Try to come in the morning or evening. N e other time the place is packed and sometimes it's hard to get in.  If you live in Charlotte and work in this area (Carowinds Blvd. or nearby) make it a part of your stop to get the best deals on gas.  Right down the road once the state lines crosses back over into North Carolina the Shell station (on the corner of S Tryon) is at least $0.20 more.\nAlso, keep in mind that in the summer the place can get packed out b/c of all the visitors coming across the street from Carowinds getting food and snacks at the store and the Wendy's that's right next door.