[FamousAmos]

I think a white coaster would look good in the park, plus if its going were most think it will (from thrill zone to by the entrance) white would make it stand out well from the interstate.

I agree completely/ Here is a google maps picture with the coaster in it. What do you think?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 3f6e79974c

[bgwfreak]

As many have already posted, I think it seems obvious to me that White Lightning is coming back in a new body.

Maybe the trains will be red as the old WL train was red.

Either way, I'm just very happy CF has seen the value of investing in our little park, after years of Paramount giving us the scraps (except Top Gun and the flyers of course). I have my problems with the Paramount years obviously, but Top Gun was certainly their best idea ever.

[mark40511]

I was never so glad when CF took over the Paramount parks. Quite frankly, I don't think Paramount did much for any of the parks (relatively speaking). Ironically, most of my time spent at Carowinds in my life was while it was Paramount. I still think Great America in Cali is the worst in terms of coasters.

[Chris]

I have my problems with the Paramount years obviously, but Top Gun was certainly their best idea ever.

Does anyone have the background story on this? How did we get the chain's best invert? Carowinds always got the short end of the stick when it came to rides from Paramount, so how did we get Top Gun? Why didn't we get stuck with a Vekoma or worse yet, nothing at all (like the treatment Carowinds had in regards to flats)?

[Capler]

I have my problems with the Paramount years obviously, but Top Gun was certainly their best idea ever.

Does anyone have the background story on this? How did we get the chain's best invert? Carowinds always got the short end of the stick when it came to rides from Paramount, so how did we get Top Gun? Why didn't we get stuck with a Vekoma or worse yet, nothing at all (like the treatment Carowinds had in regards to flats)?

Interesting question Chris. Here is my opinion on the matter. I don't think they intentionally planned to give Carowinds their best, but as fate would have it, it certainly turned out that way. At the time, flat rides were enough to keep Wonderland at bay, so that is what they got. Great America, who knows, that has always seemed to be a place with issues. PKI & PKD were the crown jewels of the chain and that is how they were treated. They got the big investments with the heavy theming. A lot of energy went into FOF, Volcano, Back Lot, and Tomb Raiders.
I feel Carowinds needed a new coaster so they called in B&M to give us one, (inverts were hot at the time), and the rest is history. I don't feel they were intentionally trying to upstage PKI and PKD. Also, by the time Top Gun opened there were several Vekoma SLCs out there and they had a reputation of being rough and some would get stuck as well. This may explain why we did not get one.

[RollerBee]

Lets see how many B&Ms did KD, KI, and CW get under Paramount Parks(KECO too): 0. GA and Carowinds both got two. I have heard it is because BGW and CP both had non-compete agreements with B&M.

[Chris]

Another quick hijack, then. Is Mantis much better than Vortex? Does the extra height and length make as big of a difference as I anticipate it does?

[Jay]

If you like Vortex you'll like Mantis. If you don't like Vortex you'll HATE Mantis. It's all about that seat positioning- if you get it right it's good, if you get it wrong it will be the worst thing you've ever been on.

Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. It just means a longer time to deal with the pain.

[dabrian]

I hate Vortex and I was miserable on Mantis last year.

[tylerSC]

I hate Vortex and I was miserable on Mantis last year.

I want to go to Kings Island as they say Banshee is a great ride. And the tallest and longest invert.

[gabed]

I hate Vortex and I was miserable on Mantis last year.

I want to go to Kings Island as they say Banshee is a great ride. And the tallest and longest invert.

Not trying to burst your bubble, but the tallest inverted roller coaster is Wicked Twister. Anyways, I'm sure Banshee will be great since it's new and most B&M inverts tend to be smooth. I can easily relate to dabrian, I rode Mantis last year and it was by far the worst coaster experience I've ever had. I actually lost my vision completely during the loop.

[Capler]

If you like Vortex you'll like Mantis. If you don't like Vortex you'll HATE Mantis. It's all about that seat positioning- if you get it right it's good, if you get it wrong it will be the worst thing you've ever been on.

Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. It just means a longer time to deal with the pain.

Bigger nuts means bigger pain. It use to funny to hear all the males yell when they locked you in. It would have been helpful if the announcer warned you, "we are about to lock you in, please adjust your nuts for comfort."

[Jonathan]

Not to get too off topic but Mantis is one of the worst roller coasters I've ever been on.

I enjoyed Banshee but did not get the hype at all. I think Afterburn is a better coaster (as is Nemesis, Montu, Raptor, and maybe even Alpengeist).

[mark40511]

I hate Vortex and I was miserable on Mantis last year.

I want to go to Kings Island as they say Banshee is a great ride. And the tallest and longest invert.

Not trying to burst your bubble, but the tallest inverted roller coaster is Wicked Twister. Anyways, I'm sure Banshee will be great since it's new and most B&M inverts tend to be smooth. I can easily relate to dabrian, I rode Mantis last year and it was by far the worst coaster experience I've ever had. I actually lost my vision completely during the loop.

I can't speak for Mantis. That's one ride I've never ridden because I'm not a fan of stand-ups, but I have ridden most at CP. I will say that since I live in Lexington, KY , I visited Kentucky Kingdom a lot back in the 90s before it closed when they had Chang. It was their biggest coaster so I rode it, and I can say it was MUCH better than Vortex! It was bright yellow and and it was Kentucky Kingdom's "Intimidator"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqar3c7Obvc

[Tosu97]

I don't like Vortex but I've always enjoyed Mantis. It's my favorite stand-up coaster of the four I've been on.

Now about those track pieces at the B&M plant... If only someone could get a picture of the labels on them. That would help clear things up pretty fast.