First Carowinds trip (3-25 and 3-26 of 2022)

After lots of driving and lots of traffic, we finally arrived at Carowinds for our first time, but it was later in the afternoon than we wanted. Parked closed at 6 pm that day, so we flew into the parking lot a little after 3 pm and rushed in as fast as we could. Skipping all the normal photo spots since there would be time for that the next day.

We had pretty good success right off the bat, skipping Fury and hitting Hurler, Carolina Cyclone, Goldrusher twice, and 2 rides on Copperhead Strike. After hitting a few small rides for the kids, the day was done since it was after 6 already. We headed to the hotel to check-in and get some dinner at a local pizza place.

The next day, we were in the park and waiting before the rope drop for Fury 325. There was a slight delay in getting it started. So, it was 10:30 before we got on even though the park opened at 10. It was very windy that day and lots of rides like the SkyTower, the swings, and even Fury and Intimidator were closed throughout the day due to high winds.

However, we methodically worked our way through the park and were able to ride almost everything that we wanted to. The only coasters I missed were The Intimidator, Flying Cobras, Nighthawk, and Wilderness Run. I missed The Intimidator because it closed down while I was in line for it and never opened back up for the rest of the day. Nighthawk was down the entire time we were there. Flying Cobras always had a long wait, and we honestly didn't bother with the other one.

Both Fury 325 and Copperhead Strike were amazing and easily my 2 favorite rides here. I keep going back and forth on which one I think I like better because they are so different, and both give you completely different ride experiences. Afterburn sits easily in the 3rd spot. It was fun and very smooth. Vortex was a short line, but it takes them forever to get everyone strapped in properly and the ride is very short. Hurler was fun, but only 1 ride was enough for me.

All in all, except the one coaster I really wanted to ride, we got on everything we wanted plus multiple rides on quite a few. My son enjoyed the Goldrusher so we rode it several times and my 9-year-old daughter is going to be a coaster nut like me. Carolina Cyclone was her first-ever upside-down roller coaster and she loved it so much that we rode it at least 5 times. Since we have the Cedar Fair Platinum passes this year, I would really like to try and make it here again if possible, at the very least I want to take another amazing ride on Fury!