CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The largest amusement park in the Carolinas will open its gates once again Saturday morning.
Once inside, families will enjoy a completely reimagined kids area, which features five new rides and a massive, 8,000-square foot playground.
Camp Snoopy is the largest change to Carowinds since Fury 325.
"It is a great year to be a kid in the Carolinas," said Carowinds Director of Communications, Lisa Stryker. "For opening day, we've got a Peanuts Celebration. We're going to have a flag raising to debut Camp Snoopy."
Here are the attractions to watch for in Camp Snoopy:
- Camp Bus: A wacky camp bus ride that takes guests up, down and around.
- Peanuts Trailblazers: A Jeep-themed vehicle track ride.
- Kite-Eating Tree: A kite vehicle that takes kids up 20 feet and gently brings them back
- down.
- Pig Pen's Mud Buggies: Guests "drive" around the while the Pig Pen character bounces on a bumpy ride.
- Woodstock Whirlybirds: A classic "teacup" ride.
- Beagel Scout Acres: A climb and play area with room to run, play and provides shade.
"I think it's something the kids are really going to enjoy," said Steve Jackson, Director of Construction for Carowinds. "This is a huge change. I went to summer camp as a kid... it's got all the summer camp feel to it."
Carowinds said nearly all guests enjoy a meal while they visit and this year features new food choices as well. Carowinds said 500-600 guests can enjoy lunch inside Harmony Hall each hour.
"Carowinds sweet tea barbecue sauce is three years in the making." said Head Chef Kris Siuta. "Families stay with us between four to six hours so we have to give them a good, quality product... and we do."
The new Carowinds sweet tea barbecue sauce is joined by the smokehouse burger, s’mores funnel cake, bird dog sandwich, patty melt, chicken parmesan, lasagna and mini pretzel dogs for 2018.
Carowinds is also introducing the "pre-k pass" this season. Anyone can receive a free season pass that provides admission for children three to five years old. The pre-k pass is good throughout the entire 2018 season, including the Pumpkin Fest and Winter Fest.
Online registration need to be done by May 28, and the deadline for in-person pick up is June 17. You can click here for more information.