Pennsylvania Amusement Park 2012 Season Passes now available

Conneaut Lake Park, DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hersheypark, Idlewild and SoakZone, Kennywood, Knoebels, Lakemont Park and the Island Waterpark, Sesame Place, Waldameer Water World No Responses »
Dec 212011

Many of the amusement parks in Pennsylvania offer season passes for their guests.  In most cases these passes can be a considerable savings over purchases single day tickets if you visit the park three or more times.  Check out each park’s website below for details on their 2012 Season Pass offerings.

Conneaut Lake Park – Season passes are not available to Conneaut Lake Park.  Check the park’s website here for ticket information.

Delgrosso’s Amusement Park – Delgrosso’s is a free admission amusement park that offers season passes for rides and the waterpark.  Pass holders can bring a buddy for free on Tuesdays. A discount is being offered on the passes but no end date is listed.  Visit the park’s website for information here.

Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom – Dorney has a buy now don’t pay until March plan in place for their season passes until 12/31/11.  The regular season pass includes admission to all Dorney Park and Wild Water events plus free parking. A platinum pass is available that gives you access to all Cedar Fair parks (with a few exceptions) in the US.  Platinum passes do not include seasonal events at some parks. See the Dorney Park website here for details.

Dutch Wonderland – Dutch Wonderland has discount prices prior to 1/1/12.  Dutch Wonderland season passes include entry to all Dutch Wonderland events. Dutch Wonderland and Hersheypark combo passes (Gold passes) are still available for 2012. See website here for complete season pass details.

Hersheypark – Hersheypark has discount pass prices prior to 1/1/12.  Hersheypark Season passes include entry to all Hersheypark events and free parking. Dutch Wonderland and Hersheypark combo passes (Gold passes) are still available for 2012.  A Discovery Pass upgrade is also available that includes other Hershey attractions. See website here for complete details.

Idlewild – Idlewild & Soakzone has discount pass prices if you buy 4 or more.  They also offer a bring-a-buddy free day for season pass holders.  See website for details here.

Kennywood – Season passes to Kennywood are available at a discounted price through 12-31-11 and are further discounted if you buy 4 or more.  Season passes to Kennywood include regular season events but do NOT include Phantom Fright Nights. They do include buddy discount events. Visit their website here for details.

Knoebels – Knoebels is a free entry park and they do not offer season passes.  They do offer discounts on ride tickets and wristbands at certain times.  Visit their website here for details.

Lakemont Park – No information is available at this time.

Sesame Place – Sesame Place is offering a discount on their season passes through 12/31/11.  They have different types of passes which include free admission or discounts to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other parks or just to Sesame Place.  The passes include free parking and regular season admission only.  Choose carefully from their website here.

Waldameer – Though Waldameer is a free admission park, they do offer season passes to cover the cost of rides.  Waldameer is the only park in Pennsylvania to limit the number of season passes it sells, so make sure you get one early if you want one since they sold out last year.  Visit the website here for details.

Posted by ShawnMarie at 3:42 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kennywood dismantles Pitt Fall and announces Black Widow as the replacement - see photos here

Kennywood No Responses »
Dec 172011

A Giant Discovery ride like the Black Widow

The future of Pitt Fall is not yet known (other than it won’t be kept in the Palace Entertainment family) but we do know its successor.  The McKeesport Daily News ran an article discussing the dismantling of Pitt Fall here – prior to the public announcement on December 15, 2011 of the Black Widow replacement.

The Black Widow, a Giant Discovery ride type built by Zamperla, will be a swinging pendulum ride that will carry 40 passengers facing outward on suspended seats 147 feet above the ground at 68 mph while also rotating counterclockwise.  You can see a video of it in action on Zamperla’s website here and a couple more photos below. You can read Kennywood’s news release about the Black Widow here.

My thanks go to Marco Mazzucchi from Zamperla for these great photos.

 

 

 

 

Pitt Fall was a 251-foot drop tower built by Intamin AG and installed in 1997.  It was the world’s tallest drop tower when it opened and is a 2nd Generation Freefall ride.  It was known for its panoramic view of Pittsburgh from the top of the yellow and black tower.

Posted by ShawnMarie at 9:36 pm Tagged with: , , , , , ,

2011 Pennsylvania Amusement Park Celebrations

Conneaut Lake Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hersheypark, Kennywood, Lakemont Park and the Island Waterpark, Sesame Place No Responses »
Nov 182011
Reindeer at Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane

Well, as you’ve probably noticed if you’ve gone into any store since Halloween, the winter holidays are approaching.  Sure, it is mid-November, but already Christmas displays have taken over nearly half my grocery store and in just a
few short days several Pennsylvania amusement parks will be opening their doors for the Holiday Season.

A visit to one of these parks is a great way to get yourself into the holiday mood and to work off some of that Thanksgiving turkey but walking a few miles or so in the cold. (No, really, it IS fun!)

Here is a list of the Pennsylvania parks offering up winter holiday fun this year:

Conneaut Lake Park

It isn’t a sure thing yet, but if Conneaut Lake has sold enough tickets they will be holding their Holiday of Lights 2011 event from November 25th through January 1st.  Check the park’s website for more information here.

Dutch Wonderland

Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster County, PA, is holding their Dutch Winter Wonderland on weekends from November 19th through December 18th and then for the whole week after Christmas from the 26th to the 30th of December.  This park is best for ages 3-8 and offers lights, rides and visits with Santa.  Read more about it here.

Hersheypark

Hersheypark in Hershey, PA, is holding their Christmas Candylane event beginning November 18th and running on various days until December 31st.  Hours
vary widely for this event which includes lights, rides, live reindeer and Santa so be sure to check the website here for more details.

Kennywood

Kennywood in Pittsburgh, PA, puts on a show with Kennywood Holiday Lights on varying days in December beginning on the 2nd and ending on the 18th.  The park
will offer light shows, choirs singing carols, rides and food for those who visit.  Check out the details on their website here.

Lakemont Park

Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA, is offering up Holiday Lights on the Lake every evening from November 24th through January 8th.  This is a ride through light show covering fifty-one acres which includes animations as well.  Also open on same dates are the gift shop, model train display and food stands.  Visit the website here for complete details.

Sesame Place

New for 2011 is Sesame Place’s A Very Furry Christmas held at the popular children’s park in Langhorne, PA.  The park is offering up over 300 Christmas trees, rides, shows, a parade and the very lovable Sesame Street characters.  The park is open varying days and times beginning on November 25th and running until December
31st.  Check the website here for details.

Happy Holidays everyone from Amusement Park Mom!!!

Posted by ShawnMarie at 8:38 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2011 Golden Ticket Awards results - PA amusement parks make quite a showing!!!

Dutch Wonderland, Idlewild and SoakZone, Kennywood, Knoebels, Waldameer Water World No Responses »
Sep 232011

Knoebels is a big winner in the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards - Kennywood too!

Since 1998, the industry publication Amusement Today, has been awarding world-wide amusement parks with a coveted Golden Ticket to show they are the best of the best in the industry.

Even with the Disney giants figured in and parks in every other part of the world, our Pennsylvania Amusement parks continue to hold their own in the Top 5 of many of the categories.  You can see all the details here.

Here is a list of all the reported wins for Pennsylvania Amusement Parks in the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards – arranged by park:

Knoebels
1st Place – Best Food (They beat Epcot and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, know why? Funnel cakes, potato pancakes and waffle Ice Cream sandwiches – that’s why!)
1st Place – Best Carousel  (Still grabbing the ring!)
2nd Place – Best Park (This means little ole’ Knoebels beat out ALL the Disney parks!)
#2 Wood Roller Coaster – Phoenix
3rd Place – Friendliest Park
3rd Place – Best Halloween Event
4th Place – Best Dark ride for the Haunted Mansion (betcha the Black Diamond shows up in 2012!)
Kennywood
1st Place – Best Funhouse/Walk-Through attraction – Noah’s Ark (Classic!)
4th Place – Best Halloween Event (Be scared, be very scared!)
4th Place – Best Carousel (It’s a nice one!)
8th Place (2 way tie) – Best Park (tied with Tokyo DisneySea in case you wonder)
#5 Steel Coaster – Phantom’s Revenge
Idlewild & SoakZone
1st Place – Best Children’s Park (In the world!!! Wow!!!)
Dutch Wonderland
5th Place – Best Children’s Park (PA has 2 in the top 5 in the world, what a great place to have kids!)
Waldameer
#6 Wood Coaster – Ravine Flyer II

 

So, did you notice a few big parks in PA that were not listed?  Yep.  Hersheypark and Dorney Park didn’t make the short lists on any reported categories, but they probably were in there someplace – just not at the top.

So why are Knoebels and Kennywood so successful in this contest when Hersheypark and Dorney aren’t?  I think it is because they are unique and they have a devoted following.

In Knoebels’ case they are still family owned and they just handle things differently than a corporate run park – free parking, free admission, affordable food and a bring your own food policy, etc.  No corporate park would go for that since it leaves too many profits to chance.  They keep a stable of classic rides running when others have given up on them. But most of all they take care of their employees and their community and people love them in return.  I didn’t see anyone taking up a collection to fix Hersheypark when it flooded this year, but that is exactly what Knoebels fans did for them.  That tells you how the people love this park.

And Kennywood, though corporate owned now, had been a family owned park forever before that and is a fixture in the Western PA area.  They have classic rides found no place else and an old carnival feel that is rare in an urban setting.  Kennywood makes you wish for the good old days – except you don’t need them ’cause they are still right there, but with a healthy dose of the best of the new stuff too. Kennywood’s employees have fond memories of working there unlike some other park’s employees who would rather forget working at the park. Kennywood also has a generations old devoted following like Knoebels and people go to bat for them no matter what.

All in all I think that is the secret.  If the park loves the people, the people will love the park and it shows in every way.

Congratulations to all our parks!!!

Posted by ShawnMarie at 9:02 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Want to find some Thrills and Chills this Fall? Check out all the Halloween offerings from Pennsylvania Amusement Parks

Conneaut Lake Park, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hersheypark, Idlewild and SoakZone, Kennywood, Knoebels, Sesame Place, Waldameer Water World No Responses »
Sep 232011

Bumper Cars re-themed for Halloween during Hersheypark in the Dark

If you like Halloween AND you like amusement parks AND you live within driving distance of the state of Pennsylvania, you are one lucky person. Our amazing Pennsylvania amusement parks have conjured up 9 different Halloween festivities encompassing parks across the entire state.

Whether you want to be a little scared, a lot scared or positively terrified – Pennsylvania has got a park for you.  Here is a complete listing of Halloween park festivities including links to the park’s websites to make it easy to get all the info you need to plan your trip.

Please BEWARE that some of the activities are not appropriate for younger children or those who frighten easily.  I’ve tagged the general audience type at the beginning of the entry to make it easy to tell what is appropriate for you.

 

Happy Halloween!!!!

 

Conneaut Lake Park
FAMILY FUN: CLP is haunting its classic amusement park this fall on September and October weekends for young and old during their Ghost Lake event.  With 8 layers of haunting and a wonderful past midnight schedule, this is not to be missed.  Check out their website here.

 

Dorney Park
FAMILY FUN: For the younger set, DP is putting on a Boo!Blast during the daytime hours on the weekends during September and October.  Meant for children 56 inches or shorter, this event features rides, crafts and special PEANUTS character activities.  Check out the website here.
13 AND OVER ONLY: For those 13 and older DP puts on a night time fright time with their Halloween Haunt during October and November.  Don’t plan to wear your costume to this one, but prepare to be scared with 8 outdoor mazes, 4 indoor mazes and 2 themed shows in addition to most of the regular park rides.  Check out the website here.

 
Dutch Wonderland
FAMILY FUN:  On weekends in October Dutch Wonderland features Happy Hauntings including trick-or-treating, themed rides and storytelling.  Dutch Wonderland’s main age group is ten and under but this truly is a family park with parents often having as much fun as the kids.  View their Happy Hauntings video at their website here.

 

Hersheypark
FAMILY FUN:  On weekends in October Hersheypark turns itself into Hersheypark in the Dark for families with all ages to enjoy.  Trick-or-treating, re-themed rides and special Halloween treats are featured throughout the park. Check out all the details on what’s going on at Hershey in and out of the park at the Halloween in Hershey website here.

 

Idlewild
FAMILY FUN: Just voted the best children’s amusement park in the world for the second year in a row by Amusement Today (Hooray!!), Idlewild is again putting on their HallowBoo event on October weekends.  With trick-or-treating in Storybook forest plus themed rides and attractions, you can be sure a good time will be had by all.  Check out their website here.

 

Kennywood
OVER 13 ONLY:  It’s Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights 10th anniversary beginning Sept 30th and you can bet they will pull out all the stops.  Open till 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, an amusement park at night is definitely a scary place to be – add in the ghouls, vampires and zombies and, well, bring it on!  Check out their website here.

 

Knoebels
FAMILY FUN: They survived the flood and scored a Golden Ticket for Best Amusement Park food (beating out EPCOT!!!!) and now they’re ready for some Hallow-Fun Nights on October weekends at Knoebels.  With themed rides and special snacks and crafts, Knoebels is a fun time for the entire family. Check the Knoebels website here.

 

Sesame Place
FAMILY FUN: It just so happens that my favorite muppet is hosting a Halloween party at Sesame Place beginning on Sept. 24th.  The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place during Sept. and Oct. Weekends and features re-themed rides, 2 mazes, 3 Halloween shows and the Sesame Street characters dressed up in their Halloween best.  Geared toward the younger set but fun for anyone who has a soft spot for Sesame Street, it’s not too spooky, but lots of fun.  Check out the website here.

Posted by ShawnMarie at 8:09 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are you a fan of Pitt Fall at Kennywood? If so, you better get there and ride it before it is gone.

Kennywood No Responses »
Jun 212011

Kennywood 2006

There have been stories all over the web about Kennywood’s Pitt Fall ride being up for sale but I wanted to wait to post on it until the park made an official statement.  You can see the park’s statement in this pittsburghlive.com article.

So they say it is “exploratory” which is an interesting word to use.  As in, if someone doesn’t give us enough money we’ll keep it?  Or we’re seeing how much we can get so we know how much we can spend on its replacement?  Or…. well, who knows.  But if you are a Pitt Fall fan, make sure you head there to enjoy it for what might be the last time.  You never know when it will disappear since parks have started to remove rides before end of season (Canyon River Rapids at Hersheypark for example.)

Posted by ShawnMarie at 9:10 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

National Amusement Park Historical Association Recognizes 3 Pennsylvania parks

Idlewild and SoakZone, Kennywood, Knoebels No Responses »
Apr 292011

NAPHA, the National Amusement Park Historical Association, has announced its 2010 survey results and according to a news release by WPXI in Pittsburgh and it appears Pennsylvania has a lot to be proud about.

As soon as I get the rest of the results in my NAPHA newsletter, I’ll post the PA winners here.  If you love amusement parks and want to make sure they are around for generations to come, consider joining the National Amusement Park Historical Association.  Not only do they protect the past of great amusement parks but they help secure their future as well.  Check out their website here.

Posted by ShawnMarie at 7:32 pm Tagged with: , , , , ,

2011 Opening Days at Pennsylvania's Amusement Parks

Conneaut Lake Park, DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hersheypark, Idlewild and SoakZone, Kennywood, Knoebels, Lakemont Park and the Island Waterpark, Sesame Place, Waldameer Water World No Responses »
Apr 282011

We’ve got the best Amusement Parks right here in Pennsylvania to visit and the season is officially starting this weekend in many parks.  To view the opening date for YOUR favorite park (or perhaps a new park you’d like to visit) check out our list below.  

Please note that parks with water features may not fully open until later in the season – usually Memorial Day weekend – so be sure to click on the name of the park to go to the calendar page on their website for more details on what activities will be available.

Posted by ShawnMarie at 8:22 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kennywood updates Kiddieland in 2011 to make life easier on parents and children

Kennywood No Responses »
Apr 142011

Now with Air Conditioning!!!

One thing I didn’t like about Kennywood was that you  had to leave the Kiddieland section to find something for the kids to snack on.  Have you ever tried to pull a toddler away from a flying elephant?  Yeah, not happening.

Well now you can make the trip for food a little easier with a brand new location for snacks in Kiddieland that the park promises will be more healthy than the traditional fare.  They’ve also put in new family restrooms with changing tables that will come in very handy when those toddlers wait just a “little too long” to tell you they have to go. They have also added a patio where you can rest and much while watching folks riding on the Railroad.

All these improvements are wonderful additions to help families with smaller children have a more enjoyable day at Kennywood.  I wish Hersheypark would reconfigure to offer a Kiddieland like this or like what you find at Knoebels.  It’d save a lot of walking.

Another welcome update, the Parkside Cafe will be air conditioned for the 2011 season.  My last visit to Kennywood ended in heatstroke so I am definitely glad to hear this!

Posted by ShawnMarie at 10:17 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

It's winter, what's happening at Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle? Lots.

Idlewild and SoakZone, Kennywood No Responses »
Feb 182011

Kennywood

The Pittsburgh Tribune has a wonderful article with pictures here about what takes place at these Pittsburgh area amusement parks in the off season.   Check it out.

Posted by ShawnMarie at 9:33 pm
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