Region’s amusement parks reopen for a more normal summer.
Kennywood’s open!
Last year, it took until mid-July to hear those magic words, and once it did open, it wasn’t all that great. A bunch of rides were closed, people were afraid to go, staff numbers were down, there were no Potato Patch fries.
The season lasted all of 43 days. When the park opens on May 8, on schedule, the Kennywood experience will be a bit more like 2019. With the state’s easing of crowd sizes, the park can be filled to 75% capacity, with season passholders able to freely come and go.
The schedule is a little complicated. After May 8, the park will be open Friday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., plus Memorial Day. Beginning May 29, the Saturday hours will extend to 9 p.m.
In June, it will be open Wednesday through Sunday, until June 21, when it will add Mondays, through Aug. 16 — the final week of daily operations.
It will be the first full season for both the Steel Curtain, which opened in late 2019 and was closed last year, and the Old Mill, which was restored to its former glory last year after 17 years as Garfield’s Nightmare.
“A lot of people were excited for that and didn’t get to experience it due to the shortened season,” says Nick Paradise, Kennywood’s director of communications.
This year will also bring the return of the indoor restaurants, Raging Rapids, Grand Prix bumper cars, school picnics, community and heritage days, Celebrate America and the Fall Fantasy Parades.
Add to that the new Bites and Pints Food Festival, which finds Brian Pekarcik (BRGR, Spoon) presenting different dishes paired with specialty drinks and live entertainment on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June.
The bummer news is that Noah’s Ark, The 4-D Theater and The Steelers Experience will not be open due to the confined indoor spaces, nor will the children’s play area in Thomas Town, because of the sanitation challenges.
Paradise adds that the Skycoaster will not operate this year because “the staff and guests have to really be in close quarters and getting people strapped in and out.”
Also, as announced in November, four rides have been removed: Kangaroo, Paratrooper, Bayern Kurve and Volcano.
In their efforts to staff the parks, Kennywood, Sandcastle Waterpark and Idlewild & SoakZone announced last month that they were increasing pay rates by $4 to $5 per hour, for a starting
hourly wage of $13.
“We’ve seen a sizable increase in the volume and quality of the candidates that are coming through now, and as we get those applications converted into hires, we really want to scale up to extend the operating hours to get that nighttime riding,” Paradise says.
Guests will be expected to wear facial coverings at Kennywood, except for the eating areas and the water rides, and there will be social distancing in the lines. Certain rides, such as the Black Widow, that don’t have natural barriers will not be loaded to capacity.
“We’ll be continuing to monitor developments in those areas and watching what others in the industry are doing,” Paradise says.
To better monitor attendance, there will be an optional reservation system for those considering a visit on weekends and other busy dates. Season passholders and guests with date-specific tickets (such as those visiting with a school or company outing) do not need to RSVP.
New at Kennywood is a chaperone policy for guests age 17 and younger, who must be accompanied by an adult chaperone at least 21 years of age beginning at 4 p.m.
Finally, the 100th anniversary celebration of the Jack Rabbit roller coaster, which was supposed to take place last year, will happen Saturday with Winners of the 100 Years, 100 Memories contest taking a ceremonial first ride of the season.
For more information, visit Kennywood.com or call 412-461-0500.
Sandcastle
The Homestead waterpark season runs May 29 to Sept. 6, with daily operations beginning June 13 and running through Aug. 20. After that, it is open Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with hours extended to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.
It will operate at 75% capacity, with no reservation system. Masks will be required upon entering, in food lines, restrooms and indoor shops.
The new Bombs Away waterslide will not open until 2022.
Season passes start at $59.99; sandcastlewaterpark.com.
Idlewild & SoakZone
Idlewild begins its 143rd season on May 29, also with no reservations needed.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Monday in June and Wednesday through Monday in July through Aug. 22, and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 4-6.
SoakZone hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hersheypark
Hersheypark, celebrating its 115th season, is open most weekends in April and May, with daily operations running from Memorial Day to Labor Day and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.
The park is using a guest reservation system to stay within capacity requirements, enforcing mask wearing and social distancing.
New this season are three culinary options in Hershey’s Chocolatetown: The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio; The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen; and Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor.
After Labor Day, the park will be open September weekends and for Hersheypark In The Dark.
To purchase tickets, visit Hersheypark.com/tickets.
Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark
The Sandusky, Ohio, park dubbed the Roller Coaster Capital of the World opens May 14 and will be open weekends-only in May and late August, with daily operations running May 28 through Aug. 15. The Cedar Point Shores waterpark, which was shut down last year, will open May 29, and HalloWeekends will return in the fall.
Cedar Point’s 150th anniversary celebration, delayed from last year, will run June 26 to Aug. 15 with the Celebrate 150 Spectacular parade and nighttime party, featuring floats depicting moments in the park’s history.
The Frontier Festival, beginning May 14, will offer live music, games and a cherry-themed special menu.
New this season is the Snake River Expedition, a riverboat ride that was set to launch last year.
Passholders and single- day ticketholders will need reservations for entry. There will be no limitations to ride capacity, but social distancing remains in place while waiting in line. Guests aged 10 and older are required to wear face coverings while indoors, unless actively eating and drinking. Face coverings are not required outdoors unless it is not possible to maintain six feet of distance.
Details at cedarpoint.com.