Coordinates: 402320N 795154W Thunderbolt, previously known as Pippin, is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood amusement park near Pittsburgh in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. They climb onto the same carts and boats they did decades ago, passing on the thrills they loved when they were the wide-eyed tots and experiencing them anew through the next generations eyes. Please always feel welcome to stop by Customer Service while in the park to discuss any concerns; iff you would like to continue this conversation, please email info@kennywood.com . 15122, The health and safety of our visitors and residents will always remain our. The food price is also . Located just outside Pittsburgh, PA, Kennywood offers a unique mix of classic rides and modern thrills, including seven roller coasters, a 12-ride Kiddieland and several attractions that cannot be found anywhere else. An adult coming after 4 with teens is not going to do enough to warrant spending 70.00. The Lockers are unlimited entry for the day. Read our, Like to wait in long lines - go to Kennywood. The two families controlled the park until they sold it in 2007. A day-long program called Kennywood Day: 125 years of Memories will take place Sunday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kennywood is one of only two amusement parks in the United States to be designated as a National Historic Landmark. Heinz History Center to celebrate Kennywood's 125th anniversary with 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Park visitors walking around Kennywood in 1972. A National Historic Landmark, the park was built on land known as Kenny's Grove, which had been a picnic spot since the 1860s. Starting today, Kennywood is open daily for the season. Thunderbolt, previously known as Pippin, is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood amusement park near Pittsburgh in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Love Pittsburgh? Hi Johnny, we are not offering Dining Passes at this time. In fact, I would argue that over 120 years, the idea of being scared or entertained was secondary to what most couples were riding it for.. Why You Should Venture Into the Woods With Pittsburgh's Beloved Sally Wiggin, How the Carnegie Library Continues to Foster a Love of Reading, Learning Over the Summer, Here Are The 25 Best Restaurants in Pittsburgh. The park has changed many times over the years, but the park still has the old memories and new ones to make. In conclusion, if you are looking for a theme park with some really nice roller coasters you don't have to wait in line forever or walk miles to get to, this is a great theme park. We are sorry to hear about your experience on Saturday. He said the other train was waiting for repair parts. Whether its the Panama Canal or these cartoon characters like Mutt and Jeff, Butko says, it wasnt always meant to be a scary ride. "RideAccidents.com 1999 Accident Reports and News", PittsburghNew CastleWeirton combined statistical area, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thunderbolt_(Kennywood)&oldid=1161965307, Articles to be expanded from January 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0. The Senator John Heinz History Center is partnering with Kennywood to commemorate the parks 125th anniversary. In 1999, an accident happened when operators failed to brake the train coming into the station, causing a collision with the train being loaded. That work was quickly interrupted by the stay-at-home order in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennywood opened to the public in 1899 with features that included a carousel, dance pavilion . Ive been on one of the roller coasters and it ended up having maintenance problems after I got off of it. Specifically the bathroom and commodes. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit heinzhistorycenter.org/events. Keep that nostalgic feeling going. . Riding the kiddie whip at Kiddieland in the 1960s. The Penguins' New Hockey Operations Boss Has Already Mastered a Balancing Act, Movie Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, A Guide To Keeping Your Pets Safe And Serene On July Fourth, Nominations Are Open for The 2023 Excellence in Nursing Awards, Best of the 'Burgh Readers' Poll Winners for 2023, Help Us Pick the Pittsburgher (or Pittsburghers) of the Year, Want to Learn How to Play Pickleball? Thank you for visiting and for the feedback. I now have a 16 year old who loves it here. The four original drops down a ravine were incorporated in the Andy Vettel-designed Thunderbolt coaster. Rides for everyone of all ages and heights, lots of benches and shade, and good places to eat with bathrooms either inside the restaurants or nearby. The Turtle made its debut the same year as The Racer. Before Kenny Kangaroo, children had to be as tall as Henry in order to get on the rides at Kennywood. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. West Mifflin, PA 15122 Phone: 412-461-0500 We would always suggest Guests buy tickets online, as this is a great way to save off of gate price. Also getting there is a nightmare with traffic in that Swissvale area. See if you can find these 5 hidden gems on your next float. The focus of the design, Simmons says, was paying ample tribute to the rides earlier incarnation while adding modern touches. Kennywood icons and local celebrities are spoofed on wanted posters hanging toward the end of the ride. When it opened in 1901, it was Ye Olde Mill.. This is a terrible rip off to parents. (The black and white footage starts at around 1:08.) The toilet there was so dirty that I had to do a hover poop and they were out of toilet paper so I could not even wipe my rear end! [1] Since 2009, Palace Entertainment, the American subsidiary of Parques Reunidos, has taken over the role formerly filled by Kennywood Entertainment. What's a trip to Kennywood without a ride on the Jack Rabbit? No complaints. In 1924, Pippin opened with trains by Miller and Baker. Click here if you wish to opt out and view the full site. Got discounted tickets by paying online, then found free parking (above paid parking) with little walking (there's an escalator as well as a sloped pathway.) By March 1, work had begun. Adult Admission: Check website for pricingChild Admission: Check website for pricingSenior Admission: Check website for pricingParking Charge: YGroup Size: 20/10,000. USUALLY KENNYWOOD IS OPEN BY NOW. We look forward to continuing the conversation. Thank you! We got here two hours after they opened and basically stayed until closing. Get more stories like this one delivered right to your email. Hours: open select dates from Mid-April - September, plus seasonal Halloween & Holiday events. Joe Negri performs on stage at WTAE Day at Kennywood Park in 1979. The Long Dark History The history of Kennywood's funhouses and darkrides is almost as old as the park itself. Thank you for visiting and for the feedback. According to the park's website , Kennywood was founded in. They might not have known Garfield too well, but he was a friendly cartoon character., Still, the park knew that a change was overdue. Part of its popularity is thanks to the breathtaking 70-foot drop that double dips. We do appreciate your feedback and will share your comments with our teams. Then, we can hop aboard some of the old favorites like the 10 oldest rides at Kennywood. Former WTAE news anchor Paul Long (right) and traffic reporter Neal Spence at Kennywood in 1983. Neither Paradise or Ruby will officially comment on any other planned comebacks; the Old Mill was the most frequently demanded ride, they say, and theres nothing else in the parks immediate plans. Cups for refill this years 2022 because of the pandemic we did not come for a few years, Can you receive a refund and cancel a reservation for a scooter. Well you still have time to decide Where are you staying? We would have enjoyed this park much more if not for the unnecessary long waits. If you would like to continue the conversation, please email info@kennywood.com and our teams will be happy to connect with you. In 1989, they opened Sandcastle Waterpark just a few miles from Kennywood. The classic ride was replaced by Garfield's Nightmare in the early 2000s, but Kennywood announced earlier . Kenny Kangaroo waves to the crowd at Kennywood Park in 1979. Thank you for visiting and for the feedback. Kennywood once had a Pony Track in the area where the Log Jammer is now. Not a good park needs work, more for kids than adults. Ready for a blast from the past? Why More People Are Moving to The Wall Street of Pittsburgh, 10,000 People Are Coming to Pittsburgh and They Will Be Wearing Fursuits, Where and When to See Fireworks in the Pittsburgh Area on July Fourth. It was not efficient. My experience going to the bathroom here was amazing. The Whip, in fact, has been a Kennywood favorite since it first opened in 1918. In 2006, the trains could be seen sporting the famous T-bolt logo on the fronts of the cars where the center headlights had been. The Racer is another really fun coaster there that you can high five other riders on! Kennywood Park (West Mifflin) - All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor A return to the 80s version, themed as an Old West ghost town with an invisible blacksmith and slapstick skeletons, meant that the ride would be at least in the neighborhood of spooky. All that out of the way the park still offers a nostalgic old time feel with newer cool thrill rides mixed in. KENNYWOOD PARK - 972 Photos & 348 Reviews - Yelp We will share your comments regarding this with our teams for review. That led in turn to one of the rides new centerpieces: What if hes robbing a bank with a skunk?, someone proposed. I needed time to let the experience sink in. Founded as a trolley park in 1898 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1987, Kennywood guarantees unforgettable fun for all ages. No pins available yet (same story seems like every month/year). Only one inside restaurant was open, which we desperately needed for reprieve from the heat, but it was packed. This rare footage of Kennywood Park, shared on YouTube by user Shanes Amusement Attic, provides a nostalgic glimpse into Pittsburghs past, which just might get you in the mood to visit some of the 10 greatest amusement parks in Pennsylvania. Another former Kennywood dark ride, Le Cachot, featured a skeleton riding a motorcycle on its facade. Maybe have a calendar of when the school picnics are so ppl can avoid those days. Please email info@kennywood.com if you would like to continue the conversation and our teams will be in touch. Having to pay five dollars just to get a bottled water is ridiculous! Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. The Old Mill follows Harold through a long day of mischief. Please try again later. Hello Tom, Even amid uncertainty on when the park would re-open, Ruby says, there was never any doubt that the project would be completed. We recommend comfortable, closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing to keep you warm/cool as temperatures change throughout the day. Generations of us Pittsburghers have made our way through the Old Mill. Area: 0 feet, Occupancy: 5000 - 5000 The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. BUT THIS MORNING WE ARE GETTING A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW OLD MILL. The McKeesport Majorette Drill Team at Kennywood Park in 1979. Hot dogs cost 40 cents at Kennywood in 1972. What's It Like Inside Kennywood's New, Old Mill? Now that the Old Mill has returned to form, whats next on the agenda? WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. Take a trip back to the beginnings of Kennywood Park by scrolling through these classic photos below. Start which immediately goes into the first drop, taken from the first seat before the ride begins. But we cant do it alone. The Racer, dating back to 1927, consistently features long lines. Be sure to check out our Season Pass offers on our web site - several tiers now include great discounts at our food stands, including free drink refills in some cases. Conveniently located about 20 minutes outside of Downtown Pittsburgh, Kennywood is one of Pennsylvania's best entertainment options for families. In photos: Kennywood Park then and now - WTAE-TV Pittsburgh Action News 4 Please always feel welcome to contact us prior to your visit and we will also help find the best savings! We waited over 1 hour to ride the Steel Curtain because only one train was running. (It was a pretty good year for Kennywood, huh?) The Old Mill building takes up a lot of real estate, and a lot of other amusement parks wouldve, at a point, thought, We can put in a new, exciting thrill coaster there. But Kennywood understands their legacy and their history.. We are very sorry that you feel this way. Unlike some ever-advancing theme parks, Kennywood features resurrections and rehabilitations of classic rides almost as often as modern innovations. Didnt get the 20% discount on food purchase (chicken & fries). The park didnt want to truly terrify anyone Its just dark-ride fun, Ruby says, not meant to be scary but certainly wanted the Old Mill to have some Halloween hallmarks. We are proud to offer a number of world-class attractions the whole family can enjoy; we are sorry that you did not enjoy all of them. The late Paul Long, former WTAE news anchor, signing autographs at Kennywood in 1979. We can all probably agree that Kennywood just wouldn't be the same without the sound of the organ and the ringing of the Merry-Go-Round's bell. The soap dispensers had plenty of soap and they actually had people there that regularly cleaned the commodes so every time I had to go to the bathroom I had a nice clean toilet to sit on and just enjoy using the bathroom. Kennywood Park is offering a first look inside their efforts to restore The Old Mill. We can assure you we do clean while the park while in operation, though it sounds as if conditions were not up to our standards during your visit. Huge season pass line & out the gate regular line. [3][4], Thunderbolt helix with Phantom's Revenge in background, Thunderbolt cresting hill in front of Phantom and Pitt Fall, A view of the signature drop on Phantom's Revenge, which passes over two and under two Thunderbolt tracks. Thank you for visiting and for the feedback! Flashback Friday: Are you in any of these old-school Kennywood photos? The Dark Side of Kennywood Article - DAFE The biggest thing I like about this theme park is that it was CLEAN! MICHELLE: FINALLY THIS MORNING. And how do we make it so its kinda fun and playful? 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We have identified several similar areas to address as we move forward. We are again sorry for the disappointment regarding your visit and will share your comments with our teams for review. Former WTAE chief meteorologist Joe DeNardo with a crowd of Kennywood Park visitors in 1985. Kennywood Entertainment Company - Wikipedia After the Noahs Ark renovation, he tweeted (repeatedly) that his crew would be more than happy to report for duty if the Old Mill were ever up for a renovation. A friend whose 17 was leaving Pittsburgh and we only had an evening to come to due schedule conflicts. (To be clear, Nick Paradise says, Its definitely not Garfield.). The ride did operate all operating dates from mid-May to Labor Day this season. My problem is there is no evening discount, general admission or chaperone discount whatsoever. (It also includes Idlewild which we never go to because its too far & another park all the way in Lancaster). However, when getting to the park, we noticed that a substantial number of the rides available for little ones were closed. It is a historic wooden roller coaster that has a very unique double dip drop with some insane ejector airtime!. Thank you for visiting and for the feedback. Racer - 1927 Wikimedia Commons/Larry Pieniazek We hope you will be able to join us again soon for a more positive experience. That started with a central character, a skeleton named Harold named for the rides 70s title, Hard Headed Harolds Horrendously Humorous Haunted Hideaway and a story that would land him in jail, re-creating the previous Old Mills iconic ending scene. This is the last time I will come to Kennywood for a very very very very long time. The Kennywood Entertainment Company was the operator of five United States amusement parks in Western Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Also, line jumping was an issue on rides and food and drink lines. It was originally built and designed by John A. Miller and opened in 1924. Every school kid arguably remembers heading to Kennywood Park for their annual school picnic, a tradition that began in the 1950s. This page was last edited on 26 June 2023, at 04:33. Well what about plans for tomorrow? Now, in the 21st century, schools still schedule Kennywood picnic days. Look for a Western outlaw who bears a striking resemblance to a certain Jurassic Park and Independence Day star. There is no reason a park should only be running one car on coasters when the wait is well over 30-45 min. Keep an eye on the video that opens the ride to find out. On December 11, 2007, Kennywood Entertainment announced that it would selling all five of its amusement parks to Parques Reunidos, a Madrid, Spain-based company. Paradise does, however, give one clue: One [ride] is referenced in the Old Mill, among the tombstones in the end, he says. Wearing the same outfit as our friends. This is Pittsburgh, says Nick Paradise, the parks director of public relations and social media. Thank you for visiting and for the feedback. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Our park teams are working closely with the rides manufacturer to ensure the ride returns next spring. Many changes through the years but need to do better on ticket options and pricing. Kennywood Park (West Mifflin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. (You might even see a duck or two during your time on the water.). Kennywood Park offers first look inside the Old Mills return, TODAY. Because you are viewing this site from a location address that appears to be covered by the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 ("CCPA"), many of the features of TribLIVE.com -- like videos and social media elements -- are disabled. The only thing they could have done better would have been to install floor to ceiling doors so it would be a little quieter so it would be easier to watch youtube videos on my phone while I am sitting on the commode. Click play above to travel way back in time to the Kennywood Park of days gone by. As for your experience at our Food and Beverage stands, please feel welcome to stop by Customer Service if you ever notice a situation such as this, and we will connect you with our Food and Beverage Managers. My favorite ride is the Jack Rabbit. 120 Fifth Avenue, Fifth Avenue PlaceSuite 2800Pittsburgh, PA 15222U.S. Several customers were complaining loudly but he just ignored us. Address: 4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA, 15122. We never want Guests to leave disappointed with their visit. We always will look out for your best interest. But don't let the history fool you! This is the same coaster they claimed they had the manufacturer fix all of the problems over the winter when last year it was down more that it was running. Skeletons cavorting in Old West scenes; a lightly spooky dark ride with boats whisking past tombstones and cobwebs. Not being able to ride your favorite rides, or staying in line for an hour or two (then having the ride break down and being sent away, this happened to us 3 times, once after staying in line for a little over an hour for the Steel Curtain and twice after staying in line for about 20 minutes at The Whip). What would that guy do to get himself in jail? She presented the ScareHouse team with some drawings and concept ideas she had developed with Brian Bartley, the parks former director of maintenance. An aerial view of Kennywood Park in 1985. Going to Kennywood during the summer, for Phantom Fright Nights, and for Holiday Lights is just one of the best parts of being a Pittsburgher. Nicole [Danielle Conniff, ScareHouses design manager] took the coyotes home with her. "That's a lot of what we've heard people appreciate a return to more traditional form for the . Also all the soap dispensers were empty and there was no hand sanitizer! Did I mention that the Thunderbolt Coaster, Steel Curtain Coaster and Raging Rapids ride were all closed You can get a discount buying your tickets online, but be prepared to pay a convenience fee and amusement fee in the process. The Old Mill has always been very special to me; it was always the last ride we did at the end of the night.. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! I am tired of going to the park and having to wait in long lines for no good reason. Visiting Kennywood Park has been a summer tradition for generations of Pittsburghers. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Not a good park experience at all compared as to when I was there as a child! After years of speculation and fan requests, the park made the announcement before the 2020 season: This year, the dark ride most recently known as Garfields Nightmare would once again become the Old Mill. [1] [2] This year they got rid of the ride & slide pass & the only other comparable option that included Kennywood & sandcastle was Platinum. Thank yo for your patience. Or almost reverting to its original moniker. It took so long for people to unload and load each time. The management at Kennywood does not care about its customers. 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Silent-movie title cards accompany each display, along with an original score by local musician and producer Bengt Alexander. Kennywood tells guests to have the smaller rider sit on the right to avoid larger riders squishing smaller riders. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Now if you want to bring someone its $35! Now I have 12 buddy passes to Kennywood & none to the rest. As a huge fan myself of the Old Mill, what are the things that Id want to see that remind me of that but also, what can we do to twist it?. Meanwhile, the parks contract with Paws Inc., then the owners of the Garfield intellectual property, had been renewing every two years; the latest agreement ran out after the 2019 season. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Before the MacDonalds took over Idlewild, it had also been owned by the Mellon family. Located just outside Pittsburgh, PA, Kennywood offers a unique mix of classic rides and modern thrills, including seven roller coasters, a 12-ride Kiddieland and several attractions that cannot be found anywhere else. The new Old Mill is packed with nods, references and in-jokes. We are happy to hear you and your friend enjoyed Steelers Country and we look forward to your next visit. Nostalgia has always been a key part of the cross-generational appeal of Kennywood. Thank you. It was Tour of the World, where you would see Tokyo, Paris, San Francisco. For a time, the ride depicted the construction of the Panama Canal. In these unprecedented times, we have implemented enhanced health and safety measures to help protect everyone. I believe that if we had brought back the Old Mill the exact same way it looked in the 70s, its careful what you wish for. Thank you for visiting and for the feedback, Chris. NO WORD YET ON WHEN KENNYWOOD WILL OPEN. Had I known there would be NO sandcastle buddy passes & only Kwood passes included I wouldve instead purchased 2 Kennywood & 1 sandcastle platinum. I was at Busch Gardens Williamsburg last year and it was one of the worst theme park experiences ever. Garfield wasnt even the first character to leap from the funny pages to the ride; after a razing and rebuilding in 1926, the ride reopened with cavorting comic-strip characters. For Simmons and his team, however, that meant a very unusual work-from-home experience. Kennywood Entertainment Co. was effectively created in 1906, when F. W. Henninger and Andrew McSwigan bought the Kennywood amusement park from the Mellon family's Monongahela Railway Company. Kennywood Park is an amusement park established in 1898 in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, ten miles outside of Pittsburgh. We would like to follow up with you directly regarding your visit. See if you can spot yourself or someone you know! Kennywood Park, West Mifflin: Hours, Address, Kennywood Park Reviews: 4/5. We're doing a "Flashback Friday" with some awesome images of the park, as seen in WTAE archive video footage from the 1960s, '70s and '80s. All other coasters operated with two trains all day. ), And the 1950s ushered in a tradition that continues decades later. We do list expected closures for the day on the Attractions page on our website in the descriptions for any impacted rides. Also, I wish that the roller coasters were designed for people who are big sized! Hello Tracy, After this drop is a tight bend which results in the rider on the right squishing the rider on the left because there is no seat divider. Paradise adds that, even in recent years, It pretty frequently had a nice line for admission. The park opened on May 30, 1899, as a trolley park attraction at the end of the Mellon family 's Monongahela Street Railway. Got to ride 5 things. Park was exactly what I expected for an old park. Not sure yet? We understand this can be frustrating, but it is always in the interest of safety. With a major assist from the design team at the ScareHouse, the Old Mill is back. One-Day Park Admission, Including Special Event Access* Enjoy 40+ Rides and Attractions *Select activities may require an additional fee. Installation of Phantom's Revenge resulted in Thunderbolt being closed for a few weeks in 2001 so that the new ride could be built through the structure near the Turtle Ride. We may have said goodbye to the Turnpike years ago, but we still have the Auto Race. Can I use my steel curtain. The classic ride was replaced by Garfields Nightmare in the early 2000s, but Kennywood announced earlier this year that Garfields Nightmare was closing and the Old Mill was coming back.