Ccron10 Heads West (To Pittsburgh and Kennywood)

[Ccron10]

Finally! I am now traveling to a place that's farther west than Harrisburg! This trip is mainly a college visit trip where my family and me plan on leaving on Sunday August 2nd and arriving there later in the day. The next day I plan on visiting Robert Morris University for a visit and it might take approximately until mid afternoon. From thereI have no idea what to do since we will leave on Thursday August 6th to come home. This gives us around 2 1/2 days of pure nothing-ness. One of the days (possibly Tuesday August 4th) we will hopefully go to Kennywood.

Kennywood is new territory for me because I have never been there and don't know what to expect as far as crowds, parking, prices, admission, and must-sees besides the coasters. If any TPR members are going that day I'm sure I could meet up with you guys.

This would give us a day of nothing to do so what should we do as far as sightseeing? This goes as far as museums, mountain biking trails, cool places of interest, etc.

 

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

[CreditCrazy]

I was at Kennywood June 18th which was a Thursday and crowds weren't bad. Most coasters run one train and Pit Fall only ran half of its cars, but even then no lines were longer than 20 minutes. You don't have to worry about getting there at opening or running to any ride, it's a pretty small park and you can just pretty much do whatever you want. No need to stay all day either.

[KPfreak519]

First of all, make sure you buy your Kennywood tickets at one of the local grocery stores around town called Giant Eagle; they sell tickets for I think $23 while the gate price is $35 (however, Im not sure when Giant Eagle stops selling them, but if you want to save money its worth a shot to stop in there). You dont really need to worry about crowds at Kennywood; its obviously more crowded on the weekends but there are never really lomg lines, the average line is usually only between 5-15 minutes (except the Exterminator, which is typically between 30min-1 hour waits).

 

If you feel like going to a waterpark check out Sandcastle; its no Schlitterbahn but its a nice little waterpark owned by Kennywood and admission is around $20 I think. Its no too far from Kennywood either.

 

Although the Pirates arent exactly the best baseball team , you can get into PNC Park for as low as $9. Its a pretty nice ballpark so if you like baseball its a nice place to visit. Since you mentioned museums, the Carnegie museum in Oakland is pretty good, and theres a Science Center not far from PNC Park which has some pretty cool stuff too; although some of it might seem a little childish it can still be pretty fun and interesting.

[coastersrule85]

Do yourself a favor and even if you've ridden everything, make sure you stay after dark when the park lights up. It takes on a whole new persona. It's like something out of some old movie.

 

If you enjoy Skycoasters, theirs is one of the best I've been on. The workers are friendly and very conscious of their job duties, so I always feel safe. Also, it's one of the taller ones at 180 ft.

 

Getting a sandwich at Primanti Brothers on 18th Street is also not a bad idea. Of course, when I'm at Kennywood I generally live off of cotton candy, fried oreos, and a few orders of bacon cheddar potatoes The Potato Patch.

[eddie200330]

There is one of the markets right at the top of the hill behind the parking lots, just up the street on the right hand side from the McDonalds. Parking can be free if you don't mind the extra little walk across the lot to get to the gate, but I believe the "preferred" parking is only about 5 bucks anyway. Skip the UFO ride, it is dumb: and make sure to hit the Screamin' Swing, that thing is awesome!!!

[FeelTheFORCE]

Looking at their calender, August 4th is Polish day. I'd go prepared for the park to be decently crowded. Usually on nationality days it is.

 

I'd suggest waiting until a little later on to do Phantom. It usually opens slightly late, and when it does open, they only start out with one train operation. They eventually move to two, but sometimes not for an hour or so.

 

Ghostwood Estate is pretty good, it's new (in 2008) so try and do that earlier before the line builds up. Noah's Ark tends to build a long line as the day goes on also, especially in August.

 

As for other things to do, you can check out the waterfront, which is pretty much down the road from Kennywood. They have many theatres, a Dave & Busters, and many many many stores. You definitely have to get a Primantis sandwich, though.

[Zack44]

This is all very useful information. I also plan to go to Kennywood later this summer and since I've never been there before, I need all the help I can get.

[FeelTheFORCE]

^ Avoid all fall fantasy days iff possible. Those are some of the worst days of the whole season, crowd-wise.

[printersdevil78]

If you're looking for a good restaurant in Pittsburgh, I definitely recommend trying out one of the Primanti Bros. restaurants. They put fries, vinegar cole slaw and other odd things on their sandwiches. I had my first experience with them last month, and it was Heavenly!

 

In the park, you can't go wrong with Potato Patch fries with cheese and bacon. Noah's Ark is the last fun house of its kind in the world, and the Kangaroo is the last ride of its kind, as well. The Turtle's not far behind. As far as coasters, I wouldn't recommend missing any, but I'm especially fond of the Racer and Thunderbolt.

 

Also if you have time, you might consider checking out Kennywood's sister park, Idlewild, which isn't too far away (depending on what your definition of "too far" is). It's a nice, small family park, but it has a lot of great old rides (and try the burritos or ribs for lunch if you go).

[Myself]

Send me a PM if you want to know ANYTHING about Kennywood. I am the person to ask, trust me. In brief (really, it is, believe it or not!):

-If you're a history buff, you will LOVE Kennywood.

-All of the wooden coasters are unique, and each dates back to the 1920s (although the Thunderbolt is from a 1968 expansion). All are terrific rides that you must ride at least once.

-The Phantom is the park's signature ride and is NOT to be missed.

-The Exterminator WOULD be your average Reverchon Crazy Mouse, but it's in abuilding and has got kick@$$ theming. Another unique ride that you need to hit. Be aware that this will be the longest line at the park.

-The Auto Race and the Kangaroo are each fun rides that are extinct elsewhere. Likewise, the Turtle and Noah's Ark are each one of two remaining. Hit all four if you can, but expect to wait a while for Noah's Ark and the Auto Race.

-Other historic rides you want to try and hit are the 1926 Dentzel carousel, the 1927 Mangels Whip, and the Olde Kennywood Railroad, a ride that tells a brief history of the park, and whose engines are 70 years old and have a unique history themselves.

-I would have advised you to ride the oldest ride in the park, the 108-year-old Old Mill, but since it is currently a crappy Garfield themed dark ride, it is skippable. Do try to hit Ghostwood Estate, however. DAFE rated it at #3 best in their most recent member survey.

-DO NOT LEAVE THE PARK without eating Potato Patch fries. If you think the line is too long, Small Fries in Lost Kennywood is a smaller stand that sells the exact same fries.

 

Again, this is a brief list. If you wish for me to tell you more, send me a PM. I hope you enjoy your visit; Kennywood really is as good as everyone says.

[larrygator]

^What he said! Although he says it is a brief list, it covers all the bases in my book.

 

Although The Old Mill has been bastardized, I still think it is worth riding since in is one of the few remaining of it's kind.

[xChris125x]

^ Well Kennywood did not renew it's contract for Garfield so the Old Mill, or something like it is probably in the works in the next couple of years (thank god).

[FeelTheFORCE]

Well Kennywood did not renew it's contract for Garfield

 

This is news to me. Proof?

[xChris125x]

Well Kennywood did not renew it's contract for Garfield

 

This is news to me. Proof?

 

Well I dont have any written proof, it's just info that has ben tossed around as fact at KPConnection. Thats why you don't see Garfield walking around, and the Kiddieland bathrooms and the tunnel were painted over which had garfield on it. I believe the current contract has 2 or so years on it, giving time to rid the park of grafield finally.

[printersdevil78]

Kennywood really is as good as everyone says.

 

Quoted for truth.

[Ccron10]

Ghostwood Estate, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a shooting dark ride? As for Exterminator I have never ridden a spinning wild mouse.

To sum it up, the only rides that Kennywood has that I've ridden at another park is the SS Kenny, Log Jammer, but doesn't that have a drop that has a hill immediately right after it? Also Raging Rapids, but that has Hershey's CRR boats on it so I should be used to riding them, Musik Express, Pirate, Bumper Cars, Wave Swinger, and possible a few more. The rest of the rides I've never been on or experenced.

As for Garfield's Nightmare, I am somewhat of a Garfield fan so it might be interested to looking into that.

Oh, is it possible to do a little credit whoring on Lil' Phantom? lol

For Kenny's Parkway would I need to pay to park to use it? My family are big ski lift fans.

[Myself]

-Ghostwood Estate is indeed a shooting darkride. A lot of people like to ride through it without shooting to see the scenery, but most of the stunts are target-activated. It also has a preshow that confuses many first-time riders into believing it is a walkthrough.

-Yes, the Log Jammer has a hill right after the first drop. It's not something I have seen on other log flumes, and it sometimes even provides airtime.

-We don't require you to have a kid ride with you on the Lil' Phantom so if you want to credit whore on it go ahead!

-The Bayern Kurve is our "new" ride this year after being removed in 2004. There are very few left so you may want to ride it as well.

-Kenny's Parkway is only used on very busy days. It is not considered a park ride persay, it's just a means of getting down to the entrance from the third level of parking (the lot is on a hill). If it is running, I suggest giving it a go as it provides a nice view of the park. You cannot ride it separately though; it is a one way trip down and you cannot go back up until you leave. If you ride it down and it is not running to go back up, the park usually provides shuttles so you don't have to walk.

-Currently, there are only four ex-Hershey boats on the Raging Rapids (look for the ones with the names and numbers on stickers!), but a few others have borrowed seats and other spare parts. The Hershey boats and Kennywood boats are the same model.

-Garfield's Nightmare does have TVs in the queue that tell you about the history of the ride.

 

Again, feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

[Ccron10]

As for other things to do, you can check out the waterfront, which is pretty much down the road from Kennywood. They have many theatres, a Dave & Busters, and many many many stores. You definitely have to get a Primantis sandwich, though.

 

I just noticed this and it reminded me that I still have some game credits for there. Hopefully I can use them here even though I got them in Philadelphia. I remember that their prizes looked awesome. Hopefully it's not in downtown (my dad doesn't feel like going in there).

 

By the way, if anyone is interested in meeting up for Kennywood feel free to PM me.

[xChris125x]

I might be able to go.....maybe. I'll see.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Dave and Buster's and Kennywood aren't close to downtown, your dad need not worry.

 

Here is a link to Mapquest directions from Kennywood to D&B...they are roughly three and a half miles away from each other.

Kennywood is "A" and D&B is "B." Here you can see how close they are to one another.

Here you can see their location in relation to downtown. Downtown is where the rivers meet and where it says "Pittsburgh."

[Ccron10]

less than a week until I travel out there. My mom is bringing her laptop so if I can, I might be able to give updates and upload photos. There's a Cracker Barrel right down the street from where we're staying. The Turnpike toll is going to be hefty (nearly $30 pulling a trailer).

[Ccron10]

Well, I am currently out in Pittsburgh and I arrived after a5 hour drive. Last night we ate at Cracker Barrel. Today we went to Robert Morris and then traveled down the street to eat at Primanti Brothers.

The sandwich (the Pitt-burger) I had was awesome, but the coleslaw I had took most of flavor out of it.

9/10

 

Tomorrow is the Kennywood trip. We are probably going to eat breakfast at Bob Evans down the street and drive 1/2 hour to the park and spend the day.

 

So far no photos, but probably after tomorrow and Wednesday there might be a few.

 

More soon.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Have fun!

 

For the record, I hate coleslaw, so I always scrape it off the PB sandwich. Makes it a lot better without it, in my opinion.