Carowinds Discussion Thread

[hoppedup]

I might plan a spontaneous trip Friday Oct 19-22nd for the park on Saturday & Sunday. Does anyone know how reliable taxi or Uber is? I know it’s close to the airport so that’s a huge Uber hot spot I’d imagine, but I wanna make sure I’d have a way back to the hotel from the park.

 

I've only used Uber around downtown and surrounding neighborhoods in Charlotte, but I can't imagine you'd have any problem at Carowinds.

 

Just a heads up, the park is closed during the day Friday the 19th, Scarowinds is open 7 p.m. to midnight that day. Park is open 10-5 on Saturday and Sunday with Scarowinds taking over 7-midnight. I went to Scarowinds last year and it was crazy crowded. Not sure about the daytime crowds during Scarowinds. We might go this year because we have platinum passes.

[SharkTums]

I might plan a spontaneous trip Friday Oct 19-22nd for the park on Saturday & Sunday. Does anyone know how reliable taxi or Uber is? I know it’s close to the airport so that’s a huge Uber hot spot I’d imagine, but I wanna make sure I’d have a way back to the hotel from the park.

 

You have plenty of time, check the app a few times to see if there are Ubers around the park at the time and days you're looking for.

[B&MIntaminGCI]

How does Scarowinds work? Do I need a separate ticket or am I just able to stay in the park? Crowds don’t bother me as I’m used to GADV’s insane Fright Fest crowds and I’d 100% be Fast Lane Plusing.

 

Also seems to be tons of ubers that relax on Carowinds Boulevard as of what I just checked in the app.

[jarmor]

Yep, it's one of the few Cedar Fair parks where it is a seperate gated attraction. Unless you have a gold pass . . .

[PKI Jizzman]

I might plan a spontaneous trip Friday Oct 19-22nd for the park on Saturday & Sunday. Does anyone know how reliable taxi or Uber is? I know it’s close to the airport so that’s a huge Uber hot spot I’d imagine, but I wanna make sure I’d have a way back to the hotel from the park.

 

I've used Uber to get from the airport to the park and park to hotel with no issues. Airport to park was only about $20 and park to hotel was less than $10.

 

The driver doesn't have to pay for parking and there's a pick up spot by the buses near Fury's first elevated turn.

[B&MIntaminGCI]

^Awesome advics/information guys. Thank you. It’s starting to look way more like a yes, I just like to have everything solidified and thought about because I’ll be going alone.

[thrillrider]

Looks like the park is making some kind of announcement today.

(Edit)

It was posted yesterday, saying that it was tomorrow. But it says the 30th.

[thrillseeker4552]

^And the 30th is tomorrow, so two days from when it was posted.

 

Excited for all the announcements tonight and tomorrow morning!

[grsupercity]

I love that Carowinds is trying to steal some of six flag's thunder tomorrow but man that's alot of announcements for one day.

 

Side note I keep hearing that this will be Carowinds largest investment in its history at 20 million. I am correct that Fury cost around 30 million?

[VF15]

Need some input from anyone who went last year, is Carowinds’ Winterfest event worth a ~3 hour drive to get there? My family is moving to the Raleigh-Durham area fairly soon, and while I’m visiting them over Christmas I’m considering swinging by the park if there’s enough rides open and enough fun things to do.

[carolinaman]

I feel like Winterfest will be worth the drive. Last year was the first year they did it and I was really impressed at how much they put into it. I feel like this year will only be better. Here is a link to a video I made from Winterfest last year.

 

[carowindsman]

Last year was not Carowinds first winterfest. They also had it in 2005 and they had something of it long ago before that. I feel Winterfest is definetly worth it. They are expanding it more this year. So that is very exciting

[robbalvey]

Carowinds Makes Bold Strike with Biggest Investment to Date

Copperhead Strike, the Carolinas’ first double launch coaster, joins new themed area and hotel to bolster park’s regional destination appeal

 

CAROWINDS, Charlotte, N.C. – Carowinds will mark a turning point in its evolution as a destination amusement park when it introduces Copperhead Strike, the Carolinas’ first double launch coaster, for the 2019 season. Copperhead Strike simulates the harrowing chase of getaway cars racing through rolling farmland, sending riders on two launches through a relentless winding ride over half a mile of steel.

 

In this innovative ride, the coaster dynamics are carefully crafted to offer a thrilling and intense low-to-the-ground experience. With three 16-passenger trains fashioned after 1930s coupes, Copperhead Strike sends riders cruising into a Jojo roll right out of the station. They then go into a lightning fast launch to a 360° loop, the second of five inversions, moving into a series of near-miss twists, turns and flips. Without slowing down, the ride launches a second time to accelerate into a memorable hang time loop, leaving passengers breathless and wondering which way is up.

 

The new coaster is the central element of Blue Ridge Junction, a new immersive, richly themed area inspired by the majestic beauty and easy-going culture of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Carolinas. Conceived for the purpose of engaging all five senses, the redesigned seven-acre area will feature the new Blue Ridge Country Kitchen restaurant in the former Wings restaurant location.

 

More transformational features will open at Carowinds in 2019: The new SpringHill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds, a 130-room hotel currently under construction, is expected to welcome its first guests late in the year. Also added for the first time is a new dormitory to house students from across the region and around the world, allowing the park to develop programs such as a full internship for travel and tourism students. These features, along with the new roller coaster and themed area, encompass the largest investment in the park since its opening in 1973.

 

“This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to being the premier entertainment destination of the Carolinas for families and thrill seekers alike,” said Pat Jones, Carowinds’ vice president and general manager. “Copperhead Strike adds a completely different experience than our other world-class coasters, giving our guests a diverse park-wide experience that satisfies like never before. Blue Ridge Junction, the restaurant and our new hotel are additions we know our guests will enjoy, ensuring Carowinds continues to be the place where the Carolinas come together to create lasting memories for generations to come.”

 

Season pass holders will be among the first to experience Copperhead Strike in spring 2019. Fans can purchase 2019 season passes now at Carowinds.com at the lowest price of the season, and receive unlimited visits for the rest of 2018 and all of 2019. Those who can’t wait to experience the thrills of Copperhead Strike can take a virtual ride at http://www.Carowinds.com/CopperheadStrike where they can also view renderings, ride stats and more.

 

Copperhead Strike is designed and manufactured by Mack Rides of Waldkirch, Germany, a recognized leader in roller coaster development.

 

Below are images from the rendering of the final ride, track that is currently being manufactured, and the latest construction from the ride site.

Edited August 30, 2018 by robbalvey

[chickenbowl]

WOW! Definitely my favorite announcement of 2019! This looks like a ton of fun! (And it has the comfiest trains on the planet!)

 

Very glad it's not spinning and I love the big bump in the second launch - Thanks Carowinds

[michaellynn4]

Man, those Jojo rolls just won't go away.

 

This looks super awesome! Definitely need to make my way back in the very near future!

[thrillseeker4552]

I love absolutely everything about this coaster and wouldn't change a single thing. The colors, the trains, the layout, the name, the theme... I love everything!

 

I think this is my favorite 2019 announcement.

[Superbatboy]

Looks like a ton of fun, love the color scheme

[coasterbill]

Holy sh*t, a jojo roll.

[A.J.]

Was the entirety of Six Flags just upstaged by a single Cedar Fair park?

 

A bold strike indeed. Looks fantastic. And it's the revenge of the Jojo roll!

[boldikus]

I am very very happy with my recent purchase of a KD platinum pass. I've wanted to get down to Carowinds for a while, looks like 2019 is the year. This looks GREAT! Totally up my alley.

 

Is that an airtime hill during the 2nd launch? Haha wut?

[PKI Jizzman]

Wooooahhhh I love everything about it! The atmosphere, launch house, weird bump in the second launch, all of the twisty bits and inversions. Looks like I might have a new favorite at Carowinds! This will be a great compliment to Fury and Afterburn, and actually give me something to look forward to in the middle of the park.

[Yubstep101]

The best part about this new coaster to me is the 2nd launch with airtime, and it's a great fit for Carowinds. I wonder if other parks will get Mack launched coasters due to this new partnership. I could see Worlds of Fun and maybe Dorney get one sometime in the future.

[michaellynn4]

Is that an airtime hill during the 2nd launch? Haha wut?

 

THAT'S WHAT I SAID! I could practically feel the airtime just sitting in my chair at work watching the video. Can't wait to see what it feels like in person!

[christianscoasters]

The thing I love about these Mack launch coasters (I've been on Helix and Blue Fire) is that they aren't absolutely extreme, balls-to-the wall thrill machines. They're just downright fun and highly re-rideable. That's exactly what this hobby is about - FUN. It doesn't have to be the tallest, fastest, etc. This is my most anticipated ride for next year!

[The Geek Mojo]

I pretty much knew everything already from leaks but damn, I'm still impressed! I can't wait to ride this awesome coaster.