coasternut79

Right, if you look closely it's just super inclined to the left almost to the point of inversion but not quite before whipping rapidly to the right to enter the outer bank turn. Should be an awesome element.

My God!

It does look incredible however I can't help but think they could have used a little more of the space inside the outer perimeter of the ride to add some length and another cool element or two. For example after the stall instead of immediately banking left it could have banked right and used the slope of the hill to do a really cool helix before heading back to where the current track is leading back to the station. I'm never satisfied

No way this thing is opening 3/14. The track is at least a week or two away from being completed minimum. I just watched a new update video yesterday and there is still quite a bit left to do from the stall to the end and I don't think they've connected the drop to the first hill / outerbank turn yet. The testing will take 3 weeks minimum. The end of March is possible but that's only if everything goes right from now until then. It seems much more likely they would be targeting mid to end April.

^Thanks coasterbill for writing that up. It helps a lot for someone who hasn't been since the ride has been open and is planning a once in a 5 year or so trip. We have to get this right, there is no do over.

Are they still doing the boarding passes? Anyone been lately? Our family is going in April and I'm hoping they've got a better solution by then. We'll see I guess. I really don't want to have to explain to my wife and kid that we have to be at Hollywood Studios at 6am so we can ride ROR. Ugh

I think it's unfair to say "well this looks like Zadra or SV", we are talking about a completely unique custom creation from the hottest coaster manufacturer on the planet right now so I think the excitement is warranted. IG specifically has a couple unique elements that set it apart from the other big RMC's in my opinion. First the barrel roll is not just a run of the mill 360 degree roll. It's almost more like a 540 since you are banking up and to the right before spinning through the roll to your left. It is also very early in the layout and should be a fast roll much like the first inversion on SV. That should be a really cool element. The second one is the inverted top hat right after the barrel roll. I may be wrong but I think that is a new element for RMC, at least on that scale anyway as the train will still be hauling through there since it's still on the first half of the ride. Another thing I like about IG is there is no mid course brake run. God I love big rides without those i.e. Fury as it gives you that all out intense ride from start to finish with no let up.

^Parks within 3 hours would be Dollywood and SFOG (both are on the outer edge of that). A cool place to visit is the Whitewater Center. There's tons of stuff to do there and if you're not into it yourself you can always hang out and watch. They have events with live music and craft beer there a lot during the summer. There's the Nascar hall of fame if you're into that. Charlotte Knights baseball uptown. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

The new hotel is definitely within walking distance as it's directly beside the entrance booths.

I think this is part of the reason people say this coaster is rough...it's because it's a really aggressive layout. That along with the fact that it is a wooden coaster and not a steel coaster. I know that's stating the obvious but aggressive and rough are two totally different things.

I got 3 rides recently and I thought it was fantastic. This is an underrated coaster in my opinion. Yes it's a little rough but not really any more than most woodies. Just an out of control ride experience and super fun!

You aren't kidding! There is such a feeling of being totally out of control that element gives you at night and the lights just add to it. I don't know that I've ever been on a coaster and thought dear lord we are going too fast we may go off the rails but that quad honestly makes you think that!

Good to hear! Fingers crossed the trend continues. We went last year at this time and it opened mid afternoon and we got 3 rides including a night ride in the front row that was unbelievable. It was cloudy with no moonlight so once over the hill it was complete darkness and utter chaos ensued

Headed to Dollywood Friday after Thanksgiving. Hopefully Lightning Rod is up and running early and often! Weather looks good and I cannot wait! Tickets and TimeSaver purchased and ready to go!

This thing is going to be a monster. Being shorter than SV is going to be a plus in my opinion and here's why. Think of how intense Lightning Rod is from start to finish and what an amazing coaster that is. Now imagine that coaster being 206 feet tall with inversions. Good Lord!

Hmmmmm. This makes me think maybe you haven't ridden Afterburn at Carowinds. I agree. Rear row on Afterburn is whippy as heck!

A few pics from the last official operating day before Winterfest:

I was there and can attest that the last couple hours of operation they were cranking out trains lightning fast. However, for whatever reason Fury opened with only 1 train running and they didn't put the second one on until 3:00. It was the only ride in the park that had any sort of line. I don't understand why they do this but at least they made up for it with a good finish. It was nice to get a few front row rides to end Fury's operating season!

I agree. The ride was designed with this in mind and I think they nailed it. Every time I ride it I get off thinking that was so much fun which is in my opinion exactly what you should think after riding a coaster. For me at Carowinds it's Fury, Copperhead, Afterburn, Intimidator in that order. I will say 2 -4 are very close.

^Dude I know it's just mistaken typos but all I can think about while reading your post is a theme park full of dudes in camo creeping around with shotguns hunting for zombies or something.

Yeah I've been there 3 times before and yes it is such a great park but I probably wouldn't take time away from the kids Disney trip unless we could get on Gwazi. Fingers crossed.

So the family is planning a Disney trip mid April next year. What's the chances this baby is open by then? Boy I'd like to catch it while we are down there!

I haven't read through the entire thread but in the last few pages I would agree that Alpengeist get way too much crap. I personally think it's the best of the inverts I've been on. The size and the the setting/placement are fantastic and holy crap that cobra roll...easily the most forceful of any B&M I've ever been on. Some others I really like that don't get a lot of press: Afterburn at Carowinds - Great flowing coaster with no mid course. The last corkscrew is nasty! Griffon - I know it doesn't have the inversions but with the old restraints the airtime is awesome! Kumba - This coaster always knocks my socks off. I personally like it better than Montu. The last time I was there it blew through the mid course like it wasn't even there. So good.

Having been away from the park for several years until my visit in June of this year, I was able to ride several coasters that were new to me. I honestly thought I would find Steel Vengeance overrated after everything I had read about it but boy was I wrong. Not only is it my new favorite at CP but my new #1 overall. Here is how I would rank the top 10: 1. Steel Vengeance 2. Maverick 3. Millennium Force 4. Raptor 5. Top Thrill Dragster 6. GateKeeper 7. Valravn 8. Wicked Twister 9. Rougarou 10. Magnum XL-200

I'm dying to see the full POV! Looks awesome! I'm hoping this will be a completely different experience than SV in that it looks like the primary objective of this coaster will be speed. I hope they pull it off and it doesn't disappoint. Did they say anything about a time frame? I know it's 2020 but BGT is a year round park and I'm wondering if it will open in the spring?