Top 14 Roller Coasters at Carowinds | 2022 

Maybe it’s because I’m a NC native, but I think the theming for Copperhead Strike is genuinely genius. It is completely about moonshine, just nicely disguised to keep the innocent guessing. The “snakes” are the coils coming out of the distillery, which the coaster layout imitates too. The copper tops are the barrels for the moonshine. The white lighting references and other slang for moonshine are everywhere. The bust at the start up scene is when the cops show up and you make your getaway in the old moonshine truck. And yes, you lose the cops at the end, free to make and sell moonshine another day!

Nighthawk gets way to much hate it’s extremely fun and I’ve never found it painful. The only problem with it is that the operations are absolutely HORRIFIC it’s definitely something you hit as soon as the park opens with no line or you’ll be stuck there for days.

The thing about the hornet--it's a symbol of the city of Charlotte in general, which was known as "the hornet's nest" during the Revolutionary War, a moniker the city still wears with pride. It's why Charlotte named its first pro basketball team the Hornets, and why they pounced on the opportunity to rename its current basketball team the Hornets when the team in New Orleans changed from the Hornets to the Pelicans. Now maybe there could be a display in the queue that gives people waiting in line this context. It's a neat little bit of history, and easy to describe quickly. But, that's what the hornet is about.

My top five for this park goes 5. intimidator (back) 4. Nighthawk (any) 3. Afterburn (front) 2. Copperhead (front) 1. Fury (front)

2:16 😂it’s fun(PAIN) for the whole family 🤗

Something I've noticed about seemingly all of these "coaster critics" is that they all constantly complain about the ride "comfort"? I'm 48 and had a season pass in the 90's to Six Flags GA & been to Kings Dominion several times, Islands of Adv. several times, same with Busch gardens Florida & Williamsburg and have never gotten off of a "fun" ride complaining about pain or ride comfort The Georgia Cyclone is still my all time favorite Coaster & that thing was rough as hell! Being critics I get the information but, these people seem to take not having Burberry business chair comfort on a roller coaster as like a personal sleight.

Everyone is sleeping on Cyclone!! Definitely my favorite ❤️

Ok so let's talk Copperhead lol. So the theme is a pun if we may. So you are in grandma's farm snooping around as she is the queen of winning pie contests every year at the county fair. As you are snooping you see in her barn she makes moonshine. Copperhead is one of the pieces of the copper machinery used to make moonshine. Since we are in the South REAL moonshine was made this way back in the day, I'm pretty certain people who live in the rural RURAL areas of NC?SC and the South in general still do it, plus we are known to have a lot of copperhead snakes in SC/NC, hence the sign being a snake may of copper pipes. Grandma catches you snooping and you jump into your chevy truck and is chased out of the farm by her two grandson, hence the pre-show.

I love the hurler. Nothing beats a good wooden rollercoaster

I live and go to Carowinds frequently. It's meant to be for family fun. They do and have some of the best coasters around. That's why it stays packed and people stand in line for hours for rides. Even ones that aren't coasters. Thanks for your summary of your opinion of our coasters, and we all have an opinion. That is what they are, is an opinion. Thanks, and God Bless.

Kiddy hawk It's fine for the all family lol 😆

Was the copperhead theme not apparent to everyone… It’s a moonshiner themed coaster. The old cars… the copper tracks… the still at the launch point. Eve the name is a tip of the hat to a song called copperhead road

Kinda weird to see what all these coasters I grew up riding were turned into. Top Gun is Afterburn, Borg is Nighthawk... I really do miss the paramount branding. A whole gd lot.

I hit my nose oh the hurler so bad I almost cryed😢

You can't make it up: Fury 325 is the best roller coaster at Carowinds. Source: Golden Ticket Awards 2022

I wish the thunder striker was still called intimidator

I love the copperhead strike it is my favorite one there ❤

Afterburn (Top gun) ftw

Wow, what an awesome and thrilling video! 🎢 I absolutely loved the way you showcased the top 14 roller coasters at Carowinds. Your excitement and passion for roller coasters really shine through, making the video incredibly engaging and enjoyable to watch. Katie and you make a great team, and I can't wait to see more of your adventures and content. The idea of offering your photos on Etsy is fantastic, as it will allow coaster enthusiasts to bring some of that adrenaline-pumping energy to their homes. Keep up the fantastic work, and I'm eagerly waiting for your next video! 🌟🎢🌟

I’m still upset they took out the racing wooden coasters it was my favorite ride

The Hurler was the first big coaster I road the gold rush is awsome

I went to scarowinds about a week ago and hurler shocked me. It was glass smooth minus one jerk on the last turn. I thought it was a fun ride 6th in the park behind nighthawk and it had some airtime pops

Was not expecting Parkitect OST at 5:55! Great choice of music from a great theme park game. Otherwise, great video with some very interesting takes in it!

Night hawk is such a good coaster

I’m gonna drive this one for my birthday

It was called Philadelphia Toboggan Company at one time.

Can’t wait!!! I’ll be there in July!

Great review.

I would love to see Carowinds rename the carts of 325 after former Hornets legends, Larry "Grandmama" Johnson and Alonzo morning, that would be Fire AF. Carowinds is definitely getting the attention of Cedar Fair when it comes to their parks, I love the new 2023 theming, but bummed about the loss of some unique flats. As much as I love this collection of unique coasters, I also got to say that besides the Top 4, the coasters range from Mid to Green Bay Packers Mid. Ewwwww. (Go Lions, BTW) Despite it all, in honor of The Carolinas, there isn't a better Four Horseman outside of Pro Wrasslin than the Carowinds four of Intimidator, Fury, Copperhead Strike (named after one of the most chill snakes in America, BTW), and the vastly underrated Afterburn. Good work my dude on the list

When I rode the cyclone idk about yall but it gave me a headache after I got off it

I Love 💕 The Coasters

The fury is the best

Same with me but nighthawk and cyclone switch

I agree

I have been purchasing season passes to Carowinds since the mid 90's. I have seen it grow so much and it is definitely a "coaster" park. Over the years the Hurler has become too painful to ride. I am glad to hear they are redoing some of it, however, I wish they would replace it. I find nighthawk painful also because of the flip over (however, I'm now in my 60's so....). A very different ride since you experience going backwards and forwards (because of the flip) in the same ride. I love The Intimidator due to the float time. I have seen a person pass out on The Fury just because of how fast it goes down. My son has also briefly lost consciousness on Afterburner. I know that you just review coasters; however, you did show some of the carnival rides and didn't mention the water park. The water park is awesome and is included in the park day pass and season passes. Thanks for the video!

I love COPPERHEAD STRKE❤

You are SUPER underrated! Just gained a new sub!

i live a good 20 minutes from carowinds on the NC side so we go all the time. i think the copperhead story is you go inside the indoor area where the people are talking about the snake and explaining the situation and the car style is because “we” are the people chasing the snake. so the people get in the car and are chasing the copperhead basically if that makes sense 😅 at the end of the ride there’s a voice from a speaker that says “aw shucks, we lost em” explaining that “we” lost the snake. you can only really hear it if you ride in the front and lookout for it

Who remembers the og orange and yellow color scheme for Carolina Cyclone 😢

isn’t copperhead strike based on copperhead road?

I didn't know Flying Cobra's was a Geauga Lake survivor! That make's it a mandatory part of my "must ride" list of coasters.

I went yesterday and most of the rides were smooth

Fury’s taller than 🗽 🎢

Ok, I recommend going to Carowinds in early October, usually within the first two weeks of it. Mainly because the ride ops are phenomenal, when I rode Flying Cobras, there were barely any lines and ride ops were incredible.

Intimidator is amazing I’ve rode it a bunch

The theme of Copperhead Strike is clear when NC/SC prohibition and distilling history has been made available. The cars are themed after 1936 Ford Coupe, the moonshiner's favorite " rum runner" hotrod because of the large trunk and Flathead V8 making 88 horsepower. To achieve a certain flavor and note, moonshine must be distilled with copper coils. The coiled condenser was often called the Copperhead, after the most prevalent venomous snake in these parts. Now the jam part.... well the jam is a sham! Being a family park the "Granny's jam" is a cover! A shell company!😂 The adults know, but it goes right over the children's heads. ALL themes at carowinds tend to represent local history and traditions. Next time you round these parts, I'll share some of " Granny's jam " with you.

Ok not to be rude but my opinion was way different, I like afterburn the most and the rides you said caused pain didn't cause pain for me, and maybe it was Katie's fault for hurting herself on ricochete bc I didn't get hurt on there.

very good video

My favorite coaster at Carowinds is the The Crackshot. I hear the employees don't care much for it though.

Cyclone is too head banging for me. Hurler too rough. Track has redone some track recently. Vortex bad seating. Night Hawk is ok to. A part of the track makes you feel like your inside a washing machine. Flying Cobras I wish it went backwards first then forwards last. Intimidator now Thunder Stiker is good. Furry 325 is the best ever. Front row seats on the outside a must. Copperhead strike is a great coaster after Furry 325. I miss Thunder Road though. I wish Carowinds would bring it back just newer version of its self. I do like wooden coasters to.

I agree with #1

Afterburner is the best

My favorite is copperhead strike

The thing about the Vortex is you need to sit on the seat till they lock it in.

Night hawk herts your leg like really bad I had to see the doctor

So your telling me that when goldrusher was built for 2 whole years the only thing people got to ride was that

I’ve written 12 out of the 14 rides I haven’t written intimidator or fury 325 and I’m only 9

I thought ptc was company too

I was there this past week (5/4/23) and noticed that Vortex had a sign stating that it was closed until later this summer. I’m curious if they are working on improving the ride or something else. It is in bad need of a paint job which honestly has me wondering if they are thinking of replacing it all together or completely trying to revamp it with more comfortable seating. Because of it still being fairly early into the season, some of the coasters didn’t open until around midday. I’m not sure if it was because of the cooler morning temperatures or staffing, my guess is a little bit of both. This was my first time going in years, i wanted to wait until my twins were tall enough to ride the roller coasters before taking them. They have been begging to go back ever since! I can’t do “Fair style” rides, they make me sick, but I absolutely love roller coasters & am so excited that they seem to be hooked on them now too!❤

I went on intimidator and afterburn and I’m only 10

2:15 Nice conflicting audio overlay!

bro of all the years i been to carowinds i still dont know where wilderness run is☠

Spend the extra money and buy the fast lane band if you don’t wanna spend most of your time just waiting 😂

Fury is down due to a break in the track. They are working on it should be fix soon. Thanks

Ty

Where's me Carolina cyclone team

I personally like intimidator a smidge more than copperhead strike, but only a little.

Rip the Fury Tho

You were right, the C in PTC stands for Company.

Randy West Love Carowinds & Randy West Favorite Roller Coaster at Carowinds:- Fury 325 in Charlotte, North Carolina USA 🇺🇲 North Carolina / South Carolina USA 🇺🇲.

I meant to say copperhead strike

never seen wild run or vortex

What about Carolina gold Rush?

never seen it either

Rip the fury

I feel like there may have been a few audio issues in this, as in some places the audio seems to skip words

Why are roller coaster reviewers negative? I hear a lot of it's great, but it really isn't that special. This is good but the worst part of it. Like art gallery critics.

Randy West Have a Cedar Fair Entertainment Company Platinum Pass Passholder & Cedar Point Season Pass Passholder Since 2003 in Sandusky, Ohio USA 🇺🇲.

My Rankings 1 Fury 325 (overrated but undeniably the best here) 2 Copperhead Strike 3 Intimidator 4 Afterburn 5 Nighthawk 6 Carolina Cyclone 7 Flying Cobras 8 Ricochet (this top 8 at a park with over 14 Coasters is super weak) 9 Carolina Goldrusher 10 Hurler 11 Woodstock Express 12 Vortex 13 Wilderness Run 14 Kiddy Hawk

Im probably gonna get slashed and bashed for this but.... I think the vortex is fun and doesn't deserve 11

I’m still mad they took away the Nickelodeon characters and replaced them with peanuts 😢

OKII ALSO OMG WEEEEE HAVE TO GO TO THE PETTING ZOOOOO!!! OWo YESSSSS SO I CAN LIKE GET USED TO BEING AROUND ANIMASL. Oh the aniamls? Oh -;-;;; okay LETS HOPEE THAT THEYA RE YEAH!!! OWO PETTING ZOOOOOO omg bruhh XDD shoukd I? Just for funsies :p

hurler is the worst in the park... wilderness run is even better. nighthawk also will give you a concussion.

FURY 325 CRAcKS??? HELL NO!!!

What would actually "make" Carowinds is getting rid of Hurler and putting a ground-up RMC in its spot. Hurler is awful, I don't care how nostalgic you are there is nothing redeeming about that ride. Wish they'd quit joking about it and replace it with an RMC to make Carowinds a 5 headliner park.

You should only rate the ones you have experienced! 👎

I’m sorry to break it to you but you need a kid to ride the kitty coaster

You didn't ride #14, but rated it? 😂😂😂😂Stop it dude. Clickbait 101.