Kennywood Trip Advice Needed

All:

I'm very excited as I write this as Monday will be my first trip to Kennywood!

Need some info, hope some 'Buzzers can help out:
1) I'm planning on staying in a hotel Sun. nite. Where's a clean, cheap, nearby hotel?
2) What kind of lines can I expect?
3) What should my coaster strategy be?
4) Any (relatively) easy way to get admission discounts?

I know my questions are rather broad and subject to opinion, but I'm looking for some objective advice as this is not a trip I'll likely make anytime soon after this year, and want to make this a great trip!.

Thanks in advance!
D

I too may be going to Kennywood for my first time this year. I have a couple questions. How far is the drive from Cleveland to Kennywood? Is Kennywood crowded at Labor Day?
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Bull rides: 81
Shockwave rides: 55

1. Since I don't live too far to the park I don't need a hotel, I am not sure. You don't want to stay to close to the park, that's the not the best area of town. I know there are a couple hotels in Monroeville, which is 2 exits down on the Parkway. Someone else can give you better info on that.

2. Probably middle of the days lines of about an hour on PR, 30-40 on Exterminator, 20-25 for T-bolt and Jack Rabbit. Everything else should be under 20.

3. My opinion would be go to PR first, the line only gets longer. When you get off it puts you in Lost Kennywood so then I would hit the Pittfall and Exterminator. From there had back to the bolt and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

4. Discount admissions are hard to come by. The price is cheaper anyway during the week. Beyond that I'm not really sure. Someone else may have more info on that.

On to SFGA2001

I can get from Kennywood to Six Flags in 2 hours. I am not sure how much furthur it is until you get to Cleveland. Probably between 2 and 2.5 hours.

I have never been there on Labor Day, so I can't help you there

I was there Labor Day last year. The park was packed, second worse I've ever seen it (behind KennyKon 2001).

Kennywood isn't a "small" park, but it's definitely not one you have to go running from coaster to coaster or ride to ride to get it all done. I'm sure you've already figured this out, but there are five adult coasters. Jack Rabbit and Racer never have lines more than 20 minutes. Thunderbolt's can be a little longer than that, but still relatively quick. I'm sure that, as an enthusiast, you know how to look for two-train operation and whatnot, so take that into account when you see the lines.

You won't have to worry about that on Phantom's Revenge, though. They'll be running one train all season. As noted above, the lines can and will get lengthy, so try to hit it early in the morning. Exterminator should be next after PR. It's a relatively new ride ('99) and doesn't have great capacity, so the line gets long for it too. Even on the busier days I've been there, PittFall's line never seems to get all that long. Plus, its queue is shaded.

Definitely take time to eat. Of course, there's always the Potato Patch (I recommend a side of cheese.) I've heard good things about the corn stand, just below PR's lift. Put your own toppings on some corn on the cob. Why didn't they come up with this sooner! ;) The only indoor restaurant in the park is the Parkside Terrace, near the carousel. And grab a corn dog, too. Good stuff!

Kennywood, as you know, is home to an eclectic mix of flat rides. Aero360 is the newest. It's a great little ride that hopefully will quench your looping thirst for the day, since it and Enterprise are the only upside-down rides in the park. There are a bunch of old flat rides, namely the Kangaroo and Turtle, that might be of interest to you. The Roll-O-Plane won't be open, sorry.

Take a ride on the Olde Kennywood Railroad for a break from the rest of the park. It's a cool, old train that gives you a little bit of history about the park and the surrounding area.

As discussed in another thread, the dark rides are great. Old Mill's line can get a little long at times, as can Noah's Ark's, but Gold Rusher's should be short. Of course, you already know to ride Exterminator.

Hope you have a good time! If I think of any more to say (!), I'll be sure to post it here. ;) Have fun at my home park!

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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com *** This post was edited by Lynch on 8/12/2001. ***

There needs to be some trip advice planner just for KW since it seems alot of people ask for advice going there...

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Assistant Webmaster
Kennywood Park Unlimited
www.kpunlimited.com

I stayed at a place called the William Penn Motel off of rt.22 (Wm. Penn Highway) in Monroeville last year. I think I stayed for $42 after a coupon I found in one of the travel plaza magazines. It had a bed, a shower, and cable tv. What else do you need? Their number is 412-373-0700. It's less than a mile to the turnpike also.

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Batwing-Bow Down