Carowinds facts for kids
| Previously known as Carowinds (1973–1992), Paramount's Carowinds (1993–2006) | |
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An aerial view of the park
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| Location | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
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| Coordinates | 35°06′10″N 80°56′30″W / 35.10278°N 80.94167°W |
| Status | Temporarily Closed (Reopening May 22, 2021) |
| Opened | March 31, 1973 |
| Owner | Cedar Fair |
| General manager | Pat Jones |
| Slogan | "Where the Carolinas come together" |
| Operating season | March through December |
| Attendance | 2 million |
| Area | 407 acres (1.65 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 56 |
| Roller coasters | 14 |
| Water rides | 7 |
Carowinds is a fun amusement park that covers 407-acre (165 ha). It's located in Charlotte, North Carolina, right next to Interstate 77. What's cool is that the park sits on the border between North Carolina and South Carolina! Part of it is even in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
The park first opened on March 31, 1973. It cost $70 million to build. A businessman named Earl Patterson Hall had the idea for Carowinds. He was inspired by a trip to Disneyland in 1956. His dream was to bring the two Carolinas closer together. Today, Cedar Fair owns and runs Carowinds. The park also has a 27-acre (110,000 m2) water park called Carolina Harbor. This water park is included with your admission ticket. Carowinds also hosts special events like SCarowinds for Halloween and WinterFest for the holidays.
Contents
Park History: How Carowinds Grew
Starting Out: The Early Years
Carowinds was first announced on October 10, 1969. The original plan was to build a huge resort. It would have a theme park, hotels, shops, a golf course, and even an NFL stadium! The name "Carowinds" comes from "Carolina" and "winds." It was meant to show the history and culture of the Carolinas.
Construction started on May 1, 1970. The park was supposed to open in April 1972. But bad weather caused delays. Carowinds finally opened on March 31, 1973. In its first year, over 1.2 million people visited! However, the 1973 oil crisis made it harder for people to travel. This meant fewer visitors. So, the big resort plans were put on hold. The original owners sold the park to Taft Broadcasting in 1975.
New Owners, New Rides (1975-2005)
Taft Broadcasting brought new excitement to Carowinds. They added popular Hanna-Barbera characters. They also built rides for younger kids. In 1975, Carowinds got its second roller coaster. It was a wooden coaster called Scooby-Doo.
In 1976, Thunder Road opened. It was a racing wooden coaster. This was Carowinds’ biggest and most expensive ride yet. It cost $1.6 million! White Lightnin', a fast shuttle coaster, also opened in 1976. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, more rides were added. In 1980, Carolina Cyclone opened. It was the first roller coaster in the world with four loops! In 1992, Paramount Communications bought the park.
When Paramount took over in 1993, the park became "Paramount's Carowinds." Many new rides were based on Paramount Pictures movies. These included Action Theater (1993) and Drop Zone: Stunt Tower (1996). In 1999, Top Gun: The Jet Coaster opened. This was the biggest investment in the park's history, costing $10.5 million!
In 2003, a coaster called Flying Ace Aerial Chase opened. It was like a popular ride at a sister park. The next year, Nighthawk (then called Stealth) was moved to Carowinds. It was renamed BORG Assimilator.
In 2006, CBS Corporation decided to sell its theme parks. On June 30, 2006, Cedar Fair bought Carowinds and other parks.
Cedar Fair Takes Over (2006-Present)
Cedar Fair kept the "Paramount's Carowinds" name for a short time. But by January 2007, they revealed a new logo. It had the Cedar Fair flags and dropped the "Paramount" name. All the other parks bought from Paramount got similar changes.
On August 26, 2013, Cedar Fair announced a huge plan. They would invest $50 million to expand Carowinds over three years. This included a $30 million roller coaster! It also added a new water slide, a food area, and improved ticket booths.
On August 21, 2014, Carowinds announced Fury 325. This amazing coaster opened in 2015. It's one of the tallest roller coasters in the world! A new main entrance also opened with Fury 325.
In 2015, Carowinds announced that its water park, Boomerang Bay, would get bigger. It was renamed Carolina Harbor in 2016. The new water park has a Carolina harbor theme. It includes a new six-slide complex and a new wave pool. There are also new splash areas for kids.
In 2016, the County Fair area expanded. Four new rides were added: Electro-Spin, Zephyr, Rock N Roller, and Do-Si-Do. For 2017, Carolina Cobra was updated and renamed "The Flying Cobras." Carowinds also brought back WinterFest. This is a Christmas event that runs in November and December.
In 2018, the children's area, Planet Snoopy, became Camp Snoopy. Six new rides for kids were added.
On August 30, 2018, Carowinds announced its biggest investment ever. For the 2019 season, they added Copperhead Strike. This is a double-launched roller coaster. It's in a new 7-acre area called "Blue Ridge Junction." This area also got the park's first hotel, SpringHill Suites by Marriott.
In 2019, Carowinds announced Boogie Board Racer. This is the longest mat racing slide in the Southeast. It opened in Carolina Harbor in 2020. The Rip Roarin' Rapids ride and the Dinosaurs Alive! attraction were closed.
Carowinds did not open for its regular 2020 season. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. However, it did reopen for a special holiday event called Taste of the Seasons.
Park Areas and Rides
| Thrill level (out of 5) |
|---|
| 1 (low) 2 (mild) 3 (moderate) 4 (high) 5 (aggressive) |
Celebration Plaza
| Ride | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Skytower | 1973 | Intamin | A 262-foot (80 m) tall tower that gives great views of Carowinds and Charlotte. | 2 |
| Intimidator | 2010 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A fast steel roller coaster inspired by race car driver Dale Earnhardt. It's 232-foot-tall (71 m) and goes up to 75 mph (121 km/h). | 5 |
| Kiddy Hawk | 2003 | Vekoma | A steel family roller coaster. It used to be called Rugrats Runaway Reptar and Flying Ace Aerial Chase. In 2018, it got a new name and look. | 4 |
| Nighthawk | 2004 | Vekoma | A flying roller coaster. It used to be at another park and was called Borg Assimilator at Carowinds. | 5 |
| RipCord | 1995 | Skycoaster, Inc. | A skycoaster ride where you pay extra to ride. It used to be where Fury 325 is now. | 5 |
Crossroads
| Ride | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action Theater | 1994 | Iwerks | In 2016, it became Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 3Z Arena. It's a 3D game where two teams shoot at screens. | 2 |
| Afterburn | 1999 | Bolliger & Mabillard | An inverted roller coaster with 6 loops and twists. It was once called Top Gun: The Jet Coaster. | 5 |
| Boo Blasters on Boo Hill | 2010 | Sally Corporation | An interactive ride where you shoot targets for points. It was once Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion. | 2 |
| Dodg’ems | 1979 | Majestic Rides | A classic bumper cars ride. | 4 |
| Southern Star | 1986 | Intamin | A thrilling Looping Starship ride. It was removed for a short time but came back in 2007. | 4 |
| WindSeeker | 2012 | Mondial | A 301-foot (92 m) tall swing ride that spins to music and lights. It's like a giant Christmas tree during the holidays. | 4 |
| Yo Yo | 2008 | Chance Morgan | A swing ride that came from another park. | 3 |
Carolina Boardwalk
| Ride | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Cyclone | 1980 | Arrow Dynamics | A steel roller coaster with two loops and two corkscrews. It was the first coaster with four inversions. | 5 |
| Carolina Goldrusher | 1973 | Arrow Dynamics | A steel Mine train roller coaster. It was the first coaster at Carowinds. It's also the first coaster to cross state lines! | 4 |
| Ricochet | 2002 | Mack Rides | A steel wild mouse roller coaster with sharp turns and drops. | 4 |
Carousel Park
| Ride | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Scrambler | 1973 | Eli Bridge | A classic spinning ride. It was first called Kaleidoscope. | 3 |
| Vortex | 1992 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A steel stand-up roller coaster. It was the first stand-up coaster in the South. | 5 |
| SlingShot | 2015 | Funtime | A reverse bungee ride that shoots riders almost 300 feet into the air. It goes up to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). This ride costs extra. | 5 |
| The Grand Carousel | 1979 | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | An old-fashioned carousel. It used to be in Planet Snoopy. | 1 |
County Fair
| Ride | Year Opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Flying Cobras | 2009 | Vekoma | A Boomerang model roller coaster. It pulls you up backward, then sends you forward through loops. It repeats the ride in reverse! | 5 |
| Electro Spin | 2017 | Mondial | A Top Scan ride that spins riders through the air. It opened with the new County Fair area. | 5 |
| Zephyr | 2017 | Zierer | A swing ride that lifts and spins guests in a circular motion. | 3 |
| Rock 'N' Roller | 2017 | Mack Rides | A Musik Express ride that spins and moves up and down to music and lights. | 3 |
| Do-Si-Do | 2017 | HUSS | A Troika ride with three arms that spin riders in different directions. | 3 |
Thrill Zone
| Ride | Year Opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fury 325 | 2015 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A 325-foot (99 m) giga coaster. It's one of the tallest in the world with a traditional chain lift. It reaches speeds up to 95 mph (153 km/h). | 5 |
| Drop Tower: Scream Zone | 1996 | Intamin | A drop tower ride that is 160 feet (49 m) tall and drops you 100 ft (30 m). It was first called Drop Zone: Stunt Tower. | 4 |
| Hurler | 1994 | International Coasters, Inc | A wooden roller coaster. It was themed to Wayne's World when Paramount owned the park. | 4 |
| Scream Weaver | 1979 | Anton Schwarzkopf | A spinning Schwarzkopf Enterprise ride. It used to be in the original County Fair area. | 4 |
Blue Ridge Junction
| Ride | Year Opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copperhead Strike | 2019 | Mack Rides | The first double launch coaster in the Carolinas with five inversions. It's in the new 7-acre Blue Ridge Junction area. | 5 |
| Mountain Gliders | 2005 | Bisch-Rocco | A Flying Skooters ride where you spin around in suspended tubs. It was in other areas of the park before. | 3 |
Camp Snoopy
| Ride | Year Opened | Manufacturer | Description | Thrill level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beagle Scout Acres | 2018 | A large play area with climbing and interactive fun. It has shady spots for parents to relax. | 1 | |
| Camp Bus | 2018 | Zamperla | A bus-themed mini flying carpet ride. Families can soar up and down with the Peanuts Gang. | 2 |
| Charlie Brown's Wind Up | 1973 | Zamperla | A small swing ride. | 1 |
| Flying Ace Balloon Race | 1987 | Zamperla | A ride with flying balloons. | 2 |
| Kite Eating Tree | 2018 | Zamperla | A mini drop tower. It takes you 20 feet up and gently brings you back down. | 2 |
| Peanuts Pirates | 2005 | Mack Rides Heinrich Mack K.C, | A ride with spinning pirate ships themed to The Peanuts. | 3 |
| Peanuts Trailblazers | 2018 | Zamperla | A mini whip ride. You spin around in cars on an off-road adventure. | 2 |
| Pig Pen's Mud Buggies | 2018 | Zamperla | A ride where you bounce up, down, and around in all-terrain vehicles. | 2 |
| Snoopy vs. Red Baron | 1973 | Chance Rides | A small plane ride themed to Snoopy. | 2 |
| Snoopy's Junction | 1973 | Crown Metal Products | A miniature train ride. It was one of the original rides at the park. | 1 |
| Wilderness Run | 1998 | E&F Miler Industries | A junior roller coaster. Riders climb a 15-foot hill before a fun chase with bumps. | 2 |
| Woodstock Express | 1975 | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | A junior wooden roller coaster. | 4 |
| Woodstock Whirlybirds | 2018 | Zamperla | A mini teacup ride themed to Woodstock. You spin and twirl in bird nest-like cups. | 2 |
Carolina Harbor Water Park
Your Carowinds ticket includes access to the 27-acre (11 ha) Carolina Harbor water park. It has a Coastal Carolina theme. You can enjoy 15 different rides and attractions here. The water park first opened in 1982 as Ocean Island. It has had a few names over the years. In 2016, it became Carolina Harbor after a big expansion.
Special Events at Carowinds
WinterFest
Carowinds brought back WinterFest in 2017. This is a special holiday event. The park is decorated for Christmas. There's a tree lighting, Christmas carolers, and handmade crafts. You can also enjoy a parade and some rides.
SCarowinds
SCarowinds is an annual Halloween event. It started in September 2000. It happens on select nights in September and October. The park transforms into a scary experience. It has haunted attractions and uses many of the park's rides at night. SCarowinds is suggested for ages 13 and up.
The Paladium Concert Venue
The Paladium is an outdoor amphitheater at Carowinds. It opened in 1975. It used to be the main outdoor concert spot in Charlotte. Now, it mostly hosts Christian bands. You need a separate ticket to go to concerts at the Paladium.
Famous artists have played here. James Taylor played in 1992. Bon Jovi had a sold-out show in 1993. Other bands like Dave Matthews Band, Depeche Mode, and Duran Duran have also performed. Even "Weird Al Yankovic played here!
Fast Lane Access
Fast Lane is a special pass you can buy. It lets you skip the regular lines for many popular rides. You get a wristband that gives you access to shorter lines. Fast Lane Plus is an even more expensive pass. It includes access to more rides.
Carowinds Festival of Music
The Carowinds Festival of Music is an annual event. Music students can perform in public. They get feedback from expert judges. Bands, choirs, and orchestras can all participate. Awards are given for excellent performances.
Where to Stay at Carowinds
- Camp Wilderness Lodge: These are luxury cabins. They have four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a living area. They also have a kitchen, dining area, and a porch with a grill.
- Camp Wilderness Cabins: These cabins have two bedrooms. They are near a pool, tennis court, and tram stop.
- Camp Wilderness RV Sites: You can bring your RV, pop-up, or tent here. The RV sites have full hookups for water, sewer, and electricity.
- SpringHill Suites at Carowinds: This is a 130-room hotel by Marriott. It's the official hotel for the park. Carowinds owns and runs this hotel. It opened in November 2019.
Timeline of Carowinds Highlights
- 1973: Carowinds opens on March 31. Original themed areas include Plantation Square and Pirate Island.
- 1975: Paladium Amphitheatre opens. The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera area opens with the Scooby Doo coaster.
- 1976: Thunder Road, a racing wooden coaster, opens.
- 1977: White Lightnin', a shuttle roller coaster, opens.
- 1979: The County Fair area is added with new rides like Meteorite and bumper cars.
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- 1980: Carolina Cyclone, the first coaster with 4 inversions, is added.
- 1982: Rip Roarin' Rapids water ride and Ocean Island water park open.
- 1984: Smurf Island, a new themed area, opens.
- 1986: Frenzoid, a looping Viking ship, is added.
- 1988: WhiteWater Falls water ride is added. White Lightnin' coaster is removed.
- 1989: Riptide Reef water park opens.
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- 1992: Vortex, the South's first stand-up roller coaster, is added.
- 1993: Action Theater opens. Paramount Communications buys Carowinds.
- 1994: The Wayne's World section opens with the Hurler roller coaster.
- 1995: Xtreme Skyflyer, a thrilling skycoaster, is added.
- 1996: Drop Zone: Stunt Tower (now Drop Tower: Scream Zone) is added.
- 1997: WaterWorks water park opens.
- 1999: Top Gun: The Jet Coaster (now Afterburn) is added.
- 2000: SCarowinds, the Halloween event, begins.
- 2001: SCOOBY-DOO's Haunted Mansion (now Boo Blasters on Boo Hill) opens.
- 2002: Ricochet roller coaster is added.
- 2003: Nickelodeon Central themed area opens with new rides.
- 2004: BORG Assimilator (now Nighthawk) flying coaster is added.
- 2006: WaterWorks is renamed Boomerang Bay. Cedar Fair buys Carowinds.
- 2007: Frenzoid returns as Southern Star.
- 2009: Carolina Cobra roller coaster opens. Nighthawk is repainted.
- 2010: Intimidator, a huge hyper coaster, opens. Planet Snoopy replaces Nickelodeon Central.
- 2011: Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular, a nighttime light show, debuts.
- 2012: WindSeeker, a tall thrill ride, opens. Fast Lane access is added.
- 2013: Dinosaurs Alive!, a dinosaur exhibit, opens. A $50 million park expansion is announced.
- 2014: New water slides are added to Boomerang Bay. The old toll plaza is removed.
- 2015: Fury 325, a giga coaster, opens with a new main entrance. Sling Shot ride is added.
- 2016: Boomerang Bay water park is expanded and renamed Carolina Harbor. Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 3Z Arena opens in Action Theater.
- 2017: Carolina RFD becomes County Fair with four new rides. Carolina Cobra is renamed The Flying Cobras. WinterFest returns.
- 2018: Planet Snoopy becomes Camp Snoopy with six new attractions. Carowinds' first hotel is announced.
- 2019: Copperhead Strike, a double launched coaster, opens in the new Blue Ridge Junction area. Dinosaurs ALIVE! closes.
- 2020: The park does not open for its regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It re-opens in November for Taste of the Seasons.
- 2021: Boogie Board Racer, a mat racing slide, and Grand Carnivale debut.
- Carowinds at the Roller Coaster DataBase
See also
In Spanish: Carowinds para niños
