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I'm thinking we'll hit a large amusement park this summer - any opinions on Carrowinds, Busch Gardens, or King's Dominion?
We have an 11 and 14 year old and love the big crazy rides, have outgrown the little kid areas. Interested in information on rides, crowds, lines, food prices and quality, overall costs, and how the drive is from the Triangle. What's your favorite and why?
Years ago we did Kings Dominion and enjoyed it a lot. You can combine a trip with Busch Gardens and Williamsburg to make a great week. It's about 4 hours from Raleigh.
Busch gardens would be my favorite, but I like the scenery and hate crazy rides. If your kids are roller coaster fans, the other two have much more to offer.
We've done Kings Dominion a couple of times. It's a great park - lots of good thrill rides and not too crazy crowded. A little "run down" in places.
I haven't done Carrowinds yet but plan to this year. I think the two are very similar - but Carrowinds has water rides also which Kings Dominion does not.
For the rides, Kings Dominion over Busch Gardens.
The park was worn and tacky, but the coasters were great.
It has been a few years....
We were at the gate when they opened. No lines. Run around and jump back on without waiting.
I rode 11 coasters in 55 minutes, turned an unnatural shade of bright green, and haven't been on one since.
But it was great while it lasted.
Carowinds has the Fury which is the biggest coaster of its class unless they've built a bigger one I the last year or two. My kids' school has an annual field trip to Carowinds and they enjoyed it a lot but I did not go so can't give a first hand report.
Carowinds has the Fury which is the biggest coaster of its class unless they've built a bigger one I the last year or two. My kids' school has an annual field trip to Carowinds and they enjoyed it a lot but I did not go so can't give a first hand report.
I took a group of about 30 middle and high school teens on a trip to Carowinds for Scarowinds last fall and it was great! The coasters lines move pretty fast and they have a variety of options. Fury is great but the Dale Ernhardt coaster was my favorite.
For the rides Carrowinds will be probably the best ROI. Busch Gardens for everything else. You can find prices and busiest time, etc. information online. If you are a member, AAA has a discount for Busch Gardens. Also I've seen some hotel/park promos in Williamsburg, look it up. Food choices will also be better at BG. Park food is overpriced everywhere.
Carrowinds you can probably do in one day without a hotel. 2 hour drive or so.
Thanks all! Seems like each park has something unique, i guess we'll have to try them all at some point. I will have to check on hotel deals, we will definitely stay overnight so we can get in as soon as the park opens.
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