FuryWatch: Last Minute Touches Added as Fury 325's Opening Day Quickly Approaches

There's only 9 days left until Fury 325 opens to the general public, even less time until the Season Passholder and Media Day events. So, what has Carowinds been up to? Well, quite a bit!

First up, the signage for the entrance was seen getting ready to make it's way to the park yesterday. Thanks to Carowinds General Manager, Mark Fehnel, we've got the picture to show ya of just what this looks like in the flesh. Lookin really good there and pretty much dead on from the designs we showed you earlier.

It's impressive and gotta say, even the signage is huge on this thing, which is fitting since it is a truly massive coaster they've got on their hands. If you're gonna go big, might as well go really big, right?

UPDATE: Entry for Fury 325 is installed, and lookin' awesome!

And now for a little video released by Carowinds!


Also, over the weekend, the final details were be put on the lighting package. Lots of aiming and other things were taking place but the results? Amazing, to say the least.

First Fury 325 On Ride POV Released!

Okay, it seems like just a couple of hours ago we were talking about the first test run from Fury 325 at Carowinds, but here we go again!

This time, the folks at Carowinds have unveiled the video from that first ever run and luckily for all of us, they had a camera onboard to record the insanity of it all. So, I'm not gonna talk long on this one, as you can just click on the Fury 325 logo on the left of the page for the updates.

Let's get on with the video!


Holy crap that looks incredible! One thing you'll notice is that there isn't a single brake section throughout the entire course of the ride. This thing is going to be insane to experience and riding at night? Oh, I can only imagine.

Yep, it's official. We have Fury Fever here at ISI! Stay tuned here or follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest out of Carowinds and their newest, world record breaking coaster, Fury 325!

First Test Run of Fury 325 at Carowinds a Success!

It's rare we have back to back posts about the same subject, but this one's a little special. Just a short bit ago, Carowinds announced that they had completed the first test run of their world record breaking coaster, Fury 325. It's been a long road since the leaks, the official announcement and completion of construction, but here we are. Only a couple of weeks until Fury 325 will be open to the public and daring riders to face it's monstrous 320ft drop to reach speeds of 95mph.

We've had a blast covering this one, and while we're not quite done yet on that front, it's getting closer and closer to media and we'll be sure to bring you all the latest from that event. But we're not there yet and still lots more to share.

So, let's get on with the reason ya came, the pictures! Here's some shots from earlier today via Carowinds and their construction camera of the first test run!

Carowinds Announces Season Passholder Event for Fury 325!

Thought we were done with the news out of Carowind's newest, and record breaking, coaster, Fury 325? Well, think again!

Earlier today, Carowinds announced the details for the Season Passholder exclusive Fury 325 preview event. This one is definitely not to be missed as they've got a ton planned for Friday, March 27th. So, if you're looking to be amongst the first to ride the monster that is Fury 325, this is your chance to get in on things before most people get the chance. If you're looking to be one of the very first, check out the info about the First Rider Auction that we reported on just the other day too!

So, just what's all included in this special event? We got ya covered with the details.

Starting at 5pm and lasting until 10pm, on March 27th, this exclusive event will feature live DJs, prize giveaways and more throughout the evening. If that wasn't enough, the entire park will be open for everyone's enjoyment, including the all new 300ft tall Slingshot tower.

All in all, it sounds like a great event and I know that we here at ISI can't wait to get down to Carowinds to check out Fury 325 and the rest of the park in just a few weeks. To get all the details, or to pick up a season pass so you can get in on the action, head on over to the official Carowinds website for all that and more!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest out of Carowinds and their newest, world record breaking coaster, Fury 325!

FuryWatch: First Rider Auction, Construction Update and More for Carowinds' Fury 325!

It wasn't long ago that Carowinds finished off the track for their world record breaking coaster, Fury 325. Now it's all in the details as the opening day speeds towards us and I gotta say that it's going to be one helluva thing to behold once everything is finished. We've got all kinds of things for your this time around too; from what the ride entrance will look like, some amazing night shots of the ride, and most importantly, how you can get yourself onto the very first train of riders. So, sit back and let's get this show moving!

First up, Carowinds, in partnership with the Cam Newton Foundation, is auctioning off seats on the first three trains to leave the station. That's 96 seats that are up for grabs and really can't think of a better way to about this either. Not only do you get to have one of the first trips over that massive 325ft drop, but also get to help out a good cause while doing it.

Of course, the prizes for the highest bids aren't just seats on the ride, oh no. Here's the breakdown of the full list of prizes that winning bidders will receive:

• Invitation to the private media opening for Fury 325 for one (1) person on Wednesday, March 25, 2015* to ride in the seat you bid on.
• Two (2) Regular Single Day admission tickets valid any public operating day of the 2015 season.
• One (1) Large Fury 325 First Rider Charity Auction T-shirt.
• One (1) Fury 325 First Rider Auction Hat.

That's a lot of stuff there folks, so if you're feeling generous and just can't wait to ride, head on over to the official Carowinds site to read up on all the details and to make your bid!

Now, let's get down to the details of what's been going. We've compiled a ton that's come out from the park over the last week or so regarding the construction and take a sneak peek at the designs for some of the off ride elements like the entrance, sign and more. Let's start with the end of that and work our way back some, shall we?

February 11th: Fury 325 update

Hello peoples!!!!

I've got you next update on Fury325 here.  Now that the track is finished they seem to be moving right along in finishing everything else.  I've got two pictures for yinz this evening to enjoy.

Pulled from Facebook

This is a photograph of the hill from the operator booth or what will be the booth, lol. It's such an awesome hill and I can't wait to ride this beauty!!

Pulled from Facebook

Here are the queue lines on the ride platform. The hive design is really cool and I can only hope that the rest of the platform will be just as neat. I say go with a whole hive thing: turn the platform into a hive all around!

Pulled from Twitter

This is a picture of the tunnel design that runs underground on the coaster. You can see the track is all wrapped up while they're working on the tunnel frame. The worker also adds perspective so yinz can see how big the tunnel actually is.

As always: If you're nice to us than we'll be nice to you. You can find us in the usual places, just go to the "Where to Follow" tab on the home page and follow!!!

January 29th: Fury 325 update

Hello Peoples!!!

So this is going to be a small yet important update because Carowinds just posted up a photo of the track and there is one piece of track left to go!!!

Waiting for the final piece!! (pulled from Facebook)

According to Carowinds the final piece will be installed tomorrow sometime but I wanted to show everyone this lovely photo. Isn't the sunset pretty too?

As always: If you're nice to us than we'll be nice to you. You can find us in the usual places, just go to the "Where to Follow" tab on the home page and follow!!!

January 19th: Fury325 update

Hello peoples!!!!

I hope that everyone is having a good evening or a good day depending on where you live.  So this evening I've got two new photos for your enjoyment.

So here is just a random photo of some of the Fury325 steel being fabricated at the factory:

Found this on Carowinds's Twitter

Yes, I made this photo bigger but I think it's neat to see the track being worked on.

Now on to the awesome picture...THE TRAINS HAVE ARRIVED!!! or at least one of them, lol

This was taken from Carowinds's Facebook page

So I'm still not a fan of the lime green, but I do like the pattern on the car. Obviously they're following their own pattern with the three stripes that make up the wings and the stinger down the center. To be honest I feel like the front is too dull, they make the track and color scheme bright and shiny but the car is just gray/silver.

But that is just my thoughts on things, what does everyone else think?

As always: If you're nice to us than we'll be nice to you. You can find us in the usual places, just go to the "Where to Follow" tab on the home page and follow!!!

January 8th: Fury325 update

Hello peoples!!!!

I know it's been a bit since I've done an update but I wanted to wait until there were a bunch of pictures to share with everyone to make this enjoyable for all.

So to skip with the pleasantries and onto the fun!!!

Travel Channel reporters walking on the hill for a special that air's next summer

Another photo of the Travel Channel film crew

FuryWatch 12/4: Carowinds Tops off Fury 325's Lift Hill

Lots of new projects going on all over the US this off season and Carowinds is no exception with their record breaking coaster, Fury 325. Just earlier today, the park posted up pictures and video showing off some of the construction progress but more importantly, that of the top of the massive lift hill for their newest coaster.

Just to give you an idea, the top of the drop here is 20ft taller than the Statue of Liberty. Yeah, that's pretty high up there and makes Fury 325 the tallest "traditional coaster" in the world. It's another massive project from Bolliger & Mabillard and if it's anything like it's sister coaster, Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, it's going to be one helluva ride.

If you're curious about just what a ride on Fury 325 will be like, check out our coverage of Carowinds announcement just a few months ago.

Things are looking good from the site and definitely going to be one wild ride once they unleash this one on the public in the Spring of 2015. Anyway, enough babbling, let's get on with the pictures. But first, a little ride one of the sections of track as it makes it way to the top!


More after the jump!

Sealife Aquarium Charlotte- Ready to Open

Sealife Aquarium Ready to Open.

 It seems the new Sealife Aquarium in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina is ready to open.

 The Aquarium has set an opening date of February 20th, 2014.  As part of getting guests in the doors, they are offering an online special ticket for just $16 (until Feb 19th).

 The new Aquarium is billed has having the following-

• See over 5,000 creatures including sharks, seahorses, octopus, jellyfish and rays, swimming in over 150,000 gallons of water
• Watch our fun talks and feed shows throughout the day
• Hold a crab or touch a starfish in our Interactive Touchpool Experience
• Test your creature knowledge; take part in our free kids quiz trail
• Journey through our underwater tunnel as sharks and rays swim overhead
• Check out our children's soft play area

For more information, Please Visit- Sealife Aquarium Charlotte-Concord

Carowinds will recieve a New Coaster with their Expansion

Recently we talked about the 3 year, $50 Million Dollar expansion that is going into Carowinds Park.

 Well it seems like the local news has also been talking about the planned expansion of the Cedar Fair park, to the point we now know that Carowinds will receive a roller coaster with some of this expansion money.  Screamscape reported that the park will also get nearly another million from the county of Mecklenburg in tax rebates for upgrading the park and bringing in new jobs.

 The really interesting part of this is that a closed session transcript showed up online from the Charlotte Observer, which reports that nearly $30 million will be spent on a 'New Roller Coaster that is 70 feet taller then Intimidator". This means Carowinds will receive not only a new roller coaster but one that is over 300 feet tall!   However, there is no timeline or year for when this new coaster could open. Just sometime in the next three years.

 Also in that same article is a list of what Cedar Fair plans to spend their investment one, aside from one jumbo-size roller coaster. $2.5 Million will go to a new 'water slide' of some form, $7 Million will go to building the rumored new 'food' complex and finally $4 Million will be spent between ticket booth and parking lot improvements.