What Is Scarowinds Like?

Hi,

I have two teenage daughter that both have been to scarowinds. Last year my 16 year old went with a group of friends and enjoyed it. She said it wasn't really that scary, but she didn't like the way some of the characters were grabbing them. For the most part she enjoyed it but she didn't get to ride many rides long lines. All in all good fun for the 17 year old. I wouldn't let 12 year old go. Just my opinion.

We went last night and the "actors" are not going to touch you. They will come really close to you and scare you by jumping out at you or scream really loud, but they will not touch you. My husband and I went and we did see some smaller kids there, but it would depend on how mature your 10 and 12 year olds are. Your 17 year old would be fine. If you explain to te 10 and 12 year old what to expect I think they will be fine. If they are prepared for it, then they should be fine. We were only able to go through 4 of the haunted attractions and I only jumped twice and that was because of "actors" coming out of trap doors. The cornstalk maze was our favorite. I was busy admiring the pumpkins and someone jumped out at me, but we talked with him for awhile and he was great. My husband joked that it didn't matter if I was leading the way or he was leading the way, but the "monsters/actors" would always try to come after me.

We really enjoyed riding the rides at night, just gives it a different feeling. Smoke machines and strobe lights are everywhere.

We actually went years ago when my kids were still small (the oldest is 12 now) but we were given free tix and we were there mostly during the daytime hours first, and only stayed for the first part of the "Scarowinds" (I think they now charge separate admission for the night part). I didn't think it was bad at all and I was pretty protective of my babies. They weren't nearly as phased by things as I always thought they would be at their young ages! And as a strong Christian, the blood and gore part of Halloween bothers me, but if you know some of the background of the holiday (people dressing up scary to be passed by the 'evil spirits' that came looking for souls to possess), you realize that it wasn't originally something that was to glorify evil, but to avoid it. Anyway, enough lesson, back to the question - I definitely think a 12 and a 17 year old would do fine, as long as they are aware that someone might jump out and scare them. I wouldn't worry about them wanting to "go goth" afterward or anything! And as far as PG-13, as far as I recall, it is due to the violence of some of the characters/events that you can choose to go into (Haunted House) more so than inappropriate dress - I don't remember much sexy stuff, if that is what you are worried about.

As much as we hate to let our kid go - they must grow up and be allowed to make their own choices, and we just hope that they do not depart from the way we trained them up to go! :)

Hope they have fun!
A.

It isn't anything like the website looks. It can be scary for younger children, but your son is right. It really is just a bunch of people who are dressed up and try and scare you. I would let me 17 year old go if I had one...12 I think it would be just based on maturity and how they react to things like that. Hope this helps.

i haven't seen this movie myself, but there is a great site that i use to evaluate ALL the movies that my kids see. they rate the movie in three different categories: sex, violence & language. they tell you specifically what you will see or hear in each area without giving away the story line. for example, "a man's arm is cut off, and blood spurts everywhere. we hear him scream but do not see anything." you get the idea. anyway, the site is www.kids-in-mind.com and it really works!

R.

sorry I can't help - I have never heard of this before and my kids are younger. Good luck!

I used to go to these things as young as 15. I have always loved Halloween. I would say if your child is mature then why not he is only 1 year away from doing what he wants anyhow.

I don't know,if they have been exposed to this sort of thing, and know how the behind the scenes....you know the maturity of your children.

It has been a really long time since I went but I don't remember it being as scary as what the website looks now. Sorry I don't have any recent experiences. I'd say that if you are okay with the website then you should let them go. :)

Yeah, there are many scary creatures and they jump out and scare you from various places. Some of their costumes may be gory but I think if your kids are ok with people jumping out at them and whatever their masks might be, I think it would be ok. IT's still family friendly, just older family. If your kids like to be scared, I think they'd like it.

You must live in the Charlotte area? Scarowinds is all about Halloween Gore... Yes they do have scary people comeing up and chasing you in the park or pretending to cut you with a chain saw. The haunted house is pretty gory too. I have a 19 year old stepson and an 18 yr old stepson. They both have friends that work there. My daughter is 15 and she knows people there too. She has been invited but won't go. My 14 yr old stepdaughter wants to go and my 13 year daughter wants to go too. Yes, I am blended too. He has 3 and I have 2. Anyway, I would say let your 17 year old go I am not so sure about the 12 year old. Personally, I'd probably say no.
Good Luck.

A.

A little about me:
Step mom to two now adult boys and one 14 yr old stepdaughter. Two daughters of my own 15 and 13. A "Blended Family " married for 6 years. Very Challenging life for me as Mom but, we love one another and protect one another. Big families are great!

Actually, that pretty much is it!!:) there are haunted houses and yes the creatures do tend to make some people tense up!!:) but personally it wasent scary for me!!:) and if it makes you feel better!!:) I'm only 10 years old, and it wasent scary for me!!:) soo If you decide to go, I hope you have a wonderful timee!!:)

I'm not familiar with 'Scarowinds', but I think with the 17 yr old I'd have a 'mom-to-man' talk and tell him that you're going to let HIM make the decision. If it turns out that he wishes he hadn't gone, he'll be stronger on making whatever the NEXT 'adult' decision will be that he'll need to make. I think the more we can have our children be responsible for their OWN decisions, the more carefully they think about it ahead of time. Case in point (and this may be extreme, but): I told my 4 kids they could date whomever they wanted to and whenever they wanted to. Oldest daughter (31) didn't date til she was 20 and married at 21-1/2 (now happily married almost 10 years and has 3 kids). The boys (28 and 23 have yet to date seriously, and our 20 yr old daughter just started dating a childhood friend she re-met a few months ago (her first 'date' was in May, just before she turned 20 in June). I'm married 32+ years.

Hope this helps!

I am from MO and there we have haunted houses. The rules there say no touching but the people that have dressed in various costumes can jump out and scare you. They also have chainsaws-without blades- to use for sound effects. Some of the visuals are pretty gross. The one that sticks out in my mind was a mannequin that they cut across the abdomen to make it look like the insides were coming out complete with blood-not real-spattering everywhere. They also had the sound effects of screaming in pain. Does the website show any of what will go one?

From what I saw a few years ago when I went your son's account is prety accurate. For whatever reason I was the only member of our group that was being targeted by anyone, but it was really harmless. Just people dressed up and standing right next to you so when you turned around you were startled. I don't think anyone ever actually touched me or tapped me on the shoulder or anything. I think the 17 year old should certainly be allowed to attend, and I think it would probably be OK for the 12 year old too!

Well, for Halloween, it's a fun time for kids. Wow, did you not experience the crisp night air and dressing up and getting scared over black cats.........it's just a fun time. I have a little bit of an eerie feeling, too, about kids nowadays......it's different. A lot of kids are into painting their fingernails black and becoming gothic. However, if you think about it, it's just like beatniks, hippies, freaks. I'd say just be wary and give them some space to have some fun. Go with your "gut feelings."