OT: For the Pittsburghers out there: new Kennywood coaster 2010

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey fellow Pittsburghers: Kennywood is adding a new coaster for 2010. Boy, I haven't been to Kennywood in years. I don't think we've ever taken our youngest daughter Evie DD8 .

Here's the announcement.

West Mifflin, PA – Kennywood is proud to announce the addition of a seventh roller coaster for the 2010 season! Joining the ranks of the Lil’ Phantom, Exterminator, Jack Rabbit, Racer, Thunderbolt, and Phantom’s Revenge, the new Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) launch roller coaster is unlike any other roller coaster at Kennywood.

“This roller coaster will provide a thrilling new experience for coaster lovers at Kennywood,” explains General Manager Jerome Gibas. “The use of LSM launch technology will allow riders to blast from 0 to 50mph in three seconds and offers our first roller coaster with inversions since the Steel Phantom.”

Kennywood’s new launch coaster will feature many exciting and unique features including three inversions and a 0-50mph launch in three seconds! After the high-speed launch, riders will experience a vertical ascent to 95ft before a brief cliffhanger pause at the top and a 90-degree drop into a
maximum G-force pullout. The riders then enjoy extended airtime as the train races into an inverted top hat element, passes into a barrel roll and goes vertical again through a twist up leading to another pause. Riders experience a second vertical free fall followed by another maximum G-force pullout on the way into a highly banked fan curve. After a traditional corkscrew, a curve to a zero gravity hill, and a series of wave turns, riders finally return to the station.

The new roller coaster will be placed in the current location of the Turnpike, a ride that has been at Kennywood since 1966. Guests will only have to say ‘see you later’ to the Turnpike since plans are already underway to bring back the ride in the near future. The Turnpike’s final day of operation will be Aug. 16, 2009.


The project is expected to be complete in May of 2010. Official coaster name and logo information will be released in the coming weeks.

You can see a little video here:

http://www.palaceentertainment.com/kennywood/NEWfor2010.html

 

[safetymom]

Oh no!!! The turnpike is being closed. That is terrible!!!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Oh no!!! The turnpike is being closed. That is terrible!!!!

I did think the same thing Kathy. Sounds like Kennywood's committed to bringing back the turnpike though. I have to say I always liked Kennywood, and thought it was a pretty park. I need to take the girls there.

 

[safetymom]

Yes I always enjoyed Kennywood. We still say Kennywood's open when your zipper is down. Old Pgh. habits never die.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Yes I always enjoyed Kennywood. We still say Kennywood's open when your zipper is down. Old Pgh. habits never die.

OMG, I forgot about "Hey, Kennywood's open!" I wonder who started that and why?

I'm now thinking of the Turnpike too. I remember that was the first ride you would see after walking through the tunnel (that I thought was so cool). I remember not being tall enough to ride it, and was so excited when I finally could.

I thought I heard that Kennywood opened up a "Toy Story Mania/Buzz Lightyear" type ride. It was a shoot-em-up Haunted Mansion thing.

 

[safetymom]

I can remember driving on the Turnpike when I wasn't old enough for a license. I wonder where they are going to put the new version of the Turnpike? That is cool about the Toy Story Ride.

Is Noah's Ark still in Kennywood?

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I can remember driving on the Turnpike when I wasn't old enough for a license. I wonder where they are going to put the new version of the Turnpike? That is cool about the Toy Story Ride.

Is Noah's Ark still in Kennywood?

OK, now I need to check out the Kennywood website. I'll be back.

Here's the description of the interactive shooting ride:

Ghostwood Estate
New is 2008, this eight room haunted house replaces the Gold Rusher, which went to dark ride heaven in August, 2007.

Guests are armed with blasters, developed by LaserStar, Florida. The blasters provide guests the opportunity to compete with others in the vehicle by targeting haunted characters throughout the estate. Each vehicle is also equipped with four individual scoreboards.

And, yup, Noah's Ark is still there.
Built in 1936, Noah's Ark is one of only two remaining walk-through rides of this type in the world today. At one time an amusement park staple, this walk through attraction continues to be a signature ride at Kennywood. Re-themed several times (most recently in 1996), guests now embark on an adventure to the famous Ark by riding an abandoned elevator and drudging through the cavernous belly of the mountain it rests upon.

I don't think I've experienced the "re-theming". I remember entering by running through the spongy tongue of the whale.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I thought I heard that Kennywood opened up a "Toy Story Mania/Buzz Lightyear" type ride. It was a shoot-em-up Haunted Mansion thing.

We went to Kennywood last year for a few days and we went on this ride. It isn't 3D like TSM, but you ride in a similiar car and you ride through a haunted house shooting at things and when you hit targets different things happen, like a skeleton pops out or the lights flash or you hear screaming, that kind of thing and it wasn't tooooooo scary, so littler kids could ride too. It was fun. Of course it wasn't the technology of Disney or TSM, but it was a cute ride, the kids really liked it. The only thing was it took some convincing to get my younger niece on it because the whole time you are in line there is very creepy music and noises, so it seemed like it would be more scary that it was.

Kennywood is really a nice park. I love the fact that there is lots of trees and shade and we noticed the landscaping and flowers, ect were really, really nice last year. Seemed like there was more flowers and things. We usually go for a couple days every other year or so, maybe every 2 years. I'm excited they are getting a new coaster, but they gotta keep The Turnpike!!!!

 

[bluecruiser]

More detail on Ghostwood Estate from http://kennywood.com/attractions/whatsnew.php:

NEW IN 2008:
Lord Kenneth Ghostwood & his estate

Until now, Lord Ghostwood has chosen to remain anonymous, i.e., the Kenny family's "silent" partner.

Yes, many people believe the name Kennywood is a derivation of (Anthony) Kenny's woods. Now it seems that there may have been another compelling reason for the name "Kennywood".

Regardless, 2008 poses a situation so serious to Lord Ghostwood that he has decided to introduce himself and ask for our help.

Apparently the estate has attracted countless other spirits over the decades. It must be a comfortable place because they have refused to leave. Now his home is unbearably overcrowded.

The challenge for Kennywood guests is this: Ally with Lord Ghostwood to eliminate the unwanted spirits. He'll provide the buggy (with seating for four) and a blaster for each guest. In a competition of sorts, guests will blast away at the ghosts and spirits, eliminating as many as possible.

Just one more detail: there are no tracks for the vehicles. Nor are there steering wheels. They will be guided entirely by Lord Ghostwood's spirit. Do we trust him? Time will tell.

I found some attraction pictures at:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=93&linkid=961.

And a couple ride-through videos on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCyCTiwRvjc and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6ARf_FXEI.

Looks interesting, I may just have to give this one a try.

 

[DISNEYNV]

We live on the East Coast of PA and have never been to Kennywood!!! We are huge coaster fans so this park is a must do for next season...the rides sound awesome and the end if May is my DDs birthday...perhaps a bday trip out West

 

[safetymom]

I am not sure if I experienced the retheming. The haunted ride looks like fun.

 

[junebugs]

Thanks for the update!

We just love Kennywood!! It just wouldn't be summer without a Dip Cone and a ride on the Thunderbolt. Looking forward to riding the new coaster in 2010!!!

 

[Magalex]

We will be there next weekend. My DS(will be 9) celebrates his b-day with a cousin during the fall festival evenings. It has become a little tradition plus we don't have to spend lots of money on big birthday parties. The 2 boys love that evening. Of course I am an old fashion girl not too excited about a large thrill coaster. Would have loved to seen a small coaster similar to the Iron Dragon at Cedar Point. Love the idea of the "rat roller coaster" they have until it spins. Done that once never again for me. I wish they could give the option of the spinning off.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks for the update!

We just love Kennywood!! It just wouldn't be summer without a Dip Cone and a ride on the Thunderbolt. Looking forward to riding the new coaster in 2010!!!

Mmmmm, dip cones are sooooo yummy.

We will be there next weekend. My DS(will be 9) celebrates his b-day with a cousin during the fall festival evenings. It has become a little tradition plus we don't have to spend lots of money on big birthday parties. The 2 boys love that evening. Of course I am an old fashion girl not too excited about a large thrill coaster. Would have loved to seen a small coaster similar to the Iron Dragon at Cedar Point. Love the idea of the "rat roller coaster" they have until it spins. Done that once never again for me. I wish they could give the option of the spinning off.

Count me as a big Iron Dragon fan too! The Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens reminded me of Iron Dragon.