Amusement park Coverage

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

Work begins on new Myrtle Beach amusement park

Work is underway on a new amusement park in Myrtle Beach.

WMBF News

Bars, movie theaters to reopen as NC moves into next phase of recovery

Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday that coronavirus cases are stable enough in North Carolina to move the state into the next phase of reopening businesses and resuming social activities during the pandemic.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Adam Owens and Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporters

Hong Kong Disney closes as coronavirus sees resurgence

A month after opening to mask-wearing visitors, the Disney amusement park in Hong Kong has closed again.

More reopening bills on the way in legislature

The state Senate is set to debate on what may be the last night of the legislative session.

Lawmakers try to force governor's hand on coronavirus closures

The General Assembly on Wednesday sent two more bills to Gov. Roy Cooper seeking to reopen part of North Carolina's economy despite Cooper's closure order to limit the spread of coronavirus.

As lawmakers push for more openings, Cooper to address possible end of Phase 2

On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce if North Carolina will propel into Phase 3 this week or stay in Phase 2.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief, & Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

House debates July 4th celebration, bowling alley reopening bills

The House is expected to vote on bills that would prevent cities from blocking 4th of July parades and fireworks because of the pandemic and would allow bowling alleys and skating rinks to reopen.

'People were bleeding all over': America's most dangerous amusement park

Amusement parks are designed to deliver thrills. They are places for splashing and screaming and laughing, often on rides that defy common sense, not to mention the laws of physics.

James Barron, New York Times

Records show some NC fair rides had problems in other places

WRAL looked into the inspection records of ride operators bringing amusements to this year's NC State Fair.

Disney's new sky gondola stalls midair with passengers aboard

Vacationgoers riding a new aerial gondola system at Walt Disney World in Florida on Saturday night were stranded in the air for several hours after an unknown problem caused some of the gondolas to come to a halt.

Mihir Zaveri, New York Times

Copperhead Strike roller coaster closed at Carowinds after injury

The newest rollercoaster at Carowinds is shut down during an investigation after a rider was injured.

Ride resembling swastikas pulled from German amusement park

An amusement park ride in Germany meant to thrill people had quite the opposite effect when video of it in operation went viral online.

Disneyland prepares to open 'Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge'

While "Star Wars" fans bide their time for the next film in the saga this December, they can get excited about a new attraction officially opening to the public Friday at Disneyland.

New Carowinds roller coaster nears opening date

The Copperhead Strike, a new high-thrills roller coaster at Carowinds, is set to open this month.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist

Timelapse: Carowinds' Copperhead Coaster construction completed

A timelapse video shows the construction process of Carowinds' newest roller coaster, Copperhead Strike. Video courtesy of Carowinds.

Tweetsie Railroad

The amusement park between Boone and Blowing Rock opened in 1957 and continues to draw thousands of families each year.