- May 6th, 2007, 1:16 pm
#20732
Yesterday, I spent a rare Saturday off at Carowinds. I was awaken around 5 with lightning and thunder, went "oh no...", and debated on not going. After tracking the weather on TV for about 20 minutes, I went back to bed, got up an hour later, got ready, and headed out. After a bagel and juice at Atlanta Bread Company, I was on my way. It rained the entire drive. But, I wasn't too discouraged. In fact, when I got to Carowinds, there was quite a turnout of school and church groups.
Since only the North Gate was open, I parked relatively close to the gate, then beelined to Top Gun. No wait! Awesome ride, got quite dizzy, and laughed at myself on the DVD preview at the end of the exit stairs. The rain had stopped by this time. After that, I hit Thunder Road (very front forwards) and Drop Zone (sitting facing S. Carolina), both with no wait. Then came Hurler (very front) with a 25-minute wait, and rattled bones.
Then came lunch at the CBS Cafe (or is it the Carowinds Cafe? They can't make up their mind!). Afterwards, I took it easy by going on the Phantom Flyers (20 minute wait), another Thunder Road (front seat forwards, no wait), then Vortex (very back, pretty smooth, 30 minute wait). After some Dippin' Dots, I went on Rip Roarin' Rapids (I'm a sucker for rapid rides, 15 minute wait) and got part of the waterfall in my butt! Next, was the Cyclone (less than 15 minute wait), then another round of Top Gun (50 minute wait, but the line moved swiftly), then the Dodgems.
People seem to have mixed reactions about Borg. I almost didn't go on because I couldn't fit into the sample seat. After stashing my stuff in a locker, I decided to hit the small line because the rain had started up again. After a 20-25 minute wait, I was on. I hated having the rain splash right in my eyes. For the first time in years, I was visibly scared on a coaster. My hands were practically glued to the yellow straps as I was screaming "Oh my God! Oh my God!" For that reason, the ride ruled. After being guided back to my glasses by a lady who grabbed my arm, I headed to the Gold Rusher, which managed to break down. By this time, the rain stopped.
As the crowds were thinning, I had a barbecue sandwich, fries, and slaw at the Country Kitchen. I almost went to Outer Hanks, but decided against it, as I had shrimp for dinner recently, and I'm having fish tonight. I have never seen kids act up in public like the kids at that place last night. Just plain rude. They were making noise, hitting each other with toys, spilling food and drink, and I had to ask a kid quite loudly to move his seat out of the aisle so I could get through.
After that, I took another round on Vortex, a trip on Haunted Mansion (scored 660, is it 30 points per target?), and one more ride on Thunder Road (forwards), all with no waits. After that, I bought a "Fear the Four" T-shirt, headed home, and was in bed at 11, exhausted but glad I made the trip. If anyone reading this was there yesterday, I had a black windbreaker, jeans, a grey visor, a fanny pack, and glasses. When it warmed up, I opened the jacket and rolled the sleeves to reveal a Florida Atlantic University shirt.
Overall, a very enjoyable day, despite the weather. The employees seemed to be enjoying themselves and were quite helpful. The only real complaints were the grungy restrooms and little signage. Even with a map, I still managed to get lost. I'm thinking about going again in September. The heat and crowds would be unbearable during the summer.
Oddities:
1. I inadvertently got smacked in the face in the Top Gun line.
2. The Dodgems stopped twice, once because a couple people (including myself) were in dead cars, and the other because someone threw a basketball into the area.
3. Speaking of basketballs, how much did you pay to get into the park? Surely, you can find somewhere else to bounce your newly-won basketball, football, or soccer ball. Ride some coasters! Besides, someone could get hurt!
4. If it's raining, don't wear a flimsy red dress. I saw two young ladies, both in the plus sizes, wearing them. Since it was raining, they got soaked, and I could see their panties. I'm not sure which is worse, Droopy Pants Syndrome, or Wet Clingy Dress Syndrome!
5. Kids, just because you're in an amusement park, and you're not always going to be with your parents, it's no excuse to throw common sense and decency out the window. Don't jump over the queue rails in Cyclone, and move your seat the first time you're asked!
6. When they say secure your loose articles, they mean it! I saw a wallet on the grass below while waiting in line for Borg.
7. I don't want to know what kind of boxers you wear. Pull your pants up, visitors!
8. I left my visor behind on the Drop Zone. Fortunately, I realized it just when I got into the line for Hurler.
And to think, I almost didn't go.
Since only the North Gate was open, I parked relatively close to the gate, then beelined to Top Gun. No wait! Awesome ride, got quite dizzy, and laughed at myself on the DVD preview at the end of the exit stairs. The rain had stopped by this time. After that, I hit Thunder Road (very front forwards) and Drop Zone (sitting facing S. Carolina), both with no wait. Then came Hurler (very front) with a 25-minute wait, and rattled bones.
Then came lunch at the CBS Cafe (or is it the Carowinds Cafe? They can't make up their mind!). Afterwards, I took it easy by going on the Phantom Flyers (20 minute wait), another Thunder Road (front seat forwards, no wait), then Vortex (very back, pretty smooth, 30 minute wait). After some Dippin' Dots, I went on Rip Roarin' Rapids (I'm a sucker for rapid rides, 15 minute wait) and got part of the waterfall in my butt! Next, was the Cyclone (less than 15 minute wait), then another round of Top Gun (50 minute wait, but the line moved swiftly), then the Dodgems.
People seem to have mixed reactions about Borg. I almost didn't go on because I couldn't fit into the sample seat. After stashing my stuff in a locker, I decided to hit the small line because the rain had started up again. After a 20-25 minute wait, I was on. I hated having the rain splash right in my eyes. For the first time in years, I was visibly scared on a coaster. My hands were practically glued to the yellow straps as I was screaming "Oh my God! Oh my God!" For that reason, the ride ruled. After being guided back to my glasses by a lady who grabbed my arm, I headed to the Gold Rusher, which managed to break down. By this time, the rain stopped.
As the crowds were thinning, I had a barbecue sandwich, fries, and slaw at the Country Kitchen. I almost went to Outer Hanks, but decided against it, as I had shrimp for dinner recently, and I'm having fish tonight. I have never seen kids act up in public like the kids at that place last night. Just plain rude. They were making noise, hitting each other with toys, spilling food and drink, and I had to ask a kid quite loudly to move his seat out of the aisle so I could get through.
After that, I took another round on Vortex, a trip on Haunted Mansion (scored 660, is it 30 points per target?), and one more ride on Thunder Road (forwards), all with no waits. After that, I bought a "Fear the Four" T-shirt, headed home, and was in bed at 11, exhausted but glad I made the trip. If anyone reading this was there yesterday, I had a black windbreaker, jeans, a grey visor, a fanny pack, and glasses. When it warmed up, I opened the jacket and rolled the sleeves to reveal a Florida Atlantic University shirt.
Overall, a very enjoyable day, despite the weather. The employees seemed to be enjoying themselves and were quite helpful. The only real complaints were the grungy restrooms and little signage. Even with a map, I still managed to get lost. I'm thinking about going again in September. The heat and crowds would be unbearable during the summer.
Oddities:
1. I inadvertently got smacked in the face in the Top Gun line.
2. The Dodgems stopped twice, once because a couple people (including myself) were in dead cars, and the other because someone threw a basketball into the area.
3. Speaking of basketballs, how much did you pay to get into the park? Surely, you can find somewhere else to bounce your newly-won basketball, football, or soccer ball. Ride some coasters! Besides, someone could get hurt!
4. If it's raining, don't wear a flimsy red dress. I saw two young ladies, both in the plus sizes, wearing them. Since it was raining, they got soaked, and I could see their panties. I'm not sure which is worse, Droopy Pants Syndrome, or Wet Clingy Dress Syndrome!
5. Kids, just because you're in an amusement park, and you're not always going to be with your parents, it's no excuse to throw common sense and decency out the window. Don't jump over the queue rails in Cyclone, and move your seat the first time you're asked!
6. When they say secure your loose articles, they mean it! I saw a wallet on the grass below while waiting in line for Borg.
7. I don't want to know what kind of boxers you wear. Pull your pants up, visitors!
8. I left my visor behind on the Drop Zone. Fortunately, I realized it just when I got into the line for Hurler.
And to think, I almost didn't go.