Carowinds: Copperhead Strike Ready To Take Place As Park’s Best Coaster
Image: Carowinds
Carowinds has a problem on its hands. With the debut of Copperhead Strike at the beginning of the 2019 season, the park will have a coaster on par with Fury 325. While it can’t compare in terms of size and speed, the popularity might take away some of Fury’s sting. Could Copperhead become the fan favorite in the Carolina’s?
Fury 325 is one of the world’s best coasters. It’s been named Best Steel Coaster by Amusement Today for three straight years (2016, 2017, 2018). Enthusiasts come to Carowinds just for that coaster. There might not be a more iconic steel coaster in America.
Copperhead Strike is the new kid on the block. The coaster is part of the biggest investment in park history. Along with Copperhead, there will be a new themed section of the park called, Blue Ridge Junction. This new section of Carowinds will be home to a few rides and a new country kitchen restaurant.
Lisa Stryker, an executive at Carowinds, spoke to The Herald Online about Blue Ridge Junction.
“Blue Ridge Junction is a new themed area that’s going to immerse people in a feeling of being in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll get to enjoy some home cooking, a little car chase, little gliders — it’s fabulous.”
One thing Copperhead Strike has going for it is a backstory. The coaster, along with Blue Ridge Junction, will provide the perfect setting for Carowinds, who seem to be taking the next step in themeing. Carowinds sister parks (Kings Island, Cedar Point, Kings Dominion) have done a great job with this as of late.
A good backstory can make the coaster a lot more enjoyable. Mystic Timbers, Twisted Timbers, and Steel Vengeance are just some examples. Cedar Fair has gone out of their way to theme these rides to broaden their appeal. It seems to be working. The new coasters are some of the busiest in their respective parks.
There’s no denying Fury 325 and its spot in Carowinds. The addition of Copperhead Strike is the next step towards making Carowinds a destination park. And while Fury 325 might no longer be the alpha at Carowinds, that doesn’t mean guests can’t claim it as the best.
With all that’s being invested into Copperhead Strike and Blue Ridge Junction, it’s hard to envision anything topping that. It’s okay to love Fury 325. As hard as it’ll be, you can claim Copperhead Strike as the best coaster at Carowinds. Let’s not get carried away, though, as Fury 325 still has some time on top. However, time is running out.
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
