April 3: Carowinds PTR!

[gigacoaster2k]

Yes, I know I am slow on writing these.. sorry!

After a few hours of driving, we finally saw Carowinds around 5 am from I77, and saw Intimidator's lift hill lit up, glowing red!

The next morning, we got there shortly after opening.

HELLO, INTIMIDATOR!

Carowinds entrance.

We ran into a problem at the gates. Our KI platinum passes weren't scanning, so an employee told us to wait at the gate while he took our passes to GR. After several minutes, we were motioned over to GR, where our passes were handed back to us along with a 1 day admission receipt with a barcode on it.

I was disappointed when this happened on opening day at KI with my CP platinum pass in 2008.

I was understanding when it happened in 2009 on CP opening day with my KI platinum pass.

I was annoyed when my KI platinum pass didn't scan at KD this year on opening day, but not having it scan at Carowinds and having to go to GR.. well, I'm starting to get ticked off.

There needs to be a universal system that works. Platinum passes are not cheap, and I am getting tired of the runaround I have gotten for the last 3 years at 4 different parks.

Anyway, back to the PTR (once we finally got into the park!).

Intimidator merchandise! I really wanted one of the fleece throws.

The state line is split right down the center of the entrance plaza! Here is our group (minus Adam, who took the pic), all with one foot in NC and one foot in SC!

Family-oriented CF flags.. I like it.

We were all excited for our first ride of the day: INTIMIDATOR!!

I took a lot of photos of Intimidator. It's an extremely photogenic coaster. The track is a blazing bright red.. it's gorgeous.

Carowinds also did a very nice job on the theming.

STAY TUNED!

[The Interpreter]

I agree with you on the Platinum Passes. This is getting old. Really old. You pay big money for the privilege of being able to enter ALL Cedar Fair parks, and then are at best given a hassle. At least you, unlike me, were not, in essence, accused of being a liar and a would be thief. After 20 minutes of being told I had already entered the park (at 9:05 a.m.? Apparently common sense is not a requirement to work admissions at Carowinds. By the way, I HAD entered...the day before. Sigh), I finally left in frustration. I hear that later the same day I was there, security was called on another gentleman with a Kings Island Platinum Pass who did not take well to their treatment.

This REALLY needs addressed.

By the way, a week later, I went to Kings Dominion. Same problem, different verse. There it was very nicely handled by Guest Relations, who apologized all over the place. The next day....it happened yet again.

[Erosarrow05]

Its clear that the system at these parks had not been updated with the current database. The question I suppose then becomes, how often does each parks new data upload into the master data chain wide. If I had to guess, this is probably not an IT nightmare, more of an inadvertent oversight. Ultimately though, admission to the park was granted, so you essentially did get what you paid for, and furthermore you were able to see what kind of customer service skills the parks were able to deploy on day one of operation.

[The Interpreter]

At Kings Dominion, yes. At Carowinds, after 20 minutes of bungling and accusing, I had had enough. I left. And took all my nickels with me. Would I eventually have been admitted? Probably. Is this ANY way to treat a prime customer? No.

[Coasterfun]

I agree with you on the Platinum Passes. This is getting old. Really old. You pay big money for the privilege of being able to enter ALL Cedar Fair parks, and then are at best given a hassle. At least you, unlike me, were not, in essence, accused of being a liar and a would be thief. After 20 minutes of being told I had already entered the park (at 9:05 a.m.? Apparently common sense is not a requirement to work admissions at Carowinds. By the way, I HAD entered...the day before. Sigh), I finally left in frustration. I hear that later the same day I was there, security was called on another gentleman with a Kings Island Platinum Pass who did not take well to their treatment.

This REALLY needs addressed.

By the way, a week later, I went to Kings Dominion. Same problem, different verse. There it was very nicely handled by Guest Relations, who apologized all over the place. The next day....it happened yet again.

It happened to me this weekend at Carowinds as well. Everyone was nice, but it is very annoying. I hope my pass scans at Kings Island on opening day!

[The Interpreter]

I should also add that I have written one Richard Kinzel about this. I also wrote his son, Bart Kinzel, the GM at Carowinds. I do not expect to receive a reply. In the very unlikely event I hear from either, I will post about it here.

[gigacoaster2k]

I think I'm going to just let most of the photos speak for themselves.

One of the riders saw me with my camera and started waving frantically. I thought it was amusing.

Part of our group in line for Intimidator! I like Carowinds so far!

ALL CLEAR!

Riding this, I was expecting disappointment, since many told me that it had far less airtime than Diamondback.

Intimidator DOES have air, although not as much as DB, but it is there. I got some very nice ejector and floater air. Not to mention the MCBR doesn't kill the ride like DB's does, and Intimidator's turnaround has a lot of force. Not to mention the sharp right turn out of the second hill was a very nice surprise.

With this said, I'm going to have to put Intimidator above DB.. just because DB sits at my home park does not mean I am going to rate it far above all B&M hypers.. DB is fantastic, but I just like Intimidator SLIGHTLY more.

After that amazing ride, Tom, Nick, and I decided to hit Vortex while the rest of our coaster crew went to grab some lunch.

Random pretty flowers.. I LOVE the landscaping at Carowinds.

More Vortex.

I found Vortex to be the most painful standup I've ever ridden, even worse than Mantis at Cedar Point. I can handle Mantis.. this was just awful. This coaster had me wishing the ride was over before we were even halfway through. I quickly got a very bad headache afterward.

On our way to Carolina Goldrusher, I took some photos of the midway.

Tom found this disturbing. I found it charmingly hilarious.

Tom is thirsty.

Carolina Goldrusher wasn't bad.. in fact, it's the most fun mine train I've ever been on, which says a lot because I am not a big fan of mine trains!

Next, we headed to Carolina Cyclone.

Never again. Hands down, worst Arrow looper I've ever ridden. I have never cussed so much on a ride in my entire life.

Then it was off to Drop Tower! This was fun! Although not quite as thrilling as the ones at KI or KD, it was still a nice rush!

Then it was off to Hurler!

Hurler structure shot!

When it was our turn to ride, there were four girls in line next to us who wanted to ride together. The gates opened, and they rushed our seats and refused to get out. Tom said "I WILL tell the ride op!" We both told the supervisor what happened (she just happened to be walking by), and she made them get out and re-enter the line. We got in our rightful seats, and the four of them were all talking smack the whole time we were in the station, calling me names unsuitable for posting on KICentral and saying they were going to kill me.

Either way, it was a fun ride!

The three of us decided to go to Chick Fil A and get some food. No tables were open, so we sat on the curb. Frustrated by painful coasters, line jumpers, being threatened, and having to sit in the blazing hot sun, I was close to losing my patience, but I felt better as my food and cold water went into my system.

We met back up with the rest of our group, and decided to head to AFTERBURN.. which would be Nick's 100th coaster!!

I still don't understand how I got this shot, but I'm not complaining!

Afterburn twisty B&M goodness!

Two amazing B&Ms in one shot!

A sweet shot of Intimidator's train on the airtime hill from Afterburn's station.

Afterburn was AMAZING!! It stomped Raptor and crushed Batman at SFSTL, and shot up to my #4 steel coaster! TERRIFIC ride!!

STAY TUNED!

[RollerNut]

My family went to Kings Dominion in 2001, and used our Carowinds season passes, and we had to go to GR at KD where we were handed regular tickets. So I don't the problem is new, just more known.

[The Interpreter]

At that time, you ALWAYS had to go to Guest Relations at other Paramount Parks, as KI's system was different than theirs. Now, they are supposedly all the same.

I have NO problem with going to Guest Relations. I have a huge problem with going to Guest Relations only to be told I have already been in the park that day, will not be admitted again, have to ask for a supervisor, get told the same thing again, ask for another supervisor, get told that again...and finally leave in quiet desperation, having spent $145 or so for what exactly?

[RollerNut]

Oops, wasn't aware of that.

[gigacoaster2k]

After Afterburn, it was off to Thunder Road.

Sorry for the bad photo.. I think this was taken with my BlackBerry.

Thunder Road was cool because it was split down the NC/SC state line, but it didn't really impress me. I barely got any airtime. I like Rebel Yell and Racer MUCH better.

After Thunder Road..

WOODSTOCK FLYERS!

Yes, I snapped mine a couple of times.. we really had ours flying! The ride op didn't compliment us, though, which made me really sad. It also made me sad that I never got to ride these at KI, and walking away from them, I felt a little melancholy.

Intimidator photos taken from Woodstock Flyers line!

I LOVE THIS RIGHT TURN.

We rode Flying Ace Aerial Chase and Woodstock Express for the credits.

I really liked how Carowinds did Planet Snoopy.. I have to say, I was impressed. It is far more appealing to the eye than Nick U ever was. Not to mention, the kids loved it. I can't wait to see it at KI.

Random scenery (and geese) at Carowinds.

Off to Nighthawk we went.

I liked that they had this in the queue. I was impressed.

Nighthawk is a very photogenic coaster, but it hurt very badly. I was disappointed.

We then headed to Carolina Cobra, which I'd heard was the smoothest Vekoma on the planet. Excited to finally ride a Vekoma that may not hurt me, we got in line!

GREAT ride, LOTS of Gs.. but at the end of the ride, I felt like I was nearly going to get sick to my stomach.. which NEVER happens to me. I found that very odd. Tom and Nick told me they both felt the same, and I saw a few other riders looking green too. It's not a bad ride, in fact it's pretty cool. Just DO NOT EAT before you ride it!!

The group met back up.

Time for our last ride of the night.. you guessed it!!

That night ride on Intimidator was WICKED AWESOME!

Me with my seal of approval in the test seat!

I enjoyed Intimidator, Afterburn, Goldrusher, Hurler, the flyers, and the landscaping. There were many rides there that did not agree with me.. I feel like I haven't really given Carowinds a chance. I'd love to go back this summer and take time out to enjoy the park.

My ride count:

Intimidator - 2

Afterburn - 1

Carolina Goldrusher - 1

Woodstock Flyers - 1

Drop Tower - 1

Vortex - 1

Carolina Cyclone - 1

Thunder Road - 2 (both sides once)

Flying Ace Aerial Chase - 1

Nighthawk - 1

Woodstock Express - 1

Carolina Cobra - 1

Hurler - 1

[The Interpreter]

Oops, wasn't aware of that.

A rather full version of my story is here:

http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21183&view=findpost&p=372330

This was the SECOND weekend they were open. The same thing had happened to giga and others the first weekend. And yet, with me, they acted like they had never ever seen such a problem before and were entirely clueless about what to do about it, other than to blame the customer....

[Beast1979]

Awesome PTR! Carowinds looks like a great park, I'm glad you had fun!

[DropZone99]

Great photos! I still have alot of photos to post on my PTR, but I have no time because I'm supposed to be writing a speech right now. lol.

[TH13TEEN]

Really great PTR Giga!

[CoastersRZ]

Yep. It happened to me on the second day that Carowinds was open. My pass worked fine opening day, but not so much on the second day. I spent ten minutes at the admissions building before they finally handed me a receipt to use for entry. One would think that they would have this resolved by now. Hopefully this isn`t a sign of difficulties to come with the season pass system this summer.

Has anyone heard if these issues at Carowinds and Kings Dominion have happened to other Platinum Pass holders from other parks? Ie, have say Cedar Point Platinum Pass holders had trouble with their passes at Kings Dominion and Carowinds, or has it been relegated to simply Kings Island Platinum Passes?

Carowinds is a fun park. I went there two times in the Paramount days (2001 and 2003) and have been three times in the past two years (Sunday of opening weekend last year and both days of opening weekend this year). Afterburn is hands down one of my favorite inverted coasters. I just love the pacing and intensity of the ride. It is a thrill from the start to the very end.

[The Interpreter]

The nice woman at Kings Dominion told me the problem there is ONLY with Kings Island passes. And, oddly, the ticket they gave me to be admitted, both days, was marked: SISTER PARK, MICHIGAN'S ADVENTURE.

[CoastersRZ]

Interesting.

Hopefully they can work out the bugs before the peak summer season starts. I hope to make a trek out to Kings Dominion at some point this year, but time is in short supply already, and its not even through the end of April yet!

[The Interpreter]

She also indicated the problem would go away once Kings Island opens...

How she knew this I know not.

[bkroz]

That sort of makes sense... Like our system hasn't been integrated? No excuse for the guest service aspect, but the functionality? Sure... It still shouldn't be an issue, of course. But at least there appears to be a good reason, at least from someone.

Time will tell!

[KI Kevin]

Funny, I never have the problems other KICers do. My Pass has worked consistently at CP and KD, and also worked at Knott's. On a side note my SFKK pass worked fin at MM. Also I never experience linejumpers.

Great PTR!

[Tom76257]

Great PTR, giga! I think I liked Intimidator more than Diamondback too. The airtime seemed to be more pronounced on Timmy and there was DEFINITELY more positive Gs than on Diamondback, which I appreciate. I also liked its slightly more twisty turny layout more than Diamondback's. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise. I'm disappointed we didn't get to ride Ricochet to compare it to KD's, but that's what Platinum Passes are for. I'm also glad I FINALLY got to ride KI's old flying scooters too! MAN, those things SNAP! The fact that Carowinds ride ops encourage both that and flying high made the experience even better.

[Ride Warrior 13]

Nice trip report.I had a wonderful time myself when I went to Carowinds on onening day. Here's a picture I took of Intimidator,I hope you like it,and I also hope to see you back in the I-305 line soon.

[gigacoaster2k]

On a side note my SFKK pass worked fine at MM.

Six Flags has it together as far as passes working at other parks, from what I've noticed. My 2009 KK season pass worked fine at Six Flags STL last year. Last Sunday while we were at SFOG: Adam had a Six Flags STL pass, Tom had a KK play pass, and I had a SFOG pass that had just been processed 5 minutes before we went to the gate. Every pass worked fine, no problem.

[DaveStroem]

The only issue I have had is with the parking on my SF pass. SFoG made me pay and get a refund, and SFA it came up as invalid, but she just waved me by.