Carowinds opened their 20-acre waterpark, Boomerang Bay, last weekend and we got to check it out this week! I chose to go on Tuesday since I knew the kids were still in school and I figured it would be less crowded which is a plus for 2 kiddos with sensory processing disorder. We chose the most perfect day! (Hurry if you want to beat the crowd, CMS gets out June 8!)
Boomerang Bay, built in 1982, has grown to 13 attractions, with 5 water slides, 3 younger children areas, 2 wave pools, and 1 resort style pool. And somehow we managed to try everything out (minus 3 of the big slides) plus ride some rides in the park all in 7 hours!
When we arrived, I let E ride some of the kids rides in Planet Snoopy. After an hour in the kid park, we headed to Boomerang Bay for some water fun. I love that the younger kids (E is 5) can ride most of the water slides and can hang in all of the pools as long as they are wearing a life jacket.
E's favorite was the Platypus Plunge water slide since she could go down the 125-foot chute in a 2 person raft without an adult. I think it was the whole independence thing. She also loved the 564-foot slide Down Under Thunder that seats a family of 4. My favorite was the more relaxing Crocodile Run river which runs down both North Carolina and South Carolina. E also loved the wave pool and kept wanting to go to the deep end.
The chlorine levels weren't too high that we left with stinging red eyes, which was very nice! All in all we had a relaxing time in Boomerang Bay while the kids played. The 3 children areas have about 4 inches of standing water, some areas have none, so there isn't a way your child can go under water. So the kids had more free reign than usual. There were life guards at every ride/attraction, which put us even more at ease. We of course had our eyes on them at all times, but we didn't feel the need to be within arms reach. In the larger pools, children are required to wear life jackets, even if they are in the shallow end. But it was nice to get cooled off in the 80 degree heat.
I really liked that there were lockers in several areas of the waterpark to store your valuables while you are playing. It's kind of hard to go down a water slide with a wallet in your bathing suit! There are also changing areas and bathrooms all over the waterpark so you don't have to wear your bathing suit throughout the park. Boomerang Bay is open from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. They make an announcement before they close so you can claim your things in your locker.
Carowinds is located at 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273 They are operating on Spring hours, so be sure to check out their website to get the times and to get the best deals on tickets. If you live in the Charlotte area, I recommend getting a season pass to enjoy both parks all summer long. It is really worth the investment!
*Carowinds gave us free admission to the park for review. This in no way alters my opinion. These are my thoughts, results, views.
Thanks for the tips! We have purchased season pass for the first time this year. Can't wait to spend summer days at the water park.
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