Kennywood Amusement Park, West Mifflin

After reading the other reviews, I have to add my own two cents. Kennywood is an old-fashioned amusement park with a history going back more than 100 years. I don't wish bash some of the other posters here, but you really need to look at the big picture to understand Kennywood's appeal; it has something for everyone. It does not have everyething for everyone - just something for everyone. Being an older amusement park, Kennywood actually has park-like features. It is nice nicely landscaped with an abundance of old-growth trees that create natural shade in the hot summer sun. It has numerous spots with well-tended flower gardens and fountains that also aid in keeping visitors cool when it's 97 F. You can be in your 80s and still enjoy the atmosphere with the park benchs and fountains. Despite being an old-style park, the management at Kennywood has kept-up with the times and has added enough thrill rides to make it fun for teens and young adults. When it first opened, the original Phantom coaster was the fastest roller coaster in the world. It was so fast that riders actually complained or sprained necks and some passed-out from the speed and G-forces. Yeah, that fast. So, they had to tame it down and now it is called The Phantom's Revenge. So, your choices go from sitting on the park benches and people watching to riding steel coasters - and everything in between. Now let's talk about food. Kennywood is one of the very few amusement parks that actually let people/families bring their own picnic foods. There are a number of pavilions on the edges of the park where you can place your picnic baskets or coolers...and no one will touch them. Amazing but true. Then you can go back as often as you like to eat what you brought along. I eat out a lot. Fast food, sit-down dining, you name it. And, I find that I probably get at least a little "sick" from eating out about 20 percent of the time. As a season pass holder at Kennywood, I have eaten there many times. Guess what? I have never gotten sick to my stomach from eating any of their food. In other words, Kennywood has a food serving staff that is dedicated to cleanliness. The food at Kennywood is a bit on the expensive side. But that is what you would expect when you go to an amusement park. I had not been to the park in decades - since I was a kid. But I visited in 2011 and found that I liked the atmosphere so much that I actually bought a season pass for 2012. That tells you something right there. To completely enjoy Kennywood you really have to go there with the right frame-of-mind. You have to say..."I am going to visit this 100 year old, classic American amusement park that has a little of everything. I am going to enjoy the trees and the gardens and the fountains. And, I am going to have the ability to ride everything from the slow-moving narrow-gauge railroad to the 7 roller coasters and host of other thrill rides. I am going to sample the great carnival-style food and enjoy the sights and sounds of this fantastic amusement park from an era that is long long gone."

This park was bad, not awful, just bad. The staff was hit or miss with friendliness, ride length was a joke, and the food tasted like frozen carnival food. The day we went it was rainy and there were no lines at all, but on the pirate ship for example, we got 4 swings at full heigth and then came back down. Thats something you see at a carnival. Speaking of carnivals, people go on and on about the potato patch fries, they are 2 stars at best people. Here is a clue, when they load you up with different toppings like cheese, gravy, bacon, or all 3 at once, well its to add flavor. Banging fries dont need to be smothered in sauce, theyre banging on their own, and Kennywoods arent. Then again Im not a Pittsburgher, and I think Permantis Bros is nasty, so maybe I just dont 'get it'.

I love Kennywood and I usually make it there once a year. I noticed that since the new ownership happened the lines for food are really long. My husband and I waited at least 40 min for potato patch fires. I even noticed that part of the park needs repainted. You could see paint chipping off different things. It makes me very sad to see Kennywood like that. I have been going there since I was a little girl.

i would like to say that Kennywood is the best amuesment park in the world !!!!!!! I am was born in the small town of Glassport, Pennsylvainia and i went to school in port view ( i think not really sure) and for the school picnics we always went to Kenny wood . My favorite rides are the ''The Steal Phantum'' and "The Jack Rabbit'' . so there you have it .... i recomend this park to everyone .!!!!!!!!!! ( and i am so sorry for the spelling errors, i am only 12 years old) :^ )

i love everything about this park i live about a half an hour away so we go alot and the prices are resonable and the food is outstanding.

We like the family-type feel of kennywood. It is a real family-friendly amusement park that keeps you coming back. My husband and I also found it to be economically better for our wallet. We were able to pack a picnic lunch and bring it into the park. However, we did purchase some food in the park and found it to be reasonably priced. We cancelled our Disney trip and came to Kennywood and so far we have no regrets. We have been there 2 yrs. in a row and would highly recommend it to other families.

When you have young children who's ages are 4 years apart, visiting an amusement park can be frustrating. Usually, one parent takes the smaller child on the kiddie rides, while the other parent rides the coasters with the older child. Not so at Kennywood! We were amazed at how many rides we could go on as a family. As long as the child is 36" tall, he can ride many of the rides with an adult. This made for a very fun day. We spent the morning riding as a family, then split up for a time so that the 3-year-old could enjoy Kiddieland (which he did, immensely) while Dad & the 7-year-old checked out the Phantom, bumper cars, etc. After lunch, Mom & Dad switched places for a time, then we reconvened to end the day by revisiting the rides we could do together. Kennywood is a wonderful place. Beautiful, with many tall trees shading you during your stay; lots of fun rides for the entire family; the awesome Phantom coaster; reasonably-priced food; an overall impression of cleanliness & good repair. A really nice family park. We will definitely go back.

I live in Zelienople, PA and I go there about ther 2-5 times a year. First off I have to say that this place isn't very clean, I mean it's Pittsburgh, what more do you expect! Secondly, the rides are not much of a thriller, more like a puker, literally! So if u wanna puke, go here, and ride the Phantoms Revenge. Thirdly, they have very many rides that will suit small tots' to young adults, as I am one. So if you don't enjoy thrills, ride things like the Swings, the Whip, the Racers, the Turtles, the Bumper Cars, the Turnpike, etc. And for the Fourth one, There are some very original rides from when it still opened there, so you will get to learn a little about Kennywoods history. Some of the rides include, the Whip, the Racers, the Bumper Cars, the Pit Fall, the Turnpike, the Jack Rabbit, the Thunderbolt, and the Pittsburgh Plunge. For the Fifth topic, I will tell you about the food: the most liked Kennywood original food place is the Potato Patch. They have french fries, hot dogs, and anything food made from potatos. There is a main food area where you can get just about any kind of food from salads to sandwiches, from desserts to maceroni and cheeese. There are many candy places and games to win prizes. There are some other places to eat, buts most likely you will be eating either eating in the main food area or the Potato Patch. One of my favorite things about Kennywoood is that they a halloween special called Fright Night, which goes on during the halloween season. The actors really scare you and there are some high fear factors. Some of the dry rides include: the Phantoms Revenge, the Whip, the Swings, the Bumper Cars, the Pit Fall, the Merry-Go-Round, the Jack Rabbit, the Kangaroo, Garfeilds Adventure, the Turnpike, the Turtles, Noahs Ark,the Thunderbolt, etc. Some wet rides include: The Pittsburgh Plunge (really wet), and the Raging Rapids(really, really, really wet). In Conclusion, Kennywood may have a very unappealing cleanliness, and super puke factor, but you are sure to have a good time in the end.

i really had lots of fun there and i would keep going back there

When talking to any person from Pittsburgh they'll ask if you've been to Kennywood and if you haven't they'll be amazed as to why not. People from Pittsburgh love this amusement park and I think it's just because that's what they've grown up with. I would not suggest a trip to Kennywood if you're a big time amusement park fan because you'll be disappointed. The atmosphere is one of a traditional park. It has a lot of smaller rides and a few big rides. My first trip there I rode nearly everything and by the end of the day I was quite dizzy. The only ride that really is a thrill is the Phantom's Revenge - the only steel roller coaster there. The roller coaster lines are long as with any amusement park, but being a thrill seeker myself I didn't feel it was worth the wait. There are pavilions on the edges of the park. I would recommend Kennywood to families of young children, not to thrill seekers.