General Carowinds discussion
#37876
I went by there today. They weren't testing, but it was still cool to see the ride. It doesn't even look real!

The people riding it were some of the full-time staff. One of them commented that it was like "sitting on a toilet going 90 miles an hour." They also said that it felt like you were standing up going down the hills.

Off-topic-Thunder Road will definately be down. The hill going up to the turnaround is stripped of track on both sides.
User avatar
By Dude
#37877
cwgator wrote:
Dude wrote:If you look at the web cam, right in beside the station there a big box what is that box?



The box in the red? If so, that is the Que Vending area. You can chck te ride renderings and see it.

Image


They have a Que vending area. What is it for drinks..??
User avatar
By Dude
#37878
macbeth wrote:I went by there today. They weren't testing, but it was still cool to see the ride. It doesn't even look real!

The people riding it were some of the full-time staff. One of them commented that it was like "sitting on a toilet going 90 miles an hour." They also said that it felt like you were standing up going down the hills.

Off-topic-Thunder Road will definately be down. The hill going up to the turnaround is stripped of track on both sides.


Where did they comment?
By KenB
#37883
Finally got out to the 'winds to see this completed beast. The last time I was down there was during the season when they had just completed the lift. Of course I've seen it on the webcam and everyone's construction pics on here, but as everyone says pics don't do it justice. This thing is HUGE in person. It's so weird seeing Top Burn over there looking small, when that used to be one of the dominant parts of the Carowinds skyline along with the skytower.

Image

Oh, and they were testing today! Loved hearing that roar from the entrance road. No people, but no water dummies either, empty trains seemed to be the order of the day. Here's a closeup of one cresting the lift from today:

Image

KenB
#37892
I just want to correct an assumption I’m seeing made regarding the inspection of rides.
Just because there are riders on board does NOT indicate the ride has been, nor passed inspection.

Only members of the public are prohibited from riding without a passing certificate. In NC the legal wording is "prior to admitting the public" [NCGS § 95-111.5]. In SC the wording is "operated for public use" [SC Code § 41-18-80 (F)].

Employees of the park or its contractors can ride a device that has not been inspected by the state.

Carowinds typically does not have their rides inspected until the week before park opening. This allows for a “mass inspection,” preferred by the state, when Carowinds has all the rides ready.

With that being said, Carowinds is very strict in not allowing employees to ride prior to inspection (park opening). During training, maintenance crews still perform their daily inspections, but specifically indicate “No Riders” on the checkout form.

The only time you see an exemption of this policy is for a new product like this coaster. You’ll also commonly see an employee appreciation event a week before opening that allows employees to ride. All of this occurs prior to an inspection certificate.

But again, do not assume an inspection from the state, in this case South Carolina, has occurred.
Last edited by thewinds on February 21st, 2010, 12:31 pm, edited 2 times in total.
  • 1
  • 207
  • 208
  • 209
  • 210
  • 211
  • 232