Carowinds’ new hyper coaster Inimidator opened to the public on Saturday and I’ve been scouring the Web, local news stations, and talking to my friends who have ridden it to see how it is. I live about 30 minutes from the park, but I wasn’t able to make it to Media Day as I was welcoming a new member to our roller coaster loving family. I’m sure I’ll get to ride it soon. But, for now here’s a professional Intimidator POV video:
Note – This video was filmed by professionals with permission from the park. For safety reasons, please DO NOT take a camera on a roller coaster.
Early Reviews of Intimidator: Airtime and Short Waits!
From the early reviews, it looks like Bolliger & Mabillard have done it again! I’ve read and heard only positive reviews that include mentions of abundant airtime at the crest of those hills. People were also noting the surprisingly short wait for the ride’s opening day. How short were the waits on Opening Day? 10 to 15 minute waits in the middle of the day!
It was pretty chilly for Charlotte and it’s still March. But, I’m sure that as word gets around the lines will be pretty long. Intimidator’s three train 1600 rider per hour ride capacity, the fact that they assign seats, and a single rider line should all add up to a quickly moving line even when the park gets packed. I’m looking forward to giving it my own official review. I’m excited to see how it measures up to other B&M hypers like Goliath, Nitro, & Apollo’s Chariot. Carowinds is going to send me press material from Media Day. So, check back for updates.
Also, check out this Intimidator reviews thread at Carowinds Connection and after you ride it, feel free to rate it using my Rating System and leave a short review or comment below.[poll id=”3″]
What’s Your Take?
Do you plan on riding Intimidator at Carowinds this year? Have you already ridden it? What’d you think? Leave a comment below.
Coaster Critic 
31 responses to “Carowinds’ Intimidator Reviews, POV Video, & a Poll”
i was wondering why you weren`t online, last time you put up a post about it. congrats!
Wow… From that POV, the ride looks even better than I expected!
I rode the Intimidator three (3) times today. The ride waits were about 2 minutes each time. No kidding, 2 minutes!
The ride is awesome! Fast, furious and killer air-time. The air-time on the two humpbacks in a row are about 3-4 seconds each.
I've ridden the Magnum XL200 and the Millenium Force, this is up there with other Mega-Coasters for thrill rating.
For the most intense ride, get on the rear car. You will whip over the first hill and the humpbacks give you actual negative G air-time.
The second hill's drop-and-turn speed actually gives you the "Need for Speed" feel of being in a NASCAR stock car.
The airtime on the hills is great. Only rode it once (1st train Saturday), but looking forward to additional rides this year. Nice long, smooth coaster.
air time is great. i was the 41st public rider on it saturday morning. auction raised over $10000. the kids were the first public noauction winner to ride in front row. we love it, not the best ever but for carowinds, fantastic. and hanging out with Kerry Earnhardt was not bad either.
Looks like just another steel coaster, If you have been on one, you have been on them all. Too smooth,If you don't get beat up a little there no fun.
Looks a lot like Nitro…..which is awesome, hopefully i can get down to take a spin on it.
Hey, Congrats dude! We have two kids. Kids keep ya young. I'm 36 yrs old.
Now about the coaster, looks fun. Can't wait till Kings Dominion opens, cause Carowinds is a bit too far from Maryland.
Definitely not just another steel coaster. Intense without being too rough, and the best mix of G force and airtime I've ever experienced. On some hills, there seems to be a good five seconds of airtime.
I rode 4 times on Saturday! This is a great ride and the single rider line is great for those who want to get on quickly. I really like the seat design and restraint system which give the coaster a very open feel. Highly recommend.
Hey, I'm going to Carowinds now. When I get back, I'll give a review of Intimidator (THat is, if I work up the nerve to ride it! 🙂 )
didnt u leave a review of I305? it was good 🙂
Just got back to Carowinds. Park closed at six o-clock, so that sucked since I didn't get in until three. I saved Intimidator to last, and I rode it twice. The first time I rode it, I got in the regular line with my cousin and two friends.
I rode in the sixth row, and had an awesome experience! Fast lift hill, so we got to the top in a hurry. The first drop is insane! I've never been on a coaster with so big a drop, and it was the best drop ever. After that weird little mid-air turn, we went on the next part.
The three normal hills before and after the turnaround were my favorite part. In them, the airtime was so extreme that we were literally out of our seat for around five or so seconds. Never before had I experienced so much airtime.
The rest of the ride was fun, but of course, didn't have the same effect as the first part of the ride. We rode twice, once together, once apart due to going in the single rider line. Both were insane, and I give Intimidator Carowinds a 10 out of 10.
How could anyone rate this a 5. =/
Well, I'm going back on Friday, hopefully. When there, I'll make sure I ride I232 more then twice. Give me a nod(smiley face?) if you've ridden it, or plan to ride it very soon. I want to get an opinion on how this ride stacks up to other top-notch hypers like Behemoth, Diamondback, Apollo's Chariot…
…Yes, that means you too, Coaster Critic.
There's a chance that I might make it down there in the next couple days. I'm really curious to see how it'll stack up to the 4 other B&M hypers I've ridden (Raging Bull, Apollo's Chariot, Goliath & Nitro). And I'm also curious to see if it can make it's way into my Top 10. Hopefully, I'll find out soon. The park's only about 20 minutes away!
Yeah, it is for me, too.
Since Cedar Point has been my home park since birth, anything else seems dwarfed. But since I now live in Columbia, SC, I was intrgued by the Intimador's billing as the fastest coaster in the southwest. The wait, during spring break at opening, was 15 minutes. It stayed pretty much the same all day. The lift hill just a little slower than millenium force at cedar point. The first drop is really good, and the first banked turn is excellent. The hills provide really good airtime, and the ride length is adequetely long. I give Intimidator a 9, as 10 is reserved for Millenium Force, Maverick and Top Thrill Dragster. Still, an awesome ride.
Well, I rode Intimidator again today, and it was a fun ride. Problem is, I stayed until closing time, and tried to get to it before the park closed for one more ride. But LESS THAN A MINUTE BEFORE GETTING THERE, THE PARK CLOSED! I WASN'T ABLE TO GET ON THE RIDE! Plus, on my first go, I lost my phone on the ride! I am mad now, but it's still a good ride.
above or below afterburn?
At sixflags, you can usually get that back, regaurdless to the fact that they have at least a sing per ech meter of the entrance, "do not bring phones, hats, and any other items that may be lost on this ride!"
I finally made it on the Intimidator. I'll have a review up within the next week or so. For now, I posted my photos on my Facebook Fan Page.
My friend's phone slipped out of her pocket during the first drop but she got lucky. The guy two seats behind us caught it. It was the best moment of my life. Also be careful of glasses. If I hadn't taken mine off, it's quite likely I would have lost it.
Dang, who on Earth gave this ride a one?
Seems to be a improvement over the lame diamondback. The db has only slight airtime on the first two cammelbacks. None in the back. Then a brake after the hammerhead turn slows the ride to a pace more like the runnaway reptar. The first drop on the back of both is as extreme as one gets exept for maybe eltoro. Still intimidator lowers the second and third hills from what is on db and that is why the airtime is so great. Cant wait to ride. Still not on par with mf though.
Living in Lexington KY, Kings Island is not too far for me…..But growing up going to Carowinds (originally from NC) ….I had to ride this! I've ridden all the coasters at Cedar Point (including Top Thrill Dragster…..Also at KI (Diamondback)…..Intimidator at Carowinds was right up there with the best of them! I freaking LOVE hyper coasters (more so than giga)…..I dunno why, they just seem more fun to me (maybe I'm crazy)…..I liked Magnum better than MF…..Intimidator is an AWESOME experience!
I liked Magnum better than Millennium Force too! Here's my review of Intimidator
i lost my phone on diamond back and im really upset about it… lost literally EVERYTHING.. picturers, messages, and i still havent gotten it back in 2 days… what are the chance they will find it and return itto me?
I'd say your chances aren't good. When they say "secure loose articles" that includes things like cell phones. It may sound silly, but you're not really supposed to even have phones on rides just for this reason. I lost my little Samsung Juke on Scream at Magic Mountain. That really stunk because I was on the other side of the country and couldn't call home or be reached as easily. I'd keep checking with the park, but I wouldn't expect them to find it. Sorry.
the ride is alsome and very fast i think you should try it it will make you feel like a alsom teen or adulit or kid you should ride .-*-
Greaat ride