Carowinds

About Carowinds

This 105 acre theme park located 10 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina at the South Carolina border. With more than 100 rides, shows, Nickelodeon characters, and a water park, the park never fails to disappoint. Carowinds opened in 1973, some years after businessman Earl Patterson Hall was inspired by a visit to Disneyland. Hall’s original intention was to build a resort complex that would have included a pro-football stadium, golf course, hotels, and a shopping center. With the 1973 oil crisis impacting park attendance, the resort concept was scrapped.

The park was later sold to Taft Broadcasting in 1975 and changed ownership several times before being purchased in 1993 by Paramount Communications. Viacom purchased Paramount in 1994. In 2006, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company acquired Paramount Parks and the park became part of the Cedar Fair organization. The park is no longer associated in name with Paramount, although many of the Paramount themed rides are still in operation (such as Top Gun and Star Trek).

Attractions

Rides

• Top Gun: The Jet Coaster: This inverted roller coaster is inspired by the film Top Gun. Guests can experience the thrills of the movie first-hand.
• Borg Assimilator: One of the park’s tallest roller coasters is a Star Trek themed ride that takes guests on a high speed adventure – face down – through eight inversions.
• Scream Weaver: This is a Ferris wheel unlike any other! Gondolas spin riders this way and that – including upside down.
• Vortex: Guests reach a height of 90 feet and speeds of 50 miles per hour – all while they’re standing!
• Thunder Road: This wooden roller coaster gives guests the unique thrill of riding in both North Carolina and South Carolina with duel tracks that run forward and backward.
• Carolina Skytower: Get the bird’s-eye view of the park aboard the sky cabin, reaching heights of 320 feet.
• Southern Star: A swinging Viking ship, formerly known as Frenzoid.
• Rip Roarin’ Rapids: A fun-filled family white water raft ride that guarantees a wet adventure!
• Nickelodeon Central: This area is designed just for the park's smaller guests. Kids will delight in Nickelodeon themed rides such as Backyardigans Swing-A-Long, Dora the Explorer’s Azul Adventure, Fairly Odd Coaster, Nick Jr. Jets, Rugrats Runaway Reptar, and the Wild Thornberry’s River Adventure.
• Boomerang Bay: This 16-acre water park is included in the admission price, and includes water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and plenty of family water attractions.

Entertainment

Ice cream is just one yummy snack!

There is always plenty of live park entertainment, including the Dora the Explorer Sing-Along Show. In 2007, the park introduced an ice show called Endless Summers on Ice.

Food

There’s also no shortage of great food for hungry guests. Options include pizza, sandwiches, chicken, burgers, salads, Chinese food, snacks, ice cream, and beverages. Restaurants and eateries include Chick-Fil-A, Cinnabon, NickToons Café, Ozzie’s Outback Shack, Panda Express, Surfer Joe’s, and more.

Visiting The Park

The park is open from late March through early November, and includes a special Halloween event, Scarowinds.

Tickets

General admission includes the Boomerang Bay water park section of the park. One day admission is $46 for guests 48 inches and taller, while the junior/senior ticket for visitors under 48 inches tall or 62 and over is $20. Children three and under are free.

Season Passes

Season passes allow guests to make the most of their theme park experience with unlimited visits per year for one low price. General season passes are $80, while those under 48 inches are just $55. Admission includes Carowinds and Boomerang Bay as well as free parking. VIP season passes are available at higher rates, but offer free premium parking and perks such as early entry to Boomerang Bay and "first in line" ride access. Platinum passes include free premium parking and admission to all Cedar Fair parks. Gold and platinum passes also provide additional savings and discounts.

Contact Information

For more information about Carowinds, including a park map, event calendar and other details, interested individuals can visit the official website, call 1-800-888-4386, or write to the park at:

Carowinds
P.O. Box 410289
Charlotte, NC 28241

Additionally, the website offers a helpful Plan a Visit page, that provides possible itineraries for different age groups.