Policies and Procedures
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Inside Curve

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Rider Safety Information - Policies and Procedures

At Carowinds, we are proud to have earned one of the best safety records in the industry. We are committed to providing our guests with a safe environment and we want our guests to have a safe and enjoyable day. Many amusement park rides incorporate safety systems designed by the manufacturer to accommodate people of average physical stature and body proportion. These safety systems may place restrictions on the ability of an individual to safely experience the ride. Extremely large or small individuals, guests who have heart, back or neck trouble, pregnant women, people who have had recent surgery, people with casts, braces, restrictive devices or disabilities may not be safely accommodated by these systems.

Rider Safety General Information

In general, all riders should be in good health and free from any conditions known or unknown that might be aggravated by riding. To ride, guests must have the ability to brace themselves upright in the seat and support their head and neck during ride movements.

Casts and Braces

Guests with casts and braces will be restricted from riding rides where the cast or brace will not fit inside the ride unit or where it will present a hazard to the guest or others. Guests with full arm (elbow restricted) and full leg (knee restricted) casts or braces are restricted from most rides and slides at Carowinds and Boomerang Bay. We suggest you delay your visit until the cast is removed.

Pregnant Women

It is recommended that pregnant women refrain from riding all rides with the exception of Carolina Skytower.

Prosthetic Devices

Guests with any type of prosthesis should not ride Nighthawk unless they can ensure the device is properly secured and will remain in place during the ride. If there is any concern of the prosthesis becoming dislodged during ride, guests should visit Guest Services for assistance.

Ride Rating System

A Ride Rating Program has been designed which provides a scale for rating the thrill factor of each ride. The intent is to provide a scale to guide Park guests in determining which attractions to ride based on their own experience level, physical condition, and abilities. Please check each ride profile under the Ride section for that ride's respective rating.

Special Access Entrances

Carowinds Ride Admission Policy and Special Access Entrances are designed to help you safely experience our facilities. Rides and Special Access designations will make boarding easier. If you require the use of a Special Access Entrance to enter a ride, please visit Guest Services. However, not everyone can safely enjoy every ride with a Special Access Entrance. Please refer to the Rider Safety Guide at Carowinds for rides that will safely accommodate you.

The safety of guests and employees is our #1 Priority at Carowinds. Safety is a shared partnership between the park and our guests. Guests are asked to review and carefully consider the ride restrictions and use good judgment. However, we reserve the right to make the final decision regarding eligibility of a rider based on a person’s size, weight or other limitations.

In an effort to be fair to all of our guests, guests with restricted mobility and one riding companion may enter via our special access entrance after their party waits in line. Guest with a party size of three or more will have members of their party wait in line. Guests with a party size of two may obtain a boarding time. Guests may rest in a comfortable spot until the boarding time expires and then enter the ride via the Special Access Entrance. This service is for a Guest with a disability and one riding companion.

The following guidelines will be of assistance with using Special Access Entrances.

  1. Only one riding companion may enter through the Special Access Entrance with you. Other members of your party are asked to enter the ride in the standard manner through the line. Special Access Entrances are intended to accommodate wheelchairs and those guests with mobility restrictions and not to bypass others waiting in line.
  2. Until your party reaches the boarding platform, you may rest in a comfortable location or enjoy other attractions in the area.
  3. If you wish to ride together, once your party is ready to board, you may enter through the Special Access Entrance. Those members of the party who waited in line should advise the ride attendants that you will be joining them.
  4. Ride hosts will tell you how to board each ride. Carowinds personnel are not trained nor permitted to transfer guests from a wheelchair to a ride unit. You should plan your visit with someone who can physically help you when necessary.
  5. Not all rides have a Special Access Entrance. If in doubt, please refer to individual ride listing for locations.
  6. The Guest with the disability must ride in order for their party to use the Special Access Entrance. If the guest with the disability chooses not to ride, his/her party must wait in line. NOTE: guest may not accumulate more than oneboarding time at a time.

Definitions

Every ride entrance lists height requirements and special instructions regarding the ride. Carowinds uses the following terms:

  • Responsible Person: A responsible person is someone who meets all the requirements to ride the ride themselves, is 16 years of age or older, and demonstrates appropriate observed behavior.
  • Accompanied By: Whenever a guest needs accompaniment, the accompanying person must meet all the ride requirements, as well as assist the guest. This includes helping the guests in the boarding and exiting of the ride, assisting the guest in maintaining postural control while riding, and assisting the guest down stairs, catwalks, or ladders in case of an evacuation.
  • Hand-held Infant: A hand-held infant is a child who is unable to walk to the ride unit independently or maintain independent seated postural control.
  • Functioning Extremity: A functioning extremity is a limb over which a person has control. A prosthetic device is considered a functioning extremity. Nighthawk has additional requirements regarding prosthetic devices.
  • Ability to hold on or brace: Ability to use one’s arms to maintain a grasp on an assist bar and support one’s body during normal and emergency procedures on a ride and to use one’s legs to brace to maintain a seated position during the forces of the ride.

Warning

Many rides at Carowinds are dynamic and thrilling. There are inherent risks in riding any amusement ride. For your protection, each ride is rated for its special features, such as high speeds, steep drops, sharp turns, or other dynamic forces. If you choose to ride, you accept all of these risks. Restrictions for guests of extreme size (height or weight) are posted at certain rides. Guests with disabilities should refer to our Ride Admission Policy available at Guest Services. Participate responsibly. You should be in good health to ride safely. You know your physical conditions and limitations, Carowinds does not. If you suspect your health could be at risk for any reason, or you could aggravate a pre-existing condition of any kind, DO NOT RIDE!