Woodstock Express (Carowinds) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodstock Express |
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| Previously known as Fairly Odd Coaster (2005-2009), Scooby Doo's Ghoster Coaster (1993-2004), Scooby Doo (1975-1993) | |
Woodstock Express
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| Carowinds | |
| Location | Carowinds |
| Park section | Camp Snoopy |
| Coordinates | 35°06′04″N 80°56′22″W / 35.101040°N 80.939422°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 1975 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters |
| Designer | John C. Allen |
| Model | 144a |
| Lift/launch system | Chain Lift |
| Height | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Drop | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Length | 1,356 ft (413 m) |
| Speed | 36 mph (58 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:00 |
| Capacity | 1250 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 40 in (102 cm) |
| Woodstock Express at RCDB | |
Woodstock Express is a fun wooden roller coaster located at Carowinds amusement park. Carowinds is in Charlotte, North Carolina. This coaster is known for its classic wooden design. It gives riders a thrilling but not too scary experience. Even though it's a full-size coaster, its gentle turns and shorter drops make it great for many riders.
Contents
History
The Coaster's Journey Through Time
Woodstock Express first opened in 1975. Back then, it was called "Scooby Doo." It was part of an area in the park called Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera. This area was themed after the popular Hanna-Barbera cartoons.
In 1993, the park changed the coaster's name slightly. It became "Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster." Later that year, a company called Paramount Parks bought Carowinds. Paramount Parks also owned the Nickelodeon TV channel.
New Names and Themes
Because of the new ownership, the Hanna-Barbera area slowly changed. It became part of a new section called Nickelodeon Central. In 2005, the roller coaster got a new name again. It was called "Fairly Odd Coaster." This new name was inspired by the Nickelodeon cartoon, The Fairly OddParents.
When it became the Fairly Odd Coaster, the ride got a new look. The wooden structure was painted a deep blue color. The ride's cars were also repainted. They looked like the fairy characters from the TV show. One train was pink, and the other was green. The faces of the fairies were on the front of the cars. This was a clever idea because in the show, the fairies can change their shape.
In 2010, the coaster changed its name one more time. It became "Woodstock Express." This happened when the area was re-themed to Planet Snoopy. Woodstock is a character from the Peanuts comics. In 2015, Woodstock Express was repainted again. This time, it got a light purple color with yellow side-rails.
How the Ride Works
The Coaster's Path
Woodstock Express starts by climbing up a 40-foot (12 m) chain lift hill. This is the part that slowly pulls the coaster cars to the top. Once at the top, the ride goes down a 35-foot (11 m) drop.
After the first drop, the coaster travels through several "camelback hills." These hills give riders a fun feeling of floating out of their seats. The ride also has turns that are slightly banked. This means the track tilts a bit, making the turns smoother. The entire ride lasts about one minute.
Special Recognition
A Classic Coaster
The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a group that loves roller coasters. They once recognized Woodstock Express as an "ACE Coaster Classic." This is a special title for certain roller coasters. To get this title, a coaster must be made of wood, not steel. It also needs to meet certain rules for how it operates and how it's designed.
For example, classic coasters usually have simple lap bar restraints. They don't have seat dividers or headrests. Also, riders should be able to choose where they want to sit. They shouldn't be assigned a seat by the ride operator.
Changes to Its Status
Over time, some changes were made to Woodstock Express. Because of these changes, it no longer has the "ACE Coaster Classic" status. Even so, it remains a beloved wooden roller coaster at Carowinds.
