‘The Fury’ Rollercoaster Made Headlines For Terrifying Trapped Occupants. Ride These Instead.
The “thrill capital of the Southeast” is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. While the thrill of a roller coaster is a bit unmatchable on the adrenaline scale, what about being stuck at an 81-degree drop in the blazing sunshine? What kind of thrill is that?
In March, Carowinds broke records by unveiling the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, the Fury 325. The steel coaster lasts a total of 3-minutes and takes riders on a wild, terrifying ride at speeds of up to 95-mph. That is, when it is not malfunctioning and stuck midair.
The fury, and its continual malfunctions, have made national headlines. Just last week, the ride got stuck three times. Maybe the Fury was revealed a bit prematurely, as officials from the park claim the ride has been stalling because “a safety mechanism detected a problem.”
That seems a bit, unsafe. Not quite ready to get stuck on the Fury 325 but still want to take a road trip to Carowinds? Try out these rides instead….
Named after NC legend, Dale Earnhardt, the intimidator is not for the faint of heart. As one of the tallest, fastest, and longest coasters in the southeast, the Intimidator reaches speeds of up 75 m.p.h and has an impressive 74-degree angle first drop.
Save lunch for after the afterburn. With six inversions including a space drop and vertical loop, it's not for the faint of heart. The inverted steel coaster features floorless cars suspended below the track. It is as if you're flying right through the Carolina air.
I believe I can fly, oh wait I actually am! As Carolina's only flying rollercoaster, passengers lie face down and are suspended through the air on this fun-filled coaster. At times it seems as if you will almost plummet into the ground until the coaster whips you back up to daring heights.
It's a real two-for-one on the Carolina Cobra. Riders zip through the air, three inversions including a cobra roll and 360-degree loop. The best part? After it's all said and done, the ride takes you back through it all, but this time backwards.
Carolina Cyclone is a good 'starter-coaster' for the aspiring adrenaline junkie. The coaster takes you on three inversions, and while quite wild, it is also a bit mild compared to its other coaster counterparts.
At 180-ft. in the air, the drop tower literally, drops you straight towards the ground at speeds of 100 mph. For the stomach in your throat type feeling, this ride is your go-to.
Wooden coasters have always been my go-to for a thrill. The hurler, being one of my favorites. With speeds of 50-mph and an 83-ft. first drop, the hurler is known for its amount of air-time.
The only ride that will make the purest person utter a few curse words...the slingshot is a terrifying example of weightlessness. The ride catapults you 300-ft. into the air while you spin and bounce until you land.
True to its name, the rip cord hoists you 153-ft. in the air, and at your discretion to pull the cord, you drop 50 ft.at up to 60 mph an hour and experience the sensation of hang gliding mixed with sky diving.
NC loves their pirates, which is no surprise we have the southern star coaster. Taking you on a wild wide, the ship suspends you mid-air, upside down, and loops around at a 360-degree cycle till you barely can handle it anymore.
The best part about this mild coaster is that it feels like you will literally catapult off the track as quick as you're jerked back on. The "wild-mouse" coaster features 17 fear-inducing curves.
Time to plan a road trip! What is your favorite coaster at Carowinds?
Emory was born and raised in North Carolina. She enjoys writing, photography, filmmaking, travel, wine and cheese. You can find more of her work on emoryrakestraw.com
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