Carowinds 2014 Opening Date and What's New

View of Some of the SC Rides from Carolina Skytower at Carowinds

Carowinds, an amusement park that straddles the North Carolina and South Carolina border in sight of I-77, offers a variety of fun activities, from riding roller coasters to enjoying waves in their water park called Boomerang Bay. The theme park typically adds something new each year. The most popular addition in recent years, in my opinion, came in 2010 as the Intimidator roller coaster lifted guests to a height of 232 feet, leaving them to race down the track at 75 mph with nothing but a lapbelt holding them in for a memorable ride.

I think a lot of folks particularly visit the park for the nice variety of roller coasters at Carowinds, including some in which guests stand, lie down, sit, or hang. So, what will 2014 bring?

When is Carowinds Opening in 2014?

The scheduled opening date for Carowinds in 2014 is March 29. Many season pass holders anxiously await that opening date when they can enjoy park perks for yet another season. Those who plan to visit the park several times a year would do well to consider season passes, particularly the ones with free parking. Deepest discounts on season passes are generally offered soon after the end of the previous season.

Those with season passes may wish to see my article on Bring a Friend Dates for 2014.

If you are looking for dates and times for the 2014 Carowinds season, visit my site map where I have created an easy-to-read chart with dates and times for each month this season, starting with March and ending with November.

What's New at Carowinds for 2014?

To find the latest additions to Carowinds in 2014, you'll need to head to the back of the park. Boomerang Bay hosts a variety of wave pools, water play areas, and water slides. Carowinds will offer two new water slides, Surfer's Swell (263 feet, featuring a high angled wall) and Dorsal Fin Drop (351 feet, featuring a large curved tunnel), this season.

Don't get too excited about the new water slides when the park first opens because Boomerang Bay historically opens later in the season some time around Memorial Day when the weather is warmer. Unlike the 2013 addition of the dinosaurs in which guests had to pay an extra fee to see the new addition, I do not see indications that Carowinds is charging extra to enjoy the water park. Enjoying the two new water slides without paying an extra fee will make many guests happy. According to an email received from Carowinds on June 22, 2014, the two new waterslides are now open!

Entertainment at Carowinds will feature songs and sounds from the Motown era. Those with season passes and free parking will discover that they will be parking in the general parking areas. The Richochet will look a bit different with new teal and lime green paint. The Richochet is a good one to hit early in the day or when the crowds are smaller because it takes a while to load with only four passengers per car.

The Skyflyer (extra charge to ride this one) is moving to an area between the Nighthawk and the Flying Ace Aerial Chase. It was previously located near the Hurler. The Hurler wooden roller coaster is having the first curve re-built for 2014. Carowinds will also be installing several TV screens throughout the park this year.

Carowinds will celebrate 15 years of their roller coaster the Afterburn on March 29, 2014. This roller coaster was previously named Top Gun and is located near the south entrance. The first 1500 riders on the Afterburn will receive a commemorative pin.

For those who were hoping for a new roller coaster in 2014...it does not look like that is going to happen this year. Maybe in 2015?

Related Articles:

• How Tall Do You Have to Be to Ride the Intimidator?
• Boomerang Bay at Carowinds – Fun for Kids of All Ages
• Extreme Play at Carolina Mall in Concord NC Offers Active Indoor Fun

Find more of my articles at Love 2 Travel With Kids and Travel NC With Kids.