Carowinds 2026 General Discussion

[RollyCoaster]

Just about everyone buying a KD pass these days also gets admission to Carowinds, so I figured it made sense to have a general discussion thread for this year. I also didn’t want to derail the KD thread with Carowinds talk, so I’m pulling in and responding to a few quotes from That Thread here.

KD did not announce their event lineup today, but some interesting tidbits did come out of Carowinds’ announcement that KD could also partake in.

Carowinds is putting on a Scream Break event (selected Haunt mazes open during Spring Break), though there are conflicting reports on if this is only the Conjuring maze or if it includes select regular mazes, also (the website says only Conjuring, FYI). They are also moving their Oktoberfest event to after Haunt ends. This is a change from last year where they ran their Oktoberfest from mid-September to end of November. Winterfest is also returning, for what it’s worth.

That Scream Break is….terrible.

Also moving Oktoberfest to what isn’t historically Oktoberfest is just….bad.

Are they still upcharges?

I believe so…

Wow… shitty shitty cash grab. If they were gonna do this at least open the rest of the mazes… only having conjuring is a major no-go for me honestly…

I actually disagree quite a bit. I think having Conjuring available in the off-season for people who want to experience it is a great idea. It may be a lower-capacity attraction, but it’s also a really high-quality one, and keeping it open helps showcase one of the best experiences Carowinds has put together in recent years. From what I understand, a lot of people didn’t even get the chance to do it last year because it was so popular.

It also works as solid promotion for the main Halloween event later in the year. Spring break brings in a lot of out-of-town guests, and if someone enjoys Conjuring during that visit, there’s a good chance they’ll want to come back later for the full Halloween lineup.

At the end of the day, it’s optional. For the people who want to do it, it’s just another unique experience available during the spring season—and having more things to do at the park is a win in my book.

 

[MrBradferd]

I agree it's awesome theyre doing it. Gives my wife a chance to expierence it since I have 0 plans to ever go back to Scarowinds.

 

[chknwing]

So right now Six Flags Georgia has the Gold pass for $65 while carowinds has it for $89? Gold pass gets you into any of the south east parks. And I missing something or is Carowinds just ripping people off?

 

[CoasterBroCam]

So right now Six Flags Georgia has the Gold pass for $65 while carowinds has it for $89? Gold pass gets you into any of the south east parks. And I missing something or is Carowinds just ripping people off?

I think you have to use the pass for the first time at the home park you choose, and since Caro is prob higher quality (no offense) than Georgia thats why it's more expensive.

 

[nyxmike]

Since the 2026 ride was pushed to 2027, I really wish they did something last minute for 2026 even if it was getting something from Six Flags America, like the Zamperla Giant Discovery. Carowinds has a good lineup of flat rides now, but it really needs a large, thrilling flat ride like that...

 

[Vipergts500]

CP is my home park and I've been renewing my pass every year with them. Ill be going to Carowinds first this year and their all year fast lane is cheaper than CP's. Should I renew my pass thru CP and get the all park passport (to use FL at all parks) and then buy the all year fast lane at CW in person or but everything in person at CW?

 

[S23X]

You can only do add-ons for your pass at the park you bought it at. So if you choose to get the Cedar Point pass, you would have to get your add ons through the proper ticketing channels at Cedar Point. Vice versa with Carowinds. The add ons (for the most part) are valid wherever your pass is valid at. So if you got regional access with a gold pass, its add ons including fast lane are valid there too. Same if you get a pass with the all parks passport upgrade.

Also worth noting that Cedar Points all season fast lane is already sold out for the season. Carowinds still has it on sale. If you don't mind skipping out on the PassPerks for Cedar Point, then buying everything through Carowinds might be the best option for you.

 

[GASM]

On that note, am I able to do a single day Fast Lane at other parks with my KD pass? Planning on it for my SFGAm and Carowinds trips this year and that hadn’t even crossed my mind.

 

[AmyUD06]

On that note, am I able to do a single day Fast Lane at other parks with my KD pass? Planning on it for my SFGAm and Carowinds trips this year and that hadn’t even crossed my mind.

You should be able to. Single-day add-ons have never been tied to a pass.