Carowinds Officially Announces Vekoma Flyer

While the official press conference and presentation is not until 11 AM, there was a small blip in the Charlotte Observer this morning: http://www.carowindsconnection.com/observerstealth.JPG While this confirms that it will be the same layout as Stealth at PGA, it still doesn't officially confirm that Stealth is physically moving. Perhaps that will be clarified at the news conference. If not, we won't know until Stealth at PGA is either taken down, or goes nowhere.

------------------
Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Carowinds Connection - Unofficial Carowinds Site
*** This post was edited by StarCoasters 8/21/2003 9:11:41 AM ***

The fact that they say it will be a "replica" of Stealth seems to suggest that it wont be moving. But when has the news ever been a reliable source of information, especially in the coaster world.

------------------
Mac Forever.

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't trust this little spot in the Observer to be completely accurate. At the same time, if Stealth does indeed move, I don't believe I would expect that to be released in the announcement. Perhaps PGA would make an announcement themselves at a later date, but I doubt it would be mentioned today.

------------------
Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Carowinds Connection - Unofficial Carowinds Site

Here is the link here.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/6581298.htm

------------------
Army Rangers lead the way

I loved the list of "Superman type" rides they got form the Six Flags website. What coaster at SFKK is Superman themed?

Anyway while I find it odd that Paramount would move Stealth I find it more odd they'd buy a new Vekoma Flying Dutchman. Oh well...I'm sure we'll know more soon.

mOOSH

------------------
2004 Coaster Calendar now available. 13 Coasters in 12 months! Order in advance and save. Quantities are limited! See S&D Greetings for details.

The Charlotte Observer say's that it will have 8 inversions, the most in the Southeast. That's twice as many as Stealth has.

I find it amusing that they'd even go list the Six Flags ones while talking about a Paramount park.

Dallas? LA? Wrong styles -- the writer obviously just went by name (which, I'll admit, is as much Six Flag's "fault). And where's Atlanta in that list? I know it's a little blurb, but let's see a LITTLE effort...

------------------
--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"What do you want, you moon-faced assassin of joy?" -- Londo Mollari, Babylon 5

Paramount has always marketed Stealth as having 8 inversions. They consider each turn from back to stomach and stomach to back to be a half inversion.

------------------
Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Carowinds Connection - Unofficial Carowinds Site

What an eclectic lineup of coasters PCar will have now. :-/

When you have nearly 10 coasters and none will crest over 115 feet tall, it's tough not to deem it Oompa Loompa Land.

------------------
MORE than 50% of people like me.

Louisville, KY has a flying coaster?? Boy, that's a real reliable fact. Are they refering to T2 or something?? Hmmm.. according to the six flags website. We all know the six flags websites gets their coasters confused.

The article doesnt say that SFKK has a flying coaster. it says they have a Superman coaster. Which they dont have either.

------------------
Mac Forever.

Where did this rumor about moving Stealth come from? It doesnt say anything like that in the article.

------------------
Mac Forever.

I wish people would quit worrying about what some dumb article says. We realize the media is moronic at best. Worry about what kinda drugs PCar is doing to install another Dutchman after swearing them off a few years ago.

------------------
MORE than 50% of people like me.

http://www.carowindsconnection.com/construction.php There is a little more information that was given at the press conference. The station is in Paramount Plaza near the Skytower, and the ride is located on the island. They said the seats would recline on the lift, so we will see if they can actually get that to work...

------------------
Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Carowinds Connection - Unofficial Carowinds Site

Don't X-Flight/Batwing recline on the lift as they are supposed to?

I hope the carowinds coaster works better than the one here at SFWOA. I LOVE the flying Dutchman coasters , they are alot of fun . It will be a good addition to the park
------------------
WOOF !

Okay, new information. The flyer will be BRAND NEW. If Stealth is being relocated, then it isn't to Carowinds. Perhaps this means that some of the terrain will be left in, with a tunnel or two. I'll cross my fingers on that one...

------------------
Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Carowinds Connection - Unofficial Carowinds Site

13Minutes,so far this year Batwing has yet to recline on the lift,it did last year though.

Maybe Paramount has decided to give vekoma a 2nd chance & has opted to buy the 2nd generation flyer which has the motors built in that raise/lower the seats because as far as I know doesn't stealth use lifting jacks in the station platform to raise & lower the seats for loading/unloading?

If they have bought a new flyer then you guys in Charlotte are in for somewhat of a decent ride,the helix on that thing pulls some major G's but I just don't like the inline rolls just before the helix because it's a bit rough.

Last time I rode X-Flight which was three weeks ago, the trains reclined in the station. I've been to the park since then, but not to ride that thing because I don't think it's that great of a coaster. I took several rides on it during ERT at a regional ACE event, and still disliked the ride because of it's uncomfortable riding position, and rather lackluster layout. I've yet to ride B&M's version of the flying coaster, but their layouts look even worse than Vekomas.

Wood - anything else is an imitation

Excellent theming/naming opportunity here: this December marks the 100th anniversary of the Wright Bros flight at Kitty Hawk. Perhaps they will tie that in to the coaster somehow. Seems like a natural to me.

Here is what I have come to believe about Vekomas: great layouts, LOUSY trains (i.e. Vu 1.0) , sometimes salavagable if they are EXCEPTIONALLY well maintained (i.e. Hangman). With the new trains, the Vu is definitely in my top 5 steel. Before, wasn't even in the top 10.

Chipster

Deja Vu Seat 8B -> Accept NO substitute