[CoasterChris]

They start putting up sets and stuff for the Paladium, the theatre & the nick stage.

[CoasterChris]

Good times in Entertainment in 2006. My last season at Carowinds. I miss my buds. You'll love these people.

<a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb6GJFk_2to' target='_blank'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb6GJFk_2to</a>

[Thriller]

^ Looks like ya'll had too much fun during breaks!

[ThePatchmanTG KID]

Hey Guys, I am considering working at Carowinds this summer also. I am 15, in a month I will be 16. Does it drain your summer completely up? Is it really really worth it? Cause I am just wondering how it is, cause I am really considering it. If it too draining for someone this age, then I dont think I will if hours are horrible. If I should which should I go into retail, games, or even be a character. Dont mean to cut into the current discussion, but I am just curious.

[CoasterChris]

At 16 I would say go into games or Merchendise. Too young for rides anyway. It's less running around like crazy 24 hours a day. As for hours you tell them what you want to work. If you only want to work 40 hours then you will only get 40 hours and so on. It will take up your entire summer depending on your hours you decide to work.

[RollerBee]

Chris, stop filling their heads with crap. ALL rides associates that work over summer will work 45 to 55 hours per week depending on the week. Working in Rides, on a 10-10 days, we could more than likely end up working from 9:15AM to 10:30PM or later. There was one night we ran Drop Zone until 11:30PM, and yes I am telling the truth. It doesn't matter how many hours you tell them, if your is understaffed, then you will stay past your shift. I wish I could tell all my stories of working at Carowinds in Rides, but I have my reasons for not doing so. I encourage anyone to work at Carowinds as long as you don't mind being outside all day, and working 13 hour shifts. I assure you working at Carowinds is my favorite job I have ever had, however I also assure you that it is NOT all fun and games like most people think. I firmly believe it takes a certain type to work at Carowinds. Working at Carowinds is the MOST stressful job I have ever had, and I am a bus driver for K-5, and 6-12.

[CoasterChris]

Rides don't apply here since they are 16.

[GriffonBoy69]

You can work in Rides at 16, and 17, you just cant operate until 18 years old.

I personally would recommend it, however it WILL take your entire summer vacation.

The last 2 years I worked in Merch, and I easily got shifts from 11:00 to close, usually being 12 hour shifts. I'm now working rides this season, and I wont be surprised if they have me working just as many hours each day. So if you do decide to work at carowinds, be ready to work. Like rollernut stated, its not fun and games.

[Deano]

So from what everybody is saying, Carowinds doesnt really care about OT? I mean you once you reach 40 hours in a week, you start earning time & a half, just like any other job, right? I would imagine some people would actually be making some serious OT, especially the stagehands.

[CoasterChris]

At Carowinds anything over 45 Hours is overtime. Not sure why their different but yes after 45 hours it's just like any other job pay.

Stagehands do get alot of overtime but that was back when the Paladium had over 30 events a year and they had the Nickelodeon Parade. You got alot of OT hours building 7 tearing down the parade floats. They take forever but you should still get alot of OT assuming the Paladium has it's usuall number of events a season.


^^ I forgot 16yo could work rides.

And no working at Carowinds is not fun like everyone might think but if your a stagehand it's the best.

[ThePatchmanTG KID]

I think I will wait till next year. I will still think about it, thanks for the info!

EDIT: one more question, how many days a week do you usually work>

[Deano]

At Carowinds anything over 45 Hours is overtime. Not sure why their different but yes after 45 hours it's just like any other job pay.

Does Carowinds consider it self in South Carolina then? Because I know for a fact that in North Carolina if you work over 40 hours, then its OT. Thats the only thing i can think of.

[RollerBee]

6 I believe, actually in NC Amusement Parks have overtime set at 45 hours. I do not know why but that is the standard. Carowinds was 40 hours when I worked there however, Carowinds Management in based on the NC side, but I am pretty they follow policies in both states.

[coasterdave]

Net is your friend

In North Carolina, one and one-half times the regular rate of pay must be paid after 40 hours of work in a workweek (45 for employees of seasonal amusement or recreational establishments).

Proof: <a href='http://www.uschamber.com/sb/business/P98/P98_05_4053_NC.asp' target='_blank'>OT Law</a>

[Deano]

Job Update:

Just wanted to let everybody know, that I have an interview Friday morning with a guy from Entertainment, named Jason. Hopefully I'll know more after that!