5 Reasons Carowinds is the Perfect Family Trip

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Columbia SC Moms Blog is honored to partner with Carowinds to bring our readers the following post. All opinions are entirely our own.

5 Reasons Carowinds is the Perfect Family Trip - Columbia SC Moms BlogWhen I became a mom, my mindset completely shifted. Instead of seeking out the latest hot spots to visit around town with my friends, I was on a mission to find the best, must fun, completely unique activities to do with my son (hence, the Columbia SC Moms Blog was born).

Two and a half years later, this quest has not changed. What IS different is although I love all the local activities for children our great city has to offer, I do get a little, well, bored from time-to-time. I’m a stay-at-home mom and there are only so many times I want to visit XYZ park on a weekly basis before I feel like I’m reliving my own version of the movie Groundhog Day.

I need a change of scenery … and so does my family. Carowinds offers just that.

I recently joined Carowinds as one of their bloggers with a mission to come enjoy the park and tell our readers what I REALLY think about it. And quite honestly, I REALLY think it is awesome!

Growing up in Columbia, Carowinds was a staple of my childhood. I went with my family, my youth group and my friends several times a year and remember having the best time whizzing down the Scooby-Doo roller coaster while taking in all the sights and sounds. But once I graduated high school and went on with other things in life, the park became a distant memory for more than twenty years. (Geesh, am I really that old?) And the sad part is I let this happen.

But the good news is this fabulous amusement park doesn’t hold a grudge and welcomed me back with open arms, an updated look and more fun than I remember having all those years ago. If you’re looking for an activity the whole family will enjoy, look no further. Here are five reasons Carowinds is the perfect family trip!

Short Drive From Columbia

Let’s face it, traveling with kids is not exactly the easiest … so the shorter the ride, the better. At a little over an hour’s drive from Columbia, it’s just the right amount of time to explore a new place without the wrath of an antsy kid. Before my son had a chance to ask ,”Are we there yet??” … we were, and he couldn’t have been more excited!

On the flip-side, the ride home has just as many advantages. We waited until later in the day to leave with the hopes my son would fall asleep in the car and we could easily transfer to bed. The plan worked. He had just enough time to unwind from all the fun of the day and head deep into dreamland.

Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Thirty minutes after taking this photo, my son was ASLEEP in the car. Win-win!

Planet Snoopy is Designated for All Things Kids

I love that the park is divided into different sections, so I didn’t have to worry about pinpointing where all the children’s rides are (and explain to my 4-year-old why he can’t ride Fury 325, one of Carowinds’ fastest and largest roller coasters).

Planet Snoopy is home to thirteen rides just for kids (height requirements pending –  we had no issues with my normal sized 4-year-old). This was the perfect number of rides to keep us occupied for several hours, as my son wanted to ride each one at least twice, and the Woodstock Express no less than twenty times (seriously, we had to leave the park with him crying at the end of the day because he wanted to ride it twenty-one times).

Planet Snoopy - Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Just a peek into some of the fun you can have at Planet Snoopy.
Planet Snoopy - Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Characters, rides, all themed around Snoopy? What more could you ask for?
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The Woodstock Express was hands down my son’s favorite ride … and honestly mine too!

Special Kids Entertainment at No Additional Cost

The weekend we visited, it was KidsFest which boasted several additional attractions, like interactive games, crafts, concerts and special musical guests Choo Choo Soul from Disney Jr. – AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. I may have been a little star-struck (even more so than my son), but let’s face it, their songs and dance moves are pretty catchy. And the best part was, the amphitheater was located in Planet Snoopy, so I didn’t have to worry about explaining the whole Fury 360 thing again.

KidsFest - Choo Choo Soul - Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Front seats at Choo Choo Soul! Kids are dancing (and some … errr … parents too).
KidsFest - Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Hula hoop contest … just one of the many fun activities with KidsFest!

Attractions For Everyone

If you’re visiting with a family member that wants a little more excitement than the Woodstock Express roller coaster, Carowinds has you covered. Set up a plan to attack and conquer some of the world’s greatest rides while another family member navigates your little one between the rides at Planet Snoopy.

If amusement rides aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other attractions to take in, like Carolina Harbor Water Park or Dinosaurs Alive.

Carowinds Dinosaurs Alive
My kiddo LOVES dinosaurs, so visiting Dinosaurs Alive was a must! He had the best time taking in the sites, including the fun amusements in the background! “Mama, I can’t wait until I can ride those!”

Memories

Okay, okay … I know it might sounds cliché to mention “memories” but this is for real. My son is finally at the perfect age where he is ready to experience a lot of “big kid” activities on his own. For us, this meant riding several rides on his own, like Charlie Brown’s Windup (aka – the swings) and Snoopy’s Yacht Club (aka – slow moving boat ride).

But aside from riding rides on his own, he was also ready to experience a lot of firsts … like his first ROLLER COASTER. Y’all, this is a BIG DEAL. And he loved every moment of it (along with my iPhone which captured no less than thirty images of the moment). We will forever remember Carowinds among our many firsts … camera ready or not.

Carowinds - Charlie Brown’s Windup - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Riding alone and so proud! Seat number 4 for my 4-year-old.
Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
This smile says it all!
Woodstock Express - Carowinds - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Love this super sweet moment between father and son right before my little one’s first roller coaster ride. This is one for the memory books for sure!

My family had an incredible time visiting Carowinds and all it has to offer. If you’re looking for a fun, family trip that has something for everyone, Carowinds has it all!

Have you visited Carowinds recently? What would you add to the list?

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Tiffany Nettles
Tiffany traded in back-to-back business meetings and PowerPoint presentations, for sippy cups and play dates – leaving her corporate job behind to become a stay at home mom to her 16-month-old toddler. To say life is different is an understatement, and she now has a new found love and respect for the “hardest” (and best!) job she’s ever had. A native South Carolinian, Tiffany is best described as kind-hearted and friendly, with a quick sense of humor. When she’s not toting her little one around town to the latest kid friendly activity, you can find her enjoying a latte at Drip, catching up on the latest celebrity gossip magazines, or watching old reruns of Beverly Hills 90210 from the early 90′s. She received her Masters Degree in Integrated Communications from the University of South Carolina in 2007, and enjoys reading, writing and all things "mom."

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