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Intimidator Coming to Carowinds in 2010
UPDATE – 3/30/10 Intimidator’s open! Watch an official POV video and read some reviews here: Carowinds’ Intimidator Reviews & POV Video
It’s official, Intimidator will dominate Carowinds skyline in 2010. At 232′ (23 stories), this massive new coaster will be the longest, tallest, and fastest in the South East. It’s also Bolliger & Mabillard’s tallest roller coaster in the U.S. Intimidator will speed its black Chevy Monte Carlo themed trains in excess of 75 mph.
Record Breaking, History Making – 232 Feet Tall – $23 Million
As I predicted, the record is a regional one, but it’s still notable.
As the tallest roller coaster in the South East Intimidator will edge competing Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath height by more than 30 feet. The history refers to the fact that the roller coaster will be the park’s largest capital investment in its 37 year history at a total investment of $23 million.The NASCAR-Earnhardt Theme
All signs pointed to the new roller coaster being named Intimidator. There were the racing theme hints, the Sporting News article stating a rollercoaster with Earnhardt marks will be built at Carowinds, and the day before, the ride’s minisite was discovered at: www.intimidator.carowinds.com. Tieing the new roller coaster to NASCAR was a really smart move for the park. Anyone who knows the area knows that this IS NASCAR country. It will bring a lot of attention to the park escpecially with the NASCAR Hall of Fame opening in Charlotte next year.Early reactions point at its similarity to Diamondback at Kings Island. It will be
a Bolliger & Mabillard with red track and gray supports. I can already say that it’s going to offer a smooth comfortable ride and have a high ride capacity that should produce fairly quick moving line. These two factors are hallmarks of B&M’s roller coasters.I will update this post on Thursday with more of my thoughts on the ride’s layout. I’ve uploaded pictures from the media event as well as 6 more shots of the new coaster on my Facebook Page. Check out this fly-over off-ride video of the Intimidator at Carowinds:
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Carowinds’ Intimidator? Leave a comment below.
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Basically Diamondback or that one at Canada’s Wonderland, name escapes me. Meh.
looks better than its big bro at kings dominion
You mean that cannot get original and call Kings Dominion’s and Carowinds DIFFERENT FREAKIN NAMES? how lame is that?
This ride is gonna be sweet!!! I hope it has A LOT of airtime.
I knew that they were going to do this. The first time the B&M tracks showed up at KD, then they were gone. Cedar Fair had made a mistake by shipping the wrong coaster. B&M coasters are great, there will be lots of airtime, comfortable seating and the ride is as smooth as butta. Intamin is good too, they give you height and speed, but the seating can be somewhat constricting.
Well, I am glad that atleast some good coasters are FINALLY being built south of the Mason Dixon Line. It’s about time they put $25 Million into coasters! Plus it helps to boost the economy LOL LOL
I couldn’t be more thrilled. In addition to the height/speed/etc. there are some unique elements. I think it’s actually the tallest B&M in North America (gotta include Canada). And regarding the airtime- I find myself almost floating up out of my chair watching the hill crests on the POV video. Woo hoo!
Looks like it has nice airtime and a few more twists and turns than other B&M hypers. Looks like a good ride… Better than the proposed Intamin coaster at KD.
Yep. I’m pretty excited for next spring. The airtime should be plentiful. I’m especially looking forward to the staggered-stadium seating. I’ll update the post soon with more thoughts, but for now I’ve uploaded more images of the coaster and shots from the media event on my Facebook page.
About the seating – no seat belts. Reminds me of Apollo’s Chariot. And with the airtime hills and that panoramic U-Turn, this ride looks like a winner.
About the seating – no seat belts. It reminds me of Apollo’s Chariot. Makes me kind of uncomfortable about riding it though, because I’m a bit of a chicken when riding high roller coasters with very few restraints. Bawk!
This ride looks like it will be better than diamondback.
Its about time that Carowins gets something like this. I just can’t believe Carowinds as of right now has B&M tallest coaster…wow thats a step up for Carowinds. Intimidation from the Intimidator….look out Six Flags!!!!
Why is everyone getting so exited imean i know its going to be good but its basicaly the same thing as nitro exept its helix is different every thing is on the the over bank goes to the right instead of the left and its 2 feet taller
We’re just excited because this is going to be the greatest ride the parks gotten and to many people (like me) this is our home park.
If this ride as anywhere near as good as Diamondback was, it’s a winner. Diamondback was an airtime machine start to finish. The capacity should be great, Diamondback’s line hardly stopped moving. I think this could get me to Carowinds over Spring Break.
Well said “Schwarz”, It may not be amazing to some but for us(carolinans)who call it our home park, this is a huge and unbelievable step for Carowinds!
Actually QB3, while Intimidator is similar to all B&M hypers (they do after all follow a kind of ‘formula’), it has some unique features that are not really seen on the others. We won’t know until it opens of course, and time will have to tell, but I suspect Intimdator is going to put Carowinds on the map as a true “destination park” for coaster enthusiasts. This also puts Carowinds “up there” as far as the number of coasters in the park. I think it’s safe to say that it’s not just those of us who claim Carowinds as our home park that are excited about this baby.
Good point about that, i forgot that for some people it was only 5 minutes away. also i live only four hours away from SFGA and a LOT more from carriwonds. by the way, what rides are theyre and how good are they. (i havent found theyre website yet)
they have 50 rides, which is good for such a small park. However, most of the rides are average, although a few coasters really stick out in my mind(e.g. Afterburn, Nighthawk, Carolina Cobra, and Carolina Cyclone).
there website is carowinds.com
Yeah this Intimadator is nothing like Kings Dominion’s. Its so much better and also it is The Diamond Back at KI.
The first piece of track for I232 is being installed today!
It is about time the park got some real rides. I hope this is the start of something great!
hey uuhhh my name is RYAN HIGA from Hilo,Hawaii
I just started liking Coasters so yeah…
So…much…airtime…
Yeah, seriously.
BTW, Coaster Critic, which chain do you like better: Six Flags or Cedar Fair(not counting the fact that Carowinds is your home park, it’s mine too).
Tough one CFC. I’ll say Six Flags as my short answer without giving it too much thought. Just based on my top 2 coasters being Six Flags coasters. But when it comes to park experience, I’d probably go with Cedar Fair. For now, I’ll say they’re even so I can write a post where I can investigate this more.
Thanks for reading.
ryan higa,
are you really that dude like nigahiga or something? cause they are funny!
One more thing, Coaster Critic. I am a big fan of your site now, and I started my own website about Cedar Fair roller coasters. I’m still working on it, but I have the basic layout already figured out. Plus, I put in a good word about your site. Practically no one knows of it, so I’d really appreciate it if you looked at it, and maybe give me a clue on how to make it better.
Sure CFC. Just use the contact form to send me your email address and a link to your site and I’ll have a look.
Also, I was not a big fan of coasters until 2 months ago(!), but Carowinds’ Afterburn is what spiked my interest. So, when you made your review of Afterburn, you said, as you quote “It pretty much maxes out what an inverted coaster can be”, yet you gave it a 9 on your rating scale. Yet, you gave Montu a 10, though it is basically the same ride. Did I miss something, or is there somethin that truly makes Montu better than Afterburn? This is a question that has been bugging me for weeks, so I’d like it if you respond ASAP.
Montus taller, faster, longer and has more inversions. also the theaming looks better even though i cant say it for myself seeing that i havent` ridden it yet.
But I can say that Afterburn, or Top Gun as I formerly knew it, is just as good as Alpengeist. It’s an extraordinary ride.
Montu has great theming for the whole ride, not dropping it like most coasters (Im talking about you here, Dueling Dragons) right after they leave the station. And I believe it has more inversions, and it is LONG.
Thanks QB3 and JaMeS, I found a video of Montu, and I see what you two mean. I’ve also heard of a rumor that the Carolina Skytower is being torn down, plus I saw that the Skytower being held up by a rope or something, but that was a month ago. Still, does anyone thing anything will happen to it, and if so, could it be the beginning of something new?
That rope was most likely when the guy walked from there to Papa Luigis. I think his name was Nik Wallenda or something.
Schwarz, what in the world are you talking about? When I saw it, a rope or cable of some sort was attached to it, and it wasn’t running. I even saw the vehicle that the cable came from. It was just behind the grass tunnel near Vortex.
Oh, and sorry, Coaster Critic, about the side note a couple of comments back. I had no idea the “site” would become a link to a real site. Back on I232, I’ve heard from my uncle that the ride was originally supposed to be White Lightning, but changed it at the last minute when the White Lightning spy photo was leaked. As I said on the I305 post, my uncle works for Intamin, so they are working very closely with B&M and Cedar Fair for the 2 rides. Maybe the track mix-up a while back was a result of them working a little too closely with each other. Just a thought, but it makes sense to me.
CFC I was talking about when Nik Wallenda did a highwire act at carowinds. If you don’t know what that is, follow this link, and click on carowinds at the bottom. http://www.cedarfair.com/nik_wallenda/
Sorry don’t click on Carowinds because it won’t show it because its already over.
Well, I guess I’ll have to trust you on this one. Thanks for the clear-up.
I’ll find out for sure i’m going to scarowinds in a few weeks.
i know this is a little of topic but talking about montu remminded me of this question, why is montus track blue i mean, i undurstand why alot f coasters are colored the way they are, usualy to do with the theaming but dose blue in any way at all remind you of egypt?
Yeah, I know what you mean, QB3. What do you think, Coaster Critic? Blue reminds me more of Madagascar than Egypt, since Madagascar is a large island.
Montu? You know that there is a review for it…
Back on topic, when did B&M return hills get so big! And after that brake run the ride seems to slow far enough down so that there is no air. I, for one, think I305 will be better.
I don’t know, Nessie. Each one has its it own advantages and disadvantages. I232 is all about airtime, but you’re probably right about the end being too slow. We’ll just have to see about that. Meanwhile, I305 is about two things – speed and turns. The hills probably won’t have much airtime, but sometimes speed makes up for that. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Oh, and by the way, if you haven’t been on the I305 post, my uncle got me on the front car of I305’s first ever run, since he works for Intamin AG. I bring a camera along for the ride and link it to this site.
Hey, why isn’t anyone talking about I232 anymore??? Oh, and Coaster Critic, about what I was talking about on Sept. 29 is that my site is http://cedarfaircoasters.webs.com
I’ve only had around 10 visitors, so any tips would be greatly appreciated.
If I may, I232 will be better if you judge it on height and airtime. Carowinds’ will have 7 steep hills; 305 will have 2.
Criss-Cross Hammerheads FTW!
What was that about?
What are you talking about QB3?
i think the new intimadator will be the best roller coaster in north america. i’m from south carolina, and the best theme park around is carowinds. the first time i hade ever road a roller coaster is last year there. i road the carolina cobra as a start, and i learned that i’ts a little to much for a start, but i road it again, and loved it. i think that the intiadator will be the coaster that takes carowinds to the top ratings!
I think it will be the best coaster at carowinds, but I highly doubt it will be the best in America. I think bizzaro will keep that place for a long time. It might make it in the top ten though.
you might be right, but i have full confadence in this roller coaster.
Yes, Tucker. I232 will be the greatest in the Carolinas, and maybe all of the United States. Only MF and Bizarro will come close. Go Carowinds!
Oh, and CC, I saw that your next Theme Park Review was on Carowinds. Thank you for that! I have only read a handful reviews on Carowinds, and they all were saying that it is subpar. I’m tired of hearing that.
me too. they don’t say good things about carowinds because they don’t know what a real roller coaster is!!
i’ll be back next weekend because i am going on a trip. hey CFC, i visited you website, and thought that it was good that someone was finily saying things about carowinds. come back here next week, and i might be here.
schwars, i was talking about lazors comment above, and cfc, i rode bizzaro and nitro and bizzaro destroyed. i know that the new intimidator will be different (i read carolina girls comment) but it is a LOT alike i doubt that it will be bettter than bizzaro.
I know, QB3. I guess I was just showing what I like to call “Carowinds Pride”, and that pride has just magnified tenfold.
it looks as though the final bunny hop into the break stop will have good airtime.
Yeah, looks like it.
CC, is the parking lot at Cariwonds seriously that big?
PS-i was watching the air view video and it looked as if there were two seats per row instead of one.
i’ve never heard of a B&M with even just 2 seats per row, except on the stadium seating on stuff like Diamondback
You’re right JaMeS. It does have the same kind of stadium seating as Diamondback. Quil, check out Carowinds’ Intimidator web page and you’ll be able to see the detailed picture of the cars somewhere on there.
Anyone know why, in December 2009 there are a ton of pic of the new coaster at Kings Dominion, but absolutely no construction shots/pics of Carowinds’ new coaster? Kings Dominion has a ton. But I can’t find any on Carowinds website. Just curious. It’s sad that we can’t follow it’s construction like Kings Dominion’s.
Rollercoaster Dude, there are plenty Intimidator construction photos on Carowinds’ minisite: http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/gallery/index.cfm
the trains are going to be like the diamondback trains
well that`s going to ruin the capacity.
that was probably for the Christmas lights..
Quil, it won’t harm the capacity at all. In fact it hold’s the same amount of people per train as Goliath at six flags over Georgia. So it will actually have the same capacity as most b&m hypers.
Okay, thanks Coastercritic. I was looking at their home website, like Kings Dominions, and didn’t know how to get to that one. I’ll check it out! Merry Christmas.
And a Happy New Year!
Happy Hannuka&Kawanza! …are there any more December/January holidays, i`m fresh out.
dont no if u said it, but christmas
and, it kind of will ruin capacity even there are all the same seats, cause its only 2 per row
CC, which do you think are better, B&M Megas, or Intamin Megas.
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darn it! when i typed it it actualy looked like a sign.
JaMeS it has the same number of seats as other b&m’s so it won’t affect capacity.
i just meant it like 4 single riders, cause there anren’t many oppertunities to fill in 2 row seats
Oh ok. Oh by the way does anyone know if a single rider line has been announced for intimidator? I know they announced it for 305 already.
JaMeS, you said you only waited in a short line for HRRR, and dosen`t that have 2 seet rows?
sorry about the double comment, but this just occured to me. by the look of the video, and the pics of the trains on the website, it looked as if the “flying chairs” associated whith most B&M hypers wouldn`t be there. please prove me wrong!
When I305 and I232 come out, you BETTER have reviews for them FAST. I can’t use my Carowinds pass until June(!), and my uncle’s claim to let me be first on I305 was a big lie! PLEASE get a review up ASAP(Carowinds opens in March, right?)!
I dont know a bout tcc getting a review up, but I’m going opening day and I will post a review on the fourm and hopfully i will capture a video onride with my camera. Sorry bout I305. Were you lieing or was your uncle?
I DO NOT recommend taking your camera on the ride. If you drop it, it could hit someone and you could ejected from the park or worse. There will surely be professional on-ride videos up soon after it opens.
The ride should open on opening day which is Saturday, March 27th. I doubt I’ll be able to ride it for a while as we’ll be welcoming our second baby into the World at about the same time. I’ll be sure to highlight the coverage from other sites and early reviews like I did with Diamondback until I can ride it.
Congratulations on the new kid, CC! I perfectly understand how you’ll be unable to go. Hope he’s as much of a fan of roller coasters as you are.
My uncle was lying, he is part of I305’s building crew, and said he got me a ride on I305’s maiden run on the front seat, but he was lying.
man that stinks! Well maybe you get to ride it later! I think i might go sometime in June.
I took some construction photos the other day and I should have a post up with some pictures soon. It looks great!
While were on this topic does anyone know anything about a possible single rider line?
I didn`t see anything on screamscape, but they`ve got some cool news about the re-habrecation of fantasyland in the magic kingdom, Cinderella`s castle looks like a real one.
Can’t wait! I haven’t been to KD in a few years., and although I wish we had the Carowinds coaster, the 305 should be good. I just wish it would have went back up for a second hill after the initial drop., any one else agree? Hey man, sorry about your lieing uncle; that really sucks that he said he was going to get you on the initial ride.
Yeah, I know, it sucks. He’s always been like that, although since no one else on his/my side of the family likes roller coasters, I thought he was telling the truth. I should have known better.
well, at least you will probably get to ride it in the next 10 years
…Well, that was mean. BTW, I DO have a Platinum Cedar Point Season Pass, so I can go to any of their parks. I will be going this year, just not as a first rider.
i was just saying that because i wont be able to go there in probably more than 10 years… sorry if you took it the wrong way
GOOD NEWS!!! There will be a single rider line more than likely. If you look at some of their construction pics for the que there is two lines going into the station and one leaveing!!!
well the trains are in… and it looks like one of the trains is blue!
http://www.intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/gallery/index.cfm
Blue? Wouldn’t red and black do better here, considering the PHOTOS!?!?!?!?!?
i dont know why but one of the trains is definetly blue. and the other is black and red fo sho
yep, that is a blue train.
Well, I’ll be darned. One is blue!
Carowinds opens in just a few days! Hooray!
I’ll be sure to get up a review on Monday
I might be going next Saturday on Opening Day! I’m not certain, but I think I’ll be going next weekend. Woohoo!
SFNE opens in 2 weeks, TGE in 4!
Well I might see you there CFC. I’ll either be wearing my millinium force shirt or my volcano shirt.
I can hardly wait!
Cedar Fair park Carowinds is reporting strong increases in season pass sales–up 30 percent over last year. They are also projecting better gate receipts.
Funny, CEO Kinzel insists the revenue picture for Cedar Fair properties is weak for the coming operating season. Odd he should think this–it is his own relative who is the General Manager at Carowinds ( the only park GM protected by an employment agreement with Apollo).
For the full story on Carowinds expected big season check this out:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/03/21/1328146/carowinds-is-banking-on-intimidator.html
Reports from those close to Cedar Fair management indicate the decision to postpone the Unitholder meeting was made several days prior–they just did not make an announcement until less than 11 hours prior to the meeting. That announcement came in the middle of the night–approximately 6 hours after the close of the business day.
This speaks volumes as to the contempt management is willing to show its Unitholders. Management was more than aware Unitholders intended to travel and attend the meeting. Some incurring great expense to do so. Ms. Frole indicated Cedar Fair would not reimburse Unitholders for their meeting expenses.
Honestly, it is time Cedar Fair get on the job of profitably operating parks and seeking a management team which is up to this task. “
IT WAS AWESOMMMEEEE. I rode it 3 times. effing AAAAAA. like flyingg….
I finally got around to riding the Intimidator today. Wow. Pretty nice hyper. Its not a Magnum or Mellinuim, but it’ll do. The first drop is pretty sick, but i like the turnaround. Hands in the air is a must.
I work at Carowinds on the Intimdator. It is the best ride at the park and we get the most compliments on the ride. It’s soooooo great. I have not been to the other one, but I will soon.
omg this ride was totally crazy it was awsome i loved it
btw we rode it 3 times b4 we left