[swampfox43]

I have never denied the fact that Carowinds had the worlds first 4 loop coaster. I never wanted to deny this. In fact, I relished in the fact that my home park had the "first" of something in the coaster world. Even the press release stated that. So, why debate it? Well, because sometimes parks can twist the truth a little when it comes to being the first at something.

After reading Cephas trip report from SFGA, it brought back memories of a debate that surrounded an article written in Coaster World Magazine way back in the early 80's.

The Demon coasters at the then Marriott Great America parks opened in 1976. As many of you probably know, they both opened without the 2 vertical loops, only the corkscrews. Here is a 1976 <a href='http://members.aol.com/wecorhsc/totc_76.jpg' target='_blank'>aerial</a> showing the Demon at Great America in Gurnee, IL without the vertical loops.

The debate arises when both parks added the 2 vertical loops for the 1980 season. This means, 3 Arrow coasters opened with 4 loops in 1980. So, could it be that Carowinds opened theirs first? According to a 1980 brochure, Carowinds first operating day of 1980 was Saturday, March 22. The article in Coaster World Magazine said that Great America in CA also opened on the 22nd although I have no proof of that.

Hey, but here on the east coast ours would open 3 hours earlier than the one out west. I guess I could be satisfied with that. One thing for sure, the Carolina Cyclone was the first coaster manufactured as a 4 loop coaster. But some of those west coasters still don't like giving us the recognition (relating to the article in CWM). Some say our White Lightnin' opened one week earlier than Kings Dominion's. Does that make us being the first park to open this type coaster? Personally, I would say yes! But it's been debated among enthusiasts for years.

Just some food for thought.....

[carowindsfreak13]

You got one thing wrong and that is the 4 loops. It was a record for a coaster to have 4 inversions!

[swampfox43]

^^OK, you got me on that technicality. I think you know what I meant though.
B)

[RollerBee]

Quick question:Isn't PGA's first operating day normally a Sunday. It was last year.

[swampfox43]

Quick question:Isn't PGA's first operating day normally a Sunday. It was last year.

That's a good question, but who knows what it was in 1980. It may have been that way during the Marriott days too I suppose. Anyone know?

[coasterdude89]

The Cyclone was the first coaster with four inversions. It says so at the official site for PC. And your right. If they both opened on thew same day, that does mean that ours opened up earlier, even if it was only three hours. Hey, a beat is a beat. Heres an example. In track you have many races, Well lets just say that I win a race and you come in second with a time that is just a half a second behind mine. I beat you. So, you can't go around saying that you beat me. It's the same with this debate. We beat them and they know it. So, does this solve the debate?

[swampfox43]

The Cyclone was the first coaster with four inversions. It says so at the official site for PC. And your right. We beat them and they know it. So, does this solve the debate?

Well, almost. Now we need to find out when the 4 inversion coaster opened at Great America near Chicago. Parks up north don't generally open as early as they do in the south but who knows what it was like in 1980. Remember, we are talking Marriott parks, not Paramount.

I'm still leaning towards Carowinds being the first. But it was darn close!

[RollerBee]

It is safe to say that the Demon roller coaster at SFGAm did not open until Late April or May as the park now opens MAy 1st.

[charlotteguy02]

Not true. The park used to open in March sometime when Marriott operated it. Theme Park Insider has an "unverified accident" on the Whizzer from March 29, 1980.

<a href='http://www.themeparkinsider.com/accidents/list_unverified.cfm' target='_blank'>http://www.themeparkinsider.com/accidents/..._unverified.cfm</a>

[RollerBee]

If you notice severals of them involve the writer, or a family member of his are the ones getting injuryed, which if the guy had worked at SFGAm, he would or should know more about safety.

[montumax]

I think the incidents that were listed were sent in by people who had been involved in the accidents (not just the person who wrote up the listing.)

[RollerBee]

Oh...

[coasterbruh]

Sooooo..................How 'bout them gamecocks................

[Cephas]

Read the signature...