I was fortunate enough to be among the first to ride Fury 325 at Carowinds. Billed as: The World’s Tallest and Fastest Giga Coaster, the massive roller coaster has gained national attention thanks to its ridiculously tall lift hill (325 feet) and unnervingly steep drop (81 degrees). For now, I’ve included a mini-review and overall rating. I’ll be posting a full, more detailed review soon.
Fury 325 Mini Review: High Speed Coasting + Some Surprises
Here’s the lowdown. Fury 325 feels incredibly fast and intense, but still manages to deliver a surprisingly smooth ride for the most part.
Those brave enough to tackle Fury’s awe-inspiring 325-foot peak will be rewarded with a speedy, twisted ride combining an unusually fast feeling of speed (95 mph) with exciting twists and turns that toss you left and right.
That alone is quite an achievement, but Fury also offers quite a few spots of airtime, where riders are momentarily lifted out of their seats. The underground tunnel beneath the bridge is a highlight as well. The feeling of soaring through the air in the ride’s open trains, suddenly changes as you pass through seemingly tight tunnel causing you to pull your hands down. There’s also a surprising moment where the ride flies by one of the massive support beams giving a near-miss feeling.
There are a few times where you truly feel the sting as the g-forces press you against the ride’s comfortable seats. Thankfully, Fury 325’s designers (Bolliger & Mabillard) are masters of combining thrills with ride-ability. Unlike other roller coasters this big and fast, survivors should step off unscathed. And they might even be surprised at a sudden urge to ride again.
Here’s a great POV video of a Fury 325 Test Run:
Rating Fury 325
I’m still considering whether Fury 325 will make its way into my Top Ten Roller Coasters, but it has a good chance. At the end of the day, it’s one of the best roller coasters of the 250+ that I’ve ridden and I give it a 5 out of 5 overall.
Check back for my full review with a blow-by-blow account of this ride’s thrilling path. Also, see my comparison of Fury to its little brother: Fury 325 vs. Intimidator
What’s Your Take?
Were you one of the lucky ones at the media event? What did you think? Do you have any questions about the ride? Leave a comment below.
Coaster Critic 
40 responses to “Fury 325 at Carowinds | Review & Rating”
Wow! Fury 325 looks awesome! Glad you got to ride it and can’t wait for the full review.
Where are the best seats? I have got to check this out.
Saw your tweet about it being better than Millennium Force — is the drop more intense or just a better ride overall?
Millenium Force is sitting at #3/330 and Leviathan is my #7, but might be higher if I didn’t have to pull out my passport every time I wanted to ride it. Fury looks like it has the best features of the other two coasters. Watching the video gave me the feeling that the ride was much longer than the two minutes posted. I can’t wait to ride AND I can’t wait to stand on the bridge with my camera as the train dives underneath. Joel, why did you give it a 4 for rideability?
While Fury is rideable for a 95 mph coaster the G forces are still very much there; especially in the back. A 5 out of 5 for rideability would be something you could literally ride all day. While this ride definitely won’t beat you up, I don’t see a lot of people wanting tons of rerides. Of course thos depends very much on the person as I bumped into a guy who had ridden it 17 times on media day when I had my fill around 6 or so.
Huh. So I went last night. The thing is gorgeous and so fast. But the 2 hour line and the cold temperatures were not my idea of fun. So I passed. Especially since my wife doesn’t like roller-coasters and I would be going solo. 😛 But since I live like 15 minutes form the park, I am sure I will get to it soon enough – once it warms up outside. 🙂
I’m not great at remembering exact seat numbers, but I preferred the whipping feeling I got during the transitions on the left outside seats the most. And the middle to front area was my favorite as far as which rows.
I also went last night with a group of friends. Definitely didn’t appreciate having to pay money for a locker! 2 hours seems like a long time but it went quickly and it was well worth it. We even got the front row! You will enjoy it.
Rode 3/28/15 after about a 2 hour wait and rode in the last row. They were using 3 trains and had launching about every 2-3 mins. most of the time. The signature of this coaster is speed and it’s got lots of it. Probably like the Intimidator you will want to be in the middle if you want good air on the camel humps. The Intimidator is probably better for that anyway. The green thing is all about speed!
It looks really sweet! I am glad it has a good re-ridability factor. It looks like a nice combo of Millie, Skyrush and I305. That would be a perfect ride as far as I’m concerned. I think Millie is a little too re-ridable, I305 is too intense for many or quick re-rides. Skyrush too painful on thighs to ride all day for sure.
It looks like the long super fast smooth journey factor of Millie is perfectly combined with the more dynamic moves of a Skyrush, and I305.
Anybody know how fast the chain lift is?
I really like the fast lift chain on the Intamin Giga’s for the speed over the top for the drop, but I do miss the anticipation of a slower journey up. The cable lift really is too fast for you to build any fear on the way up.
It’s awesome having you back Joel!!!
You mentioned in your Millennium Force review that its drop was the “best and most intense” that you had ever experienced. How does Fury 325 compare?
I rode the FURY yesterday (4/6/15). To respond to “lift time”….it was the fastest and smoothest lifts I’ve ever experienced. That alone makes it re-ridable for me. It’s also one of the smoothest rides (considering you are reaching speeds of 95 mph) in my 30+ years of coaster riding.
Are the seatd sny bigger thsn the intimidator?
Have ridden the Fury 325 around 50 times and love it. The far left seats will give you a LOT more lateral g forces. The far right seats seem to give more airtime. Wierd but true.
Front and back are awesome like always but there really isn’t a bad seat on the train and I have been in most of them. Back far left will g force the hell out of you if you like that kid of thing. Feels like you are going to go flying out of the coaster at 95 mph on that first turn, lol.
FYI If you rode this at the beginning of the season, the coaster has gotten a lot faster since then. I think they gradually are bumping the speed up as the coaster breaks in.
I agree Crizzy. I’m happy that Fury 325 is in my backyard. I personally think it falls short of I305 when it comes to Intensity but it’s more comfortable and gentle enough for a wider range of people to ride and I like that thought when it comes to getting my non coaster crazy friends to ride.
It definitely is riding faster than it did at the beginning of the season, but I noticed it’s just like most coasters, the colder temperatures I definitely notice a drop of speed. The warmer days, I feel the hit of 95 mph. now with more warmer days than at the beginning of the season you can definitely feel the speed. What I did notice though is that will all that speed built by the end of the first drop, it seems to dissipate very quickly unlike I305. especially by the time you hit the turn around before diving under the bridge. I think since it has the B&M high raised seats its less aero dynamic so the air is more slamming into the train than moving around it, slowing it down more quickly than if it would have had low as possible seats like an intamin giga. I usually prefer back of train, but riding both front and back on this one I found the front more intense. seems like you get pushed into the airtime hills better, especially on the first true camel back, you get pushed into the crest of the hill right before the trim grabs at the middle of the train slowing it down a bit before the back crest the hill. The left side of the train is the best for some greater lateral throws. the right side seems a little more boring to me. My Favorite part is the turn around spiral hill right before you dive under the bridge. That gives a great visual at 90 degrees and different air time feel pulling out of the 90 degrees diving at the same time. I applaud B&M for thinking outside their normal box on that element. I Think we’ll start to see more of that element used on their coasters.
2015 could prove to be an interesting year for the theme park industry’s Golden Ticket award. Fury 325 could dethrone Millennium Force as top coaster. Other new coasters (including Thunderbird, Laff-Trakk, Impulse, Twisted Colossus, Wicked Cyclone, and Batman: The Ride) could make top 10 or top 20 as well.
no it more as you crazy as hell if you want to ride me it has that feeling when your going down your about to fall to your death i love it and cried at the end tell you family you love them btw after you go this ride you will see
THE FURY IS THE RUSH WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!! PERFECT!
How long is a typical wait for Fury? Weekday? Weekend?
Rode the Fury 325 yesterday, it was amazing and fun. The first drop had me screaming a little. Literally had little to no wait time, but it was Wednesday and it was raining. I went on Fury 325 twice and loved both times. I was near the middle each time.
Are you allowed to choose your seat or are seats assigned?
They assigned us as we entered the station just they usually do on Intimidator.
Fury 325 is one of the most amazing coasters I’ve ever ridden, I just had to ride it three times! The banks, the airtime hills at the end, & the unique design to make it go over & under the North Gate Bridge. It was spectacular & I’m definitely going back there.
Are the seats on the Fury bigger than the Intimidators?
No. The seats appear to be the same size as Intimidator’s. It’s from the same designer and it’s a similar style of coaster.
Rode Fury 13 times in the past 24 hours. Awesome. Not as intense as I305 ( no way you could ride that many times in a short period). We had fast passes but the park was empty anyway. I’m an Intamin loyalist but this ride does have it all. I want to keep MForce and i305 as 1 and 2, but I might be fooling myself
I love Fury! The combo of speed +
height + length + unique elements + ridability + good looks + rapid throughput = great. 🙂
P.S. Am I the only one who just doesn’t care for I-305? I always ride it when I go to KD, but I’m never really happy that I did. The aggressive flinging back and forth just isn’t my cup of tea I guess.
It is the best ride I’ve ever been on. First drop is scary but the entire ride is amazingly smooth and fast. Once you get over that first intense drop, it’s speed and a lot of it, and the track layout is sweet and long. It’s intense, fast and smooth to the very end. It may very well be the best rollercoaster in the world. It is the king of Carowinds. With so much more space to grow, I look forward to what they add next. Carowinds is a Top 10 if not Top 5 coaster park, with room to grow.
According to Carowinds’ website it says riders of exceptional size may not fit. I’m 6’1″ 255 pounds. Any bigger riders that have been on the ride comment on this? I don’t want to pay for a vacation and not get to ride this. Thanks!
The Fury 325 is the most awesome at rode of my life. Let’s just say it’s an experience of a lifetime that u don’t wanna miss. At first I was not wanting to ride it and then I finally got the nerve up to ride it. Now u can’t get me off the thing I’ve rode it atleast 100 times. The line moves very fast and quickly. U u haven’t rode it yet u need to. Nothing can describe that ride.
this is one the best parks you could ever visit but the food prices are outragious,your not allowed bring anything to eat in the park for poor people only thing allowed is clear bottle of water,and for people on disability theres no special prices on website or in person everyone pay full big prices and can you imagine a disbled person weak legs and all standing in them long lines 2 hours to ride thats just not right,sure you can skip all the lines if the want to pay like $75 extra per day plus $60 to get in plus $15 or $25 to park per day,i been to some awesome parks that truly care about those elderly,disabled,handicapped i dont see it when i visit carowinds poor people want to have little fun in life and have to summer do so or pay out all their disability money to have fun,park needs better management care more about visitors and not so much about be greedy for money,its better to take a loss and help someone than to make them suffer or pay out all their money. this is why i rate the park so very low cause i dont see them caring about others,you ask them something they be rude makes me angry see such unkindness in a place that suppose to be fun for all. start lowing the prices for people with disabilities and offer express pass free with ticket for them,sure some may try to lie but make them show proof statement from doctor or medicaid medicare cards.;come on carowinds show some love to all the world then you will be one the best parks in the world
Wow! You have been busy..:D It has been fun reading all your adeenturvs that you have been on this summer Good luck with school this year! Congrats on your progress with your writing, glad to see Death’s Fury is getting closer to completion..:=)
Wow, you start school eiarler than we do! What a great summer you described, Kelsey. Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished. I am so excited to continue to learn more about (and see more drawings of) Sam Cooper.Have a terrific term!
i see, so the P2x is only limited to 3.0v (whether relgerhaabce or regular) only? but in short distance say, within 50 ft. are much? similar with illumination within the area?Anyway, i appreciate your advice again. Thanks
I live in india and dont get any Surefire products here. I just wstend to confirm if any 123 battery wont work or only cartian ones. Can I use? non surefire 123s thanks
I am looking into an EDC fallhsight and I am stuck between the surefire fury and lumamax. Want something that fits well in my pocket,? and that I could whip out and disorient any possible aggressors with (along with more mundane use).Which would you suggest? And do you personally prefer one over the other?
Does anyone know if they will ever let you pick your own seat? I love the ride, and it is really awesome. I’m from Georgia and was so disappointed I could not pick the front row, esp on my very first trip down the thing.
I absolutely loved this roller coaster!!! The first drop is extreme and gives you the feeling that you are going to come out of your seat but after that it’s smooth sailing. My favorite part of the ride was the drop right before the tunnel and of course the air time hills!!! I’m 5’9″ and 285 lbs and I was able to ride this roller coaster with a little push from the attendants. I think I could possibly be the biggest person that is able to ride it but then again it also depends on body proportions since the lap restraints is mostly covering your legs and not really your upper body.
Iran won’t commit. They’ll ratlte and make noise, but they have a bigger issue with Sunis than the West…China and Russia have too much to lose.If I’m wrong, we’re out some cash, but have air supremacy potential.If you’re wrong, that cash won’t help much.
All I know is that planes have to be relpaced after a certain span of time. Fighter craft especially. There’s only so long an airframe can withstand the stresses before it fails.Air Superiority is still a mission that needs to be filled.So, if we need to replace worn out planes anyway, why not take the more refined type as opposed to one that is familiar to everybody?
Going there this weekend hope it’s as good as everyone says. After Kingda ka , Top Thrill millinium force the bar is kinda high for me but will see.
Rode Fury325 Friday and all I can say is wow holy cow! What a coaster. The drop lasts forever and the speed is amazingl. By far the best coaster I have ridden including Millinium force, kingdaka and Top Thrill. So many elements that make it stand out ride. Ride it and you will not be disappointed.