[mamalynn]

I would like some information about where to eat in the park.
Everything is so expensive. We ate pizza and it wasn't good. The employees were rude too.

Can I get some suggestions about the food? Where is the best place to eat and what are the prices.

Also, is it possible to leave the park or bring a picnic lunch?

Thanks!

[coasterbruh]

OHHH!!! Let me answer...............

Ah hem I strongly suggest OuterHanks. Everytime I go to the park thats where I eat. I always get the flounder sandwich but they have other good meals.

[swampfox43]

Can I get some suggestions about the food? Where is the best place to eat and what are the prices.

Also, is it possible to leave the park or bring a picnic lunch?

Outer Hanks is pretty good. A combo meal will run you about $8. They also serve alcohol there if you are so enticed.

For a more familiar scene, there is a Chick-Fil-A and a Subway in the park. I haven't eaten at either of them in the park so I don't know if their prices are about the same. I'm sure they are probably a bit more.

You can get your hand stamped and do a tailgate picnic. I see people doing it all the time. You may get a visit from park security but they are mainly checking for beer and other illegal parking lot consumptions.

[wdwspider]

The BBQ Sandwich at Country Kitchen is good and huge! A combo will run you $8, but one combo worth of sides can feed two. You can buy a sandwich by itself for another person, or just skip the sides (which aren't that great) and just get two giant BBQ sandwiches. Also, especially on hot days, the refillable cups definitely pay for themselves after four refills. Plus they can be used again on return visits which really makes them a great value then.

I also like Board Wok, close to Outer Hanks. They have various Chinese options, some at near affordable prices (Egg Rolls and Crab Rangoons come to mind). Still higher than outside, but a nice alternative.

Ooohh... I forgot the best value. The Popcorn Shrimp Basket is ALOT of food for a good price. Unless this has changed recently. I always remember one basket feeding two easily. Plenty of fries and plenty of shrimp.

The Smoked Turkey Leg in front of the Sky Tower can fill two as well (they are big) and either $4.00 or $4.50. If you are really hungry, then get two, it's still a decent park price.

[Trev32]

Here is what I do, screw the food at Carowinds and save your money for the end of the day where you can go across the street and get an all you can eat buffet for the same price as a burger and soda!!




Hope that helped some

[coastermom2]

I always felt that if the food were more affordable, more people would stay
in the park to eat instead of tailgate parking lot picnics or leaving the park.
The Chick-fil-A's are not the same in the park. They are much more expensive
and have a very limited menu. I know day guests usually eat in the park, but
season pass moms with kids, like me, either eat at home or go somewhere else because we can't afford the food prices. When we had our Gold season pass, we got a 30% discount (after 5) and we used that OFTEN to get snacks and other stuff. This year, we bought a refillable cup (I noticed the price of that is now $7.99 for the cup and 99cents for refills. We paid $5.99 for the cup and refills used to be $1.99) and we bring in crackers or chips in my backpack for snacks. I think my husband bought a turkey leg one time, but other than that, we have not purchased food in the park this season. (those funnel cakes drive me crazy, though. YUM!!)

[wdwspider]

Here is what I do, screw the food at Carowinds and save your money for the end of the day where you can go across the street and get an all you can eat buffet for the same price as a burger and soda!!




Hope that helped some

Depends...

If you are on a true vacation, then don't sweat the park prices too much. Sure, finding a good value is nice, but on a vacation, higher prices are expected on food and merchadise and give the park a lot of revenue.

On the other hand, if it's a quick day trip, or you just live close by and visit often, then I totally agree with going outside the park to eat for much less.

For me, I visit Carowinds maybe once a year, so eating at the park is already figured into my budget before I plan to go, so I just look for a good bargain within the parks (trying not to sacrifice quality). It's true, many park foods are not that great. The exceptions being Busch Parks and Disney Parks. Although Disney does have some typical food fare, they also offer many better quality food places also. I suppose Universal has a few better than averag3e park eateries as well.

I'm glad that Chick-fil-a and Subway are in Carowinds, but $5 for a 6 inch. Even on a vacation trip, I would go outside and find a cheap Subway if I want them that bad. The convienence just isn't worth it.

[AMartin777]

mmm.. I'm gonna have to try Outer Hanks! I really like the chicken at Kountry Kitchen though it is a tad expensive... oh well, all themepark food is more than normal anyway.

[RollerBee]

Ain't it just fast food? That is what I always thought.

[bgwfreak]

Wings is pretty good. But it's all mostly fast food at all the places in the Paramount chain.

I wish we'd get some really good food like they have at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.... I know dream on...

Nothing is cheap at a theme park. The parks make more money off the food and junk you buy than the ticket price. The ticket basically covers the operation of the park I believe, and then the rest if profit.

[carowindsfreak13]

I go to wings everytime because it is cool and refreshing in their. I also go to dippin dots, funnelcakes near the waterpark.