Whether you’re taking younger kids to Camp Snoopy or heading straight to the nearly 60 world-class thrill rides, purchasing discount Carowinds tickets before your visit saves money.
Thanks to the Cedar Fair/Six Flags merger, you won’t find many options for cheaper tickets through authorized sellers, at least for the 2025 season. However, our team constantly researches theme park prices and special offers from authorized ticket sellers because where there’s a will there’s a way.
Admission also includes entry to the seasonal Carolina Harbor Waterpark at Carowinds, which has a shorter operating season.
With extra cash, you can shop for souvenirs at popular stores, attend seasonal events, upgrade your day with extras, or stay fueled on fun amusement park food.
Fun Fact
The park is located on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. This means while in the park you can be in two states at once!
Gate Prices for Carowinds Tickets
Explore other options before settling on the front gate price to save money. However, knowing gate prices is important to understand how much you can save by purchasing online.
Tickets include Carolina Harbor Waterpark, which has a shorter operating season than the theme park. Reservations are not required.
There’s no need to pay gate prices. Search for tickets on your mobile phone instead. So many discounted ticket options exist, even ones directly through the park.
Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to enter or remain in the park after 4 p.m. Read the full policy before purchasing.
What is Carolina Harbor?
Carolina Harbor is the largest water park in the Carolinas with towering water slides, wave pools, cabanas, and a fun two-acre children’s area. It is open seasonally and currently requires reservations (no reservations are required for the main Carowinds amusement park).
Reliable Options for Carowinds Discount Tickets
Below are some reliable ways to buy Carowinds discount tickets and other tips to save money on your upcoming trip to the park. If you know of another legitimate method, please comment below. Keep in mind that the Winterfest holiday event requires its own tickets. These aren’t yet available.
1. Carowinds Website Deals
When buying tickets online, you’ll pay tax and a $6.99 processing fee. However, buying directly online is still less expensive than at the gate.
- Daily Ticket: From $49
The savings depend on the day you visit and how many tickets you need.
2. Groupon Carowinds Ticket Offers
Groupon is currently offering two excellent Carowinds ticket deals—both inclusive of tax and no additional fees at checkout. These are among the best value options available if you’re visiting before July 31, 2025.
Available Carowinds Groupon Deals:
- Save on 1-Day Admission w/ the purchase of 4+ Tickets
$37.99: Includes park admission on any public operating day, and all tickets don’t need to used on the same day - 2-Day Admission Ticket
$84.99 : Visit any two public days (non-consecutive). Same guest must use both days.
3. Carowinds Vacation Packages
If you are looking to prolong your stay, you’re in luck! With an on-site hotel and even gorgeous camping grounds, Carowinds makes a great family vacation, whether you are looking for weekend lodging or a place to stay for an entire week.
Tip: Two Options for Staying at the Park
Unwind and relax after a fun day, by treating yourself to a night at SpringHill Suites Charlotte at Carowinds — the onsite hotel. There are free breakfast options and a full-service bar with local craft beer and premium wines available. If you’re a season pass holder you get a discount at this hotel with promo code S96.
You can also choose Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort, which has RV sites and newly-renovated cabins. Carowinds has vacation packages with for both options.
If you prefer to get a cheaper hotel near Carowinds and bundle it with flights, Expedia has a nice landing page for this.
3. Season Passes for Year-Round Savings
For Carolina natives or families spending an entire season in the area, consider opting for the Season Pass. With all of the discounts provided with the two different passes available, you are certainly getting your bang for your buck. What’s more, you unlock an entire season of infinite fun and adventure!
Silver Pass
Visitors can purchase a Silver Pass for just $110 for the year. This pass includes free general parking, unlimited summer and waterpark visits, and unlimited fall daytime visits.
Pass holders will also receive 10% discounts on select food, merchandise, and Bring-A-Friend Tickets. Pass holders will also be eligible for “Pass Perks.” This exciting rewards program allows guests to receive anything from a redeemable prize on a future trip to a surprise deal that can be utilized outside of Carowinds.
Gold Pass
Visitors can purchase a Gold Pass for just $130 for the whole year. This pass includes everything in the Silver Pass, plus unlimited Winterfest and SCarowinds visits, Bring-A-Friend Discount Tickets, 2 Pre-K Passes, and more.
Discounts will also be available at the on-site hotel and campground, and pass holders can also enjoy a 10% discount on select food and merchandise. How awesome is that?
Pass holders will also be eligible for “Pass Perks.” This exciting rewards program allows guests to receive anything from a redeemable prize on a future trip to a surprise deal that can be utilized outside of Carowinds.
What Are the Halloween and Winter Events
For those curious, SCarowinds is the largest Halloween event in all of the Carolinas that you just can’t miss. Expect a night full of haunted mazes, wicked screams, and spooky live entertainment.
Meanwhile, at WinterFest you can anticipate freshly baked Winter treats, holiday-themed games, and the spectacular Wonderland Parade that happens on a nightly basis.
Prestige Pass
The Prestige Pass adds even more benefits for $325 per season. It offers everything in the Gold Pass, plus elevated benefits like Preferred Parking and Preferred Entrance.
In addition to these great parking and entrance perks, this pass is the only pass that offers one single-use Fast Lane per visit, 2 FREE Bring-A-Friend tickets annually, access to the VIP area, access to the waterpark VIP area, and enhanced Pass Perks rewards.
Skip the Lines with Fast Lane
You can bypass the regular line at over 20 rides and attractions by upgrading your day to include Fast Lane. Access to Fast Lane is not included in either Season Pass, but both a Fast Lane pass and a Season Fast Lane pass are available for purchasing, priced at $550 season pass, respectively, plus applicable fees at checkout.
4. Pre-K Pass For Ages 3-5
If you have children ages 3–5, they qualify for a Pre-K pass, which entitles them to free admission in Carowinds, Carolina Harbor Waterpark, Tricks and Treats, and WinterFest in 2025.
Only Gold or Prestige Pass holders are eligible, and two Pre-K passes are limited per pass holder.
5. Group Ticket Discounts
Are you in a group of 15 people or more? If so, there’s a discounted package waiting specifically for you!
Groups ranging from 15-99 members can take advantage of group discounted tickets for daytime admission starting at $40 per person for general admission, plus applicable taxes. You can also check here for the most up-to-date information.
This Carowinds ticket allows you to enjoy all of the same attractions that a daily ticket offers, but on the cheap side, with all of your friends and family members by your side. It’s the perfect package for a co-worker retreat, family reunion, or birthday party.
6. Military Ticket Discounts
For military veterans or those currently serving, Carowinds has some deals available to thank our nation’s heroes.
Military personnel can enjoy Gold Passes at a discounted rate of $105 and reduced pricing on daily tickets ($35). They also show their gratitude each Memorial Day Weekend by offering complimentary passes to active-duty members and veterans.
7. Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club members can save up to 49% on hotel stays near Carowinds, making it a budget-friendly option for families planning a visit. They also offer discounted one-day tickets on select dates throughout the season. Check here for the latest deals and availability.
8. AAA Carowinds Discounts
Are you a member of the American Automotive Association (AAA) Carolinas? If the answer is yes, don’t miss the special discounts available for Carowinds.
Generally, you can purchase a ticket through the AAA website. If you are an AAA member, you can check to see if discounts are available, as they tend to vary by region.
9. Members Credit Union
If you’re a member of Members Credit Union log in with provided credentials on the Carowinds website.
10. Twilight Admission Discounts (After 4 p.m.)
Currently not available. If you are only in the Carolinas for a few days and have a packed agenda, you might not have the time to devote an entire day to Carowinds (even if you want to).
If you go to Carowinds for just half a day, starting at 4 p.m. until closing time, you can save money with a discounted ticket for only $37.99.
Important Carowinds Tips for Visiting
Before you begin your family trip, there are a few things to consider when visiting Carowinds. Known as the place “Where the Carolinas Come Together,” Carowinds’ number one priority is the safety of all of its visitors and groups, as it boasts one of the best safety records in the industry.
With that in mind, everyone can enjoy numerous rides, including your littlest ones. At Camp Snoopy, an area geared towards the youngest visitors, tots must be at least 36 inches tall to go on the rides.
Depending on the ride, the height minimum climbs up to 48 inches. The height minimum ranges from 42 to 54 inches for a family-friendly ride, and for a world-class thrill ride, height minimums range from 48 to 54 inches.
Children two years old and under receive free entry into Carowinds, and no ticket is required for their admission into the park. Reservations are no longer needed for any guest but are encouraged due to sure price benefits guests will receive by booking online.
If you are worried about finding the parking lot once you get there, don’t panic! Parking is marked once you go through the drive-up check-in booths, with a separate parking lot for the water park. Parking is $30 per trip and $40 for preferred.
Carowinds Tickets & More FAQ
What are the benefits of having a Carowinds season pass?
If you are a Carolina native or plan to tour the Carowinds multiple times in one year, there are numerous benefits included in the Carowinds Season Passes. There are three types of passes, the Gold Pass, Silver Pass, and the Prestige Pass.
All passes allow discounted Bring-a-Friend tickets and free parking all season long. Gold and Prestige season Pass holders can enjoy early entry to the park and water park.
Savings and deals will also be available at the onsite hotel and campground, and pass holders can revel in 10 – 15% discount on select food and merchandise. Additionally, pass holders are eligible for “Pass Perks” and can attend all Carowinds exclusive upcoming events, including Carowinds and WinterFest.
Do you have to make reservations to visit Carowinds, or can you buy tickets at the gate?
Purchasing Carowinds tickets online and in advance is encouraged. However, it’s no longer required because they do sell gate admission.
Guests who purchase general admission tickets at the gate usually pay over $80 including tax, while guests who reserve tickets online can purchase them starting at $49.
Do you have a Carowinds promo code?
We do not have a Carowinds promo code.
How much is parking at Carowinds?
General parking at Carowinds typically costs $30, and preferred parking is $40 if purchased online.
How do I score free parking?
Season Pass holders enjoy free parking for the duration of their pass.
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Katie Dillon
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