Kennywood Park, located in Westmorland Pennsylvania, is a local family park with 3 water rides, 5 roller coasters and a bunch of thrill rides to make it the perfect day away from the office. Kennywood is broken up into two different times of the year. The normal operating season and the fabled Phantom Fright Nights, rated 3rd best in the world in haunted attractions. Both seasons give you a very nice variety of things to do and see, and be warned Phantom Fright Night is not recommended for children under 13, and for good reason. Ghosts, ghouls, vampires, undead solders, pirates and clowns will taunt your soul.
For the normal operating season
Rides:
Roller Coaster:
(Originally the Steel Phantom), the Phantoms revenge for a short time had the tallest and fastest drop, until Cedar Point built a new coaster. The harnesses are not over the head; instead they are lap bars giving you the freedom to raise your hands high in the air as you drop at 85 MPH down a 230 degree hill.
The Thunder Bolt – A classic among riders, there is no chain on the first hill like other roller coasters it drops down right from the start, with only reaching a top speed of 50 MPH and having the tallest drop right before you enter the station, this ride still holds the top for most people as its only wooden style track is great for both the young and the old.
The Racers – The worlds only head to head single track roller coaster. Beginning on once side of the track and ending on the other riders are head to head after the first turn. No one really knows when you change paths to get to the other side as if you just watch the track you can’t figure it out but it is achieved using a reverse curve. Another old style wooden track this ride is a Historic Landmark.
The Jackrabbit – Another amazing historic landmark, built in 1921, riders are held in only by a single leather strap and something for you to hold on to of course! The thrill comes with its amazing 70’ double drop that gives you all the hang time in the world.
– Twists and turns make this a thrill roller coaster. The cars twist and spins as you shoot through the dark in this inside maze as you become the rat, and you never know what’s coming next.
Water Rides:
Log Jammer – In a hollowed out log you go along a ½ pipe water basin with a drop at the end that gets you moderately wet. The ride itself isn’t exciting as the roller coasters, but its gives you a nice view of the park and gets you slightly cooled off on those hot days without getting extremely soaked. If you want to get soaked, go on the Pittsburg Plunge.
Pittsburg Plunge – Are you ready to get wet? That’s what this ride is designed to do, with 1 up hill and 1 down hill, this ride’s sole purpose is to soak its riders and by standards as its 20 passenger car splashes into a pit of water before returning you to the station, if you looking for a long ride go to the raging rapids!
Raging Rapids – A scenic tour through the back side of Kennywood on the white water experience of a lifetime, well of that hour anyways. Simulating a white water adventure you have twists and turns and dips, oh and don’t forget the waterfall and the water cannons. Never sit next to the person that says they always miss the water fall, they are lying, also never set next to the person that says they always get the waterfall, they will get wet!
Thrill Rides:
The Swingshot is an exciting and wild swing ride unlike any other! Because the two sets of 16 seats are positioned back to back, Swingshot offers each rider a front seat! The structure is over 60 feet tall, and its two arms swing to a height of 90 feet. Tremendous acceleration in both directions produces the exhilarating experience of weightlessness as riders catapult towards the sky, quickly reverse direction, and then plummet towards the earth at speeds in excess of 50 mph.
With legs dangling, riders swing back and forth attached to a familiar yellow symbol—the Kennywood Arrow! The arrows swing higher and higher with each pendulum motion, culminating in a 360 degree over the top experience. Ride more than once because choosing a different seat results in a different experience.
The Cosmic Chaos – Their newest attraction, rides sit in a classic UFO style car and are spun around while being sung bank and forth on a ½ pipe track.
King Kahuna reigns over Volcano Valley, daring guests to ride. The gondola platform contains two long 20-seat rows that are attached to two arms. While the arms rotate over 40′ in the air, the gondola itself rotates freely so riders are flung, spun, and hung upside down before the ride returns to rest.
Musik Express - The Musik Express is a fast-paced circular ride traveling a track with numerous peaks and valleys. As the name suggests, loud music plays (& lights flash wildly!) throughout the ride.
– In this attraction, up to 16 riders are strapped into seats (4 per side) and drug to the top of a very large tower, without warning you’re dropped down to the ground and then slowed before hitting the ground, for a very intense free-falling feeling.
The Pirate Ship – A simple classic, that’s it, if you go to Kennywood this ride is a must. It’s not the most thrilling, fastest or best, it is an experience. The riders are swung back and forth in a large Pirate ship shaped vehicle, split in the middle the riders are looking at each other for a very unique feeling.
SkyCoaster – The ultimate in free fall experience. If you want to skydive or bungee jump from the safety of 3 feet of water below, this is the ride for you. On a special order and a extra price once in the park, riders get pulled up 180 feet and then when told, pull the cord allowing your body to fall straight down towards the Kennywood lake below and as you think you’re about to splash in the small about of water the cord catches and swings you up the other side… Max speed about 75 MPH, straight down!
– What was once the old enterprise, riders are put into individual pods and then spun in a circle allowing centrifugal force to keep you in your seat as you are swung upside down.
Classic Rides:
The Auto Race* – This one-of-a-kind, 1930 classic continues to be a Kennywood favorite! Often considered a transition ride for children who are outgrowing Kiddieland, the Auto Race consists of electrically powered cars traveling along a winding, circular wooden track. Parents are permitted to be the back seat drivers.
Grand Prix – The classic bumper car ride is another must ride while at Kennywood.
Kangaroo*- Originally named the Flying Coaster, this circular ride carries up to four passengers up a hill to simulate the effect of a Kangaroo jumping. Once a regular in amusement parks, it is the last remaining of its kind.
Merry-Go-Round* - Dubbed the soul of Kennywood by amusement park aficionado and author Charles J. Jacques, Jr., this beautiful handcrafted carousel was designed and built by the William Dentzel Company in Philadelphia. There are 50 jumping and 14 stationary horses, a magnificent lion and tiger, and Dentzel’s signature Jesters and Cherubs
Olde Kennywood Railroad* - The Olde Kennywood Railroad is a relaxing trip along the top of the bluff overlooking the Monongahela River through scenes depicting Western Pennsylvania history. The engines, although different in style and color, were first used in the 1939 World’s Fair.
Paddle Boats – If you can ride a bike you can paddle a boat… or is that if you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball? Either way this is a nice relaxing paddle boat ride on Kennywood lake.
ParaTrooper *- Originally called the Skydiver, the Paratrooper arrived at Kennywood in the 1950’s. It consists of ten umbrella shaped cars. The ride rotates as it lifts in a horizontal position to a 45-degree angle.
Turnpike* - Built in 1966, the Turnpike’s original cars were gas powered. Today’s ride features delightful, antique style, electric cars that travel a mile scenic track with bridges and overpasses. This timeless ride is a favorite for young and old alike.
Turtle* - A Kennywood tradition since 1927, the Turtle is still a favorite today. Six turtle shaped cars travel on a circular track through a series of hills and dips.
Wave Swinger* - The German built Wave Swinger is one of the most beautiful rides in the park, especially at night. Its 48 swings suspend guests while the ride rotates in a circular, wavelike motion.
The Whip – Another one of the classics riders sit in a car held in only by a old bar that comes down into your lay as you go around the track and get whipped around the corners.
Dark Rides:
Garfield’s Nightmare – Once the old mill, Garfield’s nightmare is designed for a younger crowed. Designed with the old world wooden boards floating on the water, through a half pipe type ride, slowly you make your way along the current. This ride has changed names and faces over the years, marked only by the face on the outside showing a big paddle wheel that hasn’t changed. Of all the names, despite rumors this rides has never been officially named “the tunnel of love”.
Ghostwood Estate – Another one of the new attractions of Kenny wood, riders are locked into a car pitted against the other three “guests” of the haunted Ghostwood Estate, riders are armed with ghost blasters that they must use to flush out the ghosts in the house for points… let the best Ghost hunter win.
Noah’s Ark – One of the remaining walk through attractions in the world, Noah’s ark takes you on an adventure through the belly of a mountain to the top where Noah’s ark lay dormant still home to many creatures.
And no one can forget about the kids. Kennywood is fully loaded with miniature versions of the “grown up rides” in ‘Kiddieland’. Rides vary from miniature versions of The Whip and The Turtle to the miniature version of the Phantoms Revenge.
Though this park is a very family-friendly park, when the lights go out a different face comes forward. Every October the ghost of the Phantom roams the park and starts to control the rides. Ghosts roam free, vampires take over part of the park, the ghosts of Mortimer’s Manor shriek and a voodoo spell is put across the park. Phantom Fright Nights is the 3rd best haunted attraction in the world with a number of walkthroughs and areas that is sure to frighten your inner child! Phantom fright nights are not recommended for children under 13, and personally I would take that suggestion, unless you like explaining to your children at 3:00 AM that the clowns are really not coming for him.
Here are some of the attractions that will turn your soul white with fear.
Enter the villa, dating back to the classic Transylvania style vampires this villa is crawling with vampires willing to suck your soul to feed there “habit” careful, around every corner could lurk another blood sucker. Don’t believe that werewolves have left them along, or they have not captured some in this old Villa. Theme: Vampire.
The classic grave yard filled with tombstones and mausoleums, and don’t for get the ghosts who are angry, spiteful and want to torture all those who dare enter their sanctuary. Be warned: not everything you see is real, and not everything that you think is real, is fake! Theme: Ghosts, Undead.
The manor, once held by one of the most powerful men is now a pool of the angry dead. Hear the cry of the banshees that now inhabit the house, as the manor shifts and messes with your mind. Theme: Banshees, Ghosts, Undead.
Capt. Skully’s Curse – A long time ago capt. Skully made a bad deal with some bad pirates, and are now cursed to be land locked for all of eternity. The crew are angry, the first mate mutinous, and the captain still sleeps. Be warned you should not wake the captain. Theme: Undead Pirates.
Deep in the bayou the Swampland Canoe and Raft Excursions (S.C.A.R.E) Tours had a nice little operation going, until they found what the swamp actually held. Take a trip with the crew of S.C.A.R.E. tours but be warned the swamp still holds secrets and some things are best left unfound. Theme: Voodoo, Cursed tour boat.
Pitch Black – Are you afraid of the dark? Well you should be! This maze of darkness will leave everything to your imagination, which with no light will leave a lot. You should not be scared of what you see; it should be what you don’t see you are scared of. Theme: Dark Maze.
The Haunted Ark – The animals have run wild mauling all those who now draw near. Be careful of entering the one fabled Noah’s arc as the ghosts of the crew still haunt the halls of the mountain. Theme: Animals, Ghosts.
With the walkthrough there are different “Scare Zones” around the park as well as stalkers. Once you cross the gates into the park, no one is safe!
*Descriptions are from Kennywood.com
Kennywood.com, Phantom Fright Nights, all pictures, ride names, and marked descriptions are property and are registered trademarks of Kennywood Entertainment. All rights reserved. This post except the descriptions directly from the Kennywood site are in no way endorsed by Kennywood Entertainment, management, or its employees, sponsors, partners or agencies.
