Opinion.....Kennywood or Kings Island

Friends in coasterdom....
I'm heading to Boobuzz next weekend and was planning a side trip. I've been to Kings Island, but that was way back in 2000. There are 3 new coasters since I visited, and I heard Diamondback is awesome. Kennywood, otoh, I have never visited and I heard nothing but good things about Phantom.

I need your advice.....should I go to Kings island (operating hours 12pm - 1am) with only 3 new rides, possible crowds and 13 operating hours *or* Kennywood (operating hours 7pm to 1am) 6 new rides, good food, but only 6 operating hours?

Thanks :-)

If KI is open from 12pm-1am, doesn't that make it a 13 hour operating day? Kennywood from 7pm-1a = 6 operating hours.

I think Phantom is more interesting than Diamondback.. both are very good but DB is a little repetitive... up/down over and over. KI is my home park and I'm pretty bored of it, so on that note I'd suggest Kennywood. :) I guess the question is, can you find something else to do in PGH til 7pm? If not, might want to hit KI instead. If you can get the "flashpass"* thing at kwood, it might be worth going there, but I don't know if they'll be available on a short day like that (their system is more tied to getting the "flashpassers" their rides at an exact timeslot - they offer a certain package of times for the 'passers). The line for Exterminator can easily approach an hour, although Phantom with two trains has good capacity and fast moving lines. KI will almost certainly be very busy, but has lots of rides to eat the crowds.

*Apologies for not remembering what Kennywood calls their line-cutting system... I know it's not flashpass, but similar idea..

There's the VIP Coaster Tour and for Fright Nights there is also an RIP Haunt Tour.

If you get there right at 7, you should be able to hit a bunch of stuff right away before it gets busy. Friday will be much more manageable... next Saturday could be hella busy. Kennywood is not open on Sunday (except this weekend.)

Kennywood is not to be missed. The atmosphere, the historic rides, the great food, the, well, charm, all make this a park that every enthusiast should catch sometime. If you've already made it to KI, this seems like a no-brainer to me. But don't just go for the coasters. Check out Noah's Ark (generally acknowledged as one of the finest funhouses in the world), Logjammer, and Ghostwood Estates. And don't forget the fries at Potato Patch.

Still wrong on the KI operating hours delan. :)

Chitown said:
Still wrong on the KI operating hours delan. :)

Sigh.... I'm on my third vodka and cranberry.....LOL

Kennywood! Phantom is a top coaster personally. If you are fond of 'charm' and older coasters that aren't very fast (but VERY 'fun') then Kennywood is for you.

The Thunderbolt has always been one of my favorite coasters - the 2 other woodies are GREAT as well, just always seemed to have a long lines when I have been there. All the old rides, potato patch fries, the general 'feeling' is very special there.

I haven't been to KIsland since 2005, and can still wait a couple years to go back. I would jump at the chance to go to Kennywood anytime.

I love both parks, but I'd give Kennywood the nod since you haven't been there. I haven't done Diamondback yet, but Phantom is still my #1 steel coaster.

Not even close - Kennywood.

Kings Island is my most favorite park ever, but since you've already been, I'd go to Kennywood, if I were you. Kennywood is amazing! The flats at Kennywood are super, and, like everyone else is mentioning, the atmosphere is unlike any other park I have ever been to.

Diamondback is really fun, but so is Phantom.

I would always jump at the chance to visit a new park over one I've already been to, when I have that chance. It's way too bad that you can't find a way to do both parks.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with all of you. There is a single deciding factor that makes Kings Island the obvious choice. And, of course, that deciding factor is...

The Crypt.

Ensign Smith said:
Kennywood is not to be missed. The atmosphere, the historic rides, the great food, the, well, charm, all make this a park that every enthusiast should catch sometime. If you've already made it to KI, this seems like a no-brainer to me. But don't just go for the coasters. Check out Noah's Ark (generally acknowledged as one of the finest funhouses in the world), Logjammer, and Ghostwood Estates. And don't forget the fries at Potato Patch.

Keep in mind that the charm and many rides have been packed away. It's a great atmosphere, but not a happy-friendly one as in the regular season. Noah's Ark is completely different as are many of the rides, and the Log Jammer is closed along with a few others.

It's a great time to go to the park, but it's a 180 from being there in the summer.

That's a really good one, Dan. :P

Kpjb, you're right. I didn't even consider the seasonal changes at the park. Nevertheless, I still think it's the best choice for someone who's never been.

As mentioned above Kennywood is MUCH MUCH different at Halloween.

Kings Island is almost the same during Halloween.

Kings Island will have more of the normal stuff operating as opposed to Kennywood.

If you're going just for the Halloween atmosphere.

HANDS DOWN Kennywood!!

Kennywood does the 3rd best Halloween attractions and atmosphere in the USA (only 3rd to Knotts and Universal FL.)

Kennywood decorates the whole park from top to bottom, where Kings Island (and CP) you hit these "blank" spots in the park where there's no theming and it just kind of ruins the effect or feel.

Both parks haunted houses are great, and about equal. Both parks haunted houses are WAYyyyyy better than Cedar Points.

If you're going just for rides, I would choose Kings Island.

Deciding factor: When the parks open is MUCH different. Both parks will become PACKKKKKKKKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkked Once it gets dark, so you have to plan VERY good at what you want to do. And Kings Island is open earlier in the day to hit the rides, but Kennywood is way cooler at night. So for just Halloween atmosphere and some rides choose Kennywood. For rides and you really don't care about the spooks, Kings Island.

-RollerCoasterGod

Kings Island hands down. I was at Kennywood once and I would never go back.

jwhoogs said:
Kings Island hands down. I was at Kennywood once and I would never go back.

Any particular reason(s)?

I've been to KW four times, even though I'm nowhere close. I've not had a bad experience there yet.

Just to be honest, Kennywood is usually jammed more this time of year than the rest of the season. I haven't gone on a Friday night in awhile though which is when historically it has been less crowded. Would imagine with the weather this weekend they will make a killing.

Ok, so Kennywood it is. Thanks to everyone for their input :-)