Carowinds is a wonderful amusement park and water park. It is small enough that you can ride every ride in one day and large enough so you are never bored. Buying a Gold Season Pass is the way to go. After 2 visits you have gotten your money's worth. Parking is free with the season pass, otherwise it is $15 each trip. Carowinds has many trees and flowering plants everywhere. Very easy to be in the shade when the sun gets too hot. It is wonderful to have such a nice park here in the Carolina's! Living close allows us to go there anytime we want, like having a theme park in our backyard!