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Kennywood
Category: Active Life Amusement Parks Amusement Parks [Edit]
4800 Kennywood BlvdWest Mifflin, PA 15122
(412) 461-0500
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
44 reviews for Kennywood
Review Highlights
"potato patch fries are insanely good."
(in 11 reviews)
"You MUST MUST MUST ride the Phantom's Revenge."
(in 12 reviews)
"Love the old roller coasters, the shooting gallery, and the..."
(in 9 reviews)
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Linda W.
Kennywood has become a magical Christmas wonderland! One that you can wander happily through while marveling at the sight of the lights and the sounds of caliope Christmas carols. We enjoyed the scent of the campfires scattered throughout the park to warm our hands and the comforting smells of hot cocoa and warm cider to warm our tummies. All the while, the sounds of ooohs and aaahs of children (and adults) warmed our hearts.
What to do? Ride the Merry-go-Round, or the Kennywood train that takes you through a light display that on Saturday night included a great big beautiful full moon. It actually rivaled the lights of the Christmas displays! Kiddieland was filled with little ones, moms and dads and grandparents, too. Almost all the rides in Kiddieland were open. There were more adult rides open than I imagined there would be and more than advertised. And to top it off, all the rides were decorated with Christmas lights!
There were ice carvers, miniature train displays, cookie decorating, Santa Claus himself and all the Kennywood characters all waiting to greet excited boys and girls and the adults with them. Flashes of cameras were exploded all over the place as memories were captured of the very first, and hopefully JUST the first, new Pittsburgh Christmas tradition,...Kennywood Christmas in the park.
Go. Take your camera. The reflections of the lights on the lagoon were especially beautiful and I captured many beautiful shots for what may be my Christmas card next year! Whomever we have to thank for the gift of a Kennywood Christmas has my thanks from the bottom of my heart. -
Review from Nichole M.
Pittsburgh, PA
11/21/2011 3 photos
I've been to amusement parks all over the country and honestly there isn't a single one that has the charm of Kennywood. From the chair lift from the top parking lot, to the potato patch fries, right up to the Racer wooden coaster... it has history and is so much fun.
While they don't have a lot of options for true expansion as it's perched precariously on a hill leading down to a valley, steel mills, train tracks, and the Monongahela River; the still find a way to add a new ride or revamp old ones here and there. Touting multiple wooden coasters, the Phantom's Revenge steel coaster, the SkyRocket, and the Exterminator (an indoor coaster). There are water rides for those people who find themselves inclined to walk around in wet clothes all day.
The food is pricey, but I don't think it's possible to go to to Kennywood and not have Potato Patch fries. If you're not so inclined to eat the food there, you can bring coolers and eat at the car or in one of the picnic table areas. My only real qualm with this park is no alcohol is served here. I love being able to drink outdoors, and at an amusement park could be a blast.
The park is full of beautiful history and you can find several places with old photos of the park from back in it's very early start.
Kennywood is my favorite place on Earth. No contest. -
Review from Jennifer D.
Pittsburgh, PA
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's next to impossible for me to write an unbiased review of Kennywood. My dad worked there for over 30 years; I worked there for four. I grew up five minutes away and Kennywood was like our equivalent of a playground; so many of my childhood memories are here that it will always be viewed through the haze of nostalgia.
That said, I'll give it a shot. Fair warning: This is going to be long. I hadn't been to Kennywood in at least five years. That's the longest I've ever gone without a visit, but I had a broken foot and then was out of state. I hadn't been there since the park changed owners.
A friend and I went this past Saturday, on the last weekend of the season, on a gorgeous, cool-but-sunny day, and the park was packed. They were also understaffed -- this happens after many of the staff go back to college. As a result, the lines for everything were just ridiculous: Food, rides, bathrooms, everything. One of the reasons I like Kennywood so much more than, say, Cedar Point, is that I remembered not having to wait in line for most of the day. That definitely wasn't the case this time, but I'll write it off to circumstance and try again next year.
THE RIDES:
I've been on every ride in the park except the Skycoaster and the SwingShot. Kennywood has some great older rides (hello, Turtle!) as well as newer stuff like this year's Sky Rocket. The latter looks kind of like it might be dinky and un-fun when you're standing in line, but it turns out it's hilariously amazing. That first hill is practically straight up and straight down, and the magnetic propulsion makes for an absolutely smooth ride.
My favorite will probably always be the Thunderbolt, though. There's nothing like dropping down into the ravines over near the river, and then getting squished (or being the squisher) into the outside of the seat. Twice. The Racer is unique in this country, and quite a lot of fun, but the double dip in the Jack Rabbit is more awesome (if you ask me).
We waited in line for 40 minutes or so to go on Ghostwood Estate, a ride that replaced the Gold Rusher. You get a blaster and try to shoot targets throughout the ride, and it tallies up a score for you in your car. The only thing is, unless you hit the targets, almost nothing happens -- and they're everywhere, so I was so busy trying to hit them that I didn't really get to enjoy the ride. Meh, says I.
Because Phantom Fright Nights are coming up, some of the rides were already closed (the Whip, the Old Mill aka Garfield's Stupid Nightmare Please Tell Me This License is Ending Soon), as was the Penny Arcade. They used to put signs up at the gates listing closed rides, which I didn't notice this time. Then again, I'm not sure anyone goes to ride the Whip or the Old Mill. Oh, and in years-old news, can I just say rebranding the Enterprise as "The Volcano" is really lame?
THE FOOD:
Well, you know, Patch fries. Are they that awesome? In my memory, they are. In reality (and someone is going to take away my Kennywood badge for this one)... well... er. They're good, but e.g. Mandy's has better fresh-cut fries. Patch fries are a bit overcooked and kind of soggy. But! you can get them with cheese, gravy, BBQ salt and ketchup for slightly under $4 -- all the toppings you want are included -- and that isn't bad. They used to advertise no waiting at the Small Fry location in Lost Kennywood, which definitely was not the case on this visit.
The food lines were so long we didn't end up eating anything else in the park, so everything else here is from memory. I couldn't even get a refill for my (really expensive) souvenir cup because we didn't feel like standing in line for half an hour to do so.
Weirdly, they had a little roped-off tent area with beer and brats. Beer! At Kennywood! We didn't try it, assuming it was Really Expensive. I did, however, stop in the Kandy Kaleidoscope for a real candy apple. Taffy apples have their place, but not when that's all you can get. The hard red shell is the way to go. Mine was sadly ruined by humidity and almost ripped my teeth out, this time. The fudge used to be good; all they had left was peanut butter, which I don't like, so I didn't try any.
THE REST:
Kennywood has lots of benches, trees and shade. If you need a break, it's easy to sit down and watch people walk by for a little while. The overall atmosphere is that of a great old-school amusement park. Unfortunately they got rid of general admission and tickets, so your non-riding friends or grandparents have to pay almost $40 now to get in. The grounds used to be really well maintained but it seemed like the gardens were in need of some attention, as well as most of the paint throughout the park. There was more trash than I'm used to seeing, and no sweeperettes. What?
I think Kennywood is maybe not as great as it once was, but I'm probably being a true yinzer about it. Change is bad! I'll keep going, though. -
Review from Leslie L.
8/6/2011
Memories. Wow, had a lot of great times here when I was younger and looked forward to my visits all year long, lol. Yes, the outfit was new & had been planned out for a month - or more. Still remains one of my fave parks b/c the lines were not as long as Kings Dominion & they kept trees for valuable shade like Hershey Park. And parking is still free? Awesome! Loved the clickity-clack of the Jack Rabbit and The Potato Patch was the best. So it's Saturday morning & the Pittsburgher that I married loves himself some breakfast potatoes. I'll try and make them like they do here @ The Potato Patch with some gravy. Mmm-good times...
Update: Yep, they were close. ;-) Now for the workout. -
Review from Maher H.
7/8/2011 ROTD 12/22/2011
I think it's pretty telling about Kennywood's impact and legacy that many of the reviews on this Yelp page are from people who don't live in Pittsburgh, whether they're ex-pats or just visitors.
Kennywood is just an ol' Amrikan classic to me. It's not Cedar Point and really shouldn't be judged against it. Despite coming up with rides as modern and great as the Steel Phantom and the Phantom's Revenge, it manages to keep that olden feel about it; perhaps a metaphor for Pittsburgh itself, methinks.
The coasters are fun. The games are impossible to win (sour spot for me). The atmosphere is great. And yes, Potato Patch Fries. I love me some rollercoasters but honestly one of the more enjoyable rides is the Swings.
Ok, time to end this rambling paean. I love Kennywood. It's old, new, fun, crowded and parking is a mess but I wouldn't trade it for any other amusement park. -
Review from Rob P.
7/12/2011
Kennywood isn't a big corporate mega park. Thank god for that.
What does Kennywood have that the corporate parks don't?
-Affordable admissions prices
-Quality park food and affordable prices (Potato Patch, hello?)
-A fun atmosphere that isn't dominated by arbitrary "rules" and "policies"
-Classic rides that you can't find anywhere else
Kennywood doesn't have the most roller coasters, but who cares? The rides that the park does have are downright fun. Seriously, have you ever been on a wooden coaster at Cedar Point or Kings Island? OUCH!
If you want to pay for a close-in parking space, that's cool; if not, that's OK too. At Kennywood, you can bring your own picnic lunch INTO the park. Unlike the corporate parks, I never feel like I'm being gouged or taken advantage of while inside the gates.
This park has stood the test of time and it remains one of the best in America. I'll happily skip every Six Flags and Cedar Fair owned park on my way to get to Kennywood. -
Review from Ray T.
Ephrata, PA
8/10/2011
Today was our first visit to Kennywood, and it was a good one. It's one of those parks so prevalent in the '20's and '30's yet somehow they were lost to development, economics, etc...but this park is steeped in history. From the monument for George Washington's visit to Fort Dusquene to the train ride which narrates the history of the park, Kennywood has retained it's historical character.
Not to say it's all shaws and horse drawn buggies! The rides at Kennywood...while not on par with Six Flags or Disney...are fantastic. Many are ones that are originals to the parks, and we took had a few that we had never done before that were neat, historical rides...with the Bobsled one and the Kangaroo coming to mind. The newer rides- Phantom's Revenge and Sky Rocket- are unbelievable. I nearly had an eyeball dislodge on Phantom's Revenge...it's that good. The olden wooden coasters are fantastic in their own rights...Racer must have been the model for Hershey Park's newer "Racer" coaster, and neither Jackrabbit, Thunderbolt, or Racer jarred your teeth fillings like Dorney's (Allentown) wooden coasters. The lines were acceptable, even on this "Fall Festival" day in August.
What else stood out? Food was good...decently priced. Parking was free...woo! Employees were friendly, park was clean, and the clientele was well behaved and courteous.
This park has a strong likeness to our family favorite, Knoebels, of Elysburg, PA. It's family friendly, safe, clean, well landscaped and shaded, and has ties with it's history. It's not a mega park, but then again, I personally don't care for the high-priced parking, astronomical food prices, and 60-minute waits in the 90-degree heat. Kennywood was a great experience...were it not 4 hours from our home in Lancaster County, we'd be back. Hopefully, Kennywood can stay true to its roots and continue to mix modern-day fun and thrills with it's historical setting. -
Review from Andre B.
Pittsburgh, PA
8/14/2011
The rides are great but the food could use a few more options.
I know it is tradition to eat either sugar and/or fat at an amusement park but this is 2011. Couldn't they get something that isn't deep fried or made entirely of corn syrup?
Love the old roller coasters, the shooting gallery, and the games. I won my sweetie a stuffed mammoth :)
Go in the evening for a discount and for less wait time on the rides. Also if you park in the free parking area you get a cool ride on a ski lift to the front gates of the park -
Review from Lauren G.
8/5/2011
Ok, so this is a harsh review because I am from Ohio. The best place to ride roller coasters around this area is hands down cedar point. And, the admission is only $10 more. (This didn't matter because I scored a FREE ticket when I went HOLLA) So, with so few coasters, how can Kennywood possible match up?
1. Once you've gone to Cedar Point on a Saturday, you'll appreciate a visit to Kennywood. THE LINES ARE SHORT! I was in total disbelief at how short of a time I had to wait to get on.
2. My sister and her 2 year old were in town. Before visiting I read on the site about a kid swop. You can hang out with your 2 year old while friends wait in line. Then, you get to hand off the kid to the people you are with and take their spot on the ride. I felt like I was getting no wait vip spots because they waited for the front seat. Definitely a perk if you have a child with you!
3. Great for kids. I'd love to see a new roller coaster though. After riding wooden coasters I feel like I've been beat up.
4. Free parking. Check the park out, it's worth a visit. -
Review from Rachel C.
4/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
True Story: I went to Kennywood, got Potato Patch fries and left. No lie!
I would have never done this if it wasn't for a couple factors. One the fact that I had free tickets (hello, I'm cheap!) and Two being that it was CRAZY busy! Like I had never seen it this busy ever! I guess it was High School Band Night. Please, for the love of God, find out when it is every year and NEVER go then! It was swarming with smelly teens!
So obviously Potato Patch fries can justify a long trip here!
Seriously though, it's really worth the trip and usually total traffic hassle (seriously, at least one bridge over to the park is closed every year!) to come here once or maybe twice a year! I love the old amusement park feel. You definitely don't get that from Cedar Point or a Six Flags.
The good things to take away from those major parks is the major rides. Kennywood has that in the Phantom's Revenge! I LOVE me some roller coasters and this one is at the top of my list! This is major, so listen up! You go slooooowly up the first hill and whip down the first hill and up to the second one and you shoot down the second hill into a ravine and it's a MEGA drop. It's so so so much fun!
They also have a couple wooden roller coasters, my fav being the Thunderbolt. It's one of those classic ones that just jumps and whips you all around. Really, any ride that flings me around I'm into! Which brings me to my favorite spinny, make you maybe want to throw up in a good way ride....the Aero 360!! It swings you around 360 degrees (dah) and holds you suspended upside down for a couple seconds, every couple swings. It's fantastic, but not for the weak stomachs out there!
I have to admit, I do have to go back and try the new Sky Coaster. Every time I tried to ride it the line was LOOOOONG. I'm sorta impatient, especially when it's sweltering out, so that one was skipped last year. Hopefully since the hype is over it will be a shorter wait, or I'll just suffer for the thrill this time!
So, potato fries gooood, rollar coaster real good! Just don't do them at the same time. NOT GOOD! Have fun!!Listed in: It's summer, get out...outside…, Totally Yinzer
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Review from Susan D.
Pittsburgh, PA
Updated - 5/6/2011 1 photo
The Racer is Kennywood's second oldest rollercoaster after the Jack Rabbit. Built in 1927, it's a moebius (mobius) loop racing coaster. What's a moebius (mobius) loop racing coaster? Well it's a racing coaster that appears to have two continuous loops (ala the American Eagle at Six Flags or the Gemini at Cedar Point), but really has only one continuous track. So you end up on the opposite side of the station from where you started. There are only three remaining coasters of this type in the world. The other two are in Mexico City and Blackpool.
The Racer was designed and built by John Miller and its trains are classics built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. PTC built some of some of the most famous coasters and their trains. Its tallest vertical height is 76 feet, its maximum drop is 50 feet, and its top speed is 40mph. Of the three woodies at Kennywood (this, the Jack Rabbit and the Thunderbolt), the Racer is the only one in which the initial hill is also the lift hill. When built, it cost the then-princely sum of $76,000! Imagine what the designers back then would have thought of what the newest coasters cost!
Ready to take a ride?
Okay, let's get on the train on the right! It doesn't really matter where we sit on this one, so maybe we'll just park in the middle. The alarm bell rings, the brakes are released and we begin rolling towards the lift hill. We won't see our opponents until we're almost on the lift hill. The lift chain catches and we're inching our way up the hill. We're about a foot in front of them. We see the warning sign as near the top telling us not to stand up. Well duh, but I'll bet some moron has tried that!
The lift chain releases and we we're down the first drop, then a quick ascent, then a reverse curve. Because we're on the inside of the curve, we pull out to an early lead. Uh oh, that can't be good. Read on. We keep our early lead for awhile but remember, sometimes we're on the inside curve, sometimes on the outside. The great thing about the Racer is that some of the curves are so tight, we can reach out and high-five our opponents http://en.wikipedia.or... Remember, it's not a tradition--it's a requirement!
The present Racer replaced an earlier one built in 1910, which was a side-friction coaster like Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park. The present Racer's cars are locked to the track, thus allowing banked curves as well as dips on the curves. We can see how this has come into play 'cos even though we've been ahead, on the final curve our opponents have pulled into a late lead and are first back into the station!
Shite! We lost!
The Racer really doesn't have the G-forces or the airtime hills of the Jack Rabbit or the Thunderbolt. It doesn't have the Thunderbolt's speed or wicked drops either. But it's still got a great rough ride and it's still a blast. The Racer is an ACE (American Coasters Enthusiasts) Classic and on June 21st, 2010 the Racer was declared an ACE Coaster Landmark http://www.aceonline.o...Listed in: Summer In the City, Rollercoasters & Amusement…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/4/2009
So I was back at Kennywood again for opening day. This time I was a little disappointed because,… Read more »
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Review from Aaron M.
Coopersburg, PA
7/13/2011
Kennywood is a mix of the old and new. You'll get some of the coolest modern rides and then get to ride things from the early 1900's. They also have some cool theme rides (haunted house, Exterminator).
The Phantom's Revenge and Sky Rocket were amazing. They were completely smooth, yet thrilling rides.
The park is landscaped very well and many lines are under the shade of the trees, so you're not waiting while the sun beats down on you.
When first pulling into the park (free parking) you get a fair-like feeling....but upon entering you'll see it's a full-fledged park. Then, travel through a magical tunnel to a world of fun.
Riding things that were there for almost 100 years is kind of special.
I definitely recommend Kennywood.
Notes: They do have a FAST PASS option. I think it is for the coasters only, however. "Coaster Tour"
More than a few rides were out of order or just not running the day we went. Many people smoked in non-designated areas. -
Review from Darren W.
Pittsburgh, PA
Updated - 9/23/2010
The final chapter of my trilogy begins...
The previous two reviews were for the rides, a 10 star experience no doubt. This one's for the prices and the food.
$122.00 was the damage in total. The two tickets we bought at the door came to almost $74! The rest went to food. We avoided the games.
Two hoagies and two drinks at the Hoagie Haus stand cost over $17 alone! And they weren't very good. I've had better at Subway, honestly.
In fact, I can see why the Potato Patch Fries and lemonade are Kennywood's two most popular food items; they're the only things that are made fresh on the premises.
How hard is it to cut fries from potatoes and fry them? I ask because at every other stand in Kennywood aside from the Small Fry, which also sells them Potato Patch-style, they're pre-cut, frozen, and come from a bag. It makes no sense.
So yeah, we tried the PP fries late in the day. The verdict?
They taste like every other steak fries you've ever had from any other diner you've been to; they are nothing special outside of Kennywood. We got them with cheese, bacon, and garlic salt. However, they were easily the best thing we munched on save for the plump franks we got at another booth as the rest was obviously yanked from a freezer. I saw frost on burger patties, which is never a good sign. I was even told their funnel cake mix is pre-made now, and it tasted like it.
Yes, there are lines for everything. You will spend 40 minutes waiting to ride a coaster that takes 90 seconds and another half hour waiting for a pretzel and a Pepsi.
I really, really resent overpriced food, especially when it's not fresh and mediocre at the very best. But they got ya. You can't sneak out, get a bite somewhere else, and come back, unless you want to get gouged for a ticket again.
Nonetheless, there's something truly bewitching about the park after sunset, especially when the music plays. Small children run about with eyes as big as the moon. Teary, smiling teenage girls squeal about how awesome a ride was as their male peers chuckle and guffaw at their buddies for wimping out or getting nauseous. Young and old lovers stroll, holding hands, carrying gaudy stuffed animals...
If and when I go back, I'm looking for a special deal on the tickets. There has to be a way to save money here. Kennywood risks pricing themselves out of business in this crappy economy, and having that happen to a legendary old park would be a tragedy. Give your patrons a break, Kennywood and prepare some higher quality food while you're at it.
P.S. I miss the Gold Rush also. That giant spider was kvlt!!!Listed in: Things To Do, Places To…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/20/2010
"Will The Phantom Bring About Darren W's Demise?"
Part 2 of Darren W. Vs. The Phantom continues...
So… Read more »
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Review from Rik T.
Dover, DE
9/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The family really enjoyed this park. All ages had a blast, the lines were tolerable. The food was excellent and well priced, plenty of places to sit down and take a break and people watch. The only thing I wished for was more places out of the sun/rain but that's not too big of a deal. We had a large crowd of almost 14, ages ranged from 7 to 50 and everyone found something they liked.
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Review from Cate K.
Pittsburgh, PA
1/12/2011 2 photos
-Smaller amusement park
-Overpriced food
-Long lines
-Didn't have a "fast pass" system
-Always crowded
-Parking was awful
-Good rides were closed
...Typical amusement park. -
Review from Carrie L.
8/2/2010 ROTD 6/29/2011
It's a good time!
do *not* expect Disney or 6 Flags' Corporate look or feel.
That's not what this park is all about!
Its a great park because of its TRADITIONAL amusement park persona.
PROS:
Wooden Roller Coaster! (Jackrabbit & Thunderbolt)
Potato Patch Fries (w/ Cheese or Gravy = Nomnomnom!)
Funnel Cakes
Looking @ dumb people with Fannypacks!!!
CONS:
its an aging park, therefore a bit dirty
entrance fee is waaaaaaaaaay outa-line
("Funday Pass" which is a ride all day pass for $35.99)
They completely screwed up the Old Mill (and now its a *little* kids' ride)
3 WISHES:
1.) They'd make more "Dark Rides" (i miss the "haunted" types like Le Cachot, the Goldrush (I wonder what they did with that big Spider from the ceiling in there??) and the Original Old Mill.
[http://www.laffintheda...]
2.) I wish that the Train was like it was when I was a kid! It had funny characters all through the ride. It was a funny ride and now its historic.
3.) Lower the prices a tad--Kennywood will get its money one way or another, it wouldn't kill them to make that entrance fee a bit more reasonable!!!
If you're in the area, you should check it out; it is worth the trip at least every couple of years.
TIP:
If you're an adult, go after 5!
They have what's called the "Night Rider Pass" and if you go after 5, you can get in for $20.99.
This still gives the average adult plenty of time to ride some of your faves, grab some fries and get outa there! ;)
KENNYWOOD.COM [http://www.kennywood.com/] -
Review from Jim W.
Smyrna, GA
8/25/2010
Kennywood does a good job of balancing the new with the old, the cutting edge with the historic landmarks. It doesn't compete head on with the shiny mega-corp amusement parks and it doesn't need to. It feels much more laid back than the visits I've had to Six Flags in Atlanta, Ga.
The landmark classics: The Thunderbolt, The Racers, The Jack Rabbit, the Merry-Go-Round. These are must-see rides. They're oldies but appear well-maintained and are still fun.
The new(er): Sky Rocket, Phantom's Revenge (one of fastest at 85 mph!)
Everything seemed pretty clean. Lines at the restrooms weren't too bad. As with any amusement park, I recommend starting early and avoiding the crowds at peak times.
It's not all roses, mind you. Some rides just need to be gotten rid of: yeah, you Garfield's Nightmare... LAME. And what is up with the skylift between the economy parking lot and the park. It's almost an insult to follow it down into the park looming above (I can't really recall it ever being operational); use it or lose it. Some of the exhibits on the train are the same now as 30 years ago; Change it up! And whose idea was it to add a railing around the Merry Go Round! Well, maybe that cannot be helped to prevent injuries from people jumping on while it is running (I remember doing that and getting yelled at) as well as crowd management. And as with any amusement park, the lines at the rides, ugh.
I will admit that Kennywood has a special place in my heart being a part of my early formative life. How much so dawned on me during a recent visit this summer with my kids, my cousin and his family. I told my kids how I used to come here when I was little. I used to come with my parents, my cousins and my friends. I remember when the first steel coaster was erected (The Lazer Loop).
And both of my parents often told me of how they visited here when they were younger. They used to come with their parents, their siblings, and their friends. To my parents, the highlights were the wooden coasters like The Thunderbolt.
And my maternal Grandmother used to tell me how she visited here when she was younger. She came with her "fresh off the boat" from England parents, her siblings, and her friends. By today's standards, it was more a park than amusement park but my Grandmother did talk about the Merry Go Round.
That's four generations now.
Granted, Kennywood has changed a lot from what my Grandmother had described, what my my parents had told me, and even what I described to my kids. And I look forward to taking my kids to this park with my summer visits back to Pittsburgh so they can develop their own memories. -
Review from Krissy m.
10/22/2010
You can see the parking lot from the tops of the rides...and I don't care! =)
Anyhow, I really had way more fun at this park than I thought I would - super nostalgic feeling, complete with wooden roller-coaster riding (truly the scariest rides known to man) and funnel cake, my family and I loved stepping back in history to this true gem.Listed in: Sans Mouse Theme Park…
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Review from October R.
Pittsburgh, PA
9/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
I had to knock a star off because of all the changes over the past few years. Yes, it is changing to keep up with its competitors but in my opinion Kennywood has prided itself on being kinda old fashioned and nostalgic. They keep taking away from that and putting in new hokey crap. (What's the deal with that shoot 'em up interactive thing) and they took out Past Time (I'm sure me and my Grammy are the only two people that will miss it, but it added so much charm) to put in games that they already have at the other end of the park?! Remodeling Noah's Ark was just unthinkable.
Please don't misconstrue my ranting, I still love going to Kennywood. It's great for the whole family or group of friends but because I've been going since I was in utero and have seen all of the changes, it hurts my soul a little bit each time I go back.
Admission rates are becoming ridiculous - they need to put a cap on that ASAP. Thankfully, they have the night rider passes which gives old fogies like us just enough time to circle the park twice, ride our favorite rides and stuff our faces with PP fries, corn dogs, and funnel cakes. -
Review from kate d.
San Mateo, CA
12/11/2010
KENNYWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, kennywood... kennywood... kennywood... I would start preparing for Kennywood to open as soon as it closed every year! :)
I would get new clothes to go to kennywood, plan out each ride, eat way too much funnel cake, cotton candy and potato patch fries and stay until they kicked me off the rides.
I miss it, I haven't been there in many years and I have the best memories of that place... -
Review from Emily D.
6/10/2011
A family tradition was born at this traditional amusement park. I spent at least one day every summer here for the first 23 years of my life. It's great for families to spend the day together, even with a variety of ages. I rode the Kangaroo with my grandmother, while my grandfather preferred to "ride the restaurant." The roller coasters are classics, and the park itself is beautiful. Prices are reasonable and a lot of schools sell discounted tickets for fundraisers, so if you have family in Pittsburgh, you can scope out cheaper tickets. Plentiful parking and lots of great food, especially Potato Patch fries! Kiddieland is a good place for the youngest visitors to start their own Kennywood traditions.
Yes, it's "small" by, say, Cedar Point or Disney standards. It's a classic amusement park--it has a rich history. Its coasters are consistently rated some of the best in the world, even though the Thunderbolt (one such coaster) doesn't go above 55 mph and is wooden.
The only thing I don't like--the smoking in lines. Even though it's not supposed to happen, it does, with frequency. -
Review from Batman M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/9/2011
I first became aware of Kennywood on one of those TRAVEL CHANNEL BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN THE USA THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRAP YOUR PANTS programs. Kennywood looked like a classy, traditional park but tv lied to me. (!) (I KNOW, RIGHT?)
Dingy, dirty, small park with crap rides that cost way too much. -
Review from Jennifer S.
8/3/2010
I've never been to Cedar point, so I can't compare it to that. But this is my favourite rollercoaster park ever! I've been to most, 6 flags, etc.
Why is this my favourite?
Because they have as many coasters as some of the bigger parks without being as well known. People don't drive from 3 states away to come here, so crowds aren't as large, but they still have 2 wooden coasters which are the best kind of coaster!
I grew up in the area so this park was my life. And i'm due for a visit in a few months and make my demands to my family that I will not visit, unless a trip to Kennywood is on the books! We'll see how much they love me! -
Review from Diana A.
Pittsburgh, PA
7/27/2011
I just had the time of my life at Kennywood! Sweet rides, delicious foods, and short lines.
If you don't plan in advance, it can be expensive. But, Kennywood gives you a chance to do it cheap, unlike other amusement parks. You can get the cheap-o weekday tix at Giant Eagle for $26. AND you can bring in your own food.
Don't like lines? Go on a really hot weekday. We waited max 15 minutes... even for the new coaster! And if you don't wanna wait in the big Potato Patch line, try the little patch in Lost Kennywood. Same fries, tiny line.
I hate the Pitt Fall. It almost makes me pee my pants every time. The new coaster is pretty sweet, but I'm still pretty happy with the Phantom's Revenge. And the other thrill rides are pretty sweet too. F-U-N!!! -
Review from Elisabeth A.
Astoria, NY
8/1/2008
KENNYWOOD! Oh jeebus, just thinking of Kennywood makes me feel like the happiest person in the world. I grew up in Pittsburgh and had the most fun there. I still have a lot of family, so every time we visit and Kennywood is open, we go. It is seriously the funnest place EVER, and I've never been to anything else like it. I only hate that they made the Old Mill a hideous garfield ride... seriously, garfield?? WHY? And there are so few Old Mills left as is ): Can't stand the redone Noah's Ark either, but I guess they felt forced to update. It would just be cool if parks could keep their oldest rides as they were from the beginning for history's sake. Kennywood has still been pretty good at keeping that old fashioned spirit alive though.
Big scary rollercoasters terrify me, but I'm SO in love with the jack rabbit (that double dip rocks), the racer, and of course the thunderbolt. Mmmm. Also, the log jammer is cheesy but amazing, and I love the rapids, dirty water and all. I am also ALL about the whip, the turtle, and the bavarian swings. I always go on the Olde Kennywood Railroad, and that laughing animatronic woman is HIDEOUS... but awesome.
Oh yes, and the final ride of all, the ski lift up to your car. I find it actually more terrifying than any of the thrill rides D: shudder.
Anyway, I have so many wonderful memories of Kennywood, and I know I will always return to make more (:
Oh yes, one more thing - Potato patch fries! yum! -
Review from Laila S.
Roswell, GA
6/23/2011
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, and I have been going to Kennywood since i was still in a stroller. To this day, Kennywood will forever live in my heart as the best amusement park ever! To anyone reading this, Kennywood has been around since 1898, being one of the remaining oldest amusment parks in the world, and is also a national landmark. The best ride? Thunderbolt. The best food item? Potato Patch Fries (with their signature cheese sauce). You'll get addicted to them trust me! lol. You will have great memories at this park.....I love it. I live in GA now, and I make the time and effort to go back to PA to see my family and go to Kennywood =)
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Review from Eric P.
Butler, PA
5/3/2009
Kennywood is amazing! I had always wanted to go and went there yesterday for opening day! I rode lots of the super amazing rides. While you are there:
1. Don't forget to stop at The Potato Patch. They have the best fries in North America!
2. You MUST MUST MUST ride the Phantom's Revenge... and everything else, too, like the Thunderbolt, SwingShot, The Jackrabbit, The Pittsburg Plunge, Raging Rapids, Log Jammer, Garfield's Nightmare..etc.
3. High-five (or hug) Kenny, the Kennywood Kangaroo. I prefer the high-five.
The only bad thing was that the King Kahuna and the Exterminator were not running, but I still had a memory-filled day!
Welcome to Kennywood, "America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park."
While there, make sure that you "Make a New Memory" at Kennywood Park! -
Review from Heathen M.
Washington, DC
5/22/2009
Every wooden coaster afficianado must do the Thunderbolt and the Jack Rabbit- one of the last "camelback" double-hump dips left in the world.
The fries at the Potato Patch are a MUST and the funnel cakes are divine. Just don't eat then ride!
The stuff memories are made of happen here! -
Review from Hayley B.
Hickory, PA
10/20/2006
Kennywood use to be the best in the world. It's tradition for PGH area families to trek up to the amusement park and I think this tradition will keep occuring for years to come.
The downfall to Kennywood is that with the cost of living on the rise, people can't afford the high ticket prices they've been charging the last few years. I remember when I use to go to Kennywood on about 15 bucks and it's almost tripled since then.
This is causing a great hurt in the traditions of our area and I'm sure on the pocketbooks of Kennywood because they just aren't getting the numbers.
There's no attraction to Kennywood now. There hasn't been a new coaster in a several years and the the new rides are mimic something else in the park they've already got.
Kennywood could be in real danger if they don't pull something together for the future with the new amusements parks opening in the area over the next few years. -
Review from Matt K.
3/16/2010
Classic rollercoaster heaven!
Yeah, this isn't Cedar Point or Disney World, but it's still fantastic. Obviously, I've got a lot of nostalgia from growing up here and going every year for the "school picnic" in May, but this is a fun time for anyone. If you're not from the Burgh, but you've ever watched one of those Top 10 Rollercoaster shows on Discovery Channel, chances are you've seen Kennywood. Also, the movie "Adventureland" with Michael Cera was filmed here.
The highlights:
1. The fries at the Potato Patch - Great any way you like them!
2. The Thunderbolt, Jackrabbit, and Racer - old school wooden roller coasters FTW!
3. Noah's Ark - If you can't hear that whistle when I say Kennywood Noah's Ark, then you didn't grow up in Pittsburgh!
4. The landscaping
5. People watching (esp. if you enjoy fashion faux pas!)
Someone mentioned the "Garfieldization" of the Old Mill. It's definitely not cool. Kennywood was recently sold to a parent company (from out of the USA; maybe Mexico) and I hope that doesn't mean there's going to be a lot of changes made to the traditional park feel. Kennywood isn't a Six Flags or Paramount Park, and that's what makes it great. If it tries to be too much like those, it will really fade away. -
Review from Julianne M.
Pittsburgh, PA
4/27/2007
I've been to a lot of amusement parks, but none of them compare to Kennywood and the park is often rated as one of the top in the country.
Great amusement park food, rides (even if they haven't added anything new, you don't mess with tradition - the Noah's Ark, Grand Prix, the Turtle, the Whip!) and all around fun. Although, I believe two new rides are going to be added in 2007.
Somewhat pricey, but so is Six Flags and every other park out there...The key is to buy tickets for the local community days and have fun! -
Review from Zenide R.
Washington, DC
11/14/2008
Kennywood has a fantastic collection of roller coasters and older, smaller rides - and the park just has such a super-friendly feeling about it - I love it!! Compared to other amusement parks, Kennywood also has GREAT food! I have to have that duble heder ice cream cone - gimme chocolate, nuts and a cherry, please!
The new-ish Ghostwood Estate ride is fun - shooting a little laser blaster all over the place can't be that bad, right? And Noah's Ark is a classic walk-through (slightly updated) that some people might think is lame, but you should check it out if only for a little bit of history. If you're into drop rides, check out Kennywood's it's not the tallest there is, but you get pretty damn high. The roller coasters aren't huge and high tech - but they're all solid and in some cases really classic. The Jackrabbit is one of the classics (a little rough on the spine...), as are the Thunderbolt and the Racer - wheeee! Phantom's Revenge is a good steel coaster and the Exterminator is a surprisingly fun and wild indoor ride.
The smaller classic rides are so unique and fun! The Kangaroo makes a hilarious little bouncing sound, the Turtle and the Whip are good old-time fun, the swings are beautiful and the car rides (and bumpers!) are great.
One ride that most people overlook is the one that I have never seen at another park (is there another one out there like this?): the ski lift through the parking lot. Way to save us the potentially long walk back to the car, Kennywood! Ah, fun memories - I can't wait for next coaster season! -
Review from Devon A.
Chandler, AZ
7/31/2009
I grew up in this park every summer, worked there when I was a teen, and then moved west. I came back this past June with my daughter wife, and siblings. They weren't packed at all which was cool for us so we could ride the Phantom's Revenge over and over again. That was cool.
The potato patch fries still rock my world.
It was interesting to walk around corners and see something completely new. Some things were really fun, but others I miss like the Haunted Mill. -
Review from Matthew G.
Chicago, IL
8/12/2009
On the way home from Virginia, my partner and I decided to spend an evening at Kennywood. Nestled amongst the hilly Pittsburgh terrain, the park is not short on thrills, excitement or enchantment.
There are several classic coasters - The Racer, The Jack Rabbit and The Thunderbolt (my favorite). The Exterminator, a wacky indoor Wild Mouse coaster is a hoot! Classic rides such as Music Express, The Whip and The Paratrooper provide nostalgic fun! The park isn't huge, but they do pack a lot of attractions into a relatively small space. The new Ghostwood Manor dark ride is a total "shoot 'em up" good time! The classic Noah's Ark attraction is not to be missed.
The park is clean and well-maintained. Food options are a step above most amusement parks. The Parkside Café has some especially good options that are easy on both the taste buds and the wallet.
There are a few disappointments that keep me from doling out more stars though.
The classic Old Mill attraction was recently rehabbed into Garfield's Nightmare - definitely not an improvement. Cardboard Garfield cut-outs and cheesy 3-D effects do not a fun time make.
The biggest disappointment was the staff. Aside from the counter girl at the Parkside Café (who was a darling!), most of the staff seemed disinterested and distracted. While waiting for the Jack Rabbit, we observed on young man working at the photo booth across the way. He stood with his arms crossed, snapping his chewing gum and paid no attention whatsoever to the guests that approached the booth. Clearly, he had other places he wanted to be. While this was the most extreme case, many other staff members were guilty of similar behaviors. Also, the non-descript "t-shirt and shorts" uniforms make the staff blend in with the guests.
Kennywood also needs to work on efficiency. Rides are loaded VERY slowly and often in a random, haphazard fashion resulting in underutilized capacity despite long lines. It's no fun waiting only to notice several empty seats once the ride starts. Other parks are spot-on in this area, so Kennywood should really follow suit.
One big plus is the Night Rider ticket. For $19.99, you get unlimited rides from 5pm until closing. A great value!
Kennywood is a great place, but some serious issues need to be addressed. Once these are handled, Kennywood has the potential to be 5-stars all the way! -
Review from James B.
Philadelphia, PA
9/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
It was all right but it wasn't faaabulous. Be prepared for pretty long waits for the rollercoasters, and skip some of the old school rides which I'd hoped would have a nostalgic charm but instead were really disappointing (especially the laser-gun haunted house ride. Blah.)
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Review from Mike B.
Matthews, NC
12/13/2009
Native Pittsburgher here! Kennywood is packed with rides. We've been to other parks and they had very few big rides in the park . I guess the Phantom is the new best thing at Kennywood but the Thunderbolt and Jackrabbit are storied legends of the park. If you have not been at parks where the rides are wooden roller coasters then this will be a real treat fir you.
Remember this is not Disney so don't expect a Disney experienced is a Pittsburgh experience. If you are around in the summertime you can try out Sandcastle also. -
Review from Joshua G.
Los Angeles, CA
9/21/2009
This place has its place.
Certainly not Disney Land.
Abandoned in fifth. -
Review from Celeste A.
Bedford, TX
2/2/2011
Kennywood is expensive but it is a Pittsburgh icon.
Kennywood has always been a hot spot for teenagers to scope out members of the opposite sex. When my grandmother was a teen, she rode the streetcar down to Kennywood on Sundays with her friends. They would go to "The Clamshell" and hear Big Bands play and swing dance with the boys. Many romances budded near that clamshell.
If you watch Rick Sebak's narrated PBS special about Kennywood, you will hear ladies talk about going behind the picnic groves to "neck".
When I was a 9th grader, we had an annual school picnic. That meant sno school and everyone you knew went to Kennywood. We got an all day riding pass for about $13 and wore the plastic bracelet looped tight around our wrists. We rode the bus and our parents met us at Kennywood later. My Dad would give me a 20 before he left for work in the morning and said "I'll meet you at the Racers at 6pm. Be good" I was at the Racers at 5:55 pm because that $20 was long gone and I was hungry. I was with two classmates. I said "hm.. Dad is always early. I don't see them." We looked around and then my friend Jennifer started laughing and pointed to two people making out on a park bench. Yes, my parents were making out on a park bench in front of the Racers. Geez. Talk about embarassing. Dad gave me $40 so I didn't have to see them again until the park closed. Of course I saw them holding hands waiting in line for the Thunderbolt later but it wasn't nearly as mortifying.
Kennywood is such an icon it has spawned phrases we use in every day language around the "Burgh.
Kennywood is open means your fly is open.
Kennywood outfits means you dressed the same as somebody else. We used to do that on purpose at the school picnics. You would go shopping a week or two before and pick out something really fashionable and dress like twins.
The merry go round is one of the oldest in the country and still has the wonderful organ type music. The wooden roller coasters are still amazing. It is not the most state of the art amusement park but in Pittsburgh its what we have and we go and create new memories.
Yes it is pricey. I can remember when I was in elementary school, you had to pay a dime, and turn a knob like on a gumball machine to open a bathroom stall. When you were done, you would hold it open to see if anyone else needed to go right after you and save a dime. While you no longer have to pay to pee, you do have to pay a lot for everything else.
However............picnic baskets are allowed in the park as well as wagons and strollers. Yes you read that correctly. You do not need to buy the overpriced food. You can still take a picnic basket in and save some money at lunch time. There is still a picnic grove full of picnic tables in covered pavilions. When I was in grade school, this is what we did. Mother took us to the restroom and to wash our hands while Dad walked to the car for the Coleman cooler.
Proof on the picnic baskets can be found here: http://www.kennywood.c...
They also have a first aid station with a nurse in the center of the park for things like ice packs when you get a black eye. There used to be a bobsled ride that went in a fast circle. Yeah, I got a black eye smacking my face off the metal protection bar as it came down on my lap. I was in third grade and had quite the story when I went back to school the next day.
I give it five stars for good memories, family bonding, and the wooden rollercoasters.Listed in: Pittsburgh Cool Stuff to Do
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Review from Jennifer S.
Akron, OH
7/24/2011
Such a great park! Great price and lots of fun!
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Review from Sher Y.
Morgantown, WV
8/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Oh dear!
