Carowinds and #449 on my 45th birthday - 7/26/24

We were in town for a conference up in Virginia but had some business in NC on the way, so I decided to add Carowinds to the trip. We took the redeye and landed at 7:30 in the morning (4:30a PDT) at CLT, exhausted and worn out. We grabbed some breakfast and thankfully the hotel let us check in around 10:00am. Everyone else wanted to crash, and I got about a 20 minute nap but I couldn't stay asleep knowing that the park was open and we were 15 minutes away.

Eventually, I quietly snuck out of the hotel room, left a note and made my way to the park alone because "it's my birthday."

Having been once before in 2005, I had most of the credits, but there were some obvious new-to-me coasters that I absolutely had to try. The park was completely dead, maybe because of the heat, but it seemed to be empty throughout the summer from what I could surmise. Fury (#446) was first on the list and the line for front was only 2 trains long. I was initially skeptical, since most B&M's don't quite have the same punch as RMC's or even Intamins and I was not impressed by Leviathan, but everyone says Fury is top 5 material, so I was excited to try it. I was prepared to be disappointed but there was no need. Fury is easily the best B&M I have ever ridden and definitely top 5 steel. Maybe even top 3. I didn't think B&M could create ejector air like those last 3 hills, but I was clearly getting catapulted out of the seat. The other thing I really loved about Fury was the speed/intensity (not in positive G's but in the feeling of going fast) of the first half before the turn around. It reminded me of MF, but with the low twists and turns, it was much more interesting. I thought it was exactly what I305 should have been but failed miserably to be. Got another ride in the back and it was also excellent. I was starting to feel queasy, partly from jet lag, partly from "old" but was determined to make a lap of the park before heading back.

I needed credit on the Boomerang, but with my nausea, I decided to skip it for now. I'm not so focused on my count that I'd be wiling to risk a "protein spill" for another boomerang.

Copperhead Strike (#447) was next. Lots of hang time which was really disorienting. I could see the appeal, but I didn't really like it that much. I'm a bit too old for multi-inverting coasters.

After a little time on the bench and looking at the flyers not snap, Woodstock Express was a walk-on. A really fun and cute ride for what it was. (I thought this was a new credit, but looking back at my records, I had ridden this previously, so I didn't actually hit #450 on this trip.)

Intimidator (#448) / Thunder Striker was my final ride of the visit. I really like all of the "Cedar Fair acquired Paramount" trio of hypers, but the seating is a little annoying and I was definitely feeling the nausea. I probably didn't strictly have to, but I was gritting my teeth the whole time to make sure I didn't hurl. Some very good floater air on a number of hills, but at some level, with a few exceptions, it felt pretty much just like any number of other B&M speed rides.

I left the park and headed back to the hotel for a little down time.

After their rest, the kids wanted to join me so we went back to the park. We started with Copperhead which they loved and they also rode Afterburn (I didn't have the stomach) twice. After some dinner, we rode Woodstock and then I negotiated with my middle son that I would ride the kiddie invert with him if he rode Thunder Striker (he's ridden way bigger rides, we were mostly just joking around). The kiddie invert was super rough and head bangy, but he really enjoyed Thunder Striker and said he'd probably be willing to try Fury. The kids got a lap on Vortex for fun and then off to Fury. We got a night ride in row 2 which was phenomenal, but right as we got into the line for row 1, the op on the platform suddenly decided that we couldn't wait for a preferred row, even though people had been doing it all day. It was still 30 minutes before closing, so I have no idea what was up with that. We ended up in the back which still incredible, but I'm curious about that policy and why it was so important all of a sudden.

The kids took a spin on Hurler ("No thanks") and as we passed the Boomerang, we noticed it was a walk on. I thought it was my #450 (see above) but turns out it was actually #449. The new trains are much, much better, essentially eliminating the head banging. But it was still a Boomerang and I was done for the night (which was totally fine). We wandered over to Copperhead Strike which was closed (the park was still open for another 15 minutes - a bit annoying) and the kids decided to end the night on Thunder Striker.

All in all, a great visit, short lines (concerningly so) and some incredible rides, not the least of which was Fury.

Epilogue: During the week of the conference I found out my dad passed away in California. Not entirely unexpected, but I thought we still had a few more months or weeks. We did have a chance to see him a lot over the spring and summer and we got to tell him goodbye over the phone, though he was unresponsive at the time. He was loved and will be missed. After the conference, partly because of grief, partly because I like being in parks, and partly because I did want some more rides on Fury, I took a late evening before our flight to return to the park with my eldest. Even though it had rained heavily the few hours before and I was wary because of some posts here on CBuzz, the park was open and firing on all cylinders. One trip on Thunder Striker, two trips on Fury, some food, and some people watching. It was really nice to spend time with my kiddo and just be able to enjoy life with a sense of gratitude, love, and comfort. There's something about being in a park at night and watching people laugh, scream, and enjoy each other that reminds me why I love this hobby and these days more for the memories made and the time spent than for the quality of the rides.

One of my fondest memories and surprises was when we went to WDW with my mom and dad in 2018 and, at 80, he insisted on riding Tower of Terror and liked it. It was also a great time where we got to walk around the parks together and catch up on life, family, and faith. I remain grateful for the moments and love that we shared and person he helped me to become.

Thanks for reading.

I'm sorry for your loss, Andy. Thanks for sharing that.

Thanks.

My sympathy, Andy.

I've seen Carowinds from the highway a few times, but never managed to get there during the operating season. I hope to change that some day.

Sorry for your loss, Andy

I was at Carowinds 8-1 through 8-3. And I will say about Mountain Gliders, you must not have seen the people who I was on cycles with or the people on it were beaten into submission but shortened cycles due to snapping. I got on them on 8-1 and said to myself you know they are snappable so be gentle until others start. Well shortly after the ride started I heard the unmistakable sound of a beginning of snapping. Shortly there after two more snaps. OH it's on! I got a few good ones but not Knoebels snaps and then .... cycle powered down early. I could tell those who also were snapping by the conversations afterward and they looked at me to say something and we all laughed. Then I said I was holding back until you all start then I was like oh I guess it's allowed here. They said it is to a point but then it gets some cycles cut.