Roller Coasters for Kids at Planet Snoopy in Carowinds

Fun Roller Coasters for Kids at Carowinds © Katrena

If the kids love the thrill of a roller coaster, chances are that Carowinds offers a ride the kids will love if you are around the North Carolina and South Carolina border. Planet Snoopy features two roller coasters – one larger, older wooden one called Woodstock Express and another smaller, shorter steel one called Lucy's Crabby Cabbie.

Tips for Riding Roller Coasters With Kids

Just a quick note to parents who are planning to ride the coasters with the kids – make sure you are physically able to do so. Some rides may be a tight, if not impossible, fit for adults who are larger or taller. You might want to wait a while after eating to hit some of the higher thrill roller coasters, especially if the kids or you tend to get carsick, although these rides tend to cause less nausea than the ones that go around in circles, at least that's the case for my family.

Ensure that the kids meet height requirements before standing in line. If you have more than one child in a height range that requires a responsible person to ride with each and only one adult is in the group, you might find a volunteer (that you trust) behind you in the line willing to ride with one child or you might consider having someone else to accompany you on your Carowinds trip. If you hit Carowinds on a day with small crowds, the ride operators may allow you to ride more than once without having to go back through the line again if no one is waiting for that seat.

Make sure to secure any loose items, including shoes and glasses and hats, before riding. Those who are well endowed might want to wear a good-fitting support bra...just sayin'.

Lucy's Crabby Cabbie

Roller Coaster for Small Kids at Carowinds - Lucy's Crabby Cabbie © Katrena

This little roller coaster scored big time with my 4-year-old who is too short for many of the more thrilling and bigger rides at Carowinds. This one is located at the back of Planet Snoopy and is designed with kids in mind. People above a certain height must be accompanied by a child. Children 36 to 40 inches must be accompanied by a responsible person - taller kids can ride alone.

This little roller coaster lasts one minute and fifteen seconds and makes a circle with lots of ups and downs on the way. A camera will catch the grins and grimaces as you head down the first and largest hill. This one actually picks up pretty good speed for a tiny roller coaster. The ride ends with multiple little hills. Those riding in the back will feel those hills a bit more.

Fun First Roller Coaster at Carowinds © Katrena

Lucy's Crabby Cabbie is a great first roller coaster for the little ones. Most of the kids who were riding this one walked around numerous times to get back in line over and over. The front car tended to be the most popular with the kids. We were fortunate to pick a date that was not very crowded, so the wait time was minimal.

This ride also offers a great view of the Intimidator roller coaster (red track in the background). One of my older kids practically drooled while watching that huge coaster because she was not quite tall enough this year!

Woodstock Express

I'm going to have to show my age on this one because I remember this one used to be called something like the Scooby Doo Roller Coaster. It later became the Fairly Oddcoaster. Now I've got to get used to the newest name of Woodstock Express.

This is a nice sized wooden coaster for the kids and it is also pretty popular with some adults. You can walk around toward Lucy's Crabby Cabbie and take a look at the track if you want to have more of an idea of where you may be going on a ride named for Snoopy's feathered friend.

Wooden Roller Coaster in Planet Snoopy at Carowinds © Katrena

The Woodstock Express reaches speeds of 35 miles per hour and a few hills might leave your stomach behind. When riding it for the first time, the kids might want to pick a spot near the middle of the coaster because this section tends to give the tamest ride.

If the kids are between 40 and 46 inches, they will need to have a responsible person to ride with them who meets the requirements to ride alone and is at least 16 years old. My 10-year-old and 8-year-old both enjoyed the Woodstock Express and rode it several times when we visited Carowinds. A camera is set up on the largest hill of this roller coaster to catch those fun expressions as riders pick up speed.

I hope you find this information helpful as you look for adventurous outdoor activities in NC that are family-friendly. Readers may also wish to read my article on practical tips for enjoying Carowinds with the family and my article on Carowinds' water park called Boomerang Bay. If you have kids that are a little bigger, you might want to read How Tall Do You Have to Be to Ride the Intimidator? Season pass holders might want to check out the 2013 Carowinds Bring a Friend Dates article. Find more of Katrena's articles at the Travel NC With Kids site map.

Roller Coasters for Children at Carowinds Kids Area © Katrena