Phantom Fright Nights in full swing at Kennywood

I'm still amazed how many people I know didn't realize Kennywood's doing this. Word needs to get out. I'm not sure of the actual figures, but when I was there opening night (Friday the 13th -- how cool was that?) the park was very empty. I would hope Saturday was better, but it was rainy so perhaps not. kpjp, do you know?

Hopefully as word gets around that Kennywood is doing this, crowds will pick up. Also, it IS pretty early for "Halloween" stuff, so October might be better.

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--Greg
"Now all I want is to find a way home, to warn Earth -- look upward, and share the wonders I see..."
My page

It's weird. PKI is closed several weekends, while CP doesn't start their Fridays until this weekend. CP's event gets more and more crowded every year, so I think you just have to build the tradition over time.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

Yea since i work at kennywood i will let you know greg that saturday made friday look crowded it was so empty. It was probably because of the rain but i think as more word gets out and more people find how cool it really is, then we will have alot more people.

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Is it true that they are running the racer backwards? If not I think it is something to consider. And why are they not running exterminator and tbolt? Is it lack of staff?

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www.geocities.com/thrillworldonline

VISIT IT!

No, Racer isn't running backwards. They have a relatively small section of the park open, and the rest is fenced off. Rides like Thunderbolt and Exterminator are far enough away from what IS running that opening them wouldn't need just ride ops, but staff for the extra midways, etc. What's open makes sense to me, and makes a nice subset of the park.

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--Greg
"Now all I want is to find a way home, to warn Earth -- look upward, and share the wonders I see..."
My page

If this is mildly successful, I would expect the ride lineup to change from year to year. If it turns out wildly successful, I'd expect the ride lineup to expand every year.

We actually did look in to running one Racer train backwards. We were given a resounding "NO!" by the train manufacturer. With the ride and the restraints the way they are, those trains simply weren't built to protect your body while going the wrong way, and we're sure not buying new ones just for 12 evenings per year.

I think that people have been so ingrained to stop thinking of Kennywood on Labor Day that it will take some time to make this as huge as it could be. Word of mouth will be the most important advertising, not what's on the radio.

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"When I was growing up, we were taught something called manners. You'd understand that if you weren't such an idiot." - Jack Handey

Geauga Lake was dead (pun intended) in its first year of Hallowscream. They only had part of the park open too. I think that with time people will begin to realize that the park is open that late and they will come, and more rides will be open.

It would be cool though to have one of trains go backwards! But I think nobody would go on the other train:)

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Webmaster,brenton
Kennywood Express

Thunderbolt does not seem out of the way (except I make my way over to it without even knowing how everytime. It just attracts me). I hope next year that they decide to open Tbolt, Exterminator, and Pittfall. I will go maybe a couple times next year. I am planning on going October 12th. Any of you going that day?

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www.geocities.com/thrillworldonline

VISIT IT! *** This post was edited by Matthayman on 9/19/2002. ***

Jeff, CP is not open Friday's. ;) Do not go on Friday, it is really no fun.

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Steve Sergent
MF count: 192

We are planning on going to KW for this. I wish TBolt and exterminator were open, this is my first time. But, we'll deal. It's only a few hours from here, so we'll go again. But it sucks for Homey G.(Brian), who is going with us. He's from S.C.

Eric

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A one that is not cold, is hardly a one at all.

I really wouldn't say "blankented" with ads about it, because quite frankly, I have not seen any promoting them. I saw the two-year-old one with SP in it declaring that Labor Day was the final day, but that was it. Also, only the Trib had an article about it, I don't remember seeing the PG having one...

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2002 Kennywood Team Member

The PG had a blurb in last week's "Weekend" section. We'll see if the ads pick up any. It's also been mentioned multiple times on the radio.

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--Greg
"Now all I want is to find a way home, to warn Earth -- look upward, and share the wonders I see..."
My page *** This post was edited by GregLeg on 9/20/2002. ***

It's seems like they are mostly using radio ads. I've heard them on both WDVE and WXDX. I realize that Kennywood doesn't have the media budget of the bigger parks, but TV commercials would probably get more noticed.

I was at the dentist the other day and the hygenist didn't know anything about it until I told her we were there on Friday. Once she heard about it, she was ready to go. Once the word gets out more, I think it will be a big hit. *** This post was edited by loriu on 9/20/2002. ***

The also adverstise at all Blockbusters in the area. and I have seen severals ads the City Paper too.

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signature withheld for no apparent reason

I have heard the Commerical on 96.1 alot but really haven't heard alot in the paper and from the Media.

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Webmaster,brenton
Kennywood Express

I went to Wendy's for lunch on Friday, and the manager guy asked what time we opened. I said 6, and the counterwoman said "yeah, six 'til eight, that's it." So I corrected her that we were open until at least midnight.

I wonder where people get their information... why would we open the park for just two hours?

Oh, and in response to a post above, I got an email from CP the other day, and they did say that they were open on Friday nights.

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"When I was growing up, we were taught something called manners. You'd understand that if you weren't such an idiot." - Jack Handey

That would be stupid for a park to be open for 2 hours lol!

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Webmaster,brenton
Kennywood Express