[coasteraddict]

I dont even like the fencing up the lift hills and on break runs.

My break runs don't have fencing, its usually me running across the street to get a snack...but It only last 15 minutes so I may have missed it lol.

I wonder the reasoning for the immelman on top gun to have the netting but the hill over the station doesn't? It seems to be an influx of security in the plaza and all over the park so I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to try something.

There does seem to be an increase in security near and in the new entrance plaza. I do like the screening positioned BEFORE getting into the circle, and we found that helpful for easier entry. With that said, I believe that Mike Fehnel and Steve Jackson mentioned that there would be cameras at or near the bridge area to help monitor things and ensure that people do not throw things from the bridge to the train in the dive or from the train to the people below, but I really did not see any obvious or hidden cameras from my vantage point on opening weekend. Has anybody seen video feeds nearby the areas where the ride either goes over or under the entrance crowd? I must admit that I did not take a long time to survey the area to be sure.

Thoughts?

[j___sante]

i like how the park looks when all wet & shiny lol.

[Littlegiles]

i like how the park looks when all wet & shiny lol.

Yeah, started sprinkling on my last ride of Fury tonight so I went to Harmony Hall for dinner and then got soaked walking to the car. Ugh....wet dress clothes....blah. It was worth it.

[j___sante]

i had actually almost decided on getting more than a handful of rides in today before work, but decided looking too disheveled + smelling of outside in dress clothes was not worth it.

[Dharma_Guy]

I went yesterday and stayed almost the entire day. I was glad the weather held out until almost the end. I did experience something yesterday that I can honestly say I have never experienced in all my adventures to Carowinds. It was a puke fest yesterday! I was getting on Fury 325 the first time and some kid on the train before we were about to get on had puked all over himself. He looked terrible. So, they cleaned it up and I think they ran that train a couple of times empty. Then, we were getting on Carolina Cobra and once again, they ride was held up because someone puked. There seemed to be some confusion from the employees how to handle it because the ride was held up for a while and we ended up getting out of line. And we barely missed another puke episode on Afterburn. I must have an iron stomach because I don't ever feel sick on rides. I just have this stupid grin on my face (as apparent in all the pictures on the rides) and everyone that rides with me says I laugh the entire ride. I got 3 more Fury 325 rides in yesterday to up my count to 5 this season. I love this coaster more and more each time I ride it!

[pproteinc]

^ Yes I agree. Out of all the years I've been going to Carowinds, I've never seen so much barf everywhere. I feel like I'm on rollercoaster tycoon or something. Afterburn? Really? Like what's the issue? I remember I was in line for screamweaver and overheard a girl ask her friend if she was sure she wanted to ride now because she just ate. I politely said you might want to walk around for a few to let your food settle. lol. She actually did.

[kirkgun]

It seems to me, Afterburn would be the one that would most often cause the up-chuck. It's got plenty of forceful elements, and weightlessness, all while the looping and twisting. It doesn't have the speed of Fury, but I still consider it a bit more of a "wild" ride than Fury.

It's Intimidator that really surprises me. It's so un-intense (not really a word) compared to Fury and Afterburn. There were several piles around that station too (and the catwalk as the train pulls into the station), both times I've ridden Intimidator this year.

And I know somebody timed how much slower things are due to Fastpass. But I imagine that pales in comparison to the amount of the time it takes to clean up the train, run the empty train, rinse it again, and then dry it by running it empty a couple more times. A single puking probably adds close to 10 minutes of waiting time for hundreds of people.

The park has Charlie Brown Wind-up for the folks who get motion sickness. You won't find me, slowing things down for everybody else that wants to get on that ride!

Kidding aside, I've never seen so much puking at an amusement park in my life. In my life, most days spent at an amusement park I wouldn't even see or think about anybody getting sick. Not that it never happens, but it's been crazy frequent at Carowinds so far this year. Can you imagine when it gets really freaking hot and humid? I think that will make it worse. What's going on? Are they serving tequila shots somewhere?

Despite it all, I really think the ride crews are doing a good job of maintaining capacity, and still very conscientious of safety. It's the riders that need to get their act together.

--edit and how awesome would a Fury ride be in thick fog? I think it would be a lot awesome.

[jeffdavis]

Could the increased vomiting events be partly due to the boost in crowds? The marketing campaign for this season has been fantastic and I believe it has drawn in a lot of people who are not regulars and might not be cut out for "more intense" roller coasters and rides. Combine that with the increased patronization of the food stands thanks to better food and the dining plans. It's a recipe for more frequent vomit in my opinion. There are only two rides at Carowinds I've ever "got the feeling" on and they are Nighthawk and Carolina Cobra. Something about the motions and reverse cycle got to me so I had to take it easy for a while afterwards, but I managed to hold it together.

[hikernut79]

I almost contributed to the upchuck number on Monday. My 5 year son made me ride backwards with him on the balloon chase I can ride coasters all day but that spinny stuff ain't for me!

[ColetD]

^^That's what I'm thinking, as far as bringing more people in due to publicity of the new coaster. Then you've got kids that will go eat some junk food and won't even hesitate to get on something. I was already thinking at media day that I was glad most of the people at the event were more then likely enthusiasts, so if Fury caused this sort of reaction there would be one day without any worries. Lol
I have to admit, as many times as I've been to parks, this will be the first time that I'm going to be paranoid about getting puked on. I'm tempted to bring one of those plastic rain poncho's and a face shield or mask from work.

[LocalYokel]

The park decided to combine a dining pass and decent food with roller coasters. What's the worst that could happen? A barf-o-rama to rival Stand By Me might be coming.

[coastergirl3166]

^^ that is what I have been thinking this whole time!!

[Littlegiles]

Whatever happened to people just using some common sense??? If you just ate a big meal or chugged down a bottle of soda, how about you wait a bit before hopping on the coaster.

I am super happy that Carowinds has upped the food and offered some amazing choices. Should people with common sense and a touch of sanity be punished because a vast majority of people are just stupid?

The one time I rode and someone got sick at the end, I heard him saying he should have waited and "I told you I would get sick" to his friends. You know what dummy....you should have. Now because you are dumb, people have to clean up your mess and more people have to wait. He just giggled and laughed like the town fool and I just wanted to slap him on the back of the head.

Ok....off my soapbox...oh...and get that basketball out my yard!

[FamousAmos]

I don't ever get sick on a roller coaster, but even if I eat, I'll still wait a little bit before riding, just out of respect for everyone else.

[Axel]

^^ Littlegiles, I'm really loving your posting prose! you crack me up