Carowinds opens for its 52nd season on March 15, 2025. This year, there’s a ton of construction at “The Place Where The Carolinas Come Together, as the park is opening two new family attractions in Camp Snoopy – Snoopy’s Racing Railway and Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast. In addition, eagle-eared listeners of the Coaster101 Podcast might have heard the late breaking news that Carolina Harbor water park will also be gaining a new addition in 2025 with the ages-21-and-up Carolina Harbor Shore Club, anchored by the new Paul Metto’s Dockside Bar – the first swim-up bar in Charlotte.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Carowinds had us out to the park to snap a few photos of ongoing off-season construction projects.
Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast
One of the aforementioned Camp Snoopy additions for 2025 is Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast – an Interactive Boat Ride (NOT a Splash Battle – that’s another company) from MACK Rides.
The attraction is still very much under construction, and is scheduled to open in a late spring timeframe.
Obligatory shots of construction vehicles.
Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast will be the first water ride on the “Dry” side of Carowinds since the closure of Rip Roarin’ Rapids in 2019.
Snoopy’s Racing Railway
More construction progress had been made on Snoopy’s Racing Railway, Carowinds’ newest family-friendly roller coaster from ART Engineering.
The Coaster’s train is on-site, and for a children’s roller coaster, the train looks highly impressive.
Each row has two seats with individual lap bars – which feels fairly unique for a family sit-down roller coaster.
These photographs don’t necessarily do the legroom justice, but these trains appear to have a lot of leg room for a family coaster. (Certainly more than Wilderness Run or Woodstock Express!)
The front of the train will have a functioning headlight!
After going “vertical” earlier in the week, a majority of the track for Snoopy’s Racing Railway is now in place.
Snoopy’s Racing Railway will have more than 800′ of grey track, with brown supports.
The train will traverse the track twice, and feature a launch of 31mph.
This launch is made possible by a tire-propelled launch system.
If you are curious, the tires on the launch are Continental tires.
Snoopy’s Racing Railway joins Wilderness Run as roller coasters at Carowinds that have a 36″ height requirement.
The coaster’s final banked curves still needed to be installed.
A timeline for track completion was not mentioned, but Snoopy’s Racing Railway is expected to open late spring.
Just a few more track pieces to go!
The mid-course launch building, under construction!
Carolina Harbor Shore Club
As announced on the Coaster101 Podcast, Carolina Harbor will be adding an “Adults Only” (Ages 21+) area inside of the water park this season. Known as the Carolina Harbor Shore Club, the area will feature cabanas, lawn games, a swimming pool, and of course, a swim up bar – Paul Metto’s Dockside Bar.
The “Lagoon” inside of the Shore Club is under construction, and Paul Metto’s is well under construction as well.
More water parks need swim up bars.
Cabanas will flank the far side of the the Adults Only area, while cornhole and other lawn games will be between the cabanas and the pool area.
Located on the former site of Dorsal Fin Drop and Surfer’s Swell, Carolina Harbor Shore Club is adjacent to the Blackbeard’s Revenge Drop Slide tower.
Carolina Harbor Shore Club is scheduled to open with Carolina Harbor in late May.
Be sure to keep your eyes “trained” to Carowinds’ website and social media channels for ongoing construction updates! Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram
Which of Carowinds’ new for 2025 attractions are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!
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