Attraction Vortex
- Thread starter Gavin
- Start date
I’m so glad to see Vortex has reopened. How great Vortex still is operable in that location it sits. All that land it’s on yup so glad Vortex still stands right there and still runs. Nothing else at all. Just Vortex. Yup. So glad.
On one hand, I hate Vortex. On the other, I worry the end of Vortex will also usher in the end of Nighthawk and I love the Vekoma Flying Dutchmen—even if Nighthawk is inferior to Batwing. I'd rather see both stand than lose Nighthawk.
After Firebird I really hope floorless converting isn't being considered.
Firebird is exceptionally bad, but not all of the conversions have gone that poorly. Patriot (California's Great America) and Rougarou (Cedar Point) both turned out fine in my opinion.
That said, Carowinds' Vortex has such an unremarkable layout that I really don't know that it's worth the effort.
If Vortex was turned into simple benches and trees, that would be an upgrade.
I’m wondering if there’s still a chance for a floorless conversion. The two parks with the oldest B&M standup models are closing, and if Patriot and Firebird aren’t relocated, maybe either one of their trains will make it to Carowinds.
Really don’t even think they’d have to rebrand it, the main cost would just be retrofitting the station.
Really don’t even think they’d have to rebrand it, the main cost would just be retrofitting the station.
I feel like it’s a slight chance they’ll do it next season. They’re gonna be redoing that plaza next year for the water ride, so it’d make sense to redo Vortex and tie it into a new themed area. Same way they redid their boomerang when they added the county fair area.
With the way things have gone under this regime, I would be a little surprised. Even with the hardware soon to be available, that's an investment. Do they think the juice is worth the squeeze? I'd lean towards no- but they are also doing things like throwing money at Boomerangs and SLCs, so who knows?
I thought Vortex was great when I visited last year, so I hope not. There are only three of these left in the world, and they're all fine the way they are. Let's just let them exist.
I thought Vortex was great when I visited last year, so I hope not. There are only three of these left in the world, and they're all fine the way they are. Let's just let them exist.
As much as I dislike standups, it hadn’t crossed my mind that there are only 3 first gen B&M standups left, and that after Monday I’ll have been on 2 of them (still missing RR).
I don’t have high expectations for Vortex as Green Lantern and Mantis/Rougarou are some of my least favorite coasters I’ve been on, but I did enjoy Georgia Scorcher to some extent, so maybe the shorter layout will save it for me.
I don’t have high expectations for Vortex as Green Lantern and Mantis/Rougarou are some of my least favorite coasters I’ve been on, but I did enjoy Georgia Scorcher to some extent, so maybe the shorter layout will save it for me.
This is kinda why I’m thinking it’s at least possible. Costs are getting higher and higher for rides, so it doesn’t seem too out there that they’ll get whatever they can out of the rides they have, assuming it’s not going to be too expensive.
I’m pretty indifferent to Vortex as I think the ride is decently fun, but I’m thinking about it from a capacity standpoint:
The park just lost Nighthawk and while it wasn’t exactly a people-eater, it did draw in crowds from other attractions. This year, I’ve noticed that Vortex has had a line on every visit, even the slowest days. It’s seen an uptick in ridership now that there are less options in the park.
A floorless conversion would boost the capacity slightly as the park wouldn’t have to worry about longer dispatch intervals with the standing adjustments, in addition to it being an improvement in rider-comfort.
Personally I think it’d be cool if they renamed it “Wild Bull” which is the name of a former attraction at the park, theme it to a mechanical bull and tie it into the region’s tobacco manufacturing history (Durham Bull Tobacco) and kinda incorporate into the carousel park theme.
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Honestly, I don't hate the Vortex layout, I just despise the whole standing up thing. I absolutely adore Dominator and wish as well that they would just give Vortex the floorless treatment and tie it into the water ride area. Maybe they could theme up the carousel too and take down the slingshot to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
On the other hand, a floorless conversion isn’t always necessarily the best thing for a standup. I disliked Mantis, but I absolutely despise Rougarou and truly hope it’s the next ride to leave Cedar Point, because it’ll be better off as scrap metal.
I personally think we are more likely to see a Vortex removal than a Vortex floorless transformation, even with the trains and equipment being freed up.
I agree. It’s in an area that’s already up for redevelopment with Nighthawk’s removal, and it’s not exactly the greatest layout on top of being a first gen B&M standup. I easily think it’ll be gone by 2030.
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I feel like the ride is either gonna go in the next year or 2 can combine it and Nighthawk's plots, or it lasts longer than any of us are expecting. I think they're gonna fill out some of their other plots before doing anything with Vortex, unless they already have immediate plans for it and Nighthawks land.
what if they restored the land where vortex & nighthawk sat on back to its former glory
vortex gets replaced by both a rmc raptor & antique cars while the old nighthawk land become a lake again with a riverboat themed restaurant
vortex gets replaced by both a rmc raptor & antique cars while the old nighthawk land become a lake again with a riverboat themed restaurant
The interesting thing with the Vortex and Nighthawk plot is it's prime real estate for an impressive new centerpiece attraction, and redesign of the old 90s Paramount Parks entrance plaza.
The park seems more interested in touching up existing areas before building more, with the exception of the new water ride attraction. When the ride opens in 2026, there will be a new "anchor" in the area.
In my opinion, Vortex could be gone by the start of the 2026 season.
Guys I have officially rescinded my opinion that Vortex should go floorless. Rode Patriot today at CGA and it’s was… let’s just say… not very good