Kennywood — Attraction in West Mifflin

It's amazing how 30 years can change one's memory of what a park was like then as opposed to what it is now. Kennywood is built on a mountainside just outside of Pittsburgh in West Mifflin and it is a sight to behold when you are driving in from across the river and you see coasters reaching out above the treeline. Several coasters start their journey when released with the first hill right out of the station, built directly into the hillside. It is pretty impressive especially when you're talking several 110+ year old roller coasters. The most impressive coaster that I saw there was called Steeler Country and that one is bright yellow and it looks like the Pittsburgh Steeler colors and it looks ominous from that first hill to the drop down the middle of the track and then twisting and turning within itself and then exiting itself into an area over the sidewalk before returning to the station but not before doing a couple twists over the sidewalk that looked pretty damn cool. That thing looks scary as heck, I didn't ride it because it looked like there were not many fat people riding it, and I'm pretty big. At 270, I can ride most rides, but I confine myself to just coasters and any ride that looks decent. I'm pretty sure I couldn't fit this one. This park has a decent selection of other rides too. A unique "Noah's Ark" attraction is at this park, although, I didn't go inside and don't know what it is, but, it is the last one still in operation. One specific ride, I believe is a must for every park, a water ride typically called The Wave, which is a large boat that goes up a hill and comes splashing down and there's a bridge that goes across the boat path and the people on the bridge and the people in the boat get completely soaked, and, if done right, people standing there watching from the sidelines could actually get soaked too if they're standing in the right spot. However, at Kennywood they have a variation of this but they have an extra large swath of water/track that prohibits the actual public, that's not riding the ride, from getting wet which to me just doesn't make any sense because that is one of the best rides that every park should have because it allows guests to be able control how wet they get without actually going on the ride. If you're a guest and temperatures are pretty hot you need to get wet so there should be areas where the general public can be standing on the sidewalk just watching the ride and then be able to get wet if they wanted to. Thunder canyon rides are hit or miss on cooling off. And there is no water park either.

Concessions: there was quite an assortment of food and drink and the prices were pretty typical for an amusement park. You must get the all day drink plan and, while you are at it, check out their food plans. These can save you a lot of money.

Parking: I chose preferred for an extra $5, why would you not? However, you had to enter with standard parking, then drive across several parking lots and then make a u-turn across a lane of cars for standard parking(just route them to the McDonald's and turn them there into the lot)

Conclusions: I had fun 30 years ago and I had fun in 2025. This park is one of my favorites, although, I would like to see some rmc coasters and other steel coasters, as well. There are plenty of kid rides and plenty of thrill rides for those who want them. A lot of beautiful scenery and it is laid out pretty well. Tickets are cheaper online and makes your day more enjoyable.

This park is an absolute must for any amusement park lover, like myself. A few more of the suggested coasters will make it a preferred destination for thrill seekers...

Kennywood Park visit on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

I recently had the pleasure of revisiting Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and it brought back many fond memories from my childhood. This amusement park, a staple of the Pittsburgh area, has maintained its magic and continues to provide a day filled with fun for people of all ages.

One of the first areas I explored was Steeler's Country. It was not running, but as you pass the sign for this section, you’re greeted by the impressive yellow tracks of the Steel Curtain roller coaster. Even from a distance, the ride's height and loop are thrilling to watch. It's a clear homage to the Steelers with a modern thrill-packed twist, and for any sports fan, im sure it's a must-ride, but the ride was not operating.

Next, I made my way to Thomas Town, which is a total hit for the younger crowd. Life-sized replicas of Percy, James, Emily, and Gordon are all displayed, and they are perfect for photo ops. The wide-eyed smiles on the children's faces really show the joy that Thomas the Tank Engine brings to families. This area is such a delightful addition for kids, especially those growing up on the Thomas & Friends series.

Kiddieland was another highlight of the day. The colorful entrance arch welcomes you into a world of rides specifically for younger visitors. The laughter of children is infectious, and it reminded me of my own experiences as a kid when Kennywood felt like the biggest place in the world. Many of the former rides are disappearing from the scene.

Of course, I couldn’t miss out on some of the classic attractions. The Old Mill, formerly Garfield the Cat, aka the love boat. One of the oldest rides at the park, is still one of my favorites. The ride’s spooky yet fun atmosphere has always been a crowd-pleaser, and the signage with the skeleton and cartoon animals is a great nod to its history. It’s such a joy to see the park keeping this gem intact for new generations to enjoy.

As I walked around the park, I couldn’t resist checking out Area 412, Kennywood’s fun sci-fi-themed section. The alien signs and spaceship motifs are playful and quirky. The blend of retro UFO vibes and Kennywood’s classic amusement park charm makes this section unique, and it’s great for anyone who loves that extraterrestrial theme.

Throughout the day, I indulged in a bit of nostalgia by walking past the iconic Kennywood windmill, which is part of the now Old Mill, surrounded by vibrant flowers. This windmill is a hallmark of the park, and seeing it again took me back to the days of visiting as a youth.

And let’s not forget the food! I stopped at the Dippin' Dots stand, which still hits the spot on a hot day. Whether you’re grabbing some ice cream or enjoying a bite between rides, the food options in the park all seem to just be the same over the years. Not much improvement but you do notice the huge price tag for drinks and running pizza.

For those wondering, Kennywood is just as magical as it was when I was a kid. The combination of thrilling roller coasters, family-friendly attractions, and nostalgic landmarks makes it a perfect day out for people of all ages. Whether you’re there to explore new sections like Steeler’s Country or enjoy classics like the Old Mill, Kennywood continues to live up to its slogan: "Always a Good Time."

If you're in the Pittsburgh area, don’t miss out on revisiting this timeless treasure. Whether you're going with family, friends, or simply to relive your childhood, it remains a fantastic experience. The rides are fun, the scenery is beautiful, and the park keeps the perfect balance of nostalgia ...

Edit: I am going to increase my rating from 1 Star to 3 because I have had good experiences at Kennywood during the summer, and Kennywood did at least reach out and try to make things right, but it also doesn't sound like they're going to do anything to fix the issue with guests not being warned that a booth doesn't have any food before they've wasted their time standing in line, which is why we had to end our visit earlier than we had planned. For that reason I'd still recommend avoiding the fall and winter events since they limit you from bringing outside food, especially if you have small children that aren't able to wait extended periods of time to eat. During the summer waiting in line and then finding out that the vendor isn't selling food that day isn't as big of an issue because you can bring your own snacks to give to your children while you wait. During fall and winter it probably means either leaving the park early, or letting your child go hungry while you find another place to wait in line at.

Original review: Horrible experience at holiday lights. First people were super rude. Even trying to get into the parking lot was awful with people going into the oncoming lane so they could cut everyone in line in the parking lot. Then no one has any spacial awareness, so it's imposable to get around because the place was packed. Then my daughter tried to meet Kenny kangaroo because she loves him. We waited in line for our turn, only to have a group of teenagers cut in front of us, then when it was finally our turn Kenny turned away from my toddler and walked off while she tried to chase after him, which obviously was really upsetting for her since she was snubbed by one of her favorite characters. Lots of crying. We bought her a light up necklace, but that started dying after an hour because they leave them on in the booths all day so by the time someone buys one it already has a dead battery. Then we tried to get food. I waited in line for 20 minutes at the turkey leg booth only to be told that they didn't have any turkey legs (the only food available at that booth). Asked why they don't just mark that off the sign and got some lame excuse, but how hard is it to just put a piece of tape over that part on the sign so you don't have to wait in line for food just to be told that there's no food? By that time my toddler was melting down because she was hungry and had already had a horrible time so we just went home.

Regret buying a 2025 pass, wish I could just get my money back and...