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Kennywood
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
14 reviews for Kennywood
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.
This place has its place.
Certainly not Disney Land.
Abandoned in fifth.
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!
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!
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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!
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So I was back at Kennywood again for opening day. This time I was a little disappointed because, try as I might, after making a beeline for the Phantom's Revenge, I didn't quite make the first trip of the season. And I didn't even get my choice of seat (front for the view or very back for the G-Forces) because no one else in my party wanted to ride the coasters first thing. (The wimps wanted to "build up" to it). So I was paired up with someone. My fault--not Kennywood's!
Oh well, there's always next year and as a Yelp friend of mine pointed out, I can always camp out to be first in line. Although I think Kennywood's management would frown on that. In the meantime, read my original review, then get out there and experience for yourself one of the last "traditional" amusement parks!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/11/2008
Kennywood! Ah Kennywood! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....
That Kennywood Park is one… Read more »
kennywood is nothing compared to Great Adventure, but its still fun in the burgh. i have a couple observations about the patrons of kennywood.
- they are by far the biggest bunch of hicks ever
- the grandma with the beard and 2 teeth stopped the raging rapids ride because it took her 10 minutes to walk to the raft and try to get in.
- there was a 650 lb man at the potato patch
- potato patch fries are insanely good
- dippin dots...recognize
- make your own slushy like whoa
- basketball shootout is super fun
- racer the ride rules
- phantom's revenge was also fun
- 95% white
- 65% trash
I give it a 5 even though there are surely better amusement parks out there. However, I've made so many memories at this amusement park, I don't think it could get any better for me, personally. This place is classic. Even in my mid-twenties I felt giddy as I walked through the tunnel to enter the park.
PROS:
-Wooden coasters- the Jack Rabbit, the Racer, the Thunderbolt.... classic bumpy, creaky, bounce out of your seat fun!
-Potato patch french fries (LOTS of vinegar and Heinz ketchup!)
-Classic rides like the swings, the merry go round, the paratrooper, the turtle, the turnpike and gran prix, Noah's Ark
- Funnel cakes
- Fresh squeezed lemonade
- Kiddie land
CONS:
-Small-ish lockers. We had a hard time fitting our cooler.
-The new Noah's Ark. What happened to the whale's tongue? And why is it so scary now? Our kids were pretty freaked out and didn't really enjoy it at all.
-Garfield's Nightmare. AWFUL. A waste of 45 minutes of my life. They took out the Old Mill and disgraced the park with a cheesy, slow moving ride that tactlessly promotes brand name sodas, potato chips and other junk food, which, surprise, surprise! they sell at a stand at the end of the ride. Pathetic. And what's with the camera at the end of the ride? All they're going to catch on that camera are people sleeping or being bored to tears. If you haven't picked up on my subtle hints, let me spell it out for you: DON'T GO ON THIS RIDE!
-No more Magic Carpet or ferris wheel. Boooo.
-Trashy young girls walking around in bikini tops with their flabby guts hanging out over their shorts. Gross. Look in a mirror or find some honest friends. Nobody wants to see that.
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!
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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!
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.
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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!
There are better amusement parks, sure. But Kennywood is traditional style including a wooden coaster. http://www.kennywood.com/
I looooove Kennywood. We just went for the first time this year and it's just as great as before. The ticket price increases don't bother me. The fun is well worth the cost.