What is the Carowinds Rain Policy? | Simply Explained
When you're visiting a theme park, rain is one of the few things that you can't control, that can still impact your experience.
In this page, we will go over what Carowinds rain policy is.
What Happens if it Rains in Carowinds?
In the event of a light rain shower outdoor rides at Carowinds will remain open, however if it begins to pick up and/or thunderstorms are on the horizon, outdoor rides will temporarily close.
Carowinds staff will monitor the weather and re-open rides accordingly as the weather improves.
Naturally, during severe weather, the Carowinds Outdoor rides will be the ones being impacted.
Carowinds has announced a four-phase action plan that they will follow when it begins raining.
A Four Phase Plan is Used By Carowinds vs Inclement Weather
Phase 1 - If there's lightning or a storm within 15 miles, the tallest rides will close.
Phase 2 - If there's lightning within 10 miles, the rest of the taller rides will close.
Phase 3 - If there's lightning within 5 miles, the flat rides will close.
Phase 4 - If there are still strong storms over the park, the indoor rides will close.
Does Carowinds Offer Refunds During Rain?
Unfortunately as of the time of this writing, Carowinds does not offer refunds if your day is impacted by severe weather.
You'll want to familiarize yourself with our Best Tips for Visiting Carowinds guide that will ensure that you arrive to the park extremely prepared, and know all of the 'hacks' to maximize your time and money.
Consider Using Rain Notifications
If you're visiting a theme park, especially on a day that there's a chance of rain, you may want to consider enabling rain notifications.
We use rain notifications at almost every theme park that we visit, as it notifies us ahead of time when the rain is approaching, or when the rain is clearing up.
These notifications give us plenty of time to seek shelter, or find an indoor ride.
When we receive the notification that the rain is expected to clear up, we know that we can start heading over to rides very soon.
This small feature gives us a 'leg up' on everyone else on the park, as we're able to know what's going to happen a few minutes before everyone else.
Use This Checklist to Prepare For the Rain
We've made a checklist of items to have and do in case of the rain:
- Bring a Poncho or umbrella
- Download the Carowinds App - the app provides live wait times, an interactive map of the park, allows you to pre-order food, and locate indoor rides and the closest restrooms.
Our Poncho Choice
Poncho's in particular are very cheap, and very worth it.
This unisex, lightweight reusable poncho has worked wonders over the years at dozens of theme parks.
Our Umbrella Choice
The most reliable umbrella that we've used over the years has been the Repel Umbrella.
The main reasons are that it's:
- Wind Resistant - Won't Bend or Fold During High Winds
- Portable - Easy to Put Away After Use
- Only Takes 1 Button to Open and Close
- Non Slip Grip Allows For an Easy Hold Even During Severe Storms
- Can Be Used For Both Men and Women
Many visitors are prepared for the rain when they come to the parks, but they forget about the wind!
Don't overlook the fact that there will be plenty of wind if there's rain.
Be aware that if you do bring an umbrella, you may need to store it in lockers throughout your day, this is a major reason why visitors prefer ponchos.
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