http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm Construction Diary en-us Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:26:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=05ac32fd-ecd0-43ac-a2e0-58d24dbf2d86 If you have been keeping a close eye on the webcam or even driving by the park after work, no, your eyes do not deceive you. We are indeed running a train! On Thursday, February 4, we launched our first test run of Intimidator train #1…and the result was flawless. The train sped around the track hugging the metal and gliding like water along the circuit. In addition, we leaked the word to our Facebook community about an hour before the test and we celebrated the event with several news stations and coaster enthusiasts across the parking lot from the massive body of steel. As for an update- the crews are working hard at testing the ride’s electrical and sensor features, and checkered brick is being laid for the Winner’s Circle. The midway next to Intimidator is in the process of being reworked with pavers instead of pavement. And today...we’re test running Intimidator train #2! For the most up-to-date photos and news, follow “Carowinds Amusement Park” on Facebook and Twitter! You can see the amazing first test run at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9jsFVrQsz4 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:26:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=aeb6e4f8-3072-42a2-be33-fc5d62d90ad1 Imagine throwing a party. You've got to rent a facility, tables, chairs, food, decorations, etc...and the details continue to stack up. The same is true when building a roller coaster. Sure, the curcuit is complete, but the details are many. Our maintenance teams are ahead of schedule and blowing through their check-lists at a surprisingly fast pace. This is, however, a coaster themed to a racing legend and it is only appropriate that we race to the finish with speed, care, and precision! These are the details currently being checked-off, and others that we expect to check off in the near future. The last two weeks the: Ride Electrical controls are being finalized, pneumatic installations are being finalized, the grout for the remaining foundations was poured, station gates are being installed, air compressor to be started up this week, station structure and handrail painting to begin this week, site final grading is in process, In the next week expect to see: perimeter fencing installation to begin, landscaping to begin , Plaza paver installation to begin, The second train is expected to arrive, and anchor bolts will be tightened to specified torque. It is still a race to the finish! Stay tuned to our facebook fan page for general park photo and construction updates! Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:12:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=ffd46ac4-0571-4894-a385-368cf8215d29 The area surrounding Intimidator(TM) is beginning to take on a life of its own for the New Year. The station house has become clearly visible and the roofing should be finished this week. The merchandise building is erected across the dirt piles from the station house. On the coaster itself, stair treds are being finished and electrical work has begun. But the biggest news of all...the first train arrived this morning! The first of three trains, they will each be added onto the transfer track as they arrive. They will soon be adorned in decals and logos to fit the theme of the rebel, Intimidator. The monster scream machine is clearly visible from miles around and will see its first riders in mere weeks! Speaking of first riders-- Ride Warriors, stay tuned to intimidator.carowinds.com this week as we announce our details for the Intimidator Charity First Ride Auction and be one of the firsts to ride Intimidator on Opening Day, March 27, 2010. Until then, stay tuned to facebook and twitter, and don't forget to sign up for the Carowinds E-Newsletter for the inside scoop on deals, attractions, and events. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:06:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=da8b4d89-1e72-464b-935b-62faead13553 As early as this Friday, Intimidator™ will raise eyebrows as the final pieces of track are locked into place, resulting in the completion of the coaster’s footprint. Ahead of schedule, these final pieces are a clear Christmas present to coaster fans around the Southeast, as the construction and maintenance teams work around the clock to prepare the track for train testing as soon as early February! Opportunities to be the first to ride Intimidator™ will be made available in January when Carowinds presents the Intimidator™ First Ride Auction. Stay tuned to intimidator.carowinds.com for the details! From the Carowinds family to yours, have a happy holiday season and remember…the best gift this year is the gift of THRILLS! Ride Intimidator™ all season long with a Carowinds 2010 Season Pass! Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:13:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=96c10b32-e968-4a32-b761-afea7715867f The rainy week gave way to sun on the weekend and this Monday the weather feels like spring has sprung in November! The warm sunny weather is good news to our construction site as track continues to be added to the Carrick Bend on Intimidator, completing the bend. From miles away, Intimidator™ can be seen and excitement is in the air. With a few more hills left to add, builders hope to have Intimidator’s track completely erected by the time Santa Claus begins his tap dance on our roofs. Currently, construction teams can report 3 ½ camel backs and the Carrick bend complete, and four drops clearly visible, with 3 ½ more camel backs to go! Those first three camel backs are taller than any roller coaster at Carowinds, and the difference in height is notable from anywhere on park property, I-77, and I-485. Be sure to drive by the park and take a snapshot of the coaster, and then upload it onto Carowinds’ official facebook fan page! Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:44:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=42db4703-ef3c-4a5b-aeca-2c8f63e39fd4 Driving past Carowinds on I-77, onlookers can clearly see that the lift hill on Intimidator is now capped at its peak, 232-feet, and ready to now begin its descent. The months following will be a spectacular jolting of camel back hills and vallies, stationhouse erection, theming and landscaping. Stay tuned to the blog for weekly updates, and don't forget to check out facebook and twitter for daily coverage of the construction of the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in the Southeast. Visit Carowinds or SCarowinds throughout the fall until November 1 to get a first hand look at Intimidator. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:25:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=7a570983-e4bb-4754-9c0b-0a8c6104b2bb The weeks since the announcement have flown by and we’ve seen some real progress in the Intimidator™ construction site. The first pieces of track have been erected, and the train storage track steel is being constructed in the old log flume area. Out in the parking lot, cement continues to be poured and nearly all of the footers have been finished. The exciting adventure is beginning as the lift hill will soon sprout upward and change the skyline of Carowinds forever. As guests arrive this fall for SCarowinds’ Halloween Haunt and Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast, the evolution of this massive project will continue to grow right before their eyes…and we welcome you to come take a peak over our fences and through our peep holes. For the most up to date photo selection of the construction site, see the Intimidator™ Photo Gallery or click on the facebook icon below. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:33:00 EST http://intimidator.carowinds.com/public/latest/blog/index.cfm?entry=e920ff80-addc-4ea0-b9fc-cc92d1ef105c Simply take a drive through the parking lot at Carowinds, and you’ll notice the massive construction site stretching from North Gate to South Gate. It is only the beginning of the bright future being built for the southern bell of Cedar Fair parks. Today marks the unveiling of the new attraction that will fill that construction site, and the skyline of Carowinds will never be the same! Intimidator™ will debut in the Spring of 2010 as Carowinds’ 13th roller coaster, but the erecting for this massive project has already begun. The Intimidator™ blog will provide readers with the most up-to-date information regarding the progress of the construction. Keep an eye out as I post weekly, sometimes daily, updates! Ride On! Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST