Carowinds makes first test run for Intimidator roller coaster

February 4, 2010 at 5:25 PM · Always happy to see a new coaster, but... wow, it just *looks* cold in that video. (Happy to live in LA!)

February 4, 2010 at 5:34 PM · Looks good. And yes, it does look cold. My hometown of Richmond, VA, made the local LA ABC news yesterday with reports of snow and ice falling from its city hall, for the 2nd time this winter season.

I think I'm going to like the layout better for the Kings Dominion version. I like these hypercoasters better when they are not just a simple out and back.

February 4, 2010 at 7:18 PM · There will probably be a lot of debate in 2010 over which Intimidator is the best. The one thing I do like about this one, from the point of view of someone not riding it, it really looks cool from the front of or before entering the park.

February 4, 2010 at 8:21 PM · It's been ages since I've been to Carowinds, so maybe someone who's a regular at the park can respond to this thought... but this looks like it was simply built atop a parking lot, with no setting - woods, water, etc. - to make it visually interesting. Would there be any good aerial visuals at the top of the lift, given where this coaster stands?

As I wrote on a thread earlier, setting makes or breaks these mega/hyper coasters, IMHO. What does the setting here look like?

February 4, 2010 at 9:24 PM · I second the thoughts about the concrete scenery: the coaster looks amazing and I am sure the ride will be fantastic, but are there any beautification plans for the grounds round about?

February 5, 2010 at 4:30 AM · I....third the remark about the concrete. Looks like the location is right on the edge of the parking lot. However, they are just testing right now, and the site is probably still a mudhole. Hopefully they have some trees in the works or something.

February 5, 2010 at 11:02 AM · It seems as though most of these type coasters effect the skyline and what people on the ground see. I think that from the parking lot looking in it will look cool. However, I think it's hard to make the hyper coaster experience very scenic or immersive while on the ride..... especially without taking up a LOT of land. In a park the size of Carowinds, I would really not want them to devote all that land to just one attraction with somewhat limited appeal (pretty much if your not a thrill seeker, this will not be a ride for you). I think with the space they had they came up with a pretty unique coaster that will satisfy the lack of a hyper at the park and not have a lot of negative effect on the other park rides or spaces. I hope they find a way to bring back a log flume type ride though, I think a lot of people will miss having that type of ride at the park. White Water Falls just is not the same.

February 5, 2010 at 11:06 AM · I'm not sure of course.... but it is possible you might be able to see the skyline of Charlotte at the top of the hill (on a clear day). Carowinds is actually not that far from downtown Charlotte. When someone finally rides it, you will have to let us know (and if it requires you to turn your head drastically or not if you can).

February 5, 2010 at 1:23 PM · RE: Concrete theming... it fits the rest of the park. Carowinds doesn't have very many trees.

February 5, 2010 at 6:46 PM · ^^That's a real shame. Such an elegant coaster and such a bleak landscape. North Carolina is a pretty state, there is no reason for the park to be so drab.

February 5, 2010 at 4:59 PM · The Coaster seems really loud to me. It may be the weather, but I don't recall other coasters being THAT loud.
Also, why so many pictures being taken in the video?

February 5, 2010 at 9:28 PM · OK, yes it is loud, but so was Carolina Cyclone in the early years. As for landscape, yes it is minimal but maybe they will plant some trees that will mature over time. The park has been planting trees as long as I can remember and it has come a long way. Maybe they could at least put up a lot of racing flags to zoom by.

February 6, 2010 at 4:15 PM · Am I the only one who doesn't ride coasters for the scenery? If I want to enjoy the amazing scenery around Cedar Point, I ride the Space Spiral, the Sky Ride, the Power Tower, or the Giant Wheel. I ride coasters for speed, inversions, air time, etc. (expect for CP's Cedar Creek Mine Ride, which is so slow that checking out the beautiful scenery around Frontier Town is the only thing to do on the ride).

February 6, 2010 at 6:24 PM · I don't ride the coaster's for only the scenery, but most of the great coaster's I've ridden would not be as great IMO if they were not in such great settings. I think of the tree's and other landscaping fixtures as part of the ride.

However, Doesn't concrete fit the theme here? :-P

February 6, 2010 at 7:05 PM · Dang, Mark, your last line took the words right out of my mouth! Must be the great name.

February 6, 2010 at 7:41 PM · I disagree, James. Cedar Point has great views from many of its coasters. You may not see a bunch of trees, but the scenery is first rate! Derek, Erin, back me up here!! =)

February 7, 2010 at 10:46 AM · I agree with your comments about the scenery to be seen from many of CP's coasters (except for Corkscrew, which gives riders an interesting view of the maintenance garages, dumpsters, and other fascinating back-stage vistas. I often look around on the way up the lift hill of most coasters, and enjoy the amazing views of Cedar Point and Lake Erie. Of course, Top Thrill doesn't give you much time to look around. But once the coaster takes off, scenery isn't what I'll be looking at.
The one vista that I miss most at CP was at the end of Corkscrew, when Safari Island was still there. As the train braked and waited to reenter the station, you would overlook the animal enclosures and show arena. After riding a small (but at the time cutting edge) coaster, watching lions lay around in the sun was memorable.
Boy, did this topic change!

February 9, 2010 at 11:39 AM · yeah i agree it is kind of odd that it just sits at the tip of the parking lot but if you look at dominator at kingsdominion it is on the tip of the parking and its the first thing people see which causes it to attract riders which could be the reason intimidator sits there