Beat the heat and the crowds with these insider tips for visiting Carowinds!
Carowinds is one of our favorite summer vacation spots, but the crowds and scorching heat that plague peak season can be a little daunting.
No need to worry though! After years of visiting the park, we’ve perfected our park visit strategy and discovered the best ways to beat the crowds and survive the blazing sun.
So grab your sunscreen and settle in. We’re sharing the ultimate list of tips for visiting Carowinds and having plenty of fun in the sun!
The Best Tips for Visiting Carowinds
We’ve logged lots of hours at Carowinds through the years. We’ve also got friends who live in the area, are season pass holders, and know all the Carowinds hacks and tricks. Read on for our very best Carowinds travel tips!
Plan Smart
Before heading to the park, there are a couple of things you should know.
Buy Tickets Online
Buying your tickets beforehand makes it easy to skip a line at Carowinds.
You can conveniently purchase your ticket from the website. Once you arrive and go through security, all you will have to do is have your ticket scanned and you’re in the park. It doesn’t get more simple than that!
Leave the Cash at Home
Carowinds is a cashless park. Never fear though, you have plenty of options to pay. In addition to offering Google Pay and Apple Pay, you can simply swipe or tap your credit or debit card to complete a purchase.
If you forget and bring cash only, you can have your cash applied to a card with the cash-to-card kiosks placed conveniently throughout the park. This service is provided for free.
Parking
Parking at Carowinds is not free. You can purchase parking with your ticket or upon arrival with the cashless pay options mentioned above.
There are two options for parking. Standard parking is available for $30 per day. You can also purchase VIP parking and park closer to the entrance for $40. We usually do regular parking and try to get as close to the top of row 7 as possible. This aligns perfectly with the park entrance and will save extra steps at the end of a long day.
Download the app
To make the most of your park visit, be sure to download their mobile app. You’ll find an interactive map with wait times for the rides.
The app has features that allow you to search rides and attractions by height restrictions and thrill factor. The app also conveniently offers mobile food ordering.
When the app shows 5 minutes, it may be a walk on ride!
Beat the Heat
Summer in the South is no joke. Logging lots of steps across the asphalt trails that traverse the park will take a toll. Luckily there are ways to make even the most sweltering day bearable.
Stay Hydrated
With soaring temps and lots of activity, it’s essential to remember to stay hydrated while visiting the Carowinds.
You are permitted to bring a refillable water bottle to the park. However, the bottle must be empty upon arrival. You will find bottle filling stations at many locations throughout the grounds. You are also allowed to bring in one sealed water bottle.
This, however, isn’t necessary as all dining locations offer complimentary water. All you have to do is walk up and ask for a cup. You can even request ice for the ultimate in refreshing coolness.
RELATED READING: Seven Reasons to Visit Carowinds
Find Somewhere to Cool Down
You’ll find plenty of places in the park to take a break from the heat.
There are plenty of shaded areas located throughout the park. Carowinds landscaping department seems to have strategically placed the perfect shade trees throughout the park. Camp Snoopy is by far the shadiest area.
Catch a show in Harmony Hall and enjoy the AC!
You can also take advantage of AC throughout the park. Indoor shops, show attractions, and food and dining locations are air-conditioned providing the perfect place to wind down.
You’ll also find a few rides throughout the park that are air-conditioned. Our favorites are the Boo Blasters on Boo Hill and the Carolina Skytower. These rides are the perfect way to take a break from the heat with some delicious AC!
Pack & Dress Appropriately
It’s important to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for your day at the park. Opt for lightweight, breathable clothing and if possible wear a hat. You’ll also want to make sure you wear comfortable shoes that are well broken in.
You will find that some of the bigger coasters like Copperhead Road and Fury have misting stations to help you cool down. You can also bring your own cooling towels and fans to the park, or purchase them in a gift shop.
Enjoy a Water Ride
Perhaps the best way to beat the heat at Carowinds is by enjoying the water in Carolina Harbor.
This 26 acre water park is located on the backside of Carowinds. There is a separate parking lot, though it is sometimes only open on the weekends.
This section of the park is a great way to cool down. It offers two wave pools, a lazy river, several water play areas and lots of water slides. We always plan our days so we can spend the worst of the heat in the water.
Carolina Harbor hours differ from regular Carowinds hours. On our last visit the water park closed at 5 pm. This was the perfect time for us to dry off and go enjoy the park with cooler temps.
Take a Break and Eat
Just like it’s important to stay hydrated, you’ll want to make sure you’re drinking. Luckily, Carowinds offers 33 different food and dining options with options from down home southern cooking to delicious Chinese food and everything in between.
When we visit Carowinds we always buy a Dining and Drink Plan for the day. Sometimes we eat right before we get there and then buy one plan to share with the whole family.
Phili sub & fries on the meal plan. Purchased at Chickie’s & Pete’s Sports Grill
The dining plan allows you to get a meal and side (or snack with Premium Purchase) every 90 minutes. The Premium Dining plan also offers drink refills every 15 minutes. We usually set a timer on our watch to make sure we make the most of our plan!
Beat the Crowds
It’s no secret that Carowinds can get pretty packed. While crowds and theme parks go hand in hand, there are certainly ways to avoid the busiest times.
The Early Bird has More Fun!
There should be no sleeping in when visiting Carowinds! The park opens at 10, and to beat the crowds you should be there before then. Getting there early not only ensures shorter lines for rides, but also gives you a shot at a better parking spot!
Walked on to Flying Cobras at 10:08. Rode twice back to back with no wait!
We arrived just before 10 at our latest visit and were walk-ons for almost every single ride, including the big coasters! We rode several of them back to back because there were no lines!
Visit on a Weekday
It’s no secret that weekend crowds are almost always bigger. To make the most of your theme park visit, consider visiting on a weekday.
We’ve always tried to plan our trips Tuesday – Thursday and have had a lot of luck. Most people traveling and planning trips base their days around a weekend to prevent taking longer off work. By Tuesday the crowds begin to taper off and usually don’t start picking up again until Friday.
Plan a Visit in the Off Season
In 2023, Carowinds expanded their calendar to include year round operations. While they aren’t open every day during the year, they do operate on weekends pretty much year round.
You can take advantage of these recent changes and visit during a time that is cooler and potentially less busy. Many people are still not aware of the changes in scheduling and ticket sales during these times may be slower because of this.
Be sure to check the park calendar before visiting to make sure the park is open.
Utilize Rider Switch
If you’re visiting with young children, you will want to take advantage of the Parent Swap program. This allows parents with younger kids to ride some of the more adventurous rides without having to wait in line twice.
Basically, while one parent enjoys the ride the other parent hangs out with the non-riding child(ren) and then they swap spots. That way everyone gets to maximize their ride time and have fun at the park. To take advantage of this program, be sure to stop by guest services.
Buy Access to the Fast Lane
No matter how well you plan your trip, some days will just turn out to be more crowded than others. For example, a friend visited this summer on a weekday and was shocked to see the amusement park filled with hoards of summer camp groups. Sometimes, that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
However, on those days, all is not lost. Carowinds offers a Fast Lane program where you can bypass the line and get preferential seating on all rides. This is typically a walk-on experience and can significantly reduce the time you spend waiting in line.
Head to the Back!
When we arrive, we always make a beeline for the back of the park.
Most guests will mill around the entrance and explore the closest rides. We hoof it from the second we get in and head to some of our favorites in the back like Copperhead Strike.
We try to go to the biggest coasters first before the rides build up. Most often we are able to ride several times before the lines start to pile up later in the day.
Conquer the Crowds & Heat on your Next Carowinds Adventure!
Making the most of any theme park trip is all about preparation and a positive attitude. Armed with our tips for visiting Carowinds, you’ll be able to beat the heat and the crowds while creating unforgettable memories.
So set your sites for thrills and enjoy every exciting twist and turn Carowinds has to offer. For more family-friendly excursion ideas, be sure to check out my Travel page. And be sure to follow me on Pinterest, where I’m pinning all the great travel ideas that run through my feed!
