Amusement park Coverage

Guide: Amusement parks within driving distance of Raleigh

Triangle residents who are fans of thrills and themed attractions don't have to travel far to experience some of the best.

Joel Bryant

Report: Weld problem spread to cause crack on Carowinds rollercoaster support

A North Carolina Department of Labor investigation found "unidirectional bending fatigue" to blame for the cracked beam that closed the Fury 325 rollercoaster at Carowinds for over a month last summer.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Six Flags to merge with Cedar Fair, which owns Carowinds

Shareholders of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation voted Tuesday to approve the merger with competing amusement park company Cedar Fair, which owns Carowinds.

WCNC

Six Flags to merge with Carowinds' parent company, open new HQ in Charlotte

WCNC Charlotte reports Cedar Fair, the company that owns Carowinds, will merge with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the company announced Thursday.

WCNC Charlotte

Carowinds reopens Fury 325 rollercoaster, closed for over a month

Carowinds has reopened the Fury 325 rollercoaster, which was was closed for more than a month after someone noticed a crack in a support pillar.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

New beam installed at Carowinds after crack found in Fury 325 rollercoaster

A series of tests will be conducted on Fury 325 after the repairs are complete, including a 500-cycle test and a third-party assessment.

New beam installed on Fury 325 rollercoaster at Carowinds after crack found

A series of tests will be conducted on Fury 325 after the repairs are complete, including a 500-cycle test and a third-party assessment.

Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

Work begins to replace steel beam on Carowinds Fury 325 rollercoaster

Carowinds is replacing a support column on the Fury 325 rollercoaster. On Thursday, a new support column and hardware are set to arrive.

Cranes move in to replace cracked support column on Carowinds rollercoaster

Carowinds is replacing a support column on the Fury 325 rollercoaster. On Thursday, a new support column and hardware are set to arrive.

WRAL Staff

'It's going to take a while': NC labor commissioner discusses plan to reopen Carowinds' Fury 325 rollercoaster

North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said he is grateful no one was hurt after a crack was discovered on the support beam of the rollercoaster on June 30.

Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

Broken beam for Fury 325 rollercoaster at Carowinds to be replaced next week

Crews will remove and replace the damaged support column. The new part is expected to be delivered to Carowinds next week. However, the ride will undergo extensive tests and inspections, Carowinds said.

Carowinds releases statement about cracked rollercoaster, plans for reopening

Carowinds on Thursday shared an update on the cracked Fury 325 rollercoaster and what it will take for the ride to reopen.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

'You need to shut this ride down:' Man speaks out after finding crack on Carowinds rollercoaster

Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte closed a roller coaster Friday after a visitor discovered a crack in a support pillar.

Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

Carowinds roller coaster shuts down after visitor reports crack

A rollercoaster ride at Carowinds is closed until further notice after a large crack on a support beam was reported to park employees.

Carowinds to require those under 16 be accompanied with an adult

Starting Saturday, all guests younger than 16 years old must have a chaperone who is at least 21 years old accompany them for admittance or to remain in the park past 4 p.m.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Teen gets stuck in claw machine at Carowinds attempting to steal, officials say

The 13-year-old was given first aid and returned safely to his guardian.

WCNC

New rides, more days to enjoy as Carowinds enters 50th season

Carowinds amusement park is celebrating its 50th anniversary by opening a new section dedicated to the history and future of flight.

Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL lifestyle editor

Carowinds to begin year-round operations in 2023

Carowinds announced this week that it will be open year-round starting Jan. 1, 2023.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Carowinds celebrates 50th anniversary with new park 'Aeronautica Landing'

Carowinds amusement park is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, and in honor of 50 years in operation, the park will be opening a new section dedicated to the history and future of flight.

Durham residents hope city will preserve, expand on what's made Wheels Family Fun Park special

The City of Durham is about to put out another survey asking for residents' opinions on the future of Wheels Family Fun Park. For decades, Wheels has offered go-karts, mini-golf and a skating rink in showing fun-seekers of all ages a good time.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Senior Durham Reporter

Carowinds opens for 2022 season with no COVID-19 restrictions

The 407-acre amusement park reopened Saturday for the 2022 season, but the weather forced the park to close early.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Disneyland to reopen Friday after 13-month closure

Disneyland, California's world-famous theme park, will reopen to visitors after an unprecedented 13-month closure due to the pandemic.

Coney Island reopens for first time since 2019

Coney Island welcomed back visitors to its amusement attractions this weekend for the first time since 2019.

Six Flags to reopen all parks for 2021 season

The plan includes all 26 parks, including five locations that remained closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Six Flags plans to open all of its amusement parks for 2021 season

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation says it is planning to open all 26 of its amusement parks and water parks for the 2021 season, including five that were not able to operate last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

By David Williams, CNN