19/2015 12:00:57 AM

lol yeah it's hilarious how the media has really been picking up on these "stories" lately. All of these rides have thousands of sensors all over them. If any one of them picks up something it shouldn't or goes faulty the ride stops until it can be checked. The absolute worst thing that can possibly happen is they can't restart the ride and people have to walk down the stairs.

4/19/2015 9:42:42 AM

BUT WHAT IF THEY FALL OFF THE STAIRS?

4/19/2015 10:48:06 AM

Rode Wicked Cyclone yesterday. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhawkins/sets/72157652814874049

RIDICULOUS. One of the best rides I've ever been on. Rocky Mountain Construction are the best thing to happen to the amusement industry in a long time. They're building some of the most creative and insane roller coasters ever.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXS-XIf0qgQ

5/21/2015 9:23:24 PM

Vulcan, what exactly is it you do that lets you go to these media events?

5/21/2015 9:25:07 PM

Every time I see shit like this I get so pissed because I can't ride them anymore due to my neck pain

5/21/2015 11:20:06 PM

I actually have no idea why I was invited to the Six Flags New England media day. I'm still puzzled by it. I get invited to the Carowinds stuff because I run http://www.carowindsconnection.com/.

For a lot of media events though the local American Coaster Enthusiasts region (http://www.aceonline.org/) will be invited. That was the case yesterday.

5/22/2015 1:24:18 AM

http://gizmodo.com/how-the-best-rides-at-universal-studios-work-1762505782

4/14/2016 12:11:41 PM

inb4 someone gets killed

4/14/2016 7:27:12 PM