Carowind Amusement Park is one of the premier Cedar Fair parks located on the border of North and South Carolina. The park is split right down the middle between the two states, and they have a ton of great rides.
Carowind Amusement Park is a must-visit for coaster fans, primarily because of Fury 325, but they have a great supporting lineup, and the Carowind Amusement Park is so easy to access. It’s like 20 minutes from the Charlotte International Airport.
You often see planes flying by while you’re in the park, making it easy to do a day trip here. But they have a lot to offer. We’re going to discuss everything you need to know about Carowind Amusement Park in this blog.
This park up to be really one of the best in North America. They’re currently home to 14 roller coasters, of course, their signature one being Fury 325, which was voted the number one roller coaster in the world for multiple years in a row.
Now, they also got Intimidator, a B&M hyper coaster, Afterburn, a B&M invert, one of the best, and Copperhead Strike, a Mack Rides multi-launch. unfortunately, after that, there is a pretty big drop-off as far as really great roller coasters go.
They have quite a few supporting coasters, including many for families. But if you’re looking for those really great, outstanding thrill rides, a lot of those roller coasters outside of the top four are kind of duds.
You can see this skyline from miles away. And actually, that really goes for all the roller coasters here. Overall, just Carowinds has an amazing skyline. If anything, it gets you super hyped for the day you’re about to have.
After you park and you’re walking to the front entrance, Fury is just this giant sprawling attraction that you can walk under. You’ll see it pass directly over above you. It’s probably the best front entrance to any amusement park. You got this big, beautiful sign. It’s a perfect photo op into either side, North and South Carolina. They even have a line going directly down the middle of the main entryway so you can take all the photos you want. It’s a super cool, unique characteristic.
Meaning of Carowind Amusement Park
Carowinds’ slogan is “Where the Carolinas Come Together”, and so much of this park really take in that Southern charm. The park has a lot of personality, and much of that is in each of these different areas that they’ve been revamping.
Carowind Amusement Park Carnival
When they added the County Fair section in the park with some vintage flat rides, they really dressed up to feel like this carnival, a much nicer carnival than a lot of carnivals, that’s for sure.
But it’s a super fun, vibrant area to walk through. Blue Ridge Junction is their latest area. That’s where Copperhead Strike is. It really feels old-fashioned, these kind of wooden buildings and structures everywhere. It sounds like they’re going to continue this pattern of redoing different areas.
Carowind Amusement Park Activities
With Crossroads over where Afterburn is, they’re going to be revamping that Plants vs. Zombies area with Southern Star, adding some more flat rides. So, once again, really giving this park some love because that was definitely a section that really needed it, especially after they removed Thunder Road, which was this racing wooden roller coaster. They did that so they could add Carolina Harbor.
Although part of Copperhead Strike sits on the land where Thunder Road was too, Carolina Harbor is the park’s water park. It’s very nice. It is huge. Everything is very spread out.
There are tons of slide options. There is a separate entrance to the water park. If you decide you want to go there first, you can drive around back and enter Carowinds from the back of the park.
There is an entryway through the main park, but it’s a super nice, convenient feature that some people really take advantage of. There is one more entrance to Carowinds. It’s actually directly under Afterburn. It’s rarely open, though, and all the times going to this park,
Mistakes you’re making at Carowind Amusement Park! (And how to avoid them).
One mistake is to think that all regional parks are the same. So, you’ve got places like Six Flags with no theming at all. A lot of Cedar Fair parks don’t either, but this one has a lot of really nice theming, especially in the new State Fair area. They’ve really been doing a lot to improve in this aspect.
Another mistake is to think that the Carolina Cyclone is a starter coaster or an easy coaster. It’s nice and intense, super fast and quick. You’re definitely making a mistake if you ride the Hurler, which is my fourth least favorite coaster of all time. It’s down today, so maybe they’ll tear it down. Hopefully, they will, like they did in King’s Dominion. So, we’ll see.
Fury325 coaster is the best ride in the park It’s the tallest, fastest non-launched coaster in the world. They basically dispatch every minute. So, don’t skip the good rides just because you think the lines might be long. but don’t think at this park, especially on a weekend, that you’re going to be able to choose what row you’re going to sit in, including the front and back, including row requests. I
One mistake you might make is booking two days for Carowinds on a coaster trip. It is really, even on a Saturday, easily a one-day park. They have nice hours on the weekends; they’re open from 10 to 10. They have four really good coasters, another couple of okay ones, and the rest are just kind of filler. And of course, there aren’t really any shows or anything, and the food’s nothing to write home about. So, one day at Carowinds is fine.
Don’t forget, either, they actually have a free water park that’s pretty big. They probably have five or six slide towers, and two wave pools, and it’s completely free with your admission. Not even a turnstile or anything.
Just one more random one: you’re making a mistake if you think you’re going to wear your glasses or hat onto the roller coasters. They’re very strict about it here. You can wear glasses if you have an athletic strap on them; otherwise, they have to be secured. They cannot be held in your hand because they have a rule that you have to hold onto the restraints.
Amusement Park Entrance Tickets and Fees
Amusement Park Daily Ticket Price
Amusement Park Season Pass Price
Amusement Park Group Admission Ticket Price
The first tip to standing out here in the parking lot is that SpringHill Suites is Carowinds’ only on-site hotel at the moment. So, if you want to stay there, there is a little bit of a walking distance all the way over here, but you do get your own little walkway that’s like a sidewalk, so you don’t have to walk through the parking lot. Anybody who may not want to drive back and forth to Carowinds may want to consider staying here at the SpringHill Suites.
if you purchase your individual day tickets online, they are fifty dollars. If you purchase them at this ticket booth, they are seventy dollars. So, if you’re just going to come for one day, you may want to buy those tickets online. Now, with that being said, you may want to consider purchasing season passes if you’re going to come to Carowinds multiple times within the year. It covers all of your entrance fees, your ticket price costs, and all that, as well as your parking, and gives you discounts on other things as well. The season pass cost will be anywhere from around 100 to 120 depending on when you purchase them.
Once you make it through the ticket booths on the left-hand side, you’re going to see a gift shop and things, but I do want to point out that you can purchase a Fast Lane here, and these Fast Lanes today are 75, and this pass will let you skip the longer lines and let you get in much smaller queues. Now, not all of the rides use this Fast Lane Express, but you can see right there in the camera which ones do. If you want to pause it consider that.
Now that we’ve made it around the left side of the park here at Harmony Hall’s dining location, we would like to point out that Carowinds offers two different options for a dining pass. You can get a daily one that’s around thirty dollars, and you can eat a meal every 90 minutes, or you can purchase a season-long dining pass for around a hundred dollars, and you can eat every four hours. So, that may be something you want to consider if you want to come here and have a couple of meals. It might save you a few bucks.
Now, one of the most important tips I can give you about Carowinds is that it is cashless, meaning you cannot bring dollar bills and change and buy stuff here at all, whether that’s merchandise, food, or whatever it is you plan on buying here. They do not accept cash. So, you’re going to either have to use your debit card, your credit card, or even Apple Pay to buy this stuff. Now, if you’ve got young kids coming and they don’t have those things, they can go to this kiosk. This one’s located at Harmony Hall. Put money in the machine, and it will put that money on a card and give them that card. So, then they use that card to go and buy stuff around Carowinds.
FAQ: Carowinds Amusement Park Travel Guide
1. What is Carowinds?
Carowinds is a popular amusement park located on the border between North and South Carolina in the United States. It features thrilling rides, water attractions, live entertainment, and various dining options.
2. How do I get to Carowinds?
Carowinds is conveniently located off Interstate 77, making it easily accessible by car. The park is also accessible via public transportation, such as buses or shuttles, depending on your location.
3. When is Carowinds open?
Carowinds typically operate from spring to fall, with varying hours depending on the season and day of the week. It’s best to check the official Carowinds website for the most up-to-date information on operating hours.
4. What are the main attractions at Carowinds?
Carowinds offers a wide range of attractions for visitors of all ages. Some of the main attractions include roller coasters like Fury 325, Intimidator, and Copperhead Strike, as well as water rides, family rides, and live shows.
5. Are there any special events at Carowinds?
Throughout the year, Carowinds hosts special events such as Halloween Haunt during the fall and WinterFest during the holiday season. These events feature themed entertainment, decorations, and activities.
6. Is there food available at Carowinds?
Yes, Carowinds has a variety of dining options ranging from quick-service eateries to sit-down restaurants. Visitors can enjoy everything from classic amusement park fare like hot dogs and pizza to more diverse options like BBQ and international cuisine.
7. Can I bring my own food and drinks to Carowinds?
Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside Carowinds, with the exception of sealed water bottles. However, the park offers picnic areas outside the main gates where visitors can enjoy their own food before entering.
8. Is there parking available at Carowinds?
Yes, Carowinds has ample parking available for both cars and buses. Parking fees may apply, so it’s advisable to check the official website for current rates.
9. Are there accommodations near Carowinds?
There are several hotels and motels located near Carowinds, offering convenient lodging options for visitors. Some hotels even offer special packages that include park tickets and other amenities.
10. Are there any safety measures in place at Carowinds?
Carowinds takes safety seriously and has various measures in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors. This includes ride inspections, lifeguards at water attractions, and trained staff members throughout the park.
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