Vortex is a steel stand-up roller coaster at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), with layout engineering by Werner Stengel’s firm, and it opened to the public on March 14, 1992. Riders stand on the train instead of sitting, which changes how the whole ride feels.
At a cost of about $5.5 million, Vortex was the most expensive ride in the park’s history when it opened. It was also the first coaster built at Carowinds since Carolina Cyclone in 1980. It sits on the site of the former Carolina Speedway miniature car attraction. Construction began in September 1991.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina / Fort Mill, South Carolina area
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
- Opened: March 14, 1992
- Type: Steel stand-up roller coaster
- Height: 90 ft (27 m)
- Top speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
- Length: 2,040 ft (620 m)
- Inversions: 2 (vertical loop and corkscrew)
- Ride duration: About 2 minutes 19 seconds
The Ride Experience
After a chain lift hill, riders drop into a layout that includes a vertical loop and a corkscrew. Each train has 6 cars with riders 4 across in a single row, so 24 riders per train, and the ride uses 2 trains. Riders stay standing throughout, and the ride lasts a little over two minutes.
The height requirement is 54 inches, so it suits older kids and adults who want an inverting coaster without extreme size or speed.
A Piece of Coaster History
Vortex was one of the early B&M stand-up coasters, and it was the sixth stand-up coaster to open in the United States. It is often described as the oldest operating stand-up coaster in the country. It is also reported to be the only one of those early B&M stand-ups that was never retrofitted with floorless trains, so it keeps its original stand-up style.
Explore more: More roller coasters.
Vortex Photo Archive: October 2024
These are original ThrillZing photos of Vortex taken at Carowinds on October 12, 2024, during the SCarowinds season, shot on an iPhone and published as taken. They show the B&M stand-up coaster’s sign, riders standing on the lift under the red loop, and trains through the loop, with Nighthawk and the observation tower behind. All photos are free to reuse under a CC BY 4.0 license with credit to ThrillZing and a link to this page.
Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Vortex FAQs
Who built Vortex at Carowinds?
Vortex was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), with design by Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH (Werner Stengel). It opened on March 14, 1992.
How tall and fast is Vortex?
Vortex is 90 feet tall, reaches a top speed of 50 mph, and has 2,040 feet of track with two inversions: a vertical loop and a corkscrew.
Is there a height requirement for Vortex?
Yes. The height requirement was reported as 54 inches (137 cm). Check the park’s current ride policy before you visit, because it can change.
Get More from Vortex
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Vortex, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Coasterman1234 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.