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In my investigation of a possibly moving to NC. My daughter asked me to look into waterparks. We were surprised to find the Carowinds theme park. Including some very cool rides with Nickelodeon characters. And a waterpark. And from mapquest. It looks like a 20-30 minute drive from the Matthews area.
We usually go early (right when it opens) to the rides and then the waterpark in the afternoon...only on a weekday as it is true it can get very crowded
If you plan to go often, get a season pass. (Include parking.) It's a bargain if you go often. (We got ours last fall. Don't know what they're offering now.)
Never buy food in the park (except drinks when it's hot). Pack your own and skip out to the parking lot for lunch. (Be sure to have your hand stamped to get back in.)
If you go to the water park, go on weekdays. If you have a season pass, you can get in a 1/2 hour early to get yourself set up before the attractions open.
If you go for the rides, consider going a few hours before closing on a week night. Folks are leaving and lines are shorter and it's cooler. (If you pay full price, you'd want to stay the whole day to get your money's worth. If you have a season pass, it's not a problem to go for just a few hours.)
We live about 10 minutes away and often go after 6:00.
It's designed to attact teenagers and kids. A lot of thrill rides and kiddie rides. Not really much there for adults. But I like to go with the kids.
They passes are like $79 and parking is $35.00. A bottle of water is $3.50.
We got passes at the last minute, it's best to get them in the fall when they offer free parking. We used to get a corporate discount but that's gone now.
Week days can be just as busy as weekends depending on what groups are visiting. The water parks are ok, but very crowded. Ofcourse, it all depends on your tolerance of other people.
We went one year on July 4th and it took 2 hours to get out of the parking lot after fire works.
One more trick, you can pack water and snacks in your 'swimming' bag just tuck everything in the towels as long as it doesn't set the metal detectors off you won't have your bag searched.
Enjoy your visit. My favorite time is early spring and October the crowds are minimal.
I agree get the season pass it pays for itself after 2 visits. I have found sundays less crowded than friday and saturdays if you go on the weekend.
It fun in the day and night. If you like a good thrill ride the borg is the deal and top gun is great. If you like whiplash ride the hurler you wil need chiropracter afterwards. lol it a fun wooden rollercoaster.
Watch your electronics near Nickelodeon there is people on one of the rides with water guns that can reach the walking by public.
Many of the YMCAs in Charlotte also have waterparks open in the summer. Not as extensive as the waterpark at Carowinds, but less crowded and easier, in general.
Ray's SplashPlanet, an indoor waterpark, is open all year uptown.
There are also a few spraygrounds around the city, operated by Meck Parks and Rec.
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