Scarowinds is a hot topic this Halloween season delivering thrills, chills, and mixed reviews on cost. Tickets cost around $70, students are asking, is the spookiest night in the Carolinas worth the price tag?

The popular Carowinds theme park transforms into Scarowinds for select October nights, combining world-class coasters like Fury 325 and Copperhead Strike with haunted houses and scare zones. For many, the event marks a seasonal bucket-list item, especially for those who love both rides and Halloween. The park’s staff keeps the atmosphere lively, and the added haunted attractions inject a festive vibe that regular visits can’t match.

At $70, Scarowinds’ pricing is on par with comparable events at major theme parks. This ticket covers all rides, haunted mazes, and live entertainment, though it doesn’t include food, drinks, or skip-the-line passes. Students who plan to maximize their visits often feel it’s still “worth it,” but others balk at the high price when factoring in extra costs and long lines.​

Scarowinds is likely worth the splurge for anyone who loves Halloween, group outings, and high-energy experiences. For casual parkgoers or those focused on rides, regular admission may offer more bang for your buck outside the haunted season.

If you want every maze, scare zone, and top-tier coaster? Then you can count on Scarowinds to bring the frights, and make your $70 worth it.

Bailey Kunkel, staff writer

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