Vortex (Carowinds)

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Vortex
Carowinds
Location Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Coordinates 35°06′14″N 80°56′30″W / 35.103780°N 80.941622°W / 35.103780; -80.941622
Park section Carousel Park
Status Operating since March 14, 1992
Cost $5,500,000
Rider height 54 inch minimum
Statistics
Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard
Product Stand-Up Coaster
Designer / calculations Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH
Type Steel - Stand-Up
Riders per train 24
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 90 feet
Drop 80 feet
Top speed 50 mph
Length 2040 feet
Inversions 2
Duration 2:19
HELP

Vortex is a steel stand-up roller coaster located at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Opened on March 14, 1992, it is the third roller coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard. It is also the first one to open on the East Coast.

History

On August 15, 1991, Carowinds announced that they would be building Vortex.[1] It opened on March 14, 1992. The ride costed $5.5 million to build.[2]

Vortex was closed for refurbishment for much of the 2023 season. It reopened in August.[3]

Design

Elements

Vortex has a height of 90 feet, a drop of 80 feet and a max speed of 50 mph.[4]

Color scheme

Red track and black supports.

Ride experience

After leaving the station, the train climbs a 90 foot chain lift hill. At the top, it drops 80 feet to the right, reaching 50 mph. Following the drop, riders head straight into a vertical loop before hitting a right-handed curve. The train then drops, turns left and enters a helix. Riders approach a smaller drop and a corkscrew. After the corkscrew, the train goes through a figure eight turn. A left turn leads into the final brake run.

Trains

2 trains with 6 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 4 across in a single row, for a total of 24 riders per train.

Images

References

  1. "All rise for new roller coaster".
  2. "A guide to what's new in theme parks".
  3. "Carowinds". Screamscape. Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  4. "Vortex - Carowinds - Roller Coasters".

External links

  • Vortex on the Roller Coaster DataBase.


Articles on Carowinds