Carowinds announces 2021 opening date after pandemic closure. New safety measures set.
Carowinds amusement park, shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic, finally has announced an opening date for its 2021 season.
The theme park announced Thursday it will reopen on May 22.
Several health and safety procedures will be in check, including advanced visit planning, required face coverings, health screenings and more. Season passholders who purchased their passes prior to Aug. 4 will be offered reward perks.
Carowinds did not provide any additional details about its reopening plans Thursday.
Last week, the park posted jobs like admissions, food service, performers and ride workers.
The 400-acre amusement park, which straddles both Carolinas, has followed North Carolina safety protocols since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
What to expect
Carowinds will open with limited capacity and has laid out its coronavirus safety protocols online. Here are some of the safety measures customers can expect:
▪ Guests must provide in advance the health status of people in their group coming to the park.
▪ At least one person in a group of visitors is required to download the Carowinds app with “Location Services” enabled to receive updates.
▪ All guests age 2 and older are required to wear a face mask at all times, including on all rides and attractions. Masks may be removed while dining at a table or bench.
▪ All guests will pass through a thermal screening tent for temperature checks at the entrance.
▪ Expect longer than normal wait times at attractions as seats, restraints, headrest and armrest are frequently sanitized.
▪ Due to social distancing requirements, groups may be separated and not able to ride together.
Closed last season
The park did not open for its 2020 season during the COVID-19 government stay-at-home orders, missing its summer peak.
However, Carowinds, owned by Ohio-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., reopened for select dates in November and December for a holiday season outdoor event with some rides running.
Outdoor amusement parks were allowed to reopen Oct. 2 at 30% capacity under North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s Phase 3 reopening plan. Indoor amusement park rides must remain closed.
Carowinds has more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, including 14 roller coasters and Carolina Harbor, a 26-acre water park.
The park will feature two new attractions that weren’t able to open last year including Boogie Board Racer, billed as the longest mat racing slide in the Southeast, and a nightly Grand Carnivale street party and parade.
This story was originally published January 28, 2021 at 4:24 PM.
