Charlotte, N.C. (January 29, 2007) – Carowinds, the Carolinas' premier entertainment destination, will reduce the price of adult and junior/senior one-day regular admission tickets for the 2007 season – the first time the park has decreased its price of admission since opening in 1973.
Beginning March 24, when the 108-acre theme and water park opens in celebration of its 35th season, the price of a regular, one-day admission ticket (valid for guests ages 3 – 61, who are 48 inches and taller) will be $44.95, a reduction of $5 off the price of the same ticket in 2006 ($49.99). The park's junior/senior ticket (valid for guests ages 3 and up who are less than 48 inches tall or ages 62 and better) is only $19.95.
The new pricing offers dramatic savings for families in 2007. The price of the child/senior ticket in 2006 was $32.99, amounting to savings of $13 per ticket. Children under three years of age will continue to receive free park admission.
Reduced ticket prices aren't all that's new at Carowinds in 2007. In June, the park will debut "Carowinds Endless Summer on Ice," a tribute to the summertime experience, from the last day of school to the end of summer vacation! The Carowinds Theatre stage will be transformed for the park's first ice show in more than 10 years.
"This year, the entertainment value for our guests is better than ever before," said Vice President and General Manager John Shanrock. "With lower ticket prices, the addition of products that appeal to the entire family, as well as the existing lineup of rides and attractions, Carowinds continues to be the best choice for a day of fun in the Carolinas."
Shanrock also noted the return of the Southern Star (formerly Frenzoid). The ride is being relocated to a prominent position in the County Fair section after a one-year absence from the park. The giant looping Viking ship swings backward and forward before beginning a series of complete loops that suspend riders upside down more than 80 feet in the air. Riders are treated to sudden speed changes and controlled freefalls as the ship moves through its 360-degree cycle. The Southern Star is scheduled to open with the park March 24.
Also returning is the fabulously-popular Nickelodeon™ Celebration Parade. Back for its fourth year, the parade has become a favorite among families visiting the park. Highlighted by a colorful convoy of motorized floats, more than 20 Nickelodeon® characters and a cast of nearly 100 performers, the award-winning parade brings families to their feet as they get face to face with the stars of Nickelodeon. For the first time, Carowinds guests can experience the parade all summer long, winding its way through the streets of Carowinds at 7 p.m. daily (except for Tuesdays) from June 11 – Aug. 19.
And for guests searching for an even better deal on admission than the reduced front gate prices in 2007, the park is proud to announce special advance ticket pricing good all season long. In honor of the 35th anniversary season of Carowinds, tickets will be on sale at www.carowinds.com and at the park's ticket retail partners for only $35 ($34.95). Web sales require a purchase more than three days in advance of the visit. Retail ticket partners for 2007 are Harris Teeter stores in N.C. and York County, S.C, and BI-LO stores in the rest of S.C., August, Ga., and eastern Tenn.
"We're very proud of the fact that we have played such an important part in entertaining the people of the Carolinas during the past 35 years," Shanrock said. "We couldn't think of a better way to say thank you to all of our guests than to offer them an even better deal on park admission."
Shanrock added that 2007 will be the first full season that Carowinds is part of the Cedar Fair family of amusement parks. Cedar Fair, based in Sandusky, Ohio, purchased the five Paramount Parks last July. The company now owns and operates 12 amusement parks and five water parks in North America.
Season Passes are currently on sale at the lowest price of the season. Individual season passes are just $69.95 and a Family and Friends four-pack is just $269.95 ($67.49 each). New this year is the Carowinds Junior/Senior season pass, priced at just $54.95 all season long for guests 3 and older who are under 48 inches tall, or 62 years of age and better. Season Passes include unlimited admission to Carowinds all season and a variety of additional benefits. Guests must purchase by May 21 to receive these prices and the Season Pass benefits. Also new this year is the Cedar Fair Maxx Pass, good for unlimited visits to 13 Cedar Fair Ride parks, and the Cedar Fair Maxx Plus Pass, good for admission to all ride parks plus the five Cedar Fair water parks. For more details on the Maxx pass, as well as a full list of the benefits of the Carowinds Season Pass, visit www.carowinds.com.
Carowinds has 108 action-packed acres featuring more than 60 world-class rides, shows and attractions. Open daily during the summer; weekends in the spring and fall. For more information, guests can call Paramount's Carowinds at 704/588-2600, 803/548-5300, or 800/888-4386 or visit the Park's Web site at www.carowinds.com. Carowinds is located off I-77 (Exit 90) on the NC/SC border.
Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: "FUN") is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Partnership, which owns and operates twelve amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, Toronto, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri and Michigan. Cedar Fair's flagship park, Cedar Point, has been voted the "Best Amusement Park in the World" for eight consecutive years in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper. | 