CAROLINA CYCLONE

This Arrow Dynamics steel looping coaster has been operating since 1980 and I would be tempted to say that it’s showing its age were it not for the fact that I didn’t ride it 35 years ago and therefore have no basis for comparison.

Seating two across in 14 rows for a total capacity of 28 riders, the train turns left from the loading station and ascends a 95-foot lift hill before making another left turn and descending 65 feet.   It then travels through two consecutive vertical loops, traverses a small hill, turns and sends the riders through two consecutive corkscrews.   This is followed by a short helix and brake run.  And that’s all she wrote.

The layout of the track is actually pretty good.  I liked the fact that the two loops came up one right after the other, with no break in the action, as did the corkscrews.  What I didn’t like was the roughness of the ride.  The loops were fine but the corkscrews were another story altogether.  I found myself getting banged up – on the elbows - during these two elements.  At least it’s not a headbanger.

Carolina Cyclone can be appreciated for what it is:  a mostly enjoyable coaster offering moderate thrills.  2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Carowinds, visit https://www.carowinds.com/

AFTERBURN

An inverted B&M coaster at Carowinds, Afterburn is classified by RCDB (Roller Coaster Database) as extreme.  Considering the six inversions, I would have to agree that this is an accurate assessment.

Featuring two trains with 8 rows seating 4 across for a total capacity of 32 riders and an over-the shoulder harness with attached seat belt as a restraint, the ride begins with an ascent up a 113-foot lift hill.   Dropping to the right, the train soars into a vertical loop, dips deliciously close to the ground and goes up into an Immelmann loop, once again dropping before propelling riders into a zero-g roll.  This is followed by a Batwing element and corkscrew. 

Highlights of the ride include the Batwing and passage through a concrete tunnel.  The elements flow very smoothly and take the riders on a journey which is as startling as it is intense.  I found this coaster to be a blast from beginning to end and ended up riding it twice in succession.  The pace was such that the ride seemed almost too short and I could hardly believe that we were already back at the station.

Afterburn is, in a word, awesome.  It’s one of those coasters on which you are likely to feel that you didn’t get enough and will be screaming for more.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Carowinds, visit https://www.carowinds.com/

INTIMIDATOR

This B&M hypercoaster at Carowinds has been consistently ranked among the top steel coasters in the USA and deservedly so.  Themed after NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, it has a total capacity of 32 riders arranged in 8 rows seating 4 across, with staggered seating.  The restraints consist of a lap bar and seat belt. 

From the loading station the train ascends a 232-foot chain lift hill and drops 211 feet at a 74-degree angle.  It then navigates a 178-foot camelback hill and turns right before traveling over a second camelback hill of 151 feet.  This is followed by a U-turn and two more hills – 105 and 90 feet, respectively – before the brake run.  From there it’s another camelback hill, right turn into a diving spiral and two more, smaller camelback hills. 

The initial drop is blissfully breathtaking and the remainder of the ride does not disappoint.   The sharp turns offer ejector airtime and the numerous hills offer good floater airtime.  There is never a dull moment.  And as would be expected from this design, the ride is exceptionally smooth.

Intimidator is a world-class coaster certain to thrill anyone who rides it.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Carowinds, visit https://www.carowinds.com/

NIGHTHAWK

One of only three Vekoma Flying Dutchman coasters in existence, Nighthawk at Carowinds offers an experience that will be novel to anyone who has never ridden a coaster of this design.

                         

After riders are heavily restrained and the train is tilted backwards, the ride is dispatched and the train makes a left turn out of the loading station before ascending a 115-foot lift hill with the riders flat on their backs.  At the top is a twist which rotates the riders from a “Lie to Fly” position to a “Fly to Lie” position so that they are prone.  The train drops 103 feet and sends riders through a horseshoe curve.  Back in the “Fly to Lie” position, riders are propelled through a 66-foot vertical loop and flipped over into the “Lie to Fly”position before being catapulted through two corkscrews.  From there it’s back to the “Fly to Lie” position and riders return to the loading station the same way they left it, in a supine position.

I found this ride immensely entertaining at the same time that I found the headrests to be uncomfortable.  Other than that there was no discomfort except for what the ride is designed to make you feel – i.e., vulnerable when in the flying position because you feel as if you’re going to pitch forward.  The vertical loop and corkscrews were clearly the highlights of the ride.  And I personally find it highly enjoyable to go up the lift hill on my back.

Nighthawk is an unusual and exciting ride.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Carowinds, visit https://www.carowinds.com/

FURY 325

What’s in a number?   In this case, a lot.  325 feet is the height of this colossal B&M giga coaster which towers over Carowinds, opened in 2015 and as I write is the premier attraction.   The name Fury came about because the ride is themed to resemble the chase of a hornet.

Fury 325 operates with three trains seating four across in eight rows for a total capacity of  32 riders.  The restraints consist of a lap bar and seat belt.  From the loading station the train goes directly up the chain lift hill and the ascent is surprisingly quick.  As the train nears the top of the hill it accelerates, then decelerates before hanging over the drop and plunging 320 feet at a wicked 81-degree angle.   And what a drop!  This is floater airtime at its best.

From the initial drop the train veers slightly left and then goes up into a 190-foot right-angled barrel turn.  This is followed by a high speed S curve, overbanked curve and horseshoe turn.  The train drops into a tunnel (one of the highlights of the ride), rises into a banked curve, navigates a camelback hill, enters a helix and traverses two more camelback hills.

The speed at which Fury travels – 95mph – and the intensity of the ride is astonishing.  This coaster offers both floater and ejector airtime, the latter due to the sharp angles.  The numerous elements and relentless pace result in a thrilling ride experience.  A camelback hill near the end of the ride offers exquisite floater airtime.  It doesn’t get much better than this.

Fury 325 is, in a word, furious.  In addition, it’s a marvel of engineering which more than lives up to its advance publicity.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Carowinds, visit https://www.carowinds.com/

COLOSSUS THE FIRE DRAGON

A looping coaster operating since 1983, Colossus The Fire Dragon has three trains with seven cars arranged in two rows seating two across for a total capacity of 28 riders.  From the loading station the train goes straight up the 85-foot lift hill, turns and drops 81 feet to the right.  The initial drop is followed by two consecutive vertical loops, after which the train travels upward to the left and downward to the right before going into a right-angled upward and downward helix.

While hardly exceptional, this coaster offers a fun ride with some nice pops of airtime.  The helix is somewhat distinctive for being multi-leveled and the maximum G-force is a more than respectable 4.9.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Lagoon, visit www.lagoonpark.com/

JET STAR 2

This steel coaster first operated at the 1974 World Fair in Spokane and was relocated to Lagoon in 1976.  Seating six riders inline, Jet Star 2’s configuration is much like that of a bobsled coaster in that the two riders in each row sit one in front of the other.  Because the restraint – a seat belt – is designed to secure two riders, Lagoon’s policy prohibits single riders from riding.

Upon leaving the loading station, the train ascends to the top of the structure via an electric spiral lift.  This involves a number of right turns and gives the impression of going around in circles.  Once at the top, the train veers right and drops, banking steeply at the bottom of the drop, before turning left and going up another hill.   From there it traverses a number of drops and turns before reaching the brake run. 

The drops and turns are very nicely banked, affording some good airtime.  Jet Star 2 offers a pretty entertaining ride.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Lagoon, visit www.lagoonpark.com

ROLLER COASTER

One of the ten oldest operating wooden roller coasters in the USA (opened in 1921 and partially rebuilt – station and lift hill - after fire damage in 1953), Roller Coaster at Lagoon is a true classic.   And while the stats are hardly impressive by today’s standards, the fact that it’s still running is indeed impressive.

                           

With four cars seating two across in rows of three for a total capacity of 24 riders, the train makes a right turn out of the loading station and ascends a 62-foot lift hill.  It then descends into the first of two consecutive drops before turning left and navigating two more drops.  This is followed by another left turn leading up to two drops and yet another left turn leading into several smaller drops before the train returns to the station.

What’s remarkable about this coaster is that for a wooden coaster of such vintage, it is not at all rough.  Older wooden coasters can be punishing but this one is most decidedly not.   It’s a fun ride with some really good pops of airtime.  3 out of 5 stars.   For more information about rides at Lagoon, visit www.lagoonpark.com/

WICKED

An LSM launch coaster manufactured by Zierer, Wicked operates with six trains seating four across in two rows for a total capacity of eight riders.   Upon dispatch the train makes a left turn out of the loading station and enters a tunnel through which the riders experience first a horizontal launch and then a vertical launch up 110 feet followed by a 90-degree free fall.   The train ascends into an overbanked turn and goes into a zero-g roll, navigates a wicked curve and reaches the block brake.  From there the train floats downhill before going up into two back-to-back half-pipe elements (90-degree turns).  It enters a helix, descends into another tunnel and hits the brake run before returning to the station.

                                                                                        

Highlights of the ride include the vertical launch, free fall and zero-g roll.  The airtime is excellent and while the ride is short, it’s short and sweet.  Wicked will not disappoint those looking for a coaster that falls into the category of extreme.  4 out of 5 stars.   For more information about rides at Lagoon, visit www.lagoonpark.com/

CANNIBAL

Opened in July of 2015, Cannibal is remarkable not only for being the first coaster in the USA to feature a beyond-vertical drop but for being built in-house.  Although its creation was a collaborative endeavor involving various individuals and entities, the finished product is overwhelmingly the work of Utah contractors and Lagoon.

Cannibal looks frankly terrifying.  Housed in a massive tower from which the trains emerge before making a precipitous plunge, it features an Immelmann loop, dive loop, overbanked curve and two consecutive heartline rolls, the latter of which have been designated by the park as the “Lagoon Roll.” Cannibal operates with six trains seating four across in three rows for a total capacity of twelve riders.  The restraint is a lapbar.  One thing that impressed me immediately was the double loading – something I’d never seen at any park – and consequent speed of dispatch.   Upon dispatch the train moves forward onto an elevator lift which takes the riders up 208 feet, mostly in the dark.  At the top the train exits the tower onto a short section of track that appears to end abruptly, creating the impression that the riders are about to go off the end of a cliff.

The train comes to a standstill at the edge of the drop, adding to the considerable suspense, and without any warning plummets at a 116-degree angle during what is unquestionably the most hair-raising drop I have ever experienced on any roller coaster.  It is also the most exhilarating.  At the bottom of the drop the train dives into a tunnel and  then ascends into an Immelmann loop, followed by a dive loop and overbanked curve before it reaches the block brake.  This comes just before the Lagoon Roll, a slow-motion test of fortitude.  The double heartline roll, with the train rotating in a different direction on each one, is murderously intense.  This is followed by a 450-degree helix that ends with the train passing through another tunnel by the side of a waterfall before returning to the station.  What a ride! 

Cannibal lives up to its publicity and is well worth the trip to Utah.  It’s thrilling, unique and exceptionally smooth.   It’s also exceptionally well-themed.  Extreme?  Certainly.  Terrifying?  Possibly.  It is, in a word, AWESOME!  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Lagoon, visit www.lagoonpark.com/