11 Tips To Take On Carowinds With Toddlers

All couples have “their place” right? Carowinds is one of ours. Just minutes south of Charlotte, straddling the North Carolina/South Carolina state lines, Zach and I have turned to Carowinds for MANY a day date. We have the absolute best time together! We share so many laughs and so much excitement from being flung in the air at maximum speeds. We love our alone time to ride all the big rides but have also learned to love Carowinds with toddlers. They love it too! (Thrill seekers in the making. 😉 )

[ReviewDisclaimer]

Going to a theme park can be stressful with or without kids. The scorching Carolina sun, swarms of people, long lines, tons of walking… it’s not too long before you are tired and stressed. As an experienced park goer, I would like to think I’ve learned a few things over the years and now I’m sharing my best tips with you!

If you’re planning an adventure to the Charlotte area, then YOU MUST READ my go-to’s for Carowinds with toddlers.

#1) Get the Gold Pass –

We live about an hour away and go multiple times per year. Getting season passes is a NO BRAINER. The gold pass is the way to go as it includes free parking, waterpark access and FREE admission into the dinosaur exhibit all season long. (My kids love seeing the dinosaurs! Plus – the dinosaurs are motion-activated so it makes for great fun to watch them scare your kids if they’ve been acting like wild animals all day.)

#2) Get the Pre-K Pass –

A Carowinds with toddlers MUST! It’s FREE for ages 3-5! You can purchase it online then upon your first visit, you go to guest services for pictures and birth certificate confirmation.

Once your passes are secured, this age range is going to be sticking to the Planet Snoopy area… so don’t waste your time going elsewhere. You belong in Planet Snoopy! However, the plane ride that was formerly in Planet Snoopy is now in the Carolina Boardwalk area across from Copperhead Strike. These planes are a MUST-DO for little kids, provided an adult is riding too.

#3) Skip the meal plan –

We have food allergies which become our main reason for skipping the meal plan, but like most theme parks, the food is expensive.  If you plan on arriving when the park opens you will want to take a lunch break. Pack your Yeti cooler, lay down the back seats of your mom-mobile, and enjoy an AC-induced picnic in your car.

#4) Pack a bag –

We have repurposed our backpack diaper bag to be our designated Carowinds bag. We keep our season passes in this bag as well as sunscreen, chapstick, hand sanitizer, mini umbrella, eshots, and snacks.

Snacks… you gotta have them. Carowinds with toddlers = kids get hungry after every couple of rides. Our go-to snacks are protein/granola bars, fruit cups, applesauce pouches, apples/bananas, nuts, and fruit snacks for treats.

Zach and I also take protein powder and shaker bottles. We drink our shakes and then keep the shakers full of ice and water. Ice and water are free and convenient at food/drink stations around the park. We also take some powdered electrolytes to pour in the water for some flavor and stay hydrated. This way we are less tempted to go for the $14 soda.

#5) Wear the right gear –

I feel like I always struggle here because part of me wants to look cute and part of me wants to be comfortable. Either way, I’m always wearing tennis shoes. You will be WAY more comfortable plus you want to steer clear of flip flops riding on The Afterburn.

#6) When to go –

Going in the morning is great! If you can be there for the opening ceremony, that is even better.  It tends to be less crowded for a while and cooler, but it makes for a pretty long day.

We like to go later in the day and stay until 9 or 10pm. If we do this, we also pack wipes and PJs for the kids. We wipe them down in car, change their clothes and they are usually DOWN FOR THE COUNT by the time we hit the interstate.

However, the BEST time to go to Carowinds with toddlers is on Sunday afternoons at the beginning of the season while school is still in session. Everyone’s gone by 5 because the school-age children have to go home and you can ride the rides over… and over… until your heart’s content.

#7) Know the parking situation –

Pay attention to which gates are open and the times. This will be listed when you get your parking pass. If the South Gate is open you will want to park there. It is normally way less crowded than the North (main) gate.  But if you have a Gold Pass you can park in VIP for FREE!

#8) Get your mind right –

Go ahead and let it sink in that you are at a theme park, it’s going to be hot and the lines will be long. Everyone is there to have a good time so put on a happy face! Otherwise, don’t go when school is out during the summer. Save your time for the beginning of the season when there are less people.

#9) Dodge the picture takers –

Ain’t nobody got time for that when you are entering the park. Plus, how many times are you actually going to purchase those pictures? You’re not. You need to walk with a purpose over the bridge and into the park.

#10) Carowinds with toddlers special events: The Great Pumpkin Fest & Winterfest!

After the summer season wraps, these events are a must! Carowinds has gone above and beyond to make this amazing for the kids.

During the fall, the kids are encouraged to dress up and go trick-or-treating at several stations around the park. Plus, they get to pick a tiny pumpkin from the pumpkin patch! It has all the fall feels and needs to be added to your fall bucket list ASAP.

Winterfest… it’s like going inside Elsa’s ice castle! It. Is. Beautiful. All of the lights are amazing to see. There are carriage rides, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, ice skating and some of the rides are still open. Both of these special events are included with the Gold Season and Pre-K passes. Even more reason the season pass is the way to go!

#11) Do the straddle – 

Don’t forget to straddle the state line so you too can make like Mandy Moore and be in two places at once! Your kids will get a kick out of it, too.

If you find yourself in the Carolinas, be sure to give Carowinds a go! I hope these tips will make your trip a lot easier. I would also appreciate some input from our readers!!

One day down the road, Zach and I plan to hit up some more theme parks. What’s your favorite park and your must-rides? Please share I need to get our list together!