Kennywood’s Open 2019
by Janet Jonus
Kennywood Park is “America’s Finest Traditional Amusement Park”. It features six major coasters (soon to be SEVEN major coasters), seven thrill rides, three dark rides, nine classic rides, a 4D Theater, two water rides, and fourteen Kiddieland rides plus five rides in Thomas Town including Journey with Thomas – ride Thomas the Tank Engine around the tracks. When you get hungry, Kennywood has over 30 food stands and carts, from a full-service cafeteria to Award-winning barbecue and two places to get Kennywood’s signature dish, Potato Patch French Fries.
Kennywood is an all-age summertime destination for Pittsburgh families. From Babies and Toddlers through Teens and beyond, Kennywood offers something for everyone.
What’s New for 2019
Note: FamilyFunPittsburgh is aware Kennywood has announced they have received a Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation from the IBCCES. We are an autism-family. FamilyFunPittsburgh has been to Kennywood. We have reviewed the status of the certification. Most of the requirements for the certification are not in place at this time. Please see our complete review here:
https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/kennywood-parks-certified-autism-center/
Thomas Town is open though Thomas himself is still having problems. His availability has been inconsistent. At times Thomas is up and running and then an hour later he is down and the old Kennywood engine is pulling the cars around the tracks. So Thomas is still having issues. It has not been listed on Kennywood’s website if Thomas is running or not so if you are going to Kennywood just to ride Thomas, it is best to call and check before you head out.
Pittsburgh’s iconoclastic amusement park is undergoing some exciting changes. For the second year in a row, Kennywood is expanding in a BIG way. Steeler’s Country opens some time this year. (Best guesses are around July.) The Steel Curtain is rising above the Kennywood skyline. The Steel Curtain is the most-anticipated major coaster in the US this year. It features nine inversions including a world record highest inversion. Be prepared to go upside-down just over the top of the lift hill, 197 feet above the ground. FamilyFunPittsburgh is seriously excited about the Steel Curtain!
Update July 7, 2019: Steeler’s Country is still a construction zone but the Steel Curtain will be open to the public on July 13, 2019. Kennywood was running test runs on the Steel Curtain all day yesterday, even after the Park closed for the night. Look for a FamilyFunPittsburgh review on Friday, July 12th!
The rest of Steelers Country remains a construction zone with smaller cranes and heavy equipment scattered throughout. The Steeler’s Experience Building is complete from the outside. The game pavilion and the new restaurant are still under construction. There is no cement down in the area at all. The whole Steelers Country is gravel and dirt. We are assuming there will be some kind of cement laid down for access to the Steel Curtain as the rider loading platform is near the back of Steelers Country.
Thomas Town will be open all summer long. If your family missed Thomas Town last year, make sure you head out to Kennywood this year. Thomas Town features four new family rides and Thomas himself will be traveling the tracks at Kennywood’s Railroad in Journey with Thomas. Thomas Town has a new gift shop, a play area, and a new Party Pavilion that can be booked for Birthday Parties. A new stage show entertains Thomas fans and Sir Topham Hatt greets guests daily.
The 4D Theater has a new movie. San Andreas 4D, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will run at the 4D Theater from 4:00PM through closing. Thomas & Friends in 4D Bubbling Boilers will run at the 4D Theater from opening through 4:00PM.
Season Passes
The Silver Season Pass has many benefits including admission during the Summer Season, discounted admissions for Phantom Fright Nights and Happy Hauntings, Free admission to select days of Holiday Lights, Buddy Days, and more. The Silver Season Pass costs $99.99 plus fees and taxes.
The Premium Season Pass includes all of the benefits of the Silver Pass plus 5 Parking Vouchers, a Souvenir Cup, a VIP Coaster Tour, 2 Buddy Passes, and more! The Premium Season Pass is $134.99 plus taxes and fees.
The Senior Season Pass has the same benefits as the Silver Season Pass (except it does NOT have the discounts to Sandcastle and Idlewild) for guests 55+. The Silver Season Pass is a discount at $59.99 plus fees and taxes.
Any of the above Season Pass can add on the All Season Dining Pass for $84.99. The All Season Dining Pass gives the passholder two meals plus a snack on every Kennywood visit. There are restrictions so make sure you check out the details
( https://www.kennywood.com/diningpass )
The Ride & Slide Season Pass has all of the same benefits as the Silver Season Pass PLUS unlimited summer admission to Sandcastle plus Sandcastle Buddy Days and more. The Ride & Slide Season Pass is $134.99 plus fees and taxes.
The Pennsylvania Pass is good at four of Pennsylvania’s family parks – Kennywood, Idlewild, Sandcastle (in and near Pittsburgh) and Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster County. The Pass includes admission at the Parks for the summer and special seasons plus more! Check it out at
https://www.kennywood.com/papass The Pass is $199.99 plus taxes and fees.
Click here to buy Season Passes:
https://www.kennywood.com/season-passes?_ga=2.63357930.436484878.1554743496-933738618.1551933260
Kennywood’s 121st Season
Kennywood is celebrating its major expansion all summer long.
April 27th and 28th are Season Passholder Appreciation Days. Season Passholders are invited to Kennywood Park to celebrate the start of the season. There are special activities all weekend long.
Celebrate Thomas the Tank Engine’s Birthday at Thomas Town in Kennywood Park from 1030AM-200PM pn Sunday May 12th! (Happy Mother’s Day!) Sing Happy Birthday to Thomas at 200PM. There is a BOGO deal on tickets for this day.
Kennywood is ramping up their Memorial Day weekend with a Ribs & Blues Festival May 26th and 27th. BBQ vendors will bring their tasty treats while Blues bands provide entertainment. The Schwinery, Kennywood’s resident BBQ stand that serves some of the best food in Kennywood, will be joined by BBQ vendors plus live entertainment.
Kenny’s Koaster Race is June 2nd. Run Kennywood’s 5k race and then ride the day away for a good cause. The Race benefits the Cancer Caring Center.
Kennywood Komicon is held on Father’s Day, June 16th. A special ticket discount will be available.
Youth Association Days are June 16th, July 5th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 30th, and August 13th. Kids wearing a youth association sports jersey, youth service association jersey, or a church youth association jersey can get in for a day rate of $28.00.
Kidsfest is June 27th and 28th. Bring the kids out to meet and greet with Superheroes, Princesses, and Friends plus FamilyFun activities. Special discounted tickets will be available.
Celebrate America at Kennywood with their annual festival from June 30th through July 4th. Enjoy entertainment, eating contests, and the Weiner 100 dachshund races plus nightly fireworks! Celebrate America is a FamilyFunPitttsburgh favorite.
Kennywood hosts ethnic Heritage Days all summer but a favorite is Italian Heritage Day on July 7th. With discounted tickets, food truck vendors, entertainment, a parade, and fireworks Italian Day has it all!
WTAE hosts Summerfest July 15th through July 19th. Activities, entertainment, and a parade are highlights of this week long party. Ticket discounts are available too.
KDKA Summerblast is July 26th. See KDKA television hosts in a parade plus more activities.
Kennywood’s summer season comes to a close with Fall Fantasy August 3rd through August 20th. More than 150 bands participate in the nightly parades. With activities and discounts, Fall Fantasy has been entertaining Pittsburghers for generations.
Polish Day is August 6th. Enjoy traditional food, entertainment, and dancing during this annual festival day.
First Responder Day is August 25th. First responders with proper ID get in for free!
Oldies Day is September 8th. Individuals of a certain age get into Kennywood for a discount.
Tickets
Buy Kennywood Tickets online and Save!
Kennywood is having an Early Bird Ticket sale. Buy a FunDay ticket for $39.99. This ticket can be used any day during the Summer Season.
Online Regular FunDay Tickets are $49.99 for anyone over 46″ tall. Junior Tickets (under 46″ tall) are $33.99. Tickets for Seniors 55+ are $25.99 and tickets for Super Seniors 70+ are $11.99. Military FunDay tickets are $27.00. Kennywood has a pre-season FunDay 4-pack for $139.96. All tickets are base prices plus taxes and fees.
Kennywood also has gate ticket prices. Weekday rates are $49.99 for Adults, $33.99 for Juniors, $25.99 for Seniors, and $11.99 for Super Seniors. Weekend rates are $54.99 for Adults, $36.99 for Juniors, $28.99 for Seniors, and $14.99 for Super Seniors.
Kennywood has Nightrider rates for admissions after 500PM. Weekday rates are $30.99 for Adults, $23.99 for Juniors, $17.99 for Seniors, and $11.99 for Super Seniors. Weekend Nightrider rates are $32.99 for Adults, $25.99 for Juniors, $19.99 for Seniors, and $14.99 for Super Seniors.
For tickets:
https://www.kennywood.com/tickets-and-passes
Kennywood offers many other discounts throughout the summer. If you want to hit all of these events, the best way to save is with a season pass.
Kennywood is located at 4800 Kennywood Boulevard West Mifflin PA 15122 / 412-461-0500 /
https://www.kennywood.com/
Have fun and happy riding!
