Popular North Carolina Theme Park Won’t Stay Open Year-Round After All
All business was affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Some more than others. Just about everyone in the entertainment industry from movie theaters to concert venues really took a financial pounding. Another to put in that category? Theme parks like Carowinds. In fact, I wasn’t sure if theme parks could survive. So, once things opened up, I had no issue with Carowinds or any entertainment entity doing whatever they wanted or had to do to keep the doors open. Last year, in conjunction with its 50 Anniversary, Carowinds announced they would be open year-round. Wow. Never heard of that before with a park. And in 2023, they did it. However, that’s no longer the plan. Carowinds has announced they will no longer be open 365.
Yesterday, Carowinds posted the park will be closed January and February. After shutting down during those two winter months. As of right now, the reason for this about-face in strategy is unknown. That being said, my father once told me that the answer to all of your questions as a grown up is, “money.”
Facilities like Carowinds are not inexpensive to staff and operate. If the numbers of visitors can’t justify (much less cover) these costs, then it makes no sense to be open. That and one can only speculate the unexpected overage costs due to last summer’s shutdown of the popular Fury 325 roller coaster due to a cracked pillar. Also, you know that incident had to keep some people away altogether.
After announcing they will no longer be open year-round, opening day for Carowinds 2024 season is now slated for March 9, 2024.
Carowinds Ranks As One Of America's Most Loved Theme Parks
Looking to head to a theme park this spring or summer? Sure you could pack up and head to Florida but we also have a pretty great park here in the Carolinas. And not that we needed confirmation of that, but its still nice to hear! Our friends at AirportParkingReservations.com recently compiled a list of America’s Most Loved Theme Parks and shared those results with us. And local favorite Carowinds is very close to the top of that list!
The rankings were calculated based on multiple factors including ticket prices, the number of roller coasters and rides, as well as popularity on social media. These are just some of what makes theme parks exciting to visit! I’m definitely a ride person, but other people go for the food, the shows, or simply the atmosphere. Nope- I just want to ride as many rides as many times as possible. The other stuff? It can be an added bonus but it’s not why I am there. So these rankings, with an emphasis on rides, are made for me.
I’ll give you a hint one of the major Florida theme parks topped this list, while another is shockingly absent. Keep reading to see where Carowinds ranked among the most loved theme parks. Are you surprised by the major parks it beat? Or is Carowinds your number one? You can see the full list and study here.
Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.
