Afterburn 20th Anniversary Time Capsule

Questions or concerns about the accessibility of our website or need any assistance accessing any of the information you would expect to find on our site, please contact us at (704) 588-2600.
Cart
Park: Closed
Waterpark: Closed
View Hours
Arizona Hurricane Harbor Phoenix Phoenix, AZ California Six Flags Magic Mountain Los Angeles, CA Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Six Flags Discovery Kingdom San Francisco/Sacramento, CA Hurricane Harbor Concord San Francisco/Sacramento, CA California's Great America Santa Clara/San Jose, CA Knott's Berry Farm Los Angeles, CA Knott's Soak City Los Angeles, CA Georgia Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, GA Six Flags White Water Atlanta, GA Illinois Six Flags Great America Chicago, IL Hurricane Harbor Chicago Chicago, IL Hurricane Harbor Rockford Rockford, IL Maryland Six Flags America Baltimore/Washington, DC Massachusetts Six Flags New England Agawam, MA Michigan Michigan's Adventure Muskegon, MI Minnesota Valleyfair Shakopee, MN Missouri Six Flags St. Louis St Louis, MO Worlds of Fun Kansas City, MO New Jersey Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa Jackson, NJ Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, NJ Hurricane Harbor New Jersey Jackson, NJ Wild Safari Adventure Jackson, NJ New York Six Flags Great Escape Lake George, NY Six Flags Darien Lake Buffalo, NY Darien Lake Lodging Buffalo, NY Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark Lake George, NY North Carolina Carowinds Charlotte, NC Ohio Cedar Point Sandusky, OH Cedar Point Shores Sandusky, OH Kings Island Mason, OH Oklahoma Frontier City Oklahoma City, OK Hurricane Harbor OKC Oklahoma City, OK Pennsylvania Dorney Park Allentown, PA Texas Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, TX Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, TX Hurricane Harbor Arlington Arlington, TX Hurricane Harbor Splashtown Houston, TX Schlitterbahn Galveston Galveston, TX Schlitterbahn New Braunfels New Braunfels, TX Virginia Kings Dominion Doswell, VA Ontario Canada's Wonderland Vaughan, Ontario Quebec La Ronde EN Montreal Quebec, QC La Ronde FR Montreal Quebec, QC Mexico Six Flags México Mexico City, Mexico Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec Montreal Quebec, QC
Park: Closed
Waterpark: Closed
View Hours
Rides

Afterburn 20th Anniversary Time Capsule

Patrick Wisniewski Photo Patrick Wisniewski |
August 15, 2019

I have been a fan of Carowinds for as long as I can remember. There really has not been a time when this special place wasn’t in my life. I grew up right next to the park, and I have shared some of my favorite memories here with family and friends over the years. Early on, however, I had one small problem…I was terrified of roller coasters.

Carowinds' Afterburn roller coaster

I remember so many Monday mornings at school when one special roller coaster ride was the talk of the town: Afterburn. My friends couldn’t stop talking about how they went to Carowinds that weekend and braved the 62-MPH, 2.7-minute, six-inversion thrill of being a fighter pilot!

Fighter Jet Prop on the Afterburn at Carowinds Amusement Park

On a vacation in California my uncle encouraged me to build up my courage on a few roller coasters and before long I was hooked! When we got back home I immediately planned a visit to Carowinds to ride every single one I could. I was saving the one at the top, gunning for the biggest thrill in the park. Afterburn was definitely a coaster rite of passage for me. But, when I finally got the chance to ride, this iconic coaster definitely did take my breath away.

Time Capsule to Commemorate the 20th birthday of Afterburn Roller Coaster

Twenty years later, Afterburn continues to take flight squadrons to the skies. In honor of its birthday we put together a special time capsule. This collection of items from the past and present will remain by the coaster for the next 20 years! Here are the items placed inside:

  • Afterburn Button
  • 2019 Park Map
  • 2019 Gold Season Pass
  • 2019 Peanuts Shirt
  • Associate Name Tag
  • Fury USB Drive with Photos and Videos from Afterburn’s history
  • Afterburn Postcard
  • Copperhead Strike Sticker
  • Copperhead Strike Nametag

Afterburn Roller Coaster Button at Carowinds Amusement Park

Since this is the place where the Carolinas come together we wanted to include our fans in this special piece of history. We posted three polls on our social media channels for you to decide what should be placed into the time capsule.

  • A song of today: Baby Shark or Old Town Road? You choose Old Town Road. This was placed on the Fury USB Drive.
  • A hat representing a coaster of today: Copperhead Strike or Fury 325? You chose Fury 325!
  • A retro magnet: Coaster Tracks cassette tape or classic Carowinds pennant? You chose the Coaster Tracks cassette tape.

Carowinds Amusement Park 'Coaster Tracks' magnet

We didn't limit the celebration to the time capsule. What’s a birthday without some cake?  Pilot Snoopy made a special appearance and brought with him a fighter jet full of cupcakes to complement morning exclusive ride time on Afterburn. Fun was had by all! 

Children enjoying an exciting experience hugging Snoopy

Afterburn truly is the coaster that brought Carowinds to new heights. It laid the foundation for so many attractions, experiences, and memories that have made our hearts soar. I am so honored to have the chance to help tell the story of this iconic coaster. And that 10-year-old boy who nervously gripped on tight and made his first big flight? He still has the need for speed.

Afterburn roller coaster at Carowinds Theme Park in Charlotte, NC

By Patrick Wisniewski

Digital Marketing Manager