A striking, thunderous coaster

Getting up to speed on the former Intimidator at Carowinds

4.25 (out of 5)

For this month’s “Rode It! Loved It!” (which is exclusively for paid subscribers), let’s head down to border between North and South Carolina for my review of the recently renamed hypercoaster, Thunder Striker. What’s that now? You’re not a paid subscriber? Come on! Paid subscriptions are my only source of income here at the ad-free About Theme Parks, so your support of quality journalism–and me!–would be greatly appreciated.

With Carwoinds’ addition of Fury 325 in 2015, which is one of the tallest (325 feet) and fastest (95 mph) roller coasters on the planet, the lower-profile Thunder Striker has been figuratively and literally overshadowed. And that’s a shame. Like similar thrill machines that Swiss coaster mavens Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) have built for other parks, the Carolina coaster is another super-smooth ride with delirious moments of floating airtime.

(Cedar Fair Entertainment Company)