Introducing the SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience in 2023. Here for both daytime FUN and nighttime frights? Now, you can remain inside the park as Carowinds transforms into SCarowinds. Simply join the First in Fright queue near Bailey’s Barnyard in Crossroads by 4:45 p.m. on days when the park is open for both The Great Pumpkin Fest and SCarowinds. For this experience, a valid season pass (Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+) or SCarowinds ticket is required. 

By 5:30 p.m., participants will be ushered into Aeronautica Landing. At 7:00 p.m., SCarowinds opens, unveiling a series of spooky attractions, including the brand-new Procession of Nightmares.  

For this experience, a valid season pass (Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+) or SCarowinds ticket is required. All other guests present during the day must leave the park by 5:00pm. 

FAQs 

I have both a daytime daily ticket and a SCarowinds ticket. Do I need to exit the park at the end of daytime operating hours before returning to SCarowinds? 

No. You do not need to exit the park if you have both a daytime and SCarowinds daily ticket. With the SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience, you can continue to enjoy attractions, games, and food and beverage locations in the Aeronautica Landing-area of the park between the events. However, please note that you must have a valid season pass (Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+) or SCarowinds daily ticket to participate in this experience.  

If you are unable to comply with Carowinds’ chaperone policy when entering the First in Fright queue, you will be directed to exit the park. 

I have a Carowinds' Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+ season pass. Do I need to exit the park at the end of daytime operating hours before returning to SCarowinds? 

No. You do not need to exit the park if you have a Carowinds’ Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+ season pass. Enter the First in Fright queue near Bailey’s Barnyard in Crossroads by 4:45 p.m. and scan your season pass when prompted. At 5:30 p.m., you can continue to enjoy attractions, games, and food and beverage locations in the Aeronautica Landing-area.  

If you are unable to comply with Carowinds’ chaperone policy when entering the First in Fright queue, you will be directed to exit the park. 

If I am 15 years or younger and entered the park without a chaperone 21 years of age or older for daytime operation, do I need a chaperone to stay in the park between events? 

Yes, all guests ages 15 or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted to, or remain in, the park for SCarowinds.  

The chaperone must present a valid government-issued photo identification with a date of birth at ticket entry. One (1) chaperone may accompany up to 10 guests ages 15 or younger daily. In addition, the chaperone must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests aged 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection. This chaperone requirement applies to all Carowinds’ ticket and season pass holders. 

Guests 16 years of age or older may be asked to present a valid government-issued photo identification (Driver’s license, state-issued ID Card, Passport) with the date of birth at entry to verify their age. If unable to verify proof of age, guests may be denied access to the park.  

If I am in costume during the daytime and plan to stay in the park between events, can I remain in costume for SCarowinds? 

No. Costume masks, face paint, or costume attire are not allowed into SCarowinds. Guests may not enter wearing trench coats or flak jackets. If you are in costume for the daytime event, please plan to change out of the costume before staying in the park between both events. Guests wearing costumes will not be permitted to participate in the SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience. 

If I have a bag during the daytime and plan to stay in the park between events, can I keep it with me for SCarowinds? 

Yes, if you have a bag with you during the daytime operations, you may keep it with you through SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience and SCarowinds. After 7:00 p.m., guests may not bring bags of any kind, including purses, backpacks, or diaper bags, into the park during SCarowinds. Guests who require health accommodations may bring a bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” containing only medically necessary items into the park. All bags will be searched before entry. 

These policies are in effect until further notice and are subject to change. 

Will my daytime daily ticket or Silver Season Pass or admission upgrades (i.e., dining plans, Fast Lane, FunPix) continue to work for SCarowinds if I stay in the park between events? 

No, the validity of all daytime daily tickets or Silver Season Passes and admission upgrades, such as dining plans, Fast Lane, and FunPix, will end promptly at 5:00 p.m. SCarowinds upgrades can be redeemed at 5:30 p.m. within the Aeronautica Landing-area as part of SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience.  

Can I leave the park and return after scanning my SCarowinds admission as part of SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience? 

No. SCarowinds’ no reentry policy applies to SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience. If you must leave Carowinds after scanning your SCarowinds admission, you may not reenter.