Carowinds 7/15/07

I decided to use my Kings Dominion-based Maxx Pass to travel to the amusement park that currently stands as the largest one closest to my house. I met up with some friends and since I have been to Carowinds many times, including the last three seasons, I took the day as it came.

I arrived around 10:30, stayed until 4:00 when a storm closed things for two hours and then came back and got some great rides from 6:00-8:00.

I started the day with Borg and somehow managed to lose my phone, I am a firm believer of no loose articles and especially hate when they shut down the ride (i.e. Kingda Ka), so I am embarrassed that this even happened. Maybe it'll turn-up...at least its insured. Rode three times today, the back was pretty rough and the other seats were not so bad. Still quite a fun ride, waited 25-30 minutes the two times during the day and around 10 in the afternoon after the storm. The ride seemed to be running very well, I think it was down for a bit after the storm, as one train was on the lift and the other partially in the station as some mechanics worked on the brake run. The crew was doing a great job today, fastest dispatches I've seen for this ride (or Stealth). The last ride was particularly interesting, as I sat by a lady with her kid who freaked and had to be let off...but then wanted back on. Luckily we dispatched before the kid could stop crying outside the ride and the the mom didn't have time to yell at the ops to let her back on...which I hope they wouldn't have. Some people are just nuts.

Vortex - What an awful morning crew, I really hate that I inconvenienced them with my presence. Of the six members, four were in the booth chatting, on the phone, or "taking a break" and two were checking restraints SLOWLY. Since the people in the booth were bs'ing around, they wouldn't even see when the restraints had to be opened to be adjusted. The line was barely on the steps and took 20 minutes. Later in the afternoon was better, and I waited less with one train op than earlier with two. The ride has gotten shaky in the corkscrew, and I'm forgiving...yikes.

Drop Zone - Got to ride twice in a row thanks to the storm. Don't know why but even though its a shorter model, Carowinds' Drop Zone really gives my stomach that falling feeling. Good stuff.

Carolina Cyclone - Rode after the storm and they took one train off. Yikes was this ever rough today too. Normally I like this ride, but my backseat ride was vibration station. Hopefully I had a bad wheel, or twelve.

Hurler - Rough, yet the rain slicked tracked allowed for....airtime (?!). And in more than one place. Post-storm one-train op but I rode twice in a row thanks to no line.

Super Flying Saturater - Well Latino Fest caused this (I think) to run without water effects. There was a band near the ride. OK, but another awful crew. The girl dispatching trains cursed at the other guys working and didn't check my restraint at all. Guess she figured I was old enough to fend for myself. Knowing I was fine doesn't matter, do you damn job.

Raptor...er...Top Gun was kicking ass today. This was the best thing Paramount ever did for the park because honestly it is the only reason I come back. Carowinds just isn't that special, but Top Gun is amazing. Good crews, two trains all day. Got to marathon after the storm. I actually had to quit for fear of having a headache on my three hour drive home. The mist was on like crazy. The video cameras were different, decent dvds if that's your thing. Holy hell was this ever flying today, the flatspin was NUTS! I suppose Top Gun just parties like a rock star, thanks BORG for always keeping the crowds away.

Thunder Road was closed all day, I didn't really see any structural work, but I didn't look too closely either.

Southern Star looks very nice, was fun, and the ride ops were funny. Anyone who fell out would have gotten a free t-shirt :).

Notes:

- Is the 1-train post-rain op on coasters because the park was pretty dead or a post-Magnum scare precaution? They sure did test Cyclone enough to dry the brakes, its funny because I think they wouldn't run it until it made no contact with the second, possibly safety, brake.

- Carowinds could use some redecorating, it seems a little flat.

- Carowinds could use a new ride (please don't flame me MIA people), because there isn't much for me to get excited about anymore.

- Why do all the employees who give a s--t work games and all the lazy ones work rides?

- I love how after the storm, one employee who obviously wanted as many people to leave as possible, told me that Cedar Fair was greedy and only kept the park open to sell ponchos.

- Panda express wasn't bad and actually worth $8.99 with a free water cup to boot.

- I love seeing the Arrow mine train looking good, didn't have a chance to ride but wanted to.

- Borg already needs to be repainted.

- Putting seatbelts on an Arrow looper is like putting airbags on your bike.

- Crowds were pretty light, despite the Latina fest, I enjoyed the band for that. My friends enjoyed the wavepool and some of the slides, I'd try them another day with a bathing suit.

- I don't play games but my friend loves ring toss. Of course I threw five rings and managed to win him a huge dog that he'll never use.

- I like the music in the Boardwalk area.

That is all. *** Edited 7/16/2007 4:07:31 AM UTC by Willh51*** *** Edited 7/16/2007 4:26:50 AM UTC by Willh51***

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Willh51 said:

Vortex - What an awful morning crew, I really hate that I inconvenienced them with my presence. Of the six members, four were in the booth chatting, on the phone, or "taking a break" and two were checking restraints SLOWLY. Since the people in the booth were bs'ing around, they wouldn't even see when the restraints had to be opened to be adjusted. The line was barely on the steps and took 20 minutes. Later in the afternoon was better, and I waited less with one train op than earlier with two. The ride has gotten shaky in the corkscrew, and I'm forgiving...yikes.

I too have seen employees on thier cell phones at Carowinds. As for the long wait., I hate it when it's blatantly obvious that the line is moving slow because the crew doesn't give a damn. I know we here on coasterbuzz go to alot of parks and know a good crew from a crappy one. You would think that area supervisors would be able to tell too.

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I took a front seat ride on Hurler last weekend. It was the smoothest ride I've had on that thing in 10 years. The new wood really does make a difference, it had become almost unbearable but is now rather tolerable and has some enjoyable airtime, especially on the hops after the first turn.

Yes, Travio, I completely agree. I got some very good air on those hops. The first turn after the drop was actually quite smooth. After riding two years ago and almost dislocating my brain, I thought last year wasn't too bad, but this year was a marked improvement. I'd say the only big jolt was the turnaround through the ride structure. Plus it was flying after the rain, so that was something.

And not that anyone cares, but lost and found called and is sending me my phone! I don't know where it was but apparently it is not smashed up, making me believe it somehow fell out in the Borg station and got on the track or below or something. The lady thought it was kind of funny that my background is Volcano at KD.