[coasterbruh]

If that were the case, wouldn't they want a faster ride that could endure the low temps?

So that begs the question, why aren't they running their fastest coasters during Winterfest?

In my opinion, I think Cedar Fair has always been the conservative park chain. I think the focus is on christmas/holiday things to do vs it being just another day at the park. Now, I think if enough people start saying there isn't enough to do they may open more rides but I think that won't be for a while. I don't mind all the coasters not running personally.

[Capler]

If that were the case, wouldn't they want a faster ride that could endure the low temps?

So that begs the question, why aren't they running their fastest coasters during Winterfest?

In my opinion, I think Cedar Fair has always been the conservative park chain. I think the focus is on christmas/holiday things to do vs it being just another day at the park. Now, I think if enough people start saying there isn't enough to do they may open more rides but I think that won't be for a while. I don't mind all the coasters not running personally.

I get it, but unfortunately Carowinds suffers from the Golden Corral syndrome. Just because some folk paid $16.00 they try to eat everything just to get their money's worth. You know what I'm talking about Bruh.

[dabrian]

Did anyone else get or plan on getting an all season fast lane? I got myself one, this is the first season since they’ve started them that I can justify buying one.

Tried to buy three this past year for me and my boys but they were already sold out. Glad I saved my $900 bucks.

[Kineticmind]

For Fury, it is closed during Winterfest due to maintenance’s concern that it might valley in colder temperatures after the turn around. This is according to that team’s lead. They were informed of that both last year and this year.

That being said, on the last weekend of the year, Leviathan was running at Canada’s Wonderland when it was lightly snowing and temperatures were 30 degrees.

[hikernut79]

For Fury, it is closed during Winterfest due to maintenance’s concern that it might valley in colder temperatures after the turn around. This is according to that team’s lead. They were informed of that both last year and this year.

I find this hard to believe. That thing is hauling all the way to the brakes in normal conditions. Heck, there is even a trim on the hill before the helix. I have a hard time believing temperature would slow it that much.

[Glitch99]

For Fury, it is closed during Winterfest due to maintenance’s concern that it might valley in colder temperatures after the turn around. This is according to that team’s lead. They were informed of that both last year and this year.

I find this hard to believe. That thing is hauling all the way to the brakes in normal conditions. Heck, there is even a trim on the hill before the helix. I have a hard time believing temperature would slow it that much.

Can snow and ice affect braking, the restraints, and other mechanical/safety aspects of operation? Even when running regular dispatches, there's plenty of time between trains for something to ice over. At least in theory, a little ice buildup on the track could pinch the train wheels and slow it drastically, if not get it stuck altogether.

[dirkdiggler1992]

I still believe people are overthinking “why isn’t this or that coaster running”. Kings Domion, Kings Island, Carowinds all just run 3 coasters, they can pretty much be summed up as an extreme, thrill, and a family coaster. Looks like the chain wants it that way, for now, to keep people focused on the up charge attractions like 300 dollar igloo rentals, I don’t blame them. Give the more major coasters like Fury the off season maintenance they require.

[Glitch99]

I'm sure staffing is a factor as well.

[uscbandfan]

I heard that Fury and Intimidator run slower in the cold and the temp has to be above something like 40-something degrees for them to not have the risk of valleying.

My first ride on Fury was opening weekend and it was COLD!! I stood in line for a while waiting for that magic temperature. Then I rode front-seat left. I will FOREVER remember getting whipped with 95mph figidness!!! I have the ride picture of me in my winter clothes and winter coat in my office. That was a COLD RIDE!!!! .... and I was hooked anyway and got right back on.

Winterfest probably doesn't guarantee consistent temperatures in the normal operating range so they would have a hard time scheduling operating times for them.

Besides, Fury would kill Santa and his reindeer over the entrance path.

[hikernut79]

I'm sure staffing is a factor as well.

If I had to guess this is the main reason they aren't operating more rides.

[coasterbruh]

If six flags and dollywood can run their coasters in low temps then carowinds can. So, I doubt it has anything to do with a valleying issue but more so what they want to offer.

[Glitch99]

If six flags and dollywood can run their coasters in low temps then carowinds can. So, I doubt it has anything to do with a valleying issue but more so what they want to offer.

Do they run their coasters the same as during the summer? Or do they have special mods to allow for cold weather operation? Until last year, operating in the winter wasnt a concern for Carowinds coasters, there could be some minor design/equipment considerations for winter operation that we dont have.

[dirkdiggler1992]

Dollywood’s coasters aren’t custom made to handle Christmas events. They close them as soon as it gets too cold just like any other park would per manufacturer recommendation. My last visit a couple weeks ago the highs for the day we’re 34 and not a single coaster opened except Blazing Fury. I know you guys have ridden Fury in upper 30s/lower 40s on some March or late October days, they can run it on most Winterfest days if they seriously wanted to. I’d rather the ride take a rest and replace some of those wheels.

Also looks like rain it gonna hurt another weekend of Winterfest.

EDIT: Worlds of Fun PR dude took some pics of Copperhead Strike:

DDB29A48-A06B-4F0E-A466-2B4FDA0BD736.jpeg (585.96KiB)Viewed 2974 times

0834B650-318E-49B0-A013-CCEF51CB4250.jpeg (753.28KiB)Viewed 2974 times

[Rabidfrog]

In one of the construction videos I thought the guy said Copperhead Strike was designed to run during winter fest. If so, the implication was that other rides Carowinds has are not designed that way. Tho I am sure staffing and theme are also a factor, this makes me believe the temp thing matters as well.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Yes, Steve stated that when they had the ride design that temperatures etc were all factored in as a major part of it. The ride manufacturers all have there own recommended temps etc. and I think ultimately its up to the park what they do and do not want to run. I think its more of a maintenance thing too. Steve stated that Winterfest is a family event and that its not time for "big thrills". Obviously some things dont make sense to run in cooler temps such as fury, its cold enough in 42 degrees in Oct. Plus even on SP night , Afterburn had NO LINE and the park was slammed, so I think the GP prefers not to ride anything in the cold anyways.... There are so many reasons, but they do what they do, and there is always a reason for it