Best amusement parks in PA?

[nym4588]

I disagree that Kennywood is not worthy of being called a "destination park." It's been on my bucket list for decades, and I finally made it there summer of 2014. No, it's not all that big, but it's an awesome place. Three great wooden roller coasters. The Jackrabbit is small, but has lots of small bunny hills with airtime and a rare double dip. The Thunderbolt drops into a ravine right out of the loading station, one of the few coasters that performs such a maneuver. The Racer is unique that it's a side by side double tracked coaster, but it really has a single track in Mobius strip manner. Trains depart from one side of the loading platform and return to the opposite side.

The steel Phantom's Revenge starts out great, but turns into a neck snapping headbanger during its second half. There's an indoor spinning wild mouse coaster (think Primeval Whirl in the dark) and a gimmicky steel coaster near the entrance.

Plus they have a few classic rides. The Whip!!! One of the few remaining Turtle (Tumble Bug) rides. Plus I believe the only remaining Kangaroo ride in existence. (Generic name is Flying Coaster). Plus the Paratroopers, Swiss Bobs (Bayern Kurve) and a classic style of the Enterprise.

The Black Widow is the best pendulum ride I've ever been on, and I didn't poop my pants while riding it.

https://www.kennywood.com/things-to-do/attractions


Oh, and by the way, one of the best traditional amusement parks in Pennsylvania was Willow Grove Park about 1/2 hour north of Philadelphia. Regrettably, it closed in the mid 1970s and there is now a shopping mall on the site.

I love Kennywood's wooden coasters, although that Jackrabbit double dip used to scare the heck out of me when I was a kid. And then there are the Potato Patch french fries

 

[ilovevacation]

Hello from pittsburgh! My husband and I love amusement parks! I have had many recent trips to the local parks. I have to say I grew up loving thrill rides which I still do. I will admit that is always my disappointment with wdw. I always think the rides are going to be more intense then they are, but nonetheless wdw is still my favorite place on the planet. Kennywood in pgh has great thrill rides and a good mix of rides for every level of riding and ages. Although, we were there in august and I was overall disappointed because the finishing touches aren't close to disney standards, but we still had a great time (and it's good people watching).
Idlewild is an hour east of the city and it's geared more towards the younger crowd. My nieces are 4 and 5 and were really into this year . They have a walk through story book area that fun for younger kids and an area called jumping jungle which is a great area for kids to run around and interact with other kids. As long as you can trust your little one you can sit in a bench and relax. The actual amusement area is 1/2 kiddy land and 1/2 adult, but almost everthing can be ridden together . They have a decent water park that is also included in admission. (People watch is also included in the admission)
I haven't been to sandcastle in 2 years, so I will reserve harsh judgment but I will say that is decent. They have a nice wave pool and they have kid areas. I have never been there with a kid, so I can't speak to it.
Last couple of points. I was at Hershey a few years ago and had a wonderful time. They have rides for everyone. They also have a nice water area. We will go back. As I mentioned we live to ride, so if that is something your family is in to you should consider the couple extra hour drive east to cedar point, it is by far the best amusement park in the area.
I know I rambled on, it's a topic I love. If you have an specific questions, please feel free to let me know! Enjoy the burgh!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I have only one bone to pick about Knoebels. I have read that their haunted house has been voted the best dark ride ever.

I don't know who these voters are, but they are wrong. I'm mean, it's OK. But best dark ride ever? No.

 

[Rhombus]

I love Kennywood's wooden coasters, although that Jackrabbit double dip used to scare the heck out of me when I was a kid. And then there are the Potato Patch french fries

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the great French fries. And there was some kind of ice cream treat that was excellent.

And Laffin' Sal is great. Some may call her creepy, but I think she's awesome.

I have only one bone to pick about Knoebels. I have read that their haunted house has been voted the best dark ride ever.

I don't know who these voters are, but they are wrong. I'm mean, it's OK. But best dark ride ever? No.

The voters are the ones passionate about certain things and take the time and effort to actually vote in such polls.

I think Knoebels also gets the highest number of votes for best amusement park food. I have to agree with that one.

 

[Maxpowers]

Dorney Park is surprising good. I just went this last summer after a hiatus from that park of about 17 years, and was pleasantly surprised. It's no WDW, but it's pretty good and much closer.

Also your 7 year old, would probably enjoy Sesame place. But it's pretty small and she's probably right at the edge of it's target audience.

 

[Ava]

Knoebels might be a winner! It looks like a lot of fun, and it's exactly halfway between our home and our destination. The only downside I can see is it looks like they only offer the ride-all-day tickets on weekdays, so we'd have to figure that out.

2nd choice for me would probably be Dutch Wonderland. We actually went there with some other family when older DD was about 15 months old. She enjoyed the things she could do there then, and it looks from their website that they've opened some new attractions (a water play area!) in the past few years.

 

[chartle]

When I was a kid, I used to go to Conneaut Lake park every year near my hometown. It was a great park from a kid's perspective, but it wouldn't surprise me if it has long been shut down.

It had quite a history over the past 30 or so years but its still there in some form.

http://www.newconneautlakepark.com/

 

[Rhombus]

Knoebels might be a winner! It looks like a lot of fun, and it's exactly halfway between our home and our destination. The only downside I can see is it looks like they only offer the ride-all-day tickets on weekdays, so we'd have to figure that out.

2nd choice for me would probably be Dutch Wonderland. We actually went there with some other family when older DD was about 15 months old. She enjoyed the things she could do there then, and it looks from their website that they've opened some new attractions (a water play area!) in the past few years.

Don't worry about the ride-all-day tickets not being available when you visit. The individual prices for each ride are so cheap that it's often difficult to get the "value" out of a day pass.

 

[chartle]

(think Primeval Whirl in the dark)

Actually the exact same ride in the dark.

 

[ariel71]

I have only one bone to pick about Knoebels. I have read that their haunted house has been voted the best dark ride ever.

I don't know who these voters are, but they are wrong. I'm mean, it's OK. But best dark ride ever? No.

I agree with you. I hadn't been on it in years, but it was SIL's first visit last fall and during their "Hallo-fun" days over Halloween, so we decided to do it. I eyerolled my way through it; we all kind of laughed afterwards at how amateurish the special effects were, and not in a charming nostalgic way. Of all of the rides, I think it's really showing its age and needs an update.

 

[CPanther95]

It had quite a history over the past 30 or so years but its still there in some form.

http://www.newconneautlakepark.com/

Wow - Blue Streak and Devil's Den still there 40 years later.

My Dad's Uncle was killed on the Blue Streak when he was a teenager. Stood up on the ride and a cross beam took him out.

 

[bluezy]

Don't worry about the ride-all-day tickets not being available when you visit. The individual prices for each ride are so cheap that it's often difficult to get the "value" out of a day pass.

I agree with this. We buy the kids the all-day ride passes out of convenience. They usually "break even" on the cost but there have been times that we've lost money on them. We just like that we don't have to hand out tickets at every ride and worry about somebody dropping them or losing them. Plus, our kids are teens/tweens so they will sometimes go off on their own while DH & I sit on a bench and people watch. Having the bands means I don't have to worry about someone losing a $20 book of tickets. I wouldn't let the possibility of not being able to get the all-day passes influence your decision. Having to use tickets rather than the all-day pass would not be a deal breaker for us.