Carowinds Discussion Thread

[fraroc]

My opinion is on Fast Pass systems is this. Before just going for it, try and be strategic about what day you want to visit. When it comes to Carowinds, I've heard that Tuesday and Wednesdays are the best days to go.

[Ape]

I used Fast Lane once on a busy Saturday at Cedar Point. The grass really is greener on the other side. I enjoyed riding Maverick three times in a row walking on while it was over an hour wait all while smiling at those standing in line. I won't buy Fast Lane every time just on special occasions so i lived it up the one time i had it and will buy again one day.

[Mossed]

I've sacrificed daily Starbucks, non-packed lunches, beef jerky, and just about every other unnecessary expense so I can take my vacation trip to 4 parks this summer and that's if I escape some sort of misfortune between now and July. I know the value of saving better than many and I find it both laughable and insulting that some think its so easy to get ahead.

 

I'm sorry that my generalized comment insulted you personally.

 

That being said, you, YES YOU, could easily afford a Fast Pass system. It's your choice to hit up 4 parks instead of 2 or 3 with some sort of line cutting system. We all make these choices when we go to amusement parks.

[Superbatboy]

all while smiling at those standing in line.

[TB305]

Hey guys I just wanted to share my video of my visit to Carowinds last Saturday!

 

 

I promise its high-ish quality! Let me know how you think I did!

Edited April 11, 2015 by cfc

[cwgator]

Windseeker....again...

Thrillseekers stuck on Windseeker

 

A viewer sent Channel 9 after he said he noticed a ride stop, leaving people stuck in mid-air.

 

The WindSeeker is a swing ride that Carowinds’ website touts as being the tallest ride built at the park.

 

A park official said the ride stopped at 2:45 p.m. for less than 15 minutes. The official said the ride stops as a safety mechanism when it detects something is wrong.

 

Park officials do not know what caused the ride to get stuck.

 

Eyewitness News reporter Alexa Ashwell spoke to the witness who snapped the photos.

 

Raul Liberto said the ride had gone up about three-quarters of the way Saturday afternoon when it suddenly stopped. He said he could see riders on-board swinging their legs and could hear some faint screams.

This is not the first time the WindSeeker has experienced problems. A couple of years ago a viewer showed cellphone video a man took while being stuck on the ride for an hour.

 

The WindSeeker also broke down the summer before that, prompting an internal review into the safety of the ride nationwide.

 

“I was scared for those people just hanging up there, swinging. I’m just glad it wasn’t me,” Liberto said.

 

He did not believe anyone was injured.

 

Riders were stranded on children’s ride The Flying Ace Aerial Chase last weekend. State inspectors checked the ride Monday and did not find any problems.

 

Of course I'm sure the news media will help blow this out of proportion.

[beenagins87]

Aren't the one at Carowinds and Knotts the only ones to actually get people stuck?? I know, all the other ones have had their downtime, but most of it was a chain wide thing and not the individual Windseekers right?

[FaithPlus1]

Hey guys I just wanted to share my video of my visit to Carowinds last Saturday!

 

 

I promise its high-ish quality! Let me know how you think I did!

 

Great Video:)

[Comeagain?]

Aren't the one at Carowinds and Knotts the only ones to actually get people stuck?? I know, all the other ones have had their downtime, but most of it was a chain wide thing and not the individual Windseekers right?

 

I'm pretty sure nearly all of them have stopped with people at/near the top.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WindSeeker#Problems

During the 2012 season, all of the WindSeekers except Kings Island's experienced incidents in which the ride stopped, stranding riders in the air.

[marth555]

When I was there on opening day windseeker was down for a time and when I went back later to ride it they were only filling it up halfway(every other row)

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Carowinds should get a Gerstlauer Kiddy Racer and call it Fury 3.25

[markysharky17]

Hey, I'm driving fRom Jacksonville Florida to Carowinds for the very first time this weekend and it says that it is expected to rain. I wanted to know what is Carowinds rain policy. Will they give me money back if it rains to much or will they still leave the rides open in the rain? Or do they offer rainchecks?

[FSUFanChris]

They run the rides unless there is lightning. No rain checks.

[coasterbill]

They have no clue what the weather will be that far in advance... I wouldn't be surprised if by next weekend they're calling for sun with a 10% chance of rain. If it's more than 3 days out don't bother... it will only stress you out, but relax in knowing that Carowinds runs everything in the rain anyway.

[dollywoodguy75]

I'm so ready to ride fury 325

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

They have no clue what the weather will be that far in advance... I wouldn't be surprised if by next weekend they're calling for sun with a 10% chance of rain. If it's more than 3 days out don't bother... it will only stress you out, but relax in knowing that Carowinds runs everything in the rain anyway.

I know right! I'll be there this Friday and the weather is all over the place. It was partly sunny. Then it changed to thunderstorms. Now they saying it's going to be warm and rain late at night. I'll just wait to the morning of to make my call. I remember when I went to Cedar Point in 2013 for the the first time, and the weather was 90% rain with thunderstorms all day. I woke up that morning with the sun shining, and not a cloud in the sky! Weather changes constantly. Besides, it's only predictions. As long as I get a ride on Fury 325 I'm good.

[vedved82491]

I was about to ask the same question regarding rain. I'm from AZ and I'm flying into Charlotte tomorrow afternoon. Going to Carowinds for the first time on Friday. I concerned for Saturday too, since Saturday we're hitting SFOG and it's expected to rain there too. I'm staying optimistic though.

[FSUFanChris]

Y'all will be fine. They will run all of the rides because there likely will not be any lightning with the rain. ENJOY!

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

Y'all will be fine. They will run all of the rides because there likely will not be any lightning with the rain. ENJOY!

Awesome!

[Tinkerdog]

I'll be there on Friday for my first ride on Fury !!! Hopefully, NO RAIN, and little WIND, so as to fully enjoy FURY!

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

So, why is there only one webcam now on the website? I noticed last week there was some work in the front. Maybe they'll have it back up soon.

[cwgator]

^^It's still active if you have the direct link to it. I had it saved in my bookmarks.

[jarmor]

Looks like a lot of first timers coming to the park on friday! Im gonna be there for the hell of it...always up to meet new nerds!

[BrianGC]

Not a first timer at the park, but I will be getting my first ride on Fury this Saturday. Looks like the forecast shifted a bit and now there's just a 20% chance of rain . How bad are the lines at Carowinds usually this time of year on a Saturday? I'm thinking of getting Fast Lane Plus, but I haven't pulled the trigger on it, yet.

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

Not a first timer at the park, but I will be getting my first ride on Fury this Saturday. Looks like the forecast shifted a bit and now there's just a 20% chance of rain . How bad are the lines at Carowinds usually this time of year on a Saturday? I'm thinking of getting Fast Lane Plus, but I haven't pulled the trigger on it, yet.

Friday will be my first visit to the park, and I already bought my Fast Lane Plus online. I would definitely invest in it for Saturday considering it's the "Taste of Carolina's" event. New people. New crowds. I was going Saturday, but I decided to stick with Friday since school will be in.