[Jwrickner]

I find it hilarious how people are automatically judging fury as "unsafe" because it got stuck.

[coasterbruh]

For those who slammed on me for my comments last week about my trip to Carowinds.... (about "walk ons all day long on Fury on Friday)....

a) My definition of a "walk-on" all day is getting on an extremely popular new coaster in 10 minutes or less, when the park is FULL of teenagers. If yours is simply "no one in line", then so be it.

b) The line, when I rode it, was only as long as part way down the wooden wall. At the speed the trains were dispatching, we quickly moved up the stairs and into the station. I was elated that the line was Soooooo short compared to the number of potential riders jamming the park when I entered. I was expecting a line out of the queue area and into the park itself. So, IN MY MIND, a 10 or 15 minute wait at this point is simply a walk-on and repeatable.

c) I am not clairvoyant, so I should NOT have assumed that the short line was going to stay that way all day. But the times we rode and the times we ventured over to Fury to the Hive, the line did not appear to grow much longer than when we rode it. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures to "Prove I'm NOT a liar". I was having too much fun on my first rides to waste time taking pictures of queue lines.

d) I apologize for not being as precise in my description concerning the time element. Next time, I will carry a stopwatch and take pictures of the watch itself for "Proof".

I thought the Carowinds Connection fans would have enjoyed my short trip report. I tried to convey my joy of this great new ride and encourage others to seek it out and enjoy it also. ( I APOLOGIZE for the overuse of smiles, but they are much cuter than exclamation points infinitum.).

Tinkerdog signing out once again for a loooooooooong time.

C'mon dude...calm down. One...ONE person mention your smilies in a joking manner...even put a smilie after their post. We ALL can collectively say that a walk on is just that...a walk on. Did you exaggerate a little, maybe...but does it matter that much to pitch a fit over and "announce" your departure...nope, not at all. No one didn't say they didn't enjoy your report but im sure some didn't enjoy this rant over nothing. Relax man...its not that serious.

Off to go walk-on fury325

[dianals]

I find it hilarious how people are automatically judging fury as "unsafe" because it got stuck.

Forget just Fury...they are deeming the entire park "unsafe" until they get some inspectors in there to fix all these "problems".

[Sean978]

I find it hilarious how people are automatically judging fury as "unsafe" because it got stuck.

Forget just Fury...they are deeming the entire park "unsafe" until they get some inspectors in there to fix all these "problems".

The only thing that will make the rides safe is if they all have shoulder restraints!

[mark40511]

The ONLY thing that makes the rides UNSAFE is the people who don't secure their loose items or try to film while riding a ride with permission. It's not Carowinds' fault........But it's ONLY a matter of time on a ride as intense as Fury, that a phone or ipod or whatever is going to bash someone in the head!

[RollerBee]

I agree, and it is getting hard to say what is and ain't a loose article.

[Capler]

Forget about what the truth is, it's about perception. Those ride stops have become a part of the local news cycle and this is not good. The media is portraying the park as being an unsafe place with shoddy maintenance. They need to go on the offense and stay ahead of the news. They should invite the local media into the park and let them spend some time with the Director of Maintenance as they go through their daily inspection of the rides. Show them how the sensors work, and reiterate how they are used to avoid mishaps. Hopefully the News Director will then understand there it is no news when people send pictures of a coaster stopped on a lift hill for 20 minutes. IMO, it's not news until the fire dept. arrives.

[Mountain3307]

It's not even news when the Fire Department arrives either. Trust me.

[PatrickMcPherson]

Carowinds is right between North and South Carolina, I'm fairly sure that even if Jesus Christ himself came down from heaven, and gave our Fury some sort of certification (this would, of course be broadcast live from Chopper 9), then there would still be a good many people in the surrounding area who would still call this 30-miilion-dollar masterpiece of Swiss engineering nothing more than a death trap. I hate the "incidents" are the only things about this coaster that are called out, and subsequently broadcast to the greater Charlotte area. It is a crying shame how everyone must focus on the negatives, but thats just the way it is, and some things will never change. Even if there weren't so many people around here who are so closed-minded, I'm sure we would all be seeing our fair-share of news headlines. I'm just glad there are sites like this where people who know of and enjoy roller-coasters and amusement parks as a whole can talk to peers with similar interests, so thanks guys. I legitimately enjoy all of your commentary!

[redrunner97]

I accompanied a friend to the hospital the other day, and an expose about "what safety issues we've uncovered at Carowinds" came on one of the local news channels... And the entire ER swore off ever going back to Carowinds right then and there. It was ridiculous. It was Sunday and we were intending on going but obviously ended up at the Emergency Room instead.. and even the doctor told us it was a good thing we didn't go because of how dangerous it is. This is getting borderline libelous at this point. Smh...

[chargercrazy]

When did we get to the point that the news media just runs stories presented to them by folks with cell phone pictures and/or video? Has the actual investigative part of journalism been thrown by the wayside? Social media fills that niche nicely -- news media should stick to doing the legwork and actually reporting news.

[Brannew85]

The other issue is that the stories are not only limited to the Charlotte metro and border SC cities but also reaching the triad and northern areas of the state as well. I received a text from a buddy who lives in Winston-Salem who sent me a story that came on the news there and on news outlets website as well. He and his fiancé are coming to the park in two weeks to join me for a Sunday visit. I had to explain to him that they have nothing better to report and are looking for ratings. When I read the few comments on the page it made me cringe at how people overreact without knowing the fact that roller coasters stop due to sensors and other safety features all the time. I remember being stuck on millienium Force for 30 mins about 230 feet up before the elevator cable started back up and sent us through the ride. The park told us at that time it was a "sensor tripped" as well (I DIDNT see that story on the news and this was right after it opened). I rarely post but these news stories had me fired up today. The GP needs to know their ride on FURY is safer than their ride to the actual park!

[Sharebear010]

^ Wow, no kidding with people taking it to the extreme. The ride got stuck on the lift hill for Pete's sake. What accident is waiting to happen? And as far as rides never getting stuck at Dollywood, I'm quite sure they've had their share of breakdowns it just doesn't make it to the news. People are absolutely ridiculous. I love how the internet suddenly makes everyone a professional at everything....

[MarkD]

I wish people would get some terminology correct. There is a lot of difference between getting "stuck" and being "stopped".

In my line of work we use a lot of the same type of sensors, plcs, etc. and the sensors are there for a reason. They are not perfect and with all electronics you get a bad egg now and again.

I just find it ridiculous how you go from praising the park to slamming it in an instance.

[theintimidator]

Wow, people are so over dramatic and they over react too much. It's whatever though. If people don't think it's safe and don't want to ride, then it makes a shorter line for us.