While you may be lining up to see the latest installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, there is a similar queue forming for what can be argued to be one of the most incredible, adrenaline-pumping, fear-inducing experiences that is offered today. It is definitely fast, reaching speeds of up to 96 m.p.h., but it is significantly Fury-ous.

If you haven’t caught on by now, I am talking about Fury 325, the “World’s Tallest and Fastest Giga-Coaster.” What started out as a spontaneous road trip for Spring Break ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Driving from Cincinnati, Ohio to Carowinds Amusement Park, which lies on the border of North and South Carolina, was a feat in itself, but there was no amount of cramped legroom or controversial conversation topics that was going to stop us from riding Fury 325.

It was Opening Day at Carowinds, and we were more than anxious to get the festivities underway. We awoke around 6 a.m., showered, packed, grabbed some (questionable) breakfast from the hotel lobby, checked-out, and jammed ourselves back into the car and headed towards the Motherland. It wasn’t too far out until the car erupted with “OH MY GOD,” as the massive steel structure that is Fury 325 came into focus. The coaster itself looms over the rest of the park; making Intimidator look, well, less intimidating. Had it not been for our very well mannered driver (*bows twice*) we probably would have all been dead and I would not be here today, as everyone’s eyes were glued to Fury and all of its massiveness.

So, we pull into the park entrance around 7:45 a.m. to learn that we are among the first people there. When we pulled into our parking space we saw that there were about six or seven other cars in the lot, all of which were still occupied. Now, I’m not quite sure what they were doing, but I know that I wouldn’t drive to an amusement park, on Opening Day, at 7:30 a.m. to sit and wait in the parking lot. We immediately got out of the car and headed for the entrance, marveling as we walked under, and above, Fury’s tracks. Seeing other guests must have lit a fire under everybody waiting in their cars, as we started a mass exodus from the parking lot towards the front gates. As we entered the newly renovated entrance area, each of us was handed a tiny card notifying riders that Fury will not accommodate lose articles of any kind; otherwise, you must buy a locker or leave your belongings with a non-rider. For those bringing with them a backpack, suitcase, rolling luggage, or mahogany travel chest, this tiny card basically acted as the inscription above the gates of hell: “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”

Have no fear; we had our shit together.

There we were, huddled outside the gates, and the crowd began to form behind us. I must say, it felt pretty cool being at the front of the pack, for the short time that it lasted… More on that later. Soon enough, admissions employees are taking their places, and the garage-door type gates are lifted. We watched as employees and park officials started filing in from out of nowhere, and we even caught a glimpse of Jason McClure…and then proceeded to scream at him (Crystal). The clock struck 9:00 and we began spilling into the park. It felt as though I was Noah, leading all of the creatures towards the mighty Ark (Fury), as we fast-walked towards the entrance. While it was nice while it lasted, we went from being Noah and his family, to the infinitesimal ants and beetles that were likely to be last in line. The mass conglomerate of people was separated into two lines, one for season passholders, and the other for the peasant general admission-ers. While we remained at the front of the general admission line, the season passholder line stretched further back than we could actually see. We reassured ourselves that there was no possible way all of those people were season passholders, and that most of them must not be aware of there being two separate lines.

We were wrong.

We were so wrong.

As soon as 9:30 rolled around security began letting in the royalty, and us plebeians were left to stand by the wayside and watch as the line continued to flow towards Fury’s entrance (which we still couldn’t see). While waiting for 10:00 to hit, we suddenly took note of the fact that we had not seen Fury send any test trains. We were told that in order for Fury to operate, temperatures must exceed 40°F. To the weather channel app we went to see that the current temperature was only 39°F. Let’s just say that Mother Nature was throwing some serious shade, and I was not going to deal with it.

So, time passed, the national anthem played, and we were off! Our sprint-walking commenced once again, and we were finally in line. A train sat lifeless on the lift, and we waited, and waited, and waited for the temperature to warm up.

(I really want to mention here that I was so pleased to see the Fury 325 crew out talking and interacting with guests. They were all so personable, and Drake, the crew’s Team Leader, was exceptionally amazing. He was so kind and really knew how to treat his guests.)

So, about and hour and a half later, the once lifeless train began climbing the lift. Cheers rang out from every direction and heads craned to watch the train plummet down the massive hill; everybody’s attention belonged to Fury. Trains were dispatched, brakes were tested, water dummies were emptied, and test riders were sent. Fury was now open to the public. The line quickly snaked into the queue, and then, we heard that all too familiar phrase “You guys are clear and out of here!” Excitement buzzed through the crowd as the first loaded train was sent up the lift. About 1/3 of the way up a sound effect rang out over the lift speakers, as did instructions reminding riders to keep all appendages inside the ride at all time, you know the drill. Again, we all watched the train crest the lift and plunge back down towards the earth’s surface. It raced through the overbanked turn, and then it was gone. It felt like an eternity had passed until we saw the train again, and when we did it was filled with beaming smiles, laughter, clapping, and tears, lots of tears. If I wasn’t excited before, I was totally ecstatic now.

The crew was whipping out trains and appeared to be hitting interval, or they were at least very close to it. About 20 minutes after entering the queue and we found ourselves at the foot of the stairs that led up to the platform. Unless, by some act of God, Fury collapsed, or the rapture started, or the four horsemen of the apocalypse strolled into Carowinds, we were going to ride. We were assigned rows three and four, and it was actually going to happen. Our train parked into the station, the clamshell restraints rose up (YASSS, CLAMSHELLS, YASSS), the previous riders had exited, and the gates opened. I sat down in the outside-left seat, buckled my seatbelt, and lowered that lovely clamshell restraint down. I couldn’t believe that I was actually there, sitting in that seat, about to ride Fury 325. The ride hosts came around, checked restraints, scanned, cleared, and then dispatched the train.

We were off.

The lift was average paced, similar to that of GateKeeper, however, it felt like a millennia had passed until we reached the summit. When we did crest the top, it was pure euphoria. I know it is only 15 feet taller than Millennium Farce, but the difference was noticeable. I would say that the view was great, but to be honest, there was no time for the view, because just like that our free-fall began. That drop is one of the longest drops I have every experienced. It felt as though we were never going to reach the bottom. Eventually, we did, but only to be immediately slammed into the overbanked turn, which did a pretty excellent job of playfully tossing me out of my seat, as if to remind me that I was not in control. I was at the complete mercy of Fury and its wrath. We entered the second banked turn and then were flung into entrance fly-over. The next element was easily the highlight of my ride, the horseshoe turn. As you ascend you become more and more vertically banked until the entire train is seemingly titled on its side. To me, this was the most jarring part of the ride, as the horizon appeared completely off-kilter. Soon after the apex the train levels back out and flies down through the tunnel, and then back up into another banked turn. The remaining part of the ride flows as a series of bunny hills, an enormous helix, followed by more bunny hills. This section of the ride is rich in airtime, and there is a portion of the helix that seems to come incredibly close to one of the supports, making for a great head-chopper effect. Once all is said and done, you are making your way down the main brakes, wiping the tears from your eyes, and laughing hysterically.

Pure bliss.

I think what I find to be most impressive about Fury 325 was how forceful the experience was. Fury was absolutely relentless, never compromising its speed or force. I cannot quite put into words how long the drop feels, but I assure you, it feels like it takes forever to reach the bottom. As a whole, Fury 325 is a coaster that any park would be incredibly lucky to have. It has easily been one of my greatest coaster experiences, and I feel that it is safe to say it will be giving Millennium Farce a run for its money in this upcoming awards season. I don’t really know what more to say about it, because I feel that my words can do absolutely no justice to the actual ride experience. Fury 325 is sure to send shockwaves throughout the amusement industry, and it certainly gets my vote for best summer blockbuster.

So, if you want to experience the real Fast and Fury-ous, make your way down to Carowinds, but beware of Fury Fever.