Carowinds - green grass field during daytime
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Carowinds

4.4
·31k reviews·, United States

Carowinds: A family-friendly amusement park on the NC/SC border, famous for its record-breaking roller coasters and thrilling rides.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays (Wed & Fri)

Fewer crowds, shorter lines

CrowdLow
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Carowinds - green grass field during daytime

Carowinds

Best Time

Weekdays (Wed & Fri)

Fewer crowds, shorter lines

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Carowinds: A family-friendly amusement park on the NC/SC border, famous for its record-breaking roller coasters and thrilling rides.

4.4
(31k reviews)

"It was a nice amusement park and water park. There are not many rides for little kids, but they have some great rollercoaster rides."

Vertical photo
TIP

📱 Secure Your Phone

Use zippered pockets or fanny packs for phones on rides. Some rides may have lockers available.

💧 Stay Hydrated for Free

Get free cups of water at any food or drink stand, especially crucial in the summer heat.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.4 · 31,878 reviews

Type

Amusement Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Fury 325

Fury 325

The Thrill Zone

Experience the world's fifth-tallest giga coaster, a smooth, intense, and terrifyingly fun ride.

Reddit
Copperhead Strike

Copperhead Strike

Blue Ridge Junction

A thrilling multi-launch coaster with a surprise element, offering a unique and enjoyable ride experience.

Reddit
Afterburn

Afterburn

The Thrill Zone

An inverted coaster that provides an exhilarating, high-speed ride with inversions and twists.

Reddit
Water Park Fun

Water Park Fun

Carolina Harbor

Cool off at this expansive water park with slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, perfect for hot days.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds & Heat

Visiting Carowinds during the week, especially on a Wednesday or Friday, can significantly reduce wait times for popular rides like Fury 325. The July heat is intense, so pack light clothing, stay hydrated with free water refills, and utilize shaded queues. Reddit

Smart Spending Strategies

Carowinds is a cashless park, so bring a debit or credit card. Consider the all-day dining plan for cost savings, allowing meals every 90 minutes. TikTok While outside food isn't officially allowed, some visitors report success bringing in snacks. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays (Wed & Fri)
Why
Fewer crowds, shorter lines
Crowd
Low
When
Summer Evenings
Why
Cooler temps, night rides
Crowd
Medium
When
Early Mornings
Why
Beat the heat & crowds
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Crazy times 🤦🏾‍♂️ lol #carowinds #viralvideo #viral #cashapp #family #babiesoftiktok #autism #autismawareness #foryoupage #fyp #hickeyhouse
@gauxstman
177.6K likes • 1.5M views

📱 Secure Your Phone

Use zippered pockets or fanny packs for phones on rides. Reddit Some rides may have lockers available. TikTok

💧 Stay Hydrated for Free

Get free cups of water at any food or drink stand, especially crucial in the summer heat. Reddit

Amusement park tip! Cheap dining! #carowinds #amusementpark #HotwireHotelGoals #TakisTransformation #SimlishSessions
@beautifiedchaosgifts
53.5K likes • 526.9K views
Accessibility Pro Tip: large parks like this typically offer special accommodations to folks with documented disabilities (like autism)! Each one will obviously have their own rules and things they offer, but it’s always worth checking. I’m really excited to see places like @carowinds becoming so inclusive! 🎢💙 . #autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #disability #neurodivergent #act...
kaelynnvp
87.5K likes • 1.1M views

💰 All-Day Dining Deal

Consider the dining plan for cost-effective meals every 90 minutes. TikTokReddit

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Purchase tickets in advance online for potential discounts and to save time at the entrance. Reddit

Rollo coaster hack. You welcome 😎 #carowinds #rollercoaster #amazed2021 #fy #fyp
@nextlevelautoboutique
41.3K likes • 1.5M views

Tips

from all over the internet

📱 Secure Your Phone

Use zippered pockets or fanny packs for phones on rides. Reddit Some rides may have lockers available. TikTok

💧 Stay Hydrated for Free

Get free cups of water at any food or drink stand, especially crucial in the summer heat. Reddit

💰 All-Day Dining Deal

Consider the dining plan for cost-effective meals every 90 minutes. TikTokReddit

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Purchase tickets in advance online for potential discounts and to save time at the entrance. Reddit

👟 Comfortable Footwear

You'll be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Reddit

♿ Accessibility Options

Carowinds offers accommodations for guests with disabilities, including autism. Check their policies. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.4
(31k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Carowinds offers a thrilling amusement park experience with world-class roller coasters like Fury 325 and Copperhead Strike. Visitors praise the friendly staff, clean facilities, and the enjoyable water park. However, some find the food overpriced and of low quality, and the park can be very hot and crowded during peak times.

"Had an awesome day! Even with the July heat, the shaded lines, fans, and free water kept us going from open to close!

I highly recommend the premium dining plan. By the time you buy 2 meals and a drink you’ve basically paid for the plan. Then, you get to eat every 90 minutes and drink every 15 minutes.

Going on a weekday will give you the ability to ride basically all of the rides multiple times!

The staff was awesome, kind, and helpful answering any questions we had.

Looking for a fun activity for the family that is outdoors and away from screens? This is a great option! We brought a big group our church and had a blast as well!

Overall, I’d highly recommend this amusement park if you’re into thrilling rides, good food, and a great time with friends and family!"

Christopher Smith

"It was a nice amusement park and water park. There are not many rides for little kids, but they have some great rollercoaster ridesplan on bringing quite a bit of money. I was lucky im 65, so I only paid 19.99 to get in. I bought a refillable drink cup for the day, which cost me 21.97. A small box of popcorn was 8.35.. parking is 35.00 vip parking is 45.00. The one good thing they did was because of the high heat, we went 4th of July weekend was any food place or drink stand you could get a free cup of water. No outside food is supposed to be allowed, but they don't check bags, so you can bring in chips or something. They are a cashless place, so have a credit or debit card with you. Also, you walk through a metal detector. You must have an ID with you. They check for someone over 21 with kids, although he asked a single guy in front of me for his, so just have it ready. There are plenty of rest rooms with no lines for the womens room, that is, people just don't like to flush the toilet, so that's something to watch for. It's a nice park, though, and I can see me going back there again."

Ingrid Hakala

"Rides were fun. Went early on a Saturday morning and luckily lines were not awful. Fury325 is very intense and also a very smooth. Thunder Striker is just as smooth, intense as well but not quite as terrifying 😆. Other coasters were great. Need to remember I'm too old for Carolina Cyclone, it beat me up. I don't ride Hurler anymore for that same reason. First time on Copperhead Strike - very fun coaster! Afterburn is still one of my favorite coasters of all time; it is really a fun ride!!

Overpriced food was very low quality. $65 for two slices of pizza which came with a garlic bread knot. And 2 medium fountain drinks. Just excessive. I think a different food & bev model would work out better for the park. I'm sure it is challenging to manage that aspect but still, the quality should at least be satisfactory at those exorbitant prices."

Scott Reviews

What People Like

Thrilling roller coasters
Friendly staff
Clean park

What People Dislike

Overpriced food
Intense heat
Long lines

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The address for Carowinds is 1400 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273. It's conveniently located on the border of North and South Carolina. Reddit

From Charlotte, you can drive to Carowinds via I-77 South. Public transportation options might be limited, so driving or ride-sharing services are common. Reddit

Yes, Carowinds offers ample parking. Standard parking is $35, with VIP parking available for $45. Reddit

While direct public transport routes can be limited, check local bus schedules for potential connections. Many visitors opt for driving or ride-sharing services. Reddit

Yes, there are numerous hotels near Carowinds, offering various price points and amenities for visitors. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices vary, but general admission can be around $40-$60 if purchased online. Look for Carowinds discount tickets or consider a season pass for frequent visits. Reddit

Yes, you can purchase tickets at the gate, but buying Carowinds online tickets is often cheaper and saves time. Reddit

Yes, Carowinds offers season passes (Gold Pass, Platinum Pass) which provide unlimited visits, parking, and other perks. Reddit

Carowinds hours vary by season and day. It's best to check the official Carowinds website for the most up-to-date Carowinds amusement park hours for your planned visit. Reddit

Yes, you will need an ID. They check for someone over 21 with kids, and it's good to have it ready. Reddit

🎫 🎢 Onsite Experience

Top roller coasters include Fury 325, Copperhead Strike, Afterburn, and Intimidator. Reddit Fury 325 is particularly renowned for its intensity and smoothness. Reddit

Yes, Carowinds features Carolina Harbor, a large water park with slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river, included with park admission. Reddit

It's recommended to use zippered pockets or fanny packs for your phone. Some rides may have lockers available for rent or use. TikTokReddit

While Carowinds is known for its thrill rides, there are some attractions for younger children, though the selection might be more limited compared to other parks. Reddit

Yes, Carowinds is a cashless park. You'll need a credit or debit card for all purchases. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Many visitors find the all-day dining plan to be a good value, allowing you to get a meal every 90 minutes and drinks every 15 minutes. TikTokReddit

Food prices can be high, with some reviews mentioning $65 for two slices of pizza and drinks. Reddit Bringing snacks might be a cost-saving option. Reddit

Outside food is not officially allowed, but some guests report that bags are not thoroughly checked, allowing for snacks. Reddit

Options can vary, but most amusement parks offer some standard choices like salads, fries, or fruit. It's best to check with individual food stands. Reddit

You can get free cups of water at any food or drink stand throughout the park, which is essential during hot weather. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Iconic rides like Fury 325 and Copperhead Strike offer dramatic backdrops. The AeroNautica Landing area also has visually interesting rides like the Gear Spin. TikTok

Generally, you cannot use phones or cameras on most rides due to safety regulations. Secure your devices in pockets or lockers before boarding. Reddit

Riding at night can offer a different perspective and unique photo opportunities, especially with the park lights. TikTok

Early mornings or late afternoons offer softer lighting and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing clear shots of the park and rides. Reddit

Look for themed areas and the impressive scale of the major roller coasters for memorable photos. The park's entrance and iconic landmarks are also great for shots. TikTok

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