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USA 24: Carowinds - Watch Out For Dem Snakes!

 


The road trip rolls into North and South Carolina! It’s fair to say that Carowinds doesn’t have the best of reputations. The park was described to me as a bit rough around the edges, but I’ll always visit a park with an open mind and list of creds to get! 

Our morning didn’t start so well, after and unexpected wake up call in the early hours. 


Thankfully, the hotel wasn’t on fire. 

Fury 325 completely dominates the skyline.

Driving in to the park really showcased the rough around the edges nature of this park.
I didn’t see signs like this anywhere else

We started on Nighthawk (639)

As you can see from the photo above, I’m not exactly loving life on this coaster. It was awful. Uncomfortable, rough and dull. A hateful creation. 

Next door is Kiddy Hawk (640)

It lived up to the Hawk name by also being rough and uncomfortable. 


We then decided to get Woodstock Express (641) ticked off. It’s pretty much the same as the one from yesterday.

Plus one and done. 

It was an exciting day of milestones and Tom and Harry were up first! Copperhead Strike (642).



Congrats lads

The handshake ritual
The coaster itself was a complete disappointment. It was timid, lacklustre and slow. A real shame as on paper it looks great, there’s a range of elements. Coasters aren’t on paper though. 

We ticked off the mine train next. Carolina Goldrusher (643). I forgot to take a photo again…

Vortex (644). 

A B&M standup coaster, not as rough as expected! 

Next up was the big one (no, not the big red train at Blackpool). Fury 325 (645): 



Standing at 325 feet tall and reaching speeds of 95MPH, Fury is a beast! It rode much better front row than back row, there was more floater airtime. There’s one trim, just after the tunnel, that is infuriating. That’s my only complaint! 

It was Dave’s turn for milestone! 
Congrats on 500 mate!


We then had lunch, I opted for Panda Express with a flight of beers!



A decent selection of beers and an enjoyable Panda Express! 

We then nabbed the kiddie cred, Wilderness Run (646) 

Following this, but perhaps not linked, I opened a clinic. 
Send me a DM if I can help.


It was time to ride a proper coaster, Thunder Striker (647). 

Decent airtime, but too many trim breaks, again. 

Next up was a coaster I was really looking forward to! Afterburn (648). 

Look! A coaster that’s on the correct side of the track! Afterburn was excellent! It was intense and snappy, just how I like my coasters! It also has a batwing! It’s defo in my top ten inverts, though who knows how many are actually in that list?!


Emily got a milestone! 

Then we had to grin and bear some average coasters, starting with Ricochet (469) 


Another mouse that’s more mild than wild!

Carolina Cyclone (650) 

Would be better suited to the scrap heap. 

Flying Cobras (651)


The two guys operating this coaster were completely stoned. The ride was awful. 

Hurler (652) 


This thing needs the RMC treatment. 

That concluded our day at Carowinds. Not the finest of parks, but there’s a couple of good things here. Fury 325 and Afterburn were the clear highlights. Thanks for reading! 







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Location: North Carolina, USA

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