BGT or Carowinds

We`re going on vacation in a couple of weeks and want to go to a park we`ve never been to, and BGT and CW are the 2 closest to Atlanta.Which park is the best and why.Thanks.

Depends on the kind of experience you are looking for. As far as PC is concerned, it's all tarmac. Very bland. They have a handfull of good coasters (Borg sucks...It's only been there a few months and it's nearly as rough as Ninja @ SFOG). I would go with Tampa. It's more of an experience. Very much a class act. It will make you forget SFOG. It's almost as good as BGW, just in a different locality.

Come on down to BGT. But be prepared to sweat, its unbareable down here right now. (I think I just contradicted my tempting to lure you down here, haha). Anyways, just a few things:

1) Start in the back. 2) Avoid Python if not a walk-on. 3) Don't miss Scorpion. 4) Be prepared for Montu to enter your top 5 (make sure you get at least one front row ride.)

Have a good trip, and don't forget your sunblock if you come down this way. :)

-Kenny

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I am Jack's Coaster said:

1) Start in the back. 2) Avoid Python if not a walk-on. 3) Don't miss Scorpion. 4) Be prepared for Montu to enter your top 5 (make sure you get at least one front row ride.)

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6. Be prepared for the worst ride operations in the United States. 7. Be ready for the worst and most inconsistant carry on policy in the United States (i.e. not even a cell phone in your pocket can go on board) 8. Be ready for some of the rudest employees of any park in the U.S.

I haven't been to Carowinds but I would probably go there if given the choice.

It could go either way. Don't believe everything you hear about Carowinds. Carowinds is a very good park as is Busch Gardens Tampa. They both are different experiences since they are run by two seperate companys. Just because one person has a bad time at Carowinds doesn't mean everyone else will. I've been to both parks, and they both offer a very good selection of coasters. Either choice will be a good one.

We went to Carowinds in May.

Lots of mediocre coasters, not one outstanding coaster. Very few flat rides. Poor atmosphere. Slow moving lines except for Top Gun.

We saw the whole park in about 3 hours and became bored.

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super7 said:
Lots of mediocre coasters, not one outstanding coaster.

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Wow, I guess you can't please everyone. Top Gun is by far one of the best inverted coasters in existance IMHO. The only thing Montu has over Top Gun is the terrain. If it were placed on a flat parcel of land, it probably wouldn't have near as many fans as it does.

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Rampage said:

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super7 said:
Lots of mediocre coasters, not one outstanding coaster.

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Wow, I guess you can't please everyone. Top Gun is by far one of the best inverted coasters in existance IMHO. The only thing Montu has over Top Gun is the terrain. If it were placed on a flat parcel of land, it probably wouldn't have near as many fans as it does.

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That and another 1000 feet of track. None of the rides at Carowinds warrant a very long wait. Top Gun is ok, but it is just inversion after inversion and no pacing because of trying to pack 6 inversions into its shortness.

My personal opinion is to go to BGT. It is alot more well rounded and has more than just thrill rides. They also have Kumba and Montu.

If your looking for more thrills, go to Carowinds.

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super7 said:

Top Gun is ok, but it is just inversion after inversion and no pacing because of trying to pack 6 inversions into its shortness.

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Funny you should mention that. Top Gun and Montu have pretty much the same order of inversions. The only difference is that Montu has one extra loop thrown in near the end. And you say that Top Gun was just inversion after inversion with no pacing when clearly Montu is the reigning champion of inversions and with only 1000 feet more track to do it in.

Editted for grammar....

*** Edited 7/2/2004 4:01:59 PM UTC by Rampage***

"Be ready for some of the rudest employees of any park in the U.S."

I am not a BGT fanboy (or fanman for that matter), but in my dozens of visits to BGT I cannot say that rude employees were ever an issue.

Inconsistant carry on policy? You got that one. As for operations, Gwazi ops stink. The others have always been just fine for me.

Even when they are extra busy.

I think for more of a theme park feel, go to BGT without question.

I think if you want coasters and coaster variety, go to Carowinds without question.

Both parks are excellent and warrant visits.

As far as I'm concerned, Montu is THE king of Inverts and is the measuring stick to which all inverts should be measured. THAT said, it's completely accepted almost universally that Top Gun is the "little brother" of Montu. Anyone who feels that there is that much of a difference either has little knowledge of coasters or recently sat on a tack.

Brian, who says drop, vertical loop, trench/tunnel, immelman, zero G roll, batwing.. yeah identical until the MCBR where when it's on hard basically kills any pacing through the rest of Montu's ride. Who knew?

BGT!!! Super nice park. Good Coasters and check out the shows and wild life! The park is clean never that crowded on a week day! Enjoy your trip and have fun!

Weekends too for that matter.

I went on a Saturday a few weeks ago.

Noon-Kumba- walk-on.

I know nothing about Carowinds, but I can tell you BGT never has lines. I've never waited (weekend or weekday) longer than 20 minutes for anything. I wouldn't say the ride ops were rude, I just didn't notice them. They go about their job, and you go about having fun, and everyone stays out of everyone else's way.

I also never experienced any kind of carry-on policy. Then again, my cell phone's very small and I usually wear shorts with cargo pockets for just such a purpose.

And you can't go wrong with Kumba! Much love to the kumbathingy, "The One" of inline/barrel rolls ;)

If you go to BGT, I recommend getting your tickets before going to the park. The only line I waiting in all day was the 1/.2 hour wait to get my tickets to get into the park! Again enjoy yourself and I look foward to your trip report!

Maybe I caugh Montu on a good day and Top Gun on a bad day, but Montu is very near the top of my custom invert list and TG is very near the bottom. Maybe it was the size of the elements or the excellent trenchwork in Montu's second half, or the too fast pacing of Top Gun, but Montu always put a smile on my face and Top Gun just left me wanting more. I'm also a big sucker for small tight loops after the MCBR.

Thanks for the help,I knew I could count on you guys.Looks like we be headed to Tampa!

Yes...go on down to Tampa. I just got back and I went to the park last Thursday. No lines...no lines at all.

Montu is top 5 on my list.

At night I rode Kumba about 4 straight times in about 10 minutes then hit the Sky Ride and went to Montu and hit that plenty of times.

Got plenty of rides and saw some good shows.

Go to BGT.

I've never been to Carowinds but I have been to BGT and I would probably suggest Carowinds. If you like beautiful landscaping, nice shows, and animals, you'll like BGT, but if you want a full day park and rides, this is not the park for you. I was done with everything in the park within about 4-5 hours (with re-rides). IMO the park is not worth the admission price. Kumba is ok. I think it's over rated. It had headbanging and was rough and not very interesting. Montu was good, but not intense. Scorpion was ok, but again over rated. Gwazi was awesome. There's my two cents. Wherever you go, remember, HAVE FUN!