Carowinds

Dearest and most esteemed reader, I have it in my esteemed possession to inform you that I have recently emerged from a six-month hiatus to bestow upon you an exegesis of this marvelously splendid establishment. Carowinds stands as a truly immaculate and resplendent location in this world, a veritable jewel that every connoisseur of grandeur and leisure should, without hesitation, behold. Let us now commence with an esteemed discourse on the culinary offerings. This venue presents delightful sustenance befitting a theme park. While it may not ascend to the exalted heights of Dollywood's epicurean delights, it remains commendably splendid. Regrettably, I must express my profound disappointment in the establishment known as "Chickie & Pete's', this eatery proved rather a letdown, and I would not advocate for its patronage. Visually, the park was a spectacle of stunning artistry, especially considering my visit coincided with the Winterfest Event, which adorns the grounds in seasonal splendor. Most paramount in importance are the roller coasters, those magnificent feats of engineering and thrill. Carowinds boasts a wide array of superb coasters, with the two most distinguished being Copperhead Strike and Fury 325. First, the Copperhead Strike, a marvel of modern engineering, and a splendid Mack Produkt that is truly delightful. Though many trustworthy sources advised me to temper my expectations, I found it to surpass its reputation, perhaps even surpassing the other coasters in the park. Second, Fury 325, an extraordinary marvel that offers exhilarating airtime and a plethora of swift, adrenaline-fueled moments that leave one breathless. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend to every person of discerning taste and adventurous spirit that they venture forth and visit this remarkable park, for it is a veritable haven of joy and excitement.

What a GORGEOUS and well kept park! There are so many rides I don't think it's possible to do them all in one day! A perfect blend of theme park thrill and carnival charm! The pathways are all very wide and accessible for wheelchairs/strollers. This is very much a thrill park that doesn't offer much entertainment other than the rides themselves, but still nice to go strolling around and shopping/eating. So if you're not a ride person this park may not have too much to offer you, but a beautiful visit nonetheless ✨️

I’ve been several times since I only live a few miles away and this is a very clean family friendly park. I went for Halloween and the winterfest. Ride lines were not very long and I had a great time. Plenty of great rides and many food options. I have the season pass which was only $100 and free parking so it was definitely worth the money.

Anytime I get to spend with the damiyand just have fun, I am game. The park is very clean and they have a good selection of ride for all ages. The price wasn't bad as amusement parks goes. The wait for the lines wasn't bad. The weather was good. I would say the food and drinks is a bit pricey for my taste. They have a water park, but it is closed for the season. All in all it is a good park and if we are down this way again we will come again.

Carowinds remains a premier destination for thrill-seekers, largely anchored by some of the best roller coasters in the world. However, it has some "growing pains" in operations and seasonal events. The "Must-Ride" List (The Big Four) If you are going for the thrills, Carowinds is hard to beat. • Fury 325: Consistently ranked as one of the best steel coasters globally. Reviewers call it "perfection" from the 325-foot drop to the final brakes. It is the primary reason most enthusiasts visit. • Copperhead Strike: A double-launch coaster known for its "hangtime" (slow inversions where you feel like you'll fall out) and highly themed queue. It's often cited as the park's most "complete" experience. • Afterburn: A classic inverted coaster. Even decades after its debut, it is praised for being "whippy," intense, and incredibly smooth. • Thunder Striker (formerly Intimidator): A reliable B&M Hyper coaster focused on "floater airtime." While some find it less intense than Fury, it remains a crowd favorite for pure speed. The Cons: Recent Criticisms • Seasonal "Scaling Back": Reviews for WinterFest 2025 were mixed, fewer lights and the removal of the holiday parade from the last few years • Operational Friction: long lines due to staffing, "rude" interactions, and confusing season pass terms. • The "Rough" Classics: While the park has great new rides, older coasters like Vortex (stand-up) and Hurler (wood) are frequently reviewed as "painful" or "unpleasant" by modern standards. My Quick Verdict: • For Thrill Seekers: Yes. Fury 325 alone justifies the ticket price for many. • For Families: The Camp Snoopy area is excellent for kids, but the park can feel "concrete-heavy" and hot during the peak Carolina summer. An update I read online: The park has teased a "record-breaking water ride" for the 2026 season to replace the former river rapids, which may address the current lack of a high-capacity water attraction.

This a great family fun place for the entire family. We had bought or tickets on Groupon and made it more affordable for a family of four. The food was pricey as the economy has hit them hard as well. I would suggest to eat before coming. The rides were fantastic! There are many different rollercoasters to choose from which was great because my granddaughter doesn't like going upside down. They picture moments with some of the Peanut characters. We were pleased that the park was not crowded, especially on a Saturday 12/21. We had a great time.

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!

Updated review 10/10/2025 for Scarowinds attractions. Would give zero stars if it was an option. Person at the Scarowinds ticketing booth sold us the express passes telling us that it was once for The Conjuring experience and unlimited for the rest of the scare zones. When we got to The Conjuring experience, there was at least 500 people in line already. We told the employee at the entrance to the line that we had the express pass. She said that the Conjuring did not have an express lane. She said they told that to people at the beginning of the park and it was wrong information. Paid $60+ each for 3 useless express passes sold as "for the main experience." This review was 2 months earlier. Great park. Has gotten alot better lately. I remember a few years ago it used to be empty and rides broke down alot. Didn't have any of that this time. Visited July 5th 2025 with family, and we had a great time. Relaxed by the water park after doing some of the roller coasters.

It has been 2 years since I last visited here. I still give this park a 4 stars. They are making a bunch of changes to the park. They open up the parking lot 45 minutes before opening, but after you park, they open up the park to the public and if you have a season pass you can ride some of the rides 30 minutes before opening, but you will need to check the website to see which ones. T Unfortunately, we did had to go to guest services twice to get our drink plan fix. Our drink plan was only for the regular one and not the pro plus. When we got that fix, the plan only worked at Carowinds so when we got to Kings Dominion, the plan did not work. We went to guest services again and they refunded the drink plan onto the card and we bought the plan again. I wish their system was more efficient, but they have to go through a bunch of management to get approvals and to make sure our story was correct. They have gotton rid of Nighthawk one of the worst rides. But they still have their collection of other really bad rides like Vortex, Carolina Coaster, Ricochet, Hurler and Kiddie Hawk. I did not get a chance to ride the Flying Cobras because it is a boomerang and I know how the ride rides like with the new restraints. They do not have the Drop Tower anymore either. I did get a chance to visit Camp Snoopy and doing a bunch of construction, but the other new ride the Charlie Brown River Raft was still being built and will not be ready until September which is a bummer as I really wanted to ride the ride. However, I was able to ride Snoopy Rail Raceway which was fun, but be aware the line moves slowly. One thing we did not take advantage of is the VIP lounges as you get a free snack and unlimited free soft drinks. Food wise nothing much has changed, but I like going to the Big Dining building as they have the Peanuts show on the weekends that I like. For the peanuts characters they are located in 2 places of camp snoopy. The pizza place tends to be messy inside and sticky. I did enjoy the blue ridge bbq. Ride operations were fantastic as the lines moved fast except for Copperhead Strike as for some reason they are running 3 trains, but the line moves place, but there is a lot of people from Fastlane that goes and they take 6 people at a time. For Fury 325 and Thunder Strike (used to be Dale Earnhardt) the lines move really quickly. Afterburn the line moves quickly as well. I still like going to this park.

I paid online for 6 tickets two weeks before going to the amusement park. I was not aware that I would have to show my ID when I got there. There was no email or message stating I would be asked for ID. We drove over an hour to get there so I left my wallet at home since I could Apple Pay in the park and I had my receipt on my phone. I didn't have my ID as I had left my wallet at home not realizing I would need it. They told me that our only option would be to refund the tickets and purchase new ones. They then tried to charge my father in law over 100 dollars more than what I had paid online for the same amount of tickets. The supervisor fixed it as we were starting to cause a scene, sold him the 6 tickets and DIDNT ID HIM which was the problem in the first place apparently. So we get in the park and the lines were so long with such crazy wait times that we were there for five hours and rode three rides. There was a sign for fast pass but you had to pay 99 dollars per rider for those. On top of paying 300 to get in the park. We ate lunch at the Italian restaurant in the park and it was over 100 dollars for four or our party of 6 to eat. We won't be doing that again. Also we paid $30 dollars just to park. It's clearly a money pit.

During the holidays this place was nice to visit, seeing the park all decorated was fun. we went on a few rides, had some , drinks, picked on some popcorn, funnel cake & candies not bad. A lot of the rides were not opened, we went on a few which were cute, the coaster between the 2 states has to be a cool concept. Visiting the park was a nice way to spend a few hours.

We love coming to Carowinds! You can do everything online. Purchase your tickets, pay for parking and secure your food! They have so much to offer here. Rides, a water park, a kiddie area and so many shops and foods to try. The lines can be long but the wait times are listed. Admission gives you access to the rides but you have to pay a separate fee for games, activities and the slingshot. The park is open until 9pm so you have the whole day to enjoy it! Food can be expensive but that's to be expected at an amusement park.

The place is well organized. The staff are hit or miss whether they are nice or rude but overall good experience. Definitely book online. Tickets at door are significantly more expensive. Parking for the day is 30$. The waits are long but expected for a theme park, if you're around the area and ok with spending a little cash then come on through!

Carowinds is great for something to do. Is it the greatest park ever? No. Could it be better? Yes. But is it good for what it is? Sure. There's a lot of potential here, and I hope they eventually reach it. Especially since it's pretty convenient to where I live. They seem to be experiencing some growing pains, like the rest of Charlotte right now. It feels like a shell of the park it was when I was a kid, but the three newer coasters they have are impressive and worth a trip in themselves. And it looks like they're working to add more new (hopefully good) rides. Don't go into this place expecting what the theme parks in Florida offer; they are not the same. There is no real theme, anywhere. And the customer service and food options leave a lot to be desired. But if you keep those expectations in check and hopefully visit on a day with good weather, you should have a good time. And since there are only a few good rides, you can get those in and walk around or head out after just a few hours. Not great for those paying for daily tickets (and $30 parking), but if you live close enough to go more than once, the annual pass can easily pay for itself. For those with kids or that enjoy the smaller/ other rides that spin and flip around, there are plenty of other things to do on that front. Your mileage may vary. For me, I find Fury, Intimidator (still refuse to call it the new name), and Copperhead to be the best rides. The other coasters are definitely showing their age and will leave you feeling like you've been in a wreck. I was shocked at how rough Top Gun (Afterburner?) is now. And don't even think about riding that teal one over near where the drop tower was... instant headache. There's a reason it never has a long wait. Learned that lesson the hard way. Also learned there's a first aid station heading towards Copperhead that can give you some Tylenol for said headache. As I mentioned before, there seem to be growing pains after the ownership changes over the years (I believe there was a merger around 2023, if I recall correctly). Things seem to change from one week to the next and can even vary from ride to ride or team member to team member. There isn't a lot of consistency that I have found, and I'm hoping that is another thing that will improve. I imagine an operation this size with the amount of people it takes to run and the amount of people it serves takes a lot of effort to manage. Hopefully, they will work on communication across the board and will find ways to take care of their employees that will in turn benefit the company and patrons. They definitely still bring the crowds and money to realize the potential this park has, so I hope it keeps being put back into it. Especially since the crowds plus lack of bigger rides means the ones they have can get slammed on a busy day. I guess time will tell what it will be, but as of the 2025 season, it's just good for what it is and where it is.

We went the WinterFest-- loved Christmas decorations and lights, they had a lot of the rides running, couple of food places and bars. We had fun Extras: Parking is around $30 if you do not have annual pass Mixed drinks at around $15.00- beers-$13.00- I do not think it was a good value

I haven't been to Carowinds in 20 years and it is still the same aside from maybe new rides and attractions. I think it is extremely expensive for them to have specific rides cost extra to ride them. Once I pay to get in, everything should be accessible (just my opinion). We took our 5 kids and although it was hot, it did rain here and there so there were some cool moments that made it bearable. The rides were really fun minus the long lines but with the staff, they moved fairly quickly. I would say I wish their maps were a little better to help figure out where exactly you are and how to get to certain places. We were trying to find a specific restaurant and we got so lost, we just ended up at whatever restaurant we were near. We got lucky because the food was actually really good but if the map was better, it would have been helpful. We are looking into getting a season pass that would be helpful. If you love these type of activities or finding things for kids to do, I recommend this place and looking into season passes

If you are a thrill seeker, I highly recommend Carowinds. I absolutely love roller coasters and it was so much fun riding the rides while I was there. It was a hot day and we stayed hydrated on the unlimited beverage deal offered at the park. The Cyclone, Copperhead Strike, Fury, Hurler, Nighthawk, Slingshot, Thunder Striker, and Vortex were some of the favorites. There wasn't a wait for most of the rides. Our kids loved it as well and we were able to stay for most of the day. There are plenty of drink and food options throughout the park once you decide to take a break. The place is cashless, so get the card out for purchases. You will not be disappointed on a fun, fast, and thrilling experience at Carowinds.

WINTERFEST / NON-PASSHOLDER REVIEW: We saw a ton of TikToks about this event, and I love Christmas lights, so we decided to get tickets, go out in the cold, and drive there. We arrived just as it opened at 5 p.m., and parking was easy. It was a Sunday night, so it was not very crowded either. I think Friday and Saturday are probably the most packed. The Pros: Lots of beautiful lights, fun and cute entertainment, reminds me of my drama and theater days, seeing all the young kids performing their hearts out. The snow machines added a nice touch. It gets you into the holiday mood for sure. Enough rides are open to keep you entertained, or you can walk around and get hot chocolate and eat sweet treats or even have a turkey dinner. And enjoy the atmosphere. It was worth the price -shop for some cool little ornaments to add to the tree. Snoopy sighting is a plus. The Cons: They could have added more firepits and seating. There were a few areas for this, but more was needed for the number of people. They needed to-go containers for the food. They had so many special treats for the day, and there was no way to try them all. I wanted to take some to share with friends, but needed to have takeaway boxes. Just a thought.

Don't ride the hurler is all I gotta say, the hurler is the worst ride there, I almost puked after.

We went for Wintterfest on Saturday night. It was a smooth process buying tickets online and entering the park. The Christmas lights were beautiful! We went on only a few rides because the lines were super long. The lines were long because there was only one person running each ride. That was disappointing and frustrating. This was a long day for my family and only having time for a few rides was a bummer. The attendants were super friendly and did the best they could to keep everyone safe and happy.

Attended Winterfest and we loved it! This time, check in was much more smoother! You were allowed to bring in small bags/purses this time into the venue. Upon entering, everything is automatically lit up with so many lights! So much to do from ice skating, kids arts and crafts, shows, parades, rides and fireplaces to warm up at. Of course they offer hot cocoa, smores, adult spirits and plenty of holiday food and desserts. It was cold but if you bundle up, it shouldn't deter you from enjoying your night! I just wish they would stay open a lot longer passed 10pm but either way we still enjoyed our time!

Honestly it keeps getting less and less worth it to visit. They skimp on everything they can in order to maximize profit. We went to Winterfest tonight and I have a broken foot so I rented a wheelchair. For $65 I got one that was soaked, no one would help get the water off the seat and apparently the canopy had a ton sitting in it so when I stopped I got drenched in 35 degree weather with ice cold water. We then make it the cookie decorating, the first year of winter fest it was phenomenal, last year it was disappointing, and this year it was a down right disgrace. 4 over cooked cookies, 3 half filled icings and 5 choices of colors in sprinkles but you can only get 2 colors and only half full cups to split between four people. If we needed more icing or sprinkles we had to buy a whole extra box of cookies. $30 for inedible cookies that there wasn't enough stuff to decorate them all. Perfect. Partner that with the 35 minute wait trying to get into park, the 35 minute wait to get in, and the over hour wait per ride if the ride was open because half of them weren't running. 20 minute line for drinks or hot chocolate and employees that act like you're pulling teeth by asking for information or help. We spend thousands every year at Carowinds and we have already bout our passes for next year, but I think it'll be our last because it gets more outrageous and they nickel and dime more and more. Very disappointed in the experience tonight

Carowinds is an awesome place for most people never go on the intimidator. It left me shaking. I had to hold my breath and shut my eyes the whole way it last like two minutes by the way. I am not a very big fan of upside down rides, but one left me sick to my stomach I had to go home but the popcorn there is amazing if you want endless thrills but if you don't like upside down rides don't go here, but there is plenty of options but why do all the rides have to spin?

Don't work here. They take your hours away from you to give them to their favorites. I live an hour away and they only give 8 to 13 hours a week while other associates are getting 13 to 24 hours and get to work all the time. They say they use a schedule optimizer but yesterday when I talked to the scheduling department they said that's not true that they get to choose who works and when and it depends on the management team of your department on who the want as well. They show a lot of favoritism towards the younger employees and the will send home the older employees before they send home the younger ones. So if you like working for employer like this then apply

What a great day! We are staying in Myrtle Beach and decided to make the 3 hour drive to Charlotte and do Carowinds and have Zero regrets! A couple of insider tips: 1. If you have the means stay at the Springhill Suites and take advantage of the free parking and walk the short distance to the park. Plus you have a place to nap and free breakfast! 2. If you're not going to stay there, we bought three day tickets and one Funday pass. This includes one admission, parking, and one deal plan. We used it throughout the day to snack and it sustained us all day. 3. The Fury 325 is the world's largest steel structure roller coaster in the world and is amazing! Also recommend Afterburn and Copperhead as our other two favorites! Such a great day off season on a Sunday never waiting more than 20 mins for any ride and no wait at all after 4:00pm! Yes is was worth it all the way from Myrtle Beach!

Carowinds was absolutely amazing! Arrived by 10am and left by 6pm. The weather was absolutely amazing, the lines for rides were very minimal. My absolute favorite part of the park was lunch after working up an appetite from all the walking and rides. The Panda Express restaurant food was soooooo good and worth the $18.0, I ordered the lo menu with beef and broccoli, sorry I forgot to snap a pic of plate, but it was worth every dollar. I also appreciate the fact that this amusement park had a variety of food restaurants. Awesome vibes all around the park, bathrooms were very clean too.

Carowinds is such a fun place! We have been season pass holders for around 5 years now and we keep coming back. Despite higher prices and sometimes higher crowds we still have a great time. All of the roller coasters are fun but my favorite is Furry and Copperhead. If you love big fast rides you won't be disappointed! We also get the food pass every year which entitles you to two meals while in the park. It's a good deal if you go at least 5 times a year. Pro tip be sure to visit the seasonal events throughout the year. Such a great time!

Best amusement park in the US. They had great food and the lines weren't that long too! Would come back

We called for group rate and info on rides and eating areas for a full group of teens, and 6 adults. They gave us the online price, no one bothered to tell us there's almost a $30 difference in price online that at the gate per person. There was no info on weight limit change. We haven't been in 3 years. The rides haven't changed but now they're making people get off rides bc of height and weight. $84 a person, and there's no warning that that information might be important?! The bathrooms are filthy, and the burgers aren't worth the $20. The only thing that's changed is the ownership. My advice, find something else to do that's more fun and cheaper.

good times. I am from russia and I really injoyed carolinwinds. i rode the thunder striker, fury 325, the afterburn, the carolina goldrusher, the nighthawk, and copperhead strike. I just have ONE QUESTION!!!! What exactly is a "nighthawk". I injoyed vamp snoopy. I loved meeteng charles brown. Charlie is a nickname for charles. Fun fact: did you know theme parks are open in teh sumemr? Who knew!!!! Overall i injoyed carolinwinds a lot. If i spelt anything wrung its because i dont know bery good anglish. Loved it here!

The park is well-maintained and clean, with plenty of shaded areas to take a break from the sun. The staff were friendly and helpful, always ready with a smile. We also appreciated the wide selection of food and beverage options - there's something for everyone, whether you're in the mood for a quick snack or a sit-down meal. The water park was a perfect way to cool down, and the kids loved the wave pool and water slides. It's clear that safety is a top priority, as lifeguards were attentive and diligent. Overall, Carowinds is a perfect destination for family fun, thrill-seekers, and anyone looking to enjoy a day filled with excitement and entertainment. We can't wait to come back!

As a kid, this place was not what it has become. Short of calling it a globally recognized theme park, I would say Carowinds has done a great job staying relevant. They have themed events for Halloween and other holidays that keep the kids and adults alike interested. Like any other theme park, the food is nothing spectacular and slightly overpriced. The kids rides and areas are very well maintained. We took our kids here a few times and bought annual passes. It's been a great adventure throughout several seasons and stages of our kids' lives. The ride workers seem to enjoy their job and do not have the attitude you can get in some bigger parks. There is plenty of gift shops and shaded areas and bathrooms throughout the park to keep everyone moving along and comfortable. Their app makes tickets very easy and parking is extremely accessible. I'm always excited to see what new things they will think up from year to year. If you're looking for some adult coaster fun or a kid friendly experience, this is a one stop shop.

I was harassed at the gate entrance; The security staff apprehended Me on what I was wearing then started laughing. There is a waterpark where I can wear a bikini but the guard said I had to pull My shirt down as though I couldn't show my belly while I was wearing My tanktop shirt rolled up.

The Aesthetic: Family friendly theme park with some of the best roller coasters in the country. The Price: The price varies, but I believe the best way to go is the season passes if you're a local. Regular day passes plus parking are pricey just for a one day visit, but the pass pays for itself in a couple visits and includes parking and discounts on food/drinks. The Parking: I recommend getting there when they open to get a good spot, it's like any other theme park and it can get packed. If you come early enough, you can get a super short wait on the coasters. My Order: I'm going to base this off Scarowinds primarily since I've been a few times now. The best food I've found in the park is the BBQ plates at Harmony Hall. The food is overpriced like any other theme park, but it's actually good compared to cheaper tasting park options like the loaded fries and fair food. I really enjoyed the Fall old-fashioned at Terminal A, that's my new hang out for people watching. The candy corn banana pudding was cute but cloying! I'm excited to go back and try more seasonal delights. The Conclusion: If you love roller coasters, this is the best park in the Carolinas, I highly recommend it!

We decided to come to the Winter Fest this weekend and it was packed. The line to pay for parking was ridiculous, the actual line to go through security was ridiculous, it was crazy. I'm from Florida, so I am used to Disney lines and this was worse, along with the prices. The decor is amazing though. I loved all the lights and the ambiance. $8 for a small dippin dots was crazy. I opted for the funnel cake that was not the best. We also got chicken tenders and a hot dog which were both priced at $17 EACH. Also ridiculous. It only came with 3 little tenders, definitely not worth it. The lines for the rides were ridiculously long that we decided not to even go on rides because the event is from 5-10, we finally got to the entrance of the park at 6, and by the time we got off the ride we'd probably have an hour or two to try to do something else. I honestly would not recommend this to anyone unless you want to waste money and walk around to see nice lights.

scanners for first responders and military. They say they offer a discount but you can only get it if you purchase on line where they charge a 9.99 plus tax surcharge. ITS A SCAMMER!!

5 stars, harts , horse shoes, all the things! this is my favorite theme park so far! this 40+ yo grew up on the mouse so telling you that Carowinds is AMAZING customer service, a beautiful park, and great rides should be worth some salt. The food selection for someone who is gluten free is better than other parks (Sea World & Universal I'm looking at you ) & I only eat chicken and they had a HUGE half of a chicken with sides! Then, when the fast pass machine at the ride didn't work they not only gave fast passes to the two people who were going to get the fast pass to ride but also the whole party of 6 plus our 2 guests so that we could all ride together! The Carowinds crew was amazing & made a very memorable trip for my family! I now consider Carowinds my home base theme park even though it's a few states away. We can't wait to come back! Thank you all!

This is probably my 28th amusement park that I've been to. For the past 14 years, each birthday I've had has been to a different amusement park. This is definitely a great one. I just wish the food wasn't so damn expensive. The forecast said there would be rain all day because of hurricane Debby. However, the 60% chance of rain, was more like 10% chance. Rode every coaster in the park and some 2 or 3 times. Hardly any people and walked on to every ride.

I thought this was an OK Amusement park. I visited the 1st time today. A good number of rides were down. Drop zone, Vortex, and the wooden coaster I noticed. Some great rides, Afterburn really stood out to me. Copperhead was fun too! The fast lane was pretty good, most rides were a walk-on. There was a BIG miss on Nighthawk, a 30-40 minute wait on the fast lane is completely unacceptable. The workers were not loading enough fast lane guests each cycle and only using one train. I reached out to customer service to help them out, other guests in the fast lane said the same thing. Windseeker swings were really refreshing and fun too! Got the all day dining, the burrito place was good, as was the Leonardo's Italian. 2/3 meals were good! The pizza and breadstick at Harmony hall were on the other hand not that great. Am I glad I went to Carowinds? Absolutely. Would I go back? Probably now. Cedar Point spoiled me.

Carowinds stands out as the ultimate amusement park experience in Charlotte, North Carolina. As you drive up the lines are long then you have to wait again in the lines to be checked in the starting prices are 95 but could potentially drop depending on certain dates you go. The atmosphere, especially at night with music and lively crowds, elevates the thrill to a whole new level. For adrenaline junkies, I highly recommend starting off with the Fury 325 - if you're not afraid of heights, the view from 325 feet in the air is breathtaking, especially under the night sky. It's an unforgettable adventure that's sure to leave you wanting more!

Kicked us out 3 and a half minutes before closing, I would not recommend this place. It was not cool

Whether on purpose or by accident, the fact this place is literally in both North Carolina and South Carolina adds to the charm. If that's not impressive to you then the water park, roller coasters, auxiliary rides, and Peanuts theme make for an awe inspiring and thrilling vibe.

Carowinds was an awesome experience overall--tons of great rides, clean park, and a fun atmosphere. The roller coasters were insane, especially Fury 325, and the whole place had good energy. Most of the staff were friendly and helpful, but I did run into one issue. On one of the rides, a worker kept making small talk with every single guest, which dragged a 20-minute line into nearly an hour. It definitely killed the vibe a bit. Still, it didn't ruin the whole day--Carowinds is a great time and definitely worth the visit.

Had an absolute blast! The park was very clean and well kept. Every staff that we interacted were very friendly. Definitely a fun place for the entire family. It has lots of different ride options. It evens has a water park on the other side as well. The day we went it wasn't even packed and ended up doing both parks.

It's a pretty small basic Amusement park. Not too many coasters, some fun flat rides though. I think a couple more good coasters would make the park much better! There was a rude employee who closed the gates on me for copperhead strike. She didn't even let the gates open all the way and just closed them. We had to wait for the next train due to her closing the gates on us. The food was okay, not too bad. I will return when they add some more.

Can someone please explain why more than 1/2 of the larger rides were closed last night? I paid for two adult admissions and was only able ride 3 adult rides of the 8/9 offered attractions at the park. At no point was this explained during the purchase of my tickets and I feel quite cheated honestly

It's terrible what Carowinds is doing to the Full-Time Employees who have given there best to be able to stay at Carowinds. Now they have Full-Timers competing against each other to keep their jobs at the Park all the while cutting Full-Time Workers Benefits/Health/401k to replace them with Inexperience Seasonal Workers who Come & Go and not offer any Benefits at all besides Free Entrance to the Park and a % Discount on Food. Terrible idea Carowinds! Take care of your People! They deserve better!Carowinds Customers Deserve better!

My husband and I had a fun and impromptu trip to Carowinds. We were gifted tickets and couldn't pass up a chance at a date night. We had a blast riding roller coasters and due to the threat of rain, we had very minimal lines to compete with. We enjoyed riding the rides during the fall fest and seeing the park all decorated for Halloween. We enjoyed a nice meal and headed home. I truly think we are going to do amusement parks like this from now on.

Couldn't leave Charlotte without stopping at Carowinds. We don't have season passes and did not purchase fast pass which is $90 per person on top of the regular ticket of $44, parking was $25. Remember to take picture of parking section before enter park or do like we did and use panic button follow the honking. We went during week but it was also Spring Break in Charlotte so it was packed. The Fury looked cool but my wife refused to accompany me. I prefer the sitting coasters, the wait without fast pass was long. Everyone should come to amusement park and find out which rides they like. We arrived around 11am but would come back around 5pm when others are leaving to cut wait time down w/out pass.

I had no idea this park existed until I was in the area. Bought tickets for like 40 bucks a person, no fast pass needed. Rode every roller coaster, some more than once. It was awesome! Great experience, staff were friendly, prices were reasonable and I was happy to try another theme park. Go through the whole park in about 4 hours. Didn't do the kiddie rides, just main coasters and some side items.

VERY DISAPPOINTING. The website said the water park opened on May 25 for the 2024 season. My husband and I were in town for a few extra days after a NASCAR race and thought it would be fun to go to the park. The water park was a plus since the weather was so warm. We were excited about being able to get special sale tickets that included parking and all-day dining! Upon arrival, we noticed how clean and well-kept the park was. But that was where our excitement ended. Many of the rides were closed, including the water park!! Only ONE of the places we could use our dining pass was open! The funnel cake emporium was open around noon, but when we went back at 3:00 to get something there, the doors were locked, and the employees were cleaning up! We watched several people try to get in with complaints of shutting! This seems like a nice park if everything is operational but not worth the money we spent to find the water park closed, half the rides not running, and one place to eat! Oh, and I forgot, nobody in that one place spoke English, so they couldn't tell us what our plan included. We had to look it up on the website!

Whew! Parking price is steep, filling the lot at 30-40 bucks a car is a huge value to the park , not the attendee. Whew! Drinks are expensive too, get the refillable cocoa and some refill spots are better than others, which seemed odd. Many rides are open during the Winterfest. Ice-skating is a extra fee. Igloos are an extra 200 bucks, why do you need an igloo? Nobody was in them on Sunday, weather was very nice for December. Family fun tradition that offers discounts when buying 4 or more tickets. Always clean and always fun.

This is the 50th anniversary of the theme park! I've taken my kids here numerous times and it's always fun. The only downside is, if it's crowded, the ice machines cannot handle it and they run out of ice. The food here is typical of theme parks , but they have great alcoholic beverages and treats for the kiddos.

This review is for Winterfest, but the issues experienced could easily happen any other day Carowinds operates. Winterfest is an evening event. Our family of six, including two seniors, and one young child, spent close to $150 in admission, and another $30 for parking, which was not clearly indicated in the reservation process. * Parking Fee: Parking should have been free, especially considering the high price and limited ride availability. * Ride Efficiency: Rides, especially those with short lines, were poorly managed with long wait times due to inefficient processes and insufficient staffing. * Scavenger Hunt Issues: The reindeer scavenger hunt had unclear instructions, leading to wasted time trying to find the starting point and paperwork. * Customer Service Issue: Difficulty locating necessary information and lack of clear signage. * Event Flow Problem: Inefficient organization and communication leading to confusion and disappointment. * Grandchildren's Disappointment: Disappointment due to limited ride availability and long wait times. -. due to inefficiencies and long wait times in almost every thing we experienced, we were unable to do some of the things that we had looked most forward to.

Biggest cluster, ever. Unorganized and no leadership. The guy who called himself some kind of supervisor was yelling at people, and nobody knew what they were doing.

This was so fun, I love riding The Fury with my friends, 325 feet drop (no joke) this place is just fun, I will always remember this place as my 1st time riding a rollercoaster other then the Santa coaster

The park is pretty good, not too big or small. The concession staff is generally disinterested in speaking to you or helping you. The bright spot was Terry Smith who served our family in Harmony Hall. He was joyous and authentic. Guest services was also pretty great and tried assisted us with a lost item. Hoping the heat just got to everyone else on Aug 1st.