YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Just days before the new season began, NBC Charlotte was invited to ride the Carolinas' first double-launch coaster, Copperhead Strike, at Carowinds.
Dozens of VIPs and media guests waited for their turn Thursday to buckle up and take the thrilling ride.
McKenzie Lynn, 9, shared her thoughts about the ride.
"It was awesome! I love going upside down and going really fast," she said.
Copperhead Strike zooms riders from the start and features five inversions, two launches, 3,255 feet of track, a max height of 82 feet, and a ride time of 2:24.
"This ride is completely different from any coaster we have in the park, and the main reason is this is a 'launch' coaster," said Lisa Stryker, Carowinds spokesperson for Carowinds. "This one goes, 'Whew!' Right away. Right out of the gate."
The new coaster is part of an all-new Carolina influenced seven-acre area of the park.
"Blue Ridge Junction, which is inspired by the Majesty of the Carolina Mountains," said John Taylor, vice president of marketing for Carowinds.
"Not only did we put the new coaster in behind me, but we returned a family-favorite ride called the mountain gliders, and we opened a new restaurant called Blue Ridge Country Kitchen," he said.
"It's going to have rotisserie chicken, rotisserie beef, collard greens, mac-n-cheese. It's just an entire package, and I am so excited about it. And if you haven't been here in the past five years, it's been an exciting time and the Park has been completely transformed inside and out," Taylor added.
Season pass-holders preview night is Friday; Carowinds opens for the season on Saturday. Carolina Harbor will open later in May. Carowinds new onsite hotel will open in the fall.
In past years, Carowinds has offered new attractions including Fury 325, Carolina Harbor, Camp Snoopy, and now Copperhead Strike.
State officials say out-of-town taxes have doubled in York County over the past eight years. South Carolina takes in over $22 billion a year in tourism.