CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carowinds announced a new chaperone policy that will require park visitors under the age of 15 to be accompanied by an adult to remain in the park after 4 p.m.
Carowinds' new chaperone policy requires all park guests who are 15 years old or younger to be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 to be allowed in the park from 4 p.m. until close. The new policy takes effect on Saturday, April 22. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 underage guests per day. All chaperones must present a valid government-issued ID when entering the park.
The new policy was implemented due to "increasing incidents of unruly and inappropriate behavior" over the last two years across the theme park and entertainment industries, Carowinds said in a statement.
Amusement parks across the country are implementing chaperone policies and not a situation unique to Carowinds. Park officials here said this is a way to curb unruly behavior and create a safer environment for everyone.
“My family and I have been going since my kids were in strollers,” said Kimberly Johnson, a South Carolina resident.
For 50 years, families like the Johnsons have been coming to enjoy rides, water parks and live entertainment at the amusement park.
Some people are happy about the change. “Good riddance. If children can't act like civilized human beings in parks then they need to be chaperoned”...“It’s about time” are just some of the comments found under the Carowinds' Facebook post about the new policy.
However, some families with season passes, like the Johnsons, have different thoughts.
“My 19-year-old would normally take her 15, almost 15-year-old sister,” said Johnson. “It makes it hard and it's unfair that my one daughter can't go in and enjoy Carowinds just because of this new rule.
She said because of a health condition she would need a wheelchair at the park and can’t take her daughter like used to. And with the changes, she doesn’t think her family will be able to make the best use of the passes.
“I agree that rules have to be put in place but don't punish everybody who does obey the rules, never caused any problems and have been going there all their life because of the few bad apples,” said Johnson.
When it comes to looking at bringing the chaperone age limit down to 18, a spokesperson said they are always evaluating their safety policies. She added that they will continue to make modifications based on the needs and behaviors they are seeing in the park.
Former Six Flags security manager, Johnny Dunn, has some questions about how it will be carried out.
“The chaperone can bring a child in, stay for an hour or even 30 minutes,” said Dunn. “So that gets them inside and meets the requirements of having a chaperone to get inside the park. But how are you going to enforce it?”
A spokesperson said there is enhanced security and police presence at the park. If a child is found without a chaperone, the chaperone will be called and if they don’t show up in a timely manner that child will be ejected from the park.
Although Dunn said he agrees with the policy he said increasing security is more beneficial.
“Additional police for visibility in a safe and secure atmosphere on the outside and inside major rides and just additional security people,” said Dunn.
Park officials said they believe these actions will help make sure Carowinds remains what it has been for decades a place that generations of families and friends can enjoy safely.
The park previously implemented a temporary chaperone policy for its SCarowinds event last fall after "unruly behavior" by several groups of minors caused panic at the park.
"There were people getting trampled everywhere because everybody was sprinting as fast as they could," Michael Hibberd said. "I saw people tripping over the flower pots. I was really scared because, especially in America, there's been a lot of shootings going on recently and sadly, it's one of those things that could happen."
A 13-year-old was trapped inside a claw machine at the park after he climbed inside hoping to score a prize on April 16, Carowinds said. The boy was banned from the park for one year for attempted theft, according to a Carowinds spokesperson.
"We are committed to keeping Carowinds a place where families and friends come together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind park full of fun experiences and immersive entertainment," a park statement said.
Chaperones must accompany their guests during park entry and remain inside the park during the visit. All chaperones must be available by phone throughout their party's stay, Carowinds said.
Any guests who are 15 or under without a chaperone will be subject to removal from the park.
"We believe these changes will help ensure that Carowinds continues to have a positive atmosphere where generations of families and friends can gather for a day of safe fun and good food," the park said. "Millions of guests have counted on us for exactly that, and we will continue to deliver on that promise for generations to come."
Carowinds isn't the only popular venue with chaperone policies in place. Concord Mills Mall requires all guests under 18 to be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 on Fridays and Saturdays. The policy was implemented in July 2021 after several incidents involving minors, including the shooting death of a 13-year-old in 2019.
Jesse Pierre: Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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