Carowinds Discussion Thread

[hoppedup]

The offerings we had at Blue Ridge Country Kitchen were delicious. For those who are interested in such things, here are a couple of pics:

Rotisserie beef from Blue Ridge Country Kitchen with greens

Rotisserie chicken with mac n cheese

[Nrthwnd]

^ I will have the "Half 'n Half Rotisserie" (both the meat and the chicken) please?

 

And skip the mac and greens. But keep the biscuit.

 

Both look great!

[sdcfan88]

God I need to get back out to Carowinds. Park is looking great with the new coaster! After riding Time Traveler (my first Mack coaster) last year I am definitely a fan of Mack Rides now.

[JJLehto]

Holy crap those pics. For some reason the POV gave me a more spread out feel but that is compact as hell. Cant wait to ride!

[Canobie Coaster]

Out of curiosity was Copperhead Strike assigned seating like Fury?

[jarmor]

Casually. Of course there is a greeter there but if you asked, chances are you will get where you want to be. But the train is so small it all feels the same everywhere on it.

[Canobie Coaster]

Ok thanks!

 

I remember it being really strict on Fury in 2016. Is that still the case or have they relaxed it a bit there?

[jarmor]

Yesterday I saw people asking for the front and they formed a line on what appears to be an emergency landing and stairway near the front row. At first I was wondering how people got up there then I saw they would pass each other and get to the back. While nothing is guaranteed as there is still a sign stating as such, it never hurts to ask.

[AndrewA86]

I'm actually really bummed from reading people's reviews. I didn't think this was supposed to be a family coaster...

[coasterbill]

On one hand I wouldn’t put too much stock into other people’s reviews but at the same time it’s a Mack with a top speed of 50 mph so it’s probably unreasonable to expect a relentless thrill machine. The term “family coaster” is ridiculous but like... were you expecting Maverick?

[JG-77]

I'm actually really bummed from reading people's reviews. I didn't think this was supposed to be a family coaster...

Enthusiasts often have really poor definitions of a "family coaster." Yes, it's "family oriented" in that it's not an extreme OMFG I'm-about-to-die experience, and that children who've gotten over the fear of inverting may like it, but it's not a family coaster by any reasonable person's standards.

 

Honestly anything more intense than Sooper Dooper Looper can't be called a family coaster imo. From what I can tell based on reviews, it's still totally in the park's top 3 (depending on how much you like each of the B&Ms), and it's definitely a thrill ride.

[AndrewA86]

On one hand I wouldn’t put too much stock into other people’s reviews but at the same time it’s a Mack with a top speed of 50 mph so it’s probably unreasonable to expect a relentless thrill machine. The term “family coaster” is ridiculous but like... were you expecting Maverick?

 

I was expecting something closer to Helix.

[jarmor]

I'm actually really bummed from reading people's reviews. I didn't think this was supposed to be a family coaster...

This is not a "family coaster". Sometimes it kills me to consider myself an enthusiast because if any new coaster doesn't blow the previous ones out the water then, for some, it was a waste. The coaster is fun, exciting and thrilling. Personally I never compare coasters because to me that's kinda silly. Like, why not go in and appreciate it for what it is and not because its better than "X" coaster or worst? What makes me enjoy riding coasters is to ride them because I love coasters and not to be critical and feel as if the park has to cater to my needs. Copperhead Strike is a great fit and balances out the coaster collection at Carowinds.

[Nrthwnd]

Just for information....

 

No Expectations = No Regrets.

 

IMhO. Just enjoy the ride.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

God I need to get back out to Carowinds. Park is looking great with the new coaster! After riding Time Traveler (my first Mack coaster) last year I am definitely a fan of Mack Rides now.

I'm with you on that. Wheels turning about an East Coast trip with Carowinds.

 

I've been on a few of Mack's mice, and they're solid rides for the most part, but Time Traveler is in another league. Copperhead Strike looks to be in that same league, and this also looks to be the direction Mack wants to go.

[Canobie Coaster]

I love the Mack launchers in Europe and Dubai, so I figure this will be another hit. Even though they don't have greyout Intamin forces, they're definitely not what I'd call family rides.

 

I also really like San Diego's Manta. Now that is something I'd consider a legit family coaster.

[AndrewA86]

I'm actually really bummed from reading people's reviews. I didn't think this was supposed to be a family coaster...

This is not a "family coaster". Sometimes it kills me to consider myself an enthusiast because if any new coaster doesn't blow the previous ones out the water then, for some, it was a waste. The coaster is fun, exciting and thrilling. Personally I never compare coasters because to me that's kinda silly. Like, why not go in and appreciate it for what it is and not because its better than "X" coaster or worst? What makes me enjoy riding coasters is to ride them because I love coasters and not to be critical and feel as if the park has to cater to my needs. Copperhead Strike is a great fit and balances out the coaster collection at Carowinds.

 

You said it was a family coaster...

 

"I have to say, Copperhead is a very fun family coaster and it seems it is what the park was missing."

[FeelTheFORCE]

I think we're just spoiled as enthusiasts. This seems like a hit, and I've heard some describe it as "intense." It compliments their coasters nicely, and once Hurler gets the Twisted Timbers treatment (it's bound to happen eventually, right?), they'll have an even nicer collection on their hands.

[AndrewA86]

Just for information....

 

No Expectations = No Regrets.

 

IMhO. Just enjoy the ride.

 

Fair enough, but I'm 11 hours from Charlotte. So I'm trying to determine whether or not I want to book a flight (or drive) and hotel room to go down there again to ride this.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Oh I know that feeling, too. I've planned for overseas stuff, trying not to expect any thing to "happen" or "not up and operating" etc. It really is hard to make a call on when you want to travel. Especially from where you are, far far away. Even with online information to guide you, somewhat.

[RCTycoonClassic]

I think we're just spoiled as enthusiasts. This seems like a hit, and I've heard some describe it as "intense." It compliments their coasters nicely, and once Hurler gets the Twisted Timbers treatment (it's bound to happen eventually, right?), they'll have an even nicer collection on their hands.

 

 

All kinds of new wood on Hurler so not for a bit yet.

[FeelTheFORCE]

I would base that more off the fact that they have a brand new coaster across the park, rather than new wood.

Mean Streak was having wood replaced regularly right up until the end.

[BotanicalStig]

Thunder road had an entire retracking just two years before it was demolished. I see no reason to assume they have long term plans to keep hurler as it sits.

 

 

On another note, rode copperhead twice today. Really loved the ride. Top 2 or 3 in the park IMO. Crazy airtime, fast twisties, lots of hang time moments, surprisingly nice theming... What more can you want?

 

Carowinds and mack did a great job on this one.

 

Hopefully the next addition will be a water ride.

[yawetag]

A lot of the big Cedar Fair coasters require a strap with eyeglasses. I remember Fury doing it. I wouldn't be shocked if they do the same at Copperhead.

I rode on Saturday. The Ride Op made sure I had a strap.

[yawetag]

Out of curiosity was Copperhead Strike assigned seating like Fury?

This weekend, I hit assigned seating on Fury, CS, and Afterburn (though the AB guy let us have front row). Didn't ride Intimidator, but I'd imagine it had it, too.