Are you ready to feel the thrills of record-breaking rollercoasters again?
Carowinds, located on the border of North and South Carolina, is now open for 2022!
In honor of Carowinds’ opening weekend, I made the fifteen-minute drive down I-77 to visit the park with my most-theme-park-obsessed friend. Amanda and I made the most of our day in the park, and I’ve had the good fortune to return on several occasions this season to gather more intel and experience the park as it transitions through its special programming. Thanks to all of this time spent in the park, I’m here to share all the information you need to know for your next visit.
Disclosure: Carowinds generously provided admission and parking for the visits shown here; however, all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links.
Before I dive in, I should let you know that as a native Floridian, I have high expectations when it comes to theme parks. While I don’t think they all need to have rodent mascots or anything, I do expect them to be clean, efficient, safe, and generally well-run. Not to spoil the rest of this post, but Carowinds checks all of those boxes for me. Headed there yourself? Here’s what you need to know before you go this season:
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT TO CAROWINDS IN 2022
Carowinds Operating Hours
In general, Carowinds’ operating hours shift with the seasons. For 2022 the park will operate weekends-only throughout the spring and fall, and daily during the summer. As the hours of sunshine increase, so do the length of park hours (with the exception of SCarowinds, when the haunting lasts until midnight, and New Year’s Eve). Head here to check current operating hours. Note: Carowinds’ waterpark, Carolina Harbor, is a summertime attraction and operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. And there’s exciting news for 2023: Carowinds will be open year-round thanks to the addition of operating hours on weekends in January, February, and March!
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Rides at Carowinds
Carowinds is a theme park with thrills for all ages!
While the park is known for its record-breaking coasters, Carowinds also caters to guests who aren’t yet ready for the big rides. Not only are many of your childhood favorite carnival rides scattered throughout the park, but Camp Snoopy is specifically designed for the younger set. There are plenty of tame rides to get them started, as well as a fun show titled Camptivities if they need to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground.
Looking for more? Carowinds has a helpful “Thrill Level” meter, spanning from Low to Aggressive. You can quickly filter for the experience you are looking for on their website! Best of all, each entry lists minimum ride height, accessibility info, a full description of ride features, and more – allowing you to plan out your day (and have conversations with the little ones, if needed) ahead of time. I also recommend downloading the Carowinds mobile app before your visit to check ride wait times while in the park (if you’re not in the park, you can also view wait times right here); at the start of our visit the wait times listed were inaccurate, but eventually they seemed to better reflect the actual user experience (presumably this was due to opening weekend growing pains). We noticed that for many of the bigger rides, visitors are unable to see the full length of the queue to gauge the wait time until you’re already pretty far in it. And unfortunately for those riding alone, Carowinds does not currently use single-rider lanes like other parks, so you’ll have to wait the same amount of time as everyone else.
Many of the bigger rides were closed for a large portion of the opening weekend due to weather – more on that later – but I’ve managed to check more attractions off my list with each subsequent visit (that should tell you something about the very size of the park!). Here’s a brief rundown of the rides I’ve personally had the chance to experience this season:
Afterburn
I was surprised to walk right on to Afterburn once the coaster opened for the day (I even had the row to myself!), even though it’s Carowinds’ third tallest and fastest rollercoaster. It’s kind of tucked away, which may explain why that was the case – so if you’re willing to seek it out, you may just be greatly rewarded! Even though Afterburn is more than twenty years old, it definitely packs a punch thanks to its six inversions (thankfully it’s a pretty smooth ride).
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill is a fun interactive dark ride where park-goers aim with laser guns to shoot spooky targets to save Boo Hill. We were well above the ride’s presumed target age, but we had an actual blast competing to see who could take down the most ghosts (boo, I lost).
Carolina Cyclone
Back in 1980, the Carolina Cyclone shattered records by becoming the first rollercoaster with four inversions. Even though this coaster’s ride time clocks in at just one minute, it’s starting to show its age a bit. Despite the fresh coat of paint, it was the shakiest rollercoaster I rode all day and the reason I purposely avoided The Hurler later on. I’m glad ride technology has advanced since the eighties for a smoother experience. Still, it’s fun to be a part of rollercoaster history!
Carolina Skytower
The Carolina Skytower was our first ride of the day, and I’m so glad! It’s the perfect way to start your day at Carowinds. The ride to the top of this tower is a comfortable one, thanks to the climate-controlled cabin. Not only is this the only ride that allows riders to take photos while in operation, but it also gives guests a great view of the park below and the surrounding areas. Snap a few photos of the mountains or the Charlotte skyline, and then look down to start planning your itinerary for the day!
Copperhead Strike
Copperhead Strike is the first double-launch coaster in the Carolinas and tops out at speeds of 42 mph – which (spoiler alert) is going to seem slow after reading the next ride description. But as it twists and turns it definitely doesn’t feel slow when you’re on it – until you’re upside-down, that is. Copperhead Strike’s inversions leave you feeling like you’re suspended in mid-air for just a beat longer than expected, which is something I’d never experienced before. Talk about being thrown for a loop! The backstory is quite the tale, as well.
Fury 325
Fury 325 is the big man on campus at Carowinds. It’s the longest steel coaster in North America, with a track spanning 1.25 miles that crosses the NC/SC state line. Even before it opened for the day, it already had a long line, wrapping around the lines of other nearby rides. To make sure I had the chance to ride before closing time, I eventually joined in and waited 75 minutes for the chance to ride this 3.25-minute ride. Even though I’m pretty comfortable riding most modern rollercoasters, I have to admit I felt quite a few butterflies in my stomach on the long ride to the top of the 81° drop. It actually took my breath away – but I eventually caught it again and screamed alongside my neighbors!
Kiddy Hawk
The clever name was enough to make me want to ride Kiddy Hawk, even though by the looks of it, I was probably twice the age of the other riders. Kiddy Hawk is a great first “big” coaster for kids and adults. The inverted coaster’s trains leave guests dangling their feet, and the sudden twists and turns are enough to catch riders off-guard – but it’s much slower and doesn’t go upside down. Once you’re done with Carolina Harbor, this should be your next stop.
Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare 3Z Arena
Update: as of August 1, 2022, this ride has shuttered to make way for Carowinds’ newest park section, Aeronautica Landing, opening April 7, 2023!
Based on my quick skimming of the description for Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare 3Z Arena, I thought the ride would be pretty similar in concept to Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. But instead of riding in a cart through the dark, riders are sat on mostly stationary motorcycle-esque seats. And instead of aiming at physical targets, riders wear 3-D glasses and aim at the screen (I promise my reading comprehension skills are usually better than this!). I admit, I struggled with this one a bit – the older I get, the harder it is for me to handle any type of virtual reality. By the time it was over, I was feeling a little headache-y, but still, this was one of the better 3-D ride experiences I’ve had. If you have no issues with this type of ride experience, the gameplay is really fun!
Carolina Harbor
While I personally haven’t had the chance to experience the Carolinas’ largest waterpark, Carolina Harbor is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. All thirteen water attractions are included with the cost of your ticket – head here to check the schedule to confirm the hours for the day of your visit before packing your swimwear.
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Eating + Drinking at Carowinds
Although there are more than thirty places to grab a bite or a drink at Carowinds, I just had time to visit two: Blue Ridge Country Kitchen and Harmony Hall Marketplace. I’d heard that Carowinds’ dining options are far better than other theme parks, and based on my scientifically inaccurate sample, I’d say that holds true.
Yes, you could eat at a known favorite like Panda Express or Chick-fil-A, but where’s the fun in that? I always encourage people to enjoy the local cuisine when they travel, and even though I live here and have access to the types of dishes served at the two park restaurants I tried, I can say both provide pretty solid versions of Carolina cuisine.
I’m still dreaming of the mac and cheese I ate at Harmony Hall Marketplace, but if you’re really just in the mood for something else Carowinds has you covered from pizza to burritos. Oh, if you’re feeling snacky between meals, Carowinds has all the typical theme park temptations: funnel cakes, french fries, ice cream, and more!
The park serves alcoholic beverages as well – if the day was a bit warmer, I’d have loved to try Sycamore’s Copperhead Strike IPA, brewed specially for the park (June 2022 update: I tried it – and it lives up to the hype!). Harmony Hall Marketplace in particular feels designed for afternoon hangs, with a bar off to the side and live music in the main hall. Meal prices are on par with other theme parks (around $15 for a meal); I highly recommend purchasing one of the park’s dining plans to save on food costs if you plan on eating more than one meal in the park (see the “Ways to Save on Your Visit to Carowinds” section below).
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Other Experiences at Carowinds
With a series of rotating shows, you can visit Carowinds throughout the season and never quite have the same experience twice. Here is a little more info on 2022’s non-ride activities:
Camp Snoopy Meet & Greet
Take photos with your favorite Peanuts characters at the Camp Snoopy Meet & Greet! Sessions take place at Camp Theater – be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date schedule.
Beach Blanket Beagle
Beach Blanket Beagle is a brand new musical show for summer 2022, with a groovy setlist (and the world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy!).
Busker Jam
Busker Jam is a fun spin on the story behind Copperhead Strike, and the result is a toe-tappin’ musical show. Catch it on the weekend, now through May, in Blue Ridge Junction.
Camptivities
As previously mentioned, Camptivities is a fun, family-friendly show in Camp Snoopy. “Campers” can sing and dance along with the Peanuts gang and camp counselors!
Franklin’s Dance Party
Rounding out the summer programming is Franklin’s Dance Party, where young park-goers can learn some new moves and show off how they groove.
Jessamine Duo
With a summer-ready setlist, Jessamine Duo will be performing at the Crossroads Gazebo nearly every day through early September. Catch their full schedule on the website.
The 325s
The 90s are back – and not just in the form of fashion. The 325s will be onstage in the Thrill Zone through early September playing 90s pop-rock favorites. See their list of scheduled appearances here.
Shopping
Personally, shopping isn’t high on my list of things to do at a theme park – but Carowinds offers a number of shops with fun souvenirs (like cute Snoopy items!), clothing, and even candies.
EVENTS AT CAROWINDS IN 2022
From now until the end of 2022, Carowinds is hosting special events nearly every month! Here’s what is on the books this season (including some insider info!):
State Line Celebration
The State Line Celebration is a new springtime event at Carowinds, April 9 – May 8 (select dates), and it will feature some of the hallmarks of these two states: food, local beer, and live music. Now, the only question left to answer is which style of Carolina BBQ reigns supreme.
Michael and I had the chance to visit on the first day of the festival and were blown away by the transformation of the park for the celebration. The state line has been painted a shade of blue for each Carolina (IYKYK), a giant lawn with a stage and inviting chairs has been added, and the State Line Celebration Planning Committee mill about ready to greet you. There are lots of new experiences in honor of the event – like bands playing songs from Carolina artists, mini-golf, a paper airplane challenge, fun buttons to collect, and more – but the crown jewel of the event is the local food and drink.
There are six tasting tents set up near the entrance of the park (three on each side of the state line) serving up dishes and local beer/wine from North and South Carolina. The term “tasting” is somewhat loosely interpreted here, as the portions are extremely generous. Most options fall in the $6-9 range, and you could easily make a full meal out of just one or two tastings, depending on your hunger levels. For the best value, consider purchasing a Tasting Card. These cards can be shared amongst your group, or you can hold on to your card and redeem it over several park visits. We shared the Six Tastings card, and were quite full by the end of our visit. All of the tastings we tried were well-executed interpretations of each dish, from the fried green tomatoes with remoulade and pimento cheese to the Lowcountry Boil to the burnt-end sliders. A few of the items were so hyper-local that we’d never even heard of them; we didn’t have enough room in our stomachs to enjoy the Lady Baltimore Cake, but we did try Sonker for the first time (and it just may have been our favorite thing we ate!). The quality of the food at Carowinds consistently outranks food I’ve had at other theme parks – which is saying a lot, as we used to make the trek to Epcot for their Food and Wine Festival several times a year.
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Celebrate America Fireworks Show
The Celebrate America Fireworks Show will be held in honor of Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day weekend, and Labor Day weekend (May 28, July 2, July 3, July 4, and September 3). Be sure to hang around until after dark to catch the show, complete with an accompanying soundtrack!
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Grand Carnivale
A global summertime celebration, Carowinds’ Grand Carnivale will be held daily from June 25 – July 10. In addition to live entertainment, cultural crafts, fun photo opportunities, and a colorful parade, the park is hosting a Flavors of Carnivale International Food Festival. I had the chance to attend the media preview before the official start of the festival and got a sneak peek (and a sneak taste!) of everything the event has to offer.
If you’re at all food-motivated like I am, I encourage you to pick up one of their tasting cards. At $39.99 for six tastings, or $59.99 for ten tastings, it can be an incredible value (particularly if you’re drawn to any of the more expensive menu items). Tasting cards can be split amongst park-goers, and like all dining options at Carowinds, portions are incredibly generous. I’d estimate two tastings per person would be the right amount for a solid meal with a little variety, and three might put you right at too-full-to-ride-rollercoasters territory.
But even if the tasting cards are a little out of budget, the price for a single item is incredibly fair; most items fall in the $6.50-9.50 range. While you’re eating, be sure to check out the acts performing at The Grand Showcase in the Celebration Plaza – rollerskating dancers and a drumline were just two of the acts we caught (the full schedule can be found in the Carowinds app). Guests have the chance to prepare to attend the nightly parade by designing crowns and noisemakers in craft areas, and by completing tasks to receive fun buttons to wear. The evening concludes with The Spectacle of Color Parade and a Royal Send-off.
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SCarowinds
Kudos to the team at Carowinds for taking full advantage of their marketing potential for the name of this event! This year’s edition of SCarowinds is operating select weekend nights from September 16 – October 30. This spooky event offers an extra dose of chills alongside their usual thrills thanks to haunted mazes, scare zones, and live entertainment – and requires a separate ticket. In addition, SCarowinds operates with a chaperone policy, as well as a special dress code and bag policy: Costume masks, face paint, costume attire, and trench coats are prohibited, and guests may not enter with any bags (although if you require health accommodations, you may bring your medically necessary items in a bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”). Head here for more details before you head to the park.
We had the good fortune to visit during their media preview and taste test some of their SCarowinds menu offerings, and some of our favorites were these mozzarella sticks (they were about the width of my wrist!) and the s’mores sweet potato fries. And of course, there’s boos – I mean, booze. This year’s cocktail menu includes a Black Magic Mist, which includes black vodka, and a handcrafted Scarecrow Sour made with a hay-infused gin. But don’t eat or drink too much, because the cast of spooky characters just may scare it right out of you. Visit my Instagram to see them in action!
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The Great Pumpkin Fest
The kid-friendly daytime alternative to SCarowinds for 2022, the Great Pumpkin Fest, is held on Saturdays and Sundays from September 17 – October 30. This sweet fall festival includes costume contests for kids under 12, trick-or-treating, live music, fall festival games, a bubbly mummy pit, a hay bale maze, and a pumpkin patch.
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WinterFest
For the 2022 season, WinterFest will run select nights from November 21 through January 1, 2023. Carowinds sleighs this festival of winter fun as the most immersive holiday attraction in the Carolinas. Even the grinchiest park-goer will feel the festive spirit thanks to the millions of lights strung throughout the park, ice skating, caroling, and a wide array of the season’s most delicious treats.
I kicked off my holiday season with a visit on the first night of WinterFest and was blown away by the transformation of the park. Glittering lights, wonderful music, tasty treats, and so many interactive activities – there are so many ways to occupy your time during this event that you may not even hop on a rollercoaster. Some of my favorite things from this edition of WinterFest include ice skating (bring comfy socks!), cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa, a cheerful parade, and cozy igloos (note: some of these activities have an additional fee). And as always, the food stole the show – you’ll find traditional holiday favorites like smoked turkey and sausage stuffing on the menu for a festive feast.
TIPS FOR VISITING CAROWINDS
When to Visit
Spring and autumn in the Carolinas are usually good weather bets, and since you’ll be spending most of your time at Carowinds outdoors, the weather is important. But of course, summer is typically when the park is open latest (with the exception of separate ticketed activities like SCarowinds and WinterFest), and the only time when Carolina Harbor is open. If you’re planning a summer trip, weekdays are likely your best bet for fewer crowds, according to this third-party crowd calendar. One other thing to note is that Carowinds follows these weather protocols. Weather-wise, we often see short afternoon summer storms here – and rides may temporarily shut down due to the presence of high winds or lightning. You may want to ride out the storm in one of the dining areas – often they are over pretty quickly. For opening weekend, rain wasn’t an issue, but the temperature was. The larger rides were unable to run until the weather was well above 40°F, which resulted in long wait times once they began operation. But that’s our local weather for ya!
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Ways to Save on Your Visit to Carowinds
A day at a theme park can sometimes make for an expensive outing – but there are a few different ways to save on your visit to Carowinds! For a one-day visit, be sure to purchase your ticket online in advance to save up to $30 over the price at the gate. The prices fluctuate (weekdays tend to be less expensive), but buying online still saves you $15 per ticket even on peak-summer weekends! If you’re visiting with a few friends, you can consider carpooling to the park to save, as parking is $25 per car. AAA members can purchase discounted attraction tickets through the AAA portal (these offers rotate throughout the season).
Planning on visiting for more than one day? I can almost guarantee you that it’s worth it to upgrade to the Gold Pass. At $120 per person, the pass includes unlimited entry, special admission times, access to special events like SCarowinds and WinterFest, free parking, and more. The only way I can work out that it might not be worth it for everyone in your party is if you’re only planning to visit for two days in the off-peak season. In that case, the driver should purchase the Gold Pass and add on Bring-A-Friend tickets.
There are a few other ways to save on admission: Parents of kids ages 3-5 are in for huge cost savings thanks to the Pre-K Pass. This pass grants unlimited free entry for Pre-K children (excluding SCarowinds); it does not include free parking or discounts on Bring-A-Friend tickets, however. Carowinds also offers discounts to members of the military, both for one-day tickets and a special Gold Pass. Groups of 15 or more also receive discounted admission – learn more here.
Love to travel? You might consider the Platinum Pass, which gives you unlimited admission to all Cedar Fair Parks (I’ll let you do the math to decide if it’s worth it for your lifestyle!).
As you know, theme park meals are often fairly costly. For our visit, I purchased the All Day Dining Plan for $29.99, which allowed me to order one entree and a side every ninety minutes (of course, I didn’t actually purchase a meal every ninety minutes!). As a comparison, my companion’s non-Dining Plan meal and drink set her back almost $25 (note, my plan did not include a drink). A Premium All Day Dining Plan is available for an extra $10, which includes the option to order “snack” level items, as well as the ability to order a beverage every 15 minutes. To me, the best value for a one-day visit is the All Day Dining Plan, as water cups are provided for free upon request, and you’ll at least break even after two meals. Considering a Gold Pass? The Season Dining Pass is $115 and includes two meals per day with a four-hour break in between meals. This could be a really great value if you live locally and visit often!
One last way to save on your next visit to Carowinds is to leave any cash at home – because Carowinds is cashless! If cash is your only option, the park offers a few Cash-to-Card kiosks. They are free to use, however, if a balance is dormant for 92 days, a monthly fee of $3.95 is assessed (essentially – use it or lose it!).
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Special Dietary Restrictions
We found Carowinds’ Special Dietary Needs webpage incredibly helpful during our visit. If you or someone in your party follows a specific diet or needs to avoid a specific ingredient, keep this link handy!
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What to Wear to Carowinds + Carowinds Bag Policy
While the weather may be drastically different on the day of your visit than it was on ours, there are still a few similarities between cold-weather and warm-weather theme park dressing. Spring and autumn call for easy layers – think jackets worn around the waist later in the day, and thin tops that can easily be folded and tucked in a bag. Warmer days call for breathable fabrics like linen or cotton tops paired with lightweight pants in the same fabric. All days call for your most comfortable pair of sneakers, as you can expect to do a lot of walking (my phone logged 14,000 steps that day!). If rain is in the forecast, consider a packable rain jacket. Hitting up the water park? Don’t forget a quick-drying swimsuit and water sneakers (these are my go-to). On sunny days, a hat can be a blessing; I like adjustable baseball caps because they can easily attach to a bag strap or belt loop or a packable sunhat.
I’d also recommend bringing as little as possible with you to the park – lockers are available but can be a bit pricey (and what happens if you need something while you’re clear across the park?). Outside food and drink are not permitted, so there’s no need to bring snacks. Here’s everything I carried with me during our visits: my ID card, credit card, hair tie (so essential!), lip balm, sunscreen, hand sanitizer (clipped to the outside of my bag), sunglasses on a chain, phone, and my car keys. Of course, you may need to carry more with you while accompanying children or for health reasons, but I encourage you to limit what you bring to just the essentials – you’ll be grateful mid-day! Worried about the what-ifs? You can always return to your car; just ask for a hand-stamp to re-enter.
Carowinds’ Bag Policy currently only applies to admission during SCarowinds (when bags are not permitted except in limited circumstances), however, all bags are subject to search at entry and may not contain prohibited items (such as drones, firearms, sharp objects, etc.). Again, I recommend bringing as little as possible, carried in a hands-free bag.
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Enhance Your Experience
Amanda and I opted not to purchase the Fast Lane pass, although we would have saved quite a bit of time waiting in line once the large rides opened. The cost is steep ($60+), but if you’re looking to ride All. The. Rides., it might be worth it!
Planning to spend a summer’s day at Carolina Harbor? A cabana rental could be a fun way to spend the day!
Cameras are not permitted on rides (which is why none of the photos here were taken on one of Carowinds’ rollercoasters – which is probably a good thing since my phone is brand new!), but fun park moments are captured for you by the park’s professional photographers. Carowinds offers a FunPix add-on, and you can access unlimited digital photos from your visit.
Traveling to Charlotte from out of town? You may enjoy these other posts about the Queen City:
- 2024 Carowinds Guide
- 2023 Carowinds Guide
- Charlotte Weekend Guide
- Shop Local: 10 Charlotte Shops You Should Know About
- 10 Great Meals in Charlotte for Under $10
- 10 More Great Meals in Charlotte for Under $10
- A Review of Every Charlotte Brewery
- A Romantic Staycation at the Dunhill Hotel
- Charlotte Restaurant Review: Kindred
- Charlotte Restaurant Review: Supperland
- Some of the Best Texas Barbecue is in This Tiny North Carolina Town
- My Favorite Charlotte Thrift Stores
- Charlotte Packing List
Thank you to Carowinds for making our time at the park possible – we had a blast kicking off the start of the season and sharing our experience!
