JJLehto

So, Im making a trip home for Thanksgiving, and since I always need a layover in Charlotte I always check Carowinds. It seems they actually are open for limited hours for "winter fest" including one day from 2 - 10 :O Anyone been here for this winterfest/know what it is? Is the full park open? I can handle cool weather but am unsure if I should bite the bullet and finally go this year, when the park may not be crowded at all (?) or wait till next year when itll be warmer and the new coaster is open

Looks like a sick new addition. I really am glad to see more of these unique, low to the ground crazy twister coasters. 2019 is gunna be hard, so many parks I havent done that are adding new rides all over the country and I cant get to them all. choices to make!

So Copperhead Strike, was that a launch over a hill? If so what a 180 from not so long ago when it seemed every ride had trimmed hills, imagine if we now launch over them. Looks like a fun ride, I already had Carowinds slated for 2019 but now its deff happening.

Well, looks like I have already decided that I will be going to CA next year! Hopefully for a WCB, which I will keep all of Sept open for so no pesky life plans get in the way.

Ah so seems like it never really did let up. Well like we all said, was an odd day, very very rare is there gunna be a power outage that shuts down the park, and the 2 trains really do slow things down to begin with. Hope that is resolved for next year. Yeah in the end was still good, at first was a tad bummed the overall quantity of rides was lower than I hoped but I was there largely for SV. All I know is next year I wont miss coastermania! I was spoiled by that.

Well, KW was nice. Deff had the small/local park feel but with a solid selection of rides. More than KK or HW, least it felt that way. I was glad to have done the classic woodies, and they were ok, Thunderbolt was fun, but must be honest they were more historical than anything. Park was pretty crowded, so the waits were a bit long for some rides esp Jack Rabbit and Racer. Rides did seem to open inconsistently, like they deff weren't all open at 11, and a few flats were closed for the day (or at least until I left to be fair). While good and glad I had the experience, if it wasn't for Steel Curtain I prob would not go back next year. I did like the flat selection, I was surprised to see how large Black Widow was, seemed to be as big if not more than MaxAir and I love the S&S swing rides. Phantom was of course the crown jewel and it lived up to the hype. That air was insane. Given the restraint in a way it was quite vicious. The whole ride was quite good, I liked the weird drop, and the second drop/fan turn was really cool. I stand by my original gut: Deff a top 15 steel. Not sure where yet it may fall but its in there. What a ride.

Thankfully though there is enough around that area to do if you leave and come back. Basically what us and some of our people would do is check in at SV and if it was 30 minutes or over, we'd leave and come back about an hour to an hour and a half later. We'd go get in a few other rides and then if it was 15-20 minutes on SV, grab 2-3 rides in. I think some of our people were doing multiple rides towards the end of the night because even though it was posted at 15 minutes, I think the FL+ line was more like 10. But it does sound like the delay with the power outage may have broken that good luck streak a bit. Indeed, I really did check the area alot and during the day I didnt see it go below 30 and was often 40-45. But thats a rare event the outage seems to have backed things up, which is expected, what can ya do? A few 30-45 min waits is still better than 2 hours. I never would've gotten that many rides on it otherwise, and I was torn about staying till close. No doubt the lines prob died by then but that was my screw up, should've stayed another night and not drive to PA. Didnt wanna get in crazy late and figured Id not need a whole day with FL, so lesson learned always give more time for Cedar Point! My fault there.

As someone who likes this ride, FL+ is particularly awesome for Valravn. It's an undeniably popular coaster, and having that typical 60-75 min wait cut down to "hop on the very next train" is awesome. Absolutely. That ride was deff the 3rd best usage of FL+ the line was so massive, but enthusiasts/lots of people seem to skip it, so it was deff great for FL. The line was massive and I was able to do 3 rides in a row, all basically walked on. I only waited at all because I went for front row once, otherwise it was right to the station and onto an open car. And honestly, I prob would not do that ride otherwise. I would never wait full length for it, I use early access on other rides, so if not for FL I'd not have been on

I second what Phil said, you will not be able to marathon SV. Because that was my hope and it just wasn't in the cards. Even with FL+ expect waits that are not exactly what you would call marathoning. As Robb has said ya can time it for shorter waits but that means leaving. I didnt know they still were running only 2 trains. With such an already crowded ride, one that seemed to have not great capacity and 2 trains, its realllly mobbed. Agreed, 3 trains and lessened hype will help in the future Which I am absolutely going back next year! The park is still wonderful, year after year, and SC is truly out of this world.

I hung around the SV/Maveirck area a good bit of the day, and went back a few times, for Maverick I caught some 15 min FL waits but often it seemed 30, a few 45s and SV seemed to be like 45 mins all day. I did leave and come back a few times and was pretty unchanged. BUT I think the power outage must've had something to do with it, ya know instead of 2 hours of people flowing through it just backlogged. Like the crowd waiting outside SV was huge so I get that is absolutely not normal. I just changed my planes and skipped a few rides, and did others only once and maximized time on Mav and SV. 45 mins is better than 2 hours. Was not idea, but hey Ive been here enough times so missing some others was no biggie It was mostly that area, on MForce the FL was basically walk ons, Valravyn was 0-5 mins, Gatekeeper I also had a walk on so it was just that SV area where the FL was kind of long. In the end was still worth it, was there mostly for SV and got like 5 rides on it, which wouldn't be possible otherwise, and multiple on Maverick so yeah, was frustrated but went with the flow. I get weather, breakdowns, even closures happen. A power outage that shuts down the park for near 2 hours is quite outside the norm of what you expect may happen so I know that is not common for FL+ Was deff worth it and next CP trip I will get it again

Yeah a local told me it's barely run this season. Apparently had a motor issue and needs to be shipped from Germany idk. Shame it looked cool though I know it's prob not anything special. I'm coming next year I know so all good. Looking ad where the new coaster will be, gunna be nuts. Yeah Phantoms lived up to the hype. Idk about top 10 but likely 15, those hills were vicious. Whole ride was pretty good too

Well, I am glad y'all warned me ahead of time Kennywood doesn't really open till 11. I was able to sleep an extra bit and casually make my way in the park opposed to 1030. Indeed nothing is running so that would've been a shock to me if i didn't know. Sadly it seems Skyrocket is closed today. Sucks to lose the cred and actually it looks cooler than I imagined, but guess there's next year. Though I understand that tends to have big lines so hope that doesn't mean other rides will be more crowded. I wasn't gunna return to this park till I saw the 19 coaster sooo I already know I'll be back. Phantoms Revenge looks awesome as hell can't wait

Steel Vengeance: Well....what to say that hasn't been said already? Nothing really. It's insane. It's mostly likely my #1 coaster. I mean, that airtime is nuts, but ironically I found it overall less violent than some other RMCs, like I had no thigh pain or even much discomfort. I mean the final few hops were violent ejector, but overall yeah. the air was intense but brief or those looooong stretches where you're just floating. But it wasn't painful/felt like I was being pulled out. What a well designed ride. Great layout, flow, and pacing. Great elements. That second inversion is bonkers, first ride I wasn't even sure what was happening, and that last inversion, I felt hang time through the whole thing. The whole roll just hanging feeling, dont even know how thats possible THis ride was just brilliantly designed. And of course got good speed, epic drop, and length. Intense but not tooo violent. What can I say? Perfect ride, new #1 Even after all this time and newer rides, still love MForce. I dont even care, I dont know how people say its forceless. I mean, its obvs not like more modern rides, not at all but back seat, leave yourself some restraint room (we're all enthusiasts we should know how) you get some good air and pull at times. The total amount is quite low yeah, but there's air on those hills and I felt major pull at parts. Speaking of, 4th time now on Gatekeeper, 3rd in back row and 3rd time now I found it very forceful. The pull is insane! ....For the first half, it deff peters out a good bit on return and the useless MCBR kills whatever remains. But back edge I do find quite forceful. And Valravyn I gave another couple of spins. It really is all the MCBR for me. I think it has good speed and intensity at first, but it just is all killed with the mcbr. And I still love Wicked Twister, TTD seemed to barely run so apparently is still plagued, blue streak was noticably less enjoyable. Always been a fan but I guess finally Ive been on enough that one is failing to hold up.

Ofc and they did, and while disappointed at the time lost and log jam it causes for SV and Maverick I'll let it go, one the park can t help it, and two no one let's ya be a human being on this site anyway and just vent ha i did get 3 rides on SV which while they took a total of 2.5 hours guess that's what normal wait was. Hoped for more but hey plenty of other rides to enjoy. Will make the most

Alright so got my 2 rides on SV which took a total of 90 minutes even with early access. Quick ride on Mforce, had to leave park to do something, come back and literally everything is closed. Power outage? Well then this has been something ha

Ah see, didn't know they don't sell em during early access. That certainly eliminates my question. Glad I asked! I deff would not have thought to have done that and yall just saved me some time and effort. Seems odd, I mean I paid, I got this big receipt, just give it to me easy but I reckon this is a great way to get people to go to the gift shops! Thanks all, and Doug glad you enjoyed! Ive gotten spoiled, been idk 7, 8 times so its something to go with a ton of excitement over a new ride.

Ha awesome! Well, I will be wearing a Pink Floyd shirt tomm, if anyone sees me feel free to yell out. Sure, I'm likely not to be the only one so could be awkward but, oh well Noob question btw, Ive never used FL here. I printed out my FL+ I assume I take it to the gate when I enter. What do they give you? How does the FL+ work here? Wristband? I reckon it doesn't take too long to do, but to be safe is there any significant amount of time I need to give myself to be ready for early access? Yeah, Im trying to withhold excitement and failing

I will be there tomorrow and Friday as well...can't wait! Awesome! Sadly just Friday for me. Well, if by some chance you see me around feel free to say hi. I will be that guy running around alone but also will be wearing probably a NY Giants shirt

Well, weather looks good here for tomm (so for once I may actually not have my flights delayed) and looks clear for Fri. Seems mother nature is gunna hold off

They don't allow you to drive back to that lot in the mornings but you can park in the regular parking lot and take the new boardwalk path that the entrance is located near Gatekeeper in the parking lot and that will take you along the beach to the Breakers entrance and yes that is the closest entrance to Steel Vengeance. Thanks! That is awesome news! Wanna be as close as possible when opening. And that's fine, given that its likely to be nice (esp compared to FL ) I was planning on walking there anyway, so good all around.

Been so busy this week has creeped up on me, but now that it's here: Beyond stoked. Will be in the point this Friday and it seems weather will hold out! Including the next day for Kennywood so yeah, damn excited. Sorry for missing this as Im sure its been discussed (sorry I just don't follow every page and don't really go back and read what I missed) but in the past I recall there being multiple entrances, one of which was kinda near Mean Streak? Is this still the case and if so, is anyone entitled to walk to that one? I am staying at Breakers Express. It would be grand to not have to go across the whole park. My gut says they probably don't allow this anymore due to well, everyone would go there

Pretty much. Couldn't agree more, I have started considering myself a hobbyist, bc well, I generally do just a few parks a year (this one is shaping up to be a record) but mostly I don't really wanna be associated with the community at large. And people seem to just know the surface level stuff. I have explained from time to time some of the fierce debates Ive seen over what a beam on a truck could mean, over types of footers and what is a hybrid and etc just kinda shook her head and well, I had to agree That said, I actually did find Sheikra pretty awesome, Valravyn left me a tad lackluster idk why. But really neither is a bad ride, my only beef ever was all the speed is killed pretty off fast, and yeah whatever is post block isn't gunna be super fun cause its kind of slow. This one seems to do stuff actually. I doubt I'll get to Canada any time but if so Id like to check this out

Oh, a dive coaster that doesn't almost instantly scrub off all its speed, AND has an actual layout that does stuff. Well, took 20 years and lots of edging closer but they finally figured out how to make a good dive coaster AKA...do stuff besides the drop and don't kill all the speed off

My brother, again a pretty fresh park newbie, had no issue with the phone thing, his only thought echoed mine, if its for safety (which is sensible) why make people pay? Comes off pretty bad, and while I'd say well no place will not take that chance, thinking about it Universal had em for free. Oh well. So Ive been here sporadically lately, keep seeing MForce, what the hell is going on with it?

Oh yes I remember this thing. TBH I am very very glad such a thing was never attempted. The Golden Gate Bridge is too historic, hell all of SF is beautiful esp that area...I was in such aww driving up to it, over it, and off it into all the scenery around the bay. A coaster ruining all that? Uh no.