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P. 418: Camp Snoopy expansion announced including new family coaster

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I wonder how much whining there will be if it isn't 240'...

You're setting yourself up for a big disappointment if you are expecting the perfect ride.

 

Incidentally, does anyone know what time the information will be made public? As in on the Internet?

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Carowinds announces Intimidator for the 2010 Season!

 

http://www.intimidator.carowinds.com/

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 26, 2009) — The skyline of Carowinds will drastically change for what will be a historic and record-breaking 2010 season, as the amusement park announces plans to debut the Intimidator™, the Southeast’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, in the Spring of 2010. Topping the list as the largest single capital investment in Carowinds 37-year history, the Intimidator™ is named in honor of NASCAR®’s most beloved driver, Dale Earnhardt, “The Intimidator.”

 

This massive attraction will stand 232-feet (23-stories) tall at its highest peak and send guests plunging down a 211-foot first drop at a 74-degree angle, reaching speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour. The second (178-feet) and third (151-feet) hills are also taller than any roller coaster at Carowinds. With 5,316 feet of track the Intimidator™ will feature high speed twists and turns including seven steep drops – one for each of his NASCAR® championships — and an intense finish through a diving spiral. The ride experience will last more than three minutes, and replicate the speed and intensity of a fast-paced NASCAR® race.

 

“The Intimidator™ will dominate the skyline and strongly position Carowinds as the thrill capital of the Southeast — the statistics speak for themselves,” said Bart Kinzel, Carowinds’ vice president and general manager. “This unprecedented addition represents the sizable commitment of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company toward building and expanding the product offering at Carowinds and solidifying us as the premier regional amusement park.”

 

The trains on the Intimidator™ will feature unique, open-air stadium-style seating with a simple T-bar style restraint that extends from the floor between the rider’s feet with the bar resting across the rider’s lap. These ‘side-less’ trains take away a feeling of protection for the riders and allows them to experience an unobstructed view of all the thrills and excitement of this record-breaking roller coaster. The trains will also be fashioned to mirror Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 RCR No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

 

“We’re excited to see this new roller coaster celebrate the speed, excitement and legendary career of Dale Earnhardt,” said Jeff Steiner, executive vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. “There are millions of fans that still honor their racing hero and this is a very engaging and interactive way for them to connect with the spirit and passion of the Intimidator™.”

 

The 10-acre attraction will be located on the midway across from the entrance of Nighthawk and will race over the skyline of the Park from the north main entrance to the south entrance paralleling the guest parking lot. Featuring a bold red track and grey support structure, the Intimidator’s™ 232-foot lift will overshadow the Park’s skyline, dwarfing its neighboring roller coaster, Afterburn at 144-feet.

 

“The name Intimidator™ is significant of the most exciting, aggressive, and skilled driver to ever race on a NASCAR® track, Dale Earnhardt,” Kinzel said. “There is no better way to communicate the enormity of this ride than to give it a face that its riders can truly connect with. The Intimidator™ will include a heavily-themed midway, complete with a Victory Lane and a video tribute to Dale Earnhardt’s racing accomplishments.”

 

Guests will have the opportunity to see this historic ride being built from the ground up as they attend on operating days throughout the Fall. Those who cannot wait until 2010 may take a virtual ride on the Intimidator™, access exclusive updates, features, virtual renderings, ride statistics, and more at intimidator.carowinds.com.

 

Construction has already begun on this world-class roller coaster and will continue throughout the winter months. The Intimidator™ is expected to open to the public in the Spring of 2010.

 

The Intimidator™ is designed and manufactured by Bolliger and Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, a recognized industry leader in roller coaster development and the same firm that brought Afterburn to Carowinds in 1999 and Vortex in 1992.

 

Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Carowinds, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, CA under a management contract.

 

Ride Statsistics:

Track Length: 5,316'

Highest Peak: 232'

Height of First Drop: 211'

Angle of First Drop: 74°

Height of Other Hills: 178’, 151’, 105’, 90’, 62’, 52’, 48’

Total Drops: 8 (including initial drop)

Fastest Speed: 75-80 mph

Ride Time: 3 minutes, 33 seconds

Hourly Capacity:: 1,600 riders

Number of Trains: Three

Train Description: Each train has 8 cars with four seats per car (32-passenger)

 

Ride Structure: 3,391,200 lbs.

Track: 1,567,000 lbs.

Supports: 1,500,100 lbs.

Braking System: Combination of magnetic and friction brakes

Acres Covered: 10 acres

Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard

 

Investment: $23 million

 

Scheduled Debut: Spring 2010

Ride Guidelines: Guests must be at least 54" tall

 

Trains:

The trains on Intimidator™ will feature unique, open-air stadium-style seating with a simple T-bar style restraint that extends from the floor between the rider’s feet with the bar resting across the rider’s lap. These 'side-less' trains take away a feeling of protection for the riders and allows them to experience an unobstructed view of all the thrills of this record-breaking roller coaster! The trains will also be fashioned to mirror Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 RCR No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

 

About the Designer:

Bolliger & Mabillard (more commonly known as B&M) is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice president. The company started with four employees and has since grown to more than 30 people, comprised primarily of engineers and draftsmen.

 

Since 1990, B&M has designed a number of ground-breaking and critically acclaimed roller coasters. In fact, B&M feature 20 of the top 50 roller coasters on the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards Top 50 Steel Coasters List for 2007, four of which are listed in the top 10. They have more coasters on the list than any other ride manufacturer.

 

B&M roller coasters are renowned for their smooth ride, comfortable seats and restraints, reliability, low maintenance, impeccable safety record and ride capacity.

 

B&M is the same firm that brought Afterburn to Carowinds in 1999 and Vortex in 1992

 

Keep up to date with the Intimidator Construction Blog:

http://www.intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm

 

Want some Intimidator wallpapers for your desktop? Click here:

http://www.intimidator.carowinds.com/public/downloads/index.cfm

 

You can even spy on Intimidator via the webcam!

http://www.intimidator.carowinds.com/public/webcam/index.cfm

 

POV Rendering Video of Intimidator:

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=intimidator_pov_800x450_a4mj[/coastertube]

 

OFFRIDE Rendering Video of Intimidator:

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=intimidator_offride_800x450_omoh[/coastertube]

 

The "Teaser" Video:

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=intimidator_teaser_800x450_12uz[/coastertube]

Intimidator06.jpg.a04624bf5b4146d97b3dfc8601c44d6c.jpg

Intimidator07.jpg.f6ec965b692e8195cbf267d1c68136cf.jpg

Intimidator08.jpg.a5e54e3226860f704c5d3a3c3d0d5893.jpg

Intimidator12.jpg.44c27cd6124a260b8fcea1c41e817c29.jpg

Intimidator13.jpg.f396b24e85bffd89fb185933dc6608f7.jpg

Intimidator17.jpg.e81d3b0f0dfb855ad12b8b0febc2f81f.jpg

Intimidator15.jpg.5a1c48ee99000ca212cb8eb406d3fed7.jpg

Intimidator04.jpg.647aabffcdd7016f654701fbbbc25719.jpg

Intimidator03.jpg.23bfb4576e36a4d163bd0ea49a965ef6.jpg

Intimidator02.jpg.934d9d19947b67c52eaf15857072c7a3.jpg

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Wow, Looks like all the old Paramount Parks are switching to Snoopy. I think KI will be next to announce it's snoopy, but I don't think CGA will get snoopy.

 

The contract with Nickelodeon was not renewed for any of their parks. That is why they are interested in the New Orleans park. I think this is a BAD move on their part. Kids these days relate to the nick characters not the peanuts ones.

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I'm pleased with this announcement

 

I'm interested to see the 2nd hill in person, because it looks like you turn to the right, dive down, and then turn back to the left towards the bottom. It looked cool in the POV video, so I want to see how it translates to the actual ride.

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Looks better than Dominion's Intimidator.

 

While kinda "standard B&M," it has enough tweaks to normal elements to make it look like a whole new experience. Looks like a lot of fun.

 

I agree, I was thinking that exact same thing while watching the videos. Anyone else digging the diving first hill as much as I am?

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Wow, Looks like all the old Paramount Parks are switching to Snoopy. I think KI will be next to announce it's snoopy, but I don't think CGA will get snoopy.

 

The contract with Nickelodeon was not renewed for any of their parks. That is why they are interested in the New Orleans park. I think this is a BAD move on their part. Kids these days relate to the nick characters not the peanuts ones.

 

Yeah, but all the Nick characters currently in the Paramount parks are all old, and ones kids don't know. Wild Thornberrys? Rugrats? Hey Arnold? They probably know who they are, but can't relate to them like people my age used to. Whereas, EVERYONE (exaggeration, of course) knows who Snoopy and Charlie Brown are.

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I like how it's similar to Nitro, hands down my number one B&M Hyper. looks awesome!

 

The first part of the ride does remind me of Nitro (with some tweaks, of course). I really like the look of the turnaround, like an updated version of Nitro's hammerhead.

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Wow, Looks like all the old Paramount Parks are switching to Snoopy. I think KI will be next to announce it's snoopy, but I don't think CGA will get snoopy.

 

The contract with Nickelodeon was not renewed for any of their parks. That is why they are interested in the New Orleans park. I think this is a BAD move on their part. Kids these days relate to the nick characters not the peanuts ones.

 

Yeah, but all the Nick characters currently in the Paramount parks are all old, and ones kids don't know. Wild Thornberrys? Rugrats? Hey Arnold? They probably know who they are, but can't relate to them like people my age used to. Whereas, EVERYONE (exaggeration, of course) knows who Snoopy and Charlie Brown are.

 

Tell that to my two year old that flipped out when she saw Spongebob or Dora. We had to ride everything that was open (KI in May so lots of their rides were closed during the day). I still think it will hurt CF more than they realize.

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I still think Goliath at SFoG will be better.

 

How? This has got everything Goliath doesn't.

I wouldn't even bother responding to such a well thought out, intelligent post.

 

 

Anyway, I've added the POV and Offride rendering videos to the announcement post in case you haven't seen them already:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=799445#799445

 

--Robb

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