Carowinds Theme Park - Kid Friendly Vacations fun on the NC / SC border | |
| Carowinds Theme Park is located 10 miles south of Charlotte, NC on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. |
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Carowinds is now a Cedar Fair Theme Park - affiliated with all of the other Cedar Fair Parks....such as Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
Our family included Carowinds in our 2006 family vacations as part of a short fall break trip, and that was the first time I had visited in probably 20 years. Let me tell you, Carowinds has some of the best roller coasters that I have ever ridden. Top Gun is on my list of all time favorite roller coasters!
Carowinds is the home of two wooden roller coasters, and they are thrilling ones. Wooden roller coasters are rough on the back, but are fast!!!
This theme park is also home to 4 high-thrill steel roller coasters. The Vortex is a roller coaster ridden in a standing position. The Borg Assimilator is ridden flat on your back, facing down most of the time. The classic Carolina Cyclone was the first roller coaster in the world to turn its riders upside down four times when it opened in 1980... then there is the Top Gun Jetcoaster... the best that there is.... you ride in a seated position with your feet dangling through 6 inversions.
Our family plans to make Carowinds Theme Park part of our 2007 family vacations just for the roller coasters. We purchased the Cedar Fair Maxx season passes, and are ready to ride the roller coasters!!!
******UPDATE********
We visited Carowinds for the first time in the 2007 season on May 5, 2007. This trip was great and gave me more time to get some great pictures for the site as well as ride more of the rides that we did not get to ride in October 2006.
******UPDATE********
The picture that you see to the left is of the Super Saturator - a roller coaster ride where the riders have control of water jets in the seats allowing them to saturate the viewers below. As you can imagine, this was a great favorite of the children.
The Super Saturator is located in the nickelodeon area of the park - this area houses rides for smaller children, and lots of water rides.
If you are interested in visiting Carowinds, Visit tripAdvisor for Carowinds Area Hot Deals!
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Our Favorites |
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Top Gun
One of my all time favorite roller coasters.... An inverted steel coaster with floorless cars suspended below the track. Takes you through 6 inversions.... you need to try this coaster after dark - amazing. |
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BORG Assimilator
It soars riders through eight inversions, most while flying facedown, zooming toward the ground and turning skyward just in time for the next inversion. Yes, you heard right - you are upside down, flying face first toward the ground.... an amazing ride. |
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Thunder Road
Twin-racing rollercoasters that take you backward or forward through two U.S. states - North and South Carolina. A wooden roller coaster that is a classic at Carowinds Theme Park. |
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Scream Weaver
This ride is a classic theme park ride in cars that spin you sideways and then upside down over and over..... Actually this is one of the smoothest rides in the park. |
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Our Recommendations
Arrive early and go directly to the BORG Assimilator... you will have to wait
for an hour and a half to ride it later in the day if you don't.
Cons
We have found that the park is not as efficient in queuing passengers onto the
rides as larger theme parks. Many times, roller coasters leave the station
with multiple empty seats - while there are many people waiting.
The park is not as clean as we have seen before. I spotted three workers
sweeping in one area, while there was trash laying on top of trash not too far
away from them.
Ticket Options
One
day tickets
Carowinds Season Pass
Cedar
Fair Maxx
Season Pass - access to Carowinds and 11 other Cedar Fair Amusement Parks:
Cedar
Fair Maxx Plus - Access to Carowinds, and the 11 Cedar Fair Amusement Parks
above PLUS all 5 of the separately gated Cedar Fair Water Parks:
Check the Carowinds website for more information.
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2010 SEASON PASS PRICING – choose the plan that works best for you!
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SILVER
SEASON PASS
(formerly the WOW Pass)
- $59.99
- Ages 3 and older – NO benefits, free parking or admission to SCarowinds'
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GOLD
SEASON PASS REGULAR
(when
buying 1-3 passes)
- $74.99
- Ages 3-61 and 48’’ or taller in shoes – includes benefits, free parking and admission to SCarowinds’
-
GOLD
SEASON PASS REGULAR
(when
buying 4 or more passes)
- $64.99
- Ages 3-61 and 48’’ or taller in shoes – includes benefits, free parking and admission to SCarowinds’
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GOLD
SEASON PASS JUNIOR/SENIOR
- $61.99
- Ages 3-61 and under 48’’ tall or age 62 and older – includes benefits, free parking and admission to SCarowinds’
The Power of Platinum! Purchase a Platinum season pass and get admission
to Carowinds and other Cedar Fair Amusement and Water parks across North
America. Visit
carowinds.com for pricing.
Additional Reviews
Here is a Carowinds Theme Park review from a different perspective.
Our other Theme Park Reviews.....
Kid Friendly Theme Park Tips - - Kid Friendly Theme Parks and tips submitted by our visitors!
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