Sports and roller coasters are two of new Coaster101 writer Andrew Stilwell’s greatest passions. After riding the Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure, he was hooked as a coaster enthusiast.
Andrew graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2012 with a degree in sports administration. And while he claims Carowinds as his home park, he is a big fan of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
He’s ridden 75 roller coasters in seven states—his favorite steel roller coasters are Apollo’s Chariot and Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The now-defunct backwards version of Thunder Road at Carowinds was his favorite wooden coaster.
As we do with all team members, we asked Andrew to answer a few “icebreaker” questions:
1. If you could build any roller coaster in your backyard, which would it be and why? I’d build one of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s coasters in my backyard – probably Apollo’s Chariot or Griffon. I’ve ridden those two a ton, and they still remain at the top of my favorite roller coasters of all time. Not too sure how the neighbors would feel about the B&M roar though.
2. If you could meet any roller coaster designer or amusement industry legend (alive or deceased), who would it be and why? The easy answer here is Walt Disney. He was a true innovator, and shaped the modern theme park as we know it today. As far as people who are living, I would love to meet (or interview!) Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard of B&M, and Thierry Coup of Universal Creative.
3. What’s your favorite in-park eatery or food? Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe at Magic Kingdom (Toppings Bar!) and Trapper’s Smokehouse at Busch Garden’s Williamsburg are my favorite places to eat – my favorite Theme Park Food is the Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes at the 50’s Primetime Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
4. Tell us an interesting tidbit about yourself. I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2012 with a degree in Sports Administration. I’m a sports junkie and huge Carolina sports fan. (Not sure if that’s interesting enough – feel free to tell me if not.)
On the sports side, he’s a huge Carolina fan. Follow him on Twitter at @stilwell for my random musings on theme parks, sports and life in general.
Andrew began writing for the website in October. Since then, Andrew has already contributed excellent content. Read through his posts here.
Please join me in welcoming Andrew to the Coaster101 team. If you’re interested in joining the Coaster101 team, learn more about our open positions here.
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