On May 23, Carowinds announced that Thunder Road would close on Sunday, July 26. After over two months of celebrating Thunder Road’s 39-year legacy, the day for the Thunder Road’s “last ride” finally arrived yesterday.
Ever since I moved to North Carolina in 2000, Thunder Road has been a staple for any trip I made to Carowinds, and I wanted to take a few laps around the track one last time to pay my final respects. I took some photos as well.
I got to the park about 4:00pm, and after a ride on Fury 325, (because you have to ride Fury 325.) I headed to Thunder Road. The queue lines definitely weren’t terrible, but remained steady for the entire afternoon/evening.
Great to see the queues packed to give Thunder Road a proper send off! #ThanksThunderRoad @Carowinds pic.twitter.com/xXtGcVzeTa
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) July 26, 2015
The ride ops team at Thunder Road was amazing yesterday. They made every effort possible to “race” the two tracks When I visited Carowinds earlier in the season, only one side of the track was open. They were also having a great time in the booth, “talking trash” to their opposing ride dispatchers, and creating a very enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
I took my first ride on the Silver (North Carolina) side, in the front row — probably my favorite seat on Thunder Road.
The North Carolina side proved to be victorious for much of the day.
Carowinds installed these two signs, commemorating Thunder Road, near the ride’s exit.
I was listening to a lot of the conversations going on around me in line. Some people were taking their first rides ever on Thunder Road. People were bringing up Thunder Road history to impress their friends. Many people were taking photos in the queue line of Thunder Road’s entrance and lift hill.
On my third ride, a young boy came up behind me in line and asked if I was riding by myself. I told him I was, and he quickly responded “How about you and me, front row?” I agreed, and we talked for a little bit about the coaster while waiting in line. Even though he hit me with a few doses of reality while in the queue, (Kid: “How old are you?” Me: “I’m 25.” Kid: “Wow, I thought you were like 35.” Me: “..Oof.”) he and I definitely had some common ground; we were both going to miss Thunder Road when it was gone.
I tried several times to get a good shot of Thunder Road’s sign and flags blowing in the wind. This was the best I could get.
After several rides in the afternoon, and a brief water break (it was HOT at the park), I jumped back in line for a few rides at sunset.
Grit your teeth.
Bear the load.
For one last ride.
On Thunder Road. #ThanksThunderRoad pic.twitter.com/lDvBfr59ss
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) July 27, 2015
My final ride on Thunder Road was on the South Carolina side, in row 11. I wanted to ride in the last row, but decided to be a good person accommodate a larger group. The ejector air was amazing, and it was a perfect way to end my time riding Thunder Road.
I had to commemorate my last ride on Thunder Road the only way anyone commemorates anything in 2015, with a selfie.
From my final ride on Thunder Road. Blue train, Row 11. (and I got photobombed.) #ThanksThunderRoad pic.twitter.com/uT9FYjO5oK
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) July 27, 2015
Happy with my final ride, I left the park, but instead of leaving completely, I drove my car around to the rarely-used southwest corner of Carowinds’ parking lot, to take a few last photos of Thunder Road from the outside of the park.
And just like that, my time with Thunder Road was over. I’m glad I got to experience it the ways I did — the pre-2008 backwards version, the post-2008 GCI re-tracked version, and every ride I had in between.
If you ever have the opportunity to “see off” one of your favorite attractions before it closes for good, I highly recommend it. I’m glad I made the trek.
Goodnight from @Carowinds. And for one final time… #ThanksThunderRoad pic.twitter.com/Q6lWoHPcDl
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) July 27, 2015
Sappiness aside, I’m definitely looking forward to what Carowinds has in store for 2016. We’ll find out for sure on August 27!
Looks like we'll find out what @Carowinds has in store for 2016 on August 27! #wateryoudoing2016 pic.twitter.com/5zV3sT1KQO
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) July 26, 2015
is such a crying shame and a pitiful day when a landmark that shares so many memories for so many people has to be shut down. I know that today’s generation wants fast and dangerous (which THUNDER ROAD roller coaster was for many decades). I, my children, and at least one of my grandchildren enjoyed this ride. But, Thunder Road was not just a ride, it was a rite of passage for some, it was something that if you had the b—- or guts to do you were brave, really brave in some circles of us baby boomers. I just HATE that it is no longer going to be there for others to enjoy, while grandparents and parents tell the stories of how their first experience on the coaster was and how much fun they and their friends had on it nearly 40 years ago…it is just plain SAD…