I've been in this area for quite some time and sti...

I've been in this area for quite some time and still don't understand the attraction to Carowinds.

While the rides are fun, the slack-jawed teenagers running them could care less about being efficient about getting people on and off of them. The lines are always excessively long. Expect a 30 minute wait for a 3 minute (or less!) lackluster ride. The rides themselves are all pretty worn-looking in appearance and don't give a very smooth ride. I've been here several times and each time I have seen a broken-down ride, or witnessed a ride malfunction.

Food choices are all pretty poor and VERY overpriced. Lines are also a problem at the concessions. Again, staffed by teenagers unwilling or unable to care about doing a decent job. Panda Express? I mean, who goes to the fair and wants takeout Chinese food?? Chick-Fil-A is there, but expect a tenth of the menu at 2x the price of the franchise literally a mile away up 485.

Carnival games are a ripoff - as expected - but try explaining that to a 7-year-old who wants to 'win' a toy.

Overall, it seems like a well-kept county fair that never got taken down. Replace the carnies with minimum wage teens, and you get the idea.