Chadster's Vacation Adventures: Final Edition!

by **PAL** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:26 pm

Holy herd of humanity! It was worth the wait. I hope you wore protection.

Great choice of music. Is the vid still rendering at YouTube? It repeatedly hangs with 50 seconds left - so minty fresh.

Facebook · by **cal1br3tto** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:29 pm

I'm so glad I wasn't there during the walking of the giant bulls. Looks like it was an impressive sight, though.

by **PAL** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:12 pm

Woohoo, made it to the end credits. "Made especially for..." I was relieved to escape your wrath.

by **chadster** » Tue May 10, 2011 8:48 am

^ Glad your finally satisfied, lol. It must have been youtube, I watched it two or three times before I posted it to TPR without delay. One of these days I will start uploaded to coastertube.

by **chadster** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:26 pm

After a week long work related conference, I took a few extra days off and made my way to Dollywood, that's in Pigeon Forge for you leaving under a rock, on April 29, 2011. Disappointedly, I was only able to spend 6 hours at a park that is full of life, rides, attractions, food, shows, and has a well manicured landscape.

Pigeon Forge itself is full of amusements outside of Dollywood including NASCARSpeedPark (credit whore opportunity, sadly, it was out of service on my visit), Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride, and go cart and mini golf courses that stretch for miles. In my personal opinion, this is certainly a destination that one could spend a weekend at and never be bored.

Ride wise, Thunderhead is now in my top 5 wooden coaster. It carry's its speed well, nice drops and turns and unlike many wooden coasters intermingles with the structure and a variety of ways. Tennessee Tornado was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting a little headbanging, especially taking my first ride in the rear. On the first drop, OMFG! I felt like I was going to fly out of my seat, total surprise. Taking the suggestion of a special someone, I tried out the front seat of the last three cars which made, for me, a more intense ride, but nothing beat the rear. The second half of the Eurofighter was money with the fire and video screen at the top of the lift, and Blazing Fury was loads better IMO, than Fire in the Hole at SDC. Oh, and I also whored out Veggie Tales.

The only ride I was really disappointed in was the disk-o. I found it to run a rather weak program compared to it's counterpart at SDC. It was either that, or I've become immune to them.

Anyway, I had a fantastic time, and although I missed seeing Dolly, I certainly have plans to return sooner than later.

Enjoy the pics!

by **chadster** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:52 pm

So it's April 30th of 2011 and after an interesting drive thru the mountains in the dark (wish I had done that during the day just to take in nature) the night before, while texting (NAUGHTY), I made it safely to Carowinds about 30 minutes after opening. Upon my arrival, I found the line for Vekoma's finest flier to be at the queue entry point, so I made my way to Intameidator. I waited in the normal person line for about 15 minutes for my first spin which I found to be, well, tame and rather non-exciting. So, having now noted the single rider line, I made my way around for several more laps before realizing my initial reaction was correct. A few bits of air, but overall, not very forceful, and quite frankly, not very memorable.

The best ride in the crowded park for me was After Burn, full of force, turns, swoops, and dives, this one's a winner. The non-racing woodie was fairly smooth bringing back memories of Rebel Yell. The boomerang was rather pleasant with the new trains and restraints, I'd hit it again. Hurler was not memorable, but it didn't crack my neck, so it wasn't bad either. Vortex was decent, but flying ace was no where near the quality of Steel Laso at Frontier City. Easily the worst ride in the park for me :vekoma:

. The flier was ok, and the sun shield on the brake run was welcome. While I tried to get the kiddie credit, no kids were around to bribe, so I ended with multiple rides on my now #2 B&M Invert, After Burn, which hauled some serious A$$ at night.

One thing I noticed, this park lacks flats. If they were to add more flats, they would have a well rounded park. All in all, it was great day, the park was busy, which was a good thing, and I would certainly return.

by **JJ728** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:58 pm

Is the Tennessee Tornado an actually smooth Arrow? I haven't heard anything about it, but I know it's one of the newer ones.

by **chadster** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:00 pm

^ YES! It's actually one of the better Arrow's, that first drop included some unexpected air time, felt like I was going to fly out!

by **PAL** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:10 pm

I still want to hit that flier. It picked up and moved cross country before I could get to it at California's next new Great Asphalt lot. Intamidator is pretty even if you found it pretty boring.

by **BaMiTsPaT** » Wed May 18, 2011 10:27 pm

I'm glad you had a good time at Carowinds. I really enjoy the park, and I think Afterburn kicks butt too! I do think Intimidator is great too, and I agree about Flying Ace Vekoma Jr. SLC. It stinks! Thanks for the photo trip report. I really liked the Dollywood photos as its a park I've never gotten to and really want to go to.