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The ride begins by going backward, pulling riders up a 125-foot hill. The ride pauses at the top of the lift, offering a panoramic view of the park, before going forward down the steep drop, back through the gate area, speeding along a 65-degree descent into three inversions, including two rolls and a loop. The train is then caught by another lift hill, pauses, then sends riders back down the entire track backward.

The Cobra features newly designed trains that have never been used in the United States. The sit-down ride is smoother than most coasters because of its aerodynamic design. It has a narrow nose and wider harnesses so riders won’t feel like they’re bumping their heads or being jerked around, Swords said.

The coaster sits in the Carolina RFD section of the park just outside the Boomerang Bay water park. To make room for the Carolina Cobra, the park removed the Super Saturator water ride, Swords said.