Kennywood 4D Theater is an Arcade?

[@rhymingbecktionary]

This has been pointed out already but this building was an arcade before it was the 4-D theater. It was open to the elements in the same way that the main arcade is and had a mix of skeeball, probably air hockey and lots of arcade cabinets. I honestly miss that setup. On a related note, the space above the candy shop near the entrance was also an arcade back in the day with a lot of the older games like Contra, Donkey Kong, etc. As for the decline of arcade games, part of it is just because home consoles/PCs were able to outpace a lot of arcade hardware long ago at reasonable prices so arcades in general stopped making as much sense because the draw of better graphics wasn't there. But the other issue is Kennywood switched over from being a free entry/pay per ride park to needing to pay just to get in the park I think some time in the late 90's/early 00's. As such if you're paying $30-50 just to get in the park most people don't want to have to pay even more money to play games that they could be playing elsewhere that doesn't charge entry. As much as I like the idea of there being more/bigger arcades in Kennywood, I'm afraid it might just not make sense for them to do it unless they were to go back to a free entry model which I doubt they will, even though parks like Knoebels still use that model.

[@shenronkefka]

Licensing rights to show movies expired, then While it was closed someone touched the screen which ruined it somehow.

[@RMsteelerfan7]

so you’re saying they poked the screen and it all of a sudden ruined it? 😲

[@shenronkefka]

It's a special 3d screen just the oils from someone's hands alone can ruin it.

[@jZ0357]

@@RMsteelerfan7 same with the movie theater screen if you touch that it’s really nice

[@jZ0357]

Many parks around the country have done little museums for like history of the parks that would’ve been a perfect area to have a little museum inside then inside the old theater area play old vintage ads and maybe Kennywood memories once in a while

[@RMsteelerfan7]

You’re not the only one with that idea! I had a few in my Discord server discuss that too multiple times. Great minds think alike!

[@sportsygirl8]

That would be so cool!!! I would definitely take some time out of the day to check that out. Heck, that is what I would have done if they had something like that a week ago when my friends rode Black Widow dad and I could have strolled through the museum if it was there.

[@Wild1995]

Never a fan of the theater so I think this is a great idea

[@sportsygirl8]

I am so glad that this is now an arcade and hopefully it would stay that way. I am not sure how popular the 4D movie was because when I would go to a park I'd go for riding rides and roller coasters not to sit and watch a movie or play games in the arcade. I may play games in the arcade if it's raining. I am guessing that is probably when the movie was popular was when it rained or stormed.

[@lostsheep2640]

So it was open when I went yesterday and it was really nice in there. This hasn’t been the 1st time an arcade has been in that same spot. It’s the 3rd time. They had an arcade one back in the 80’s then in the 90’s it was a dual side one had a shooting gallery with cossbows and other side shorting a BB gun at the Star game. Then back into a short lived arcade, then 2000’s it became lazer tag. Remained that way till they re modeled the whole building into the 3D theater. And now back into a arcade for the time being

[@RMsteelerfan7]

OH you are right! I didn’t even think about the building prior to the 4D theater. It was not an entirely new building I don’t think, so you actually are right. I was confused in the Discord when you said 3 times.

[@classicarcadeamusementpark4242]

The obvious solutions for classic parks like Kennywood is simply....make a free classic arcade! The classic machines from the 80s & before don't make money like the old days, but they are still a great attraction. Part of the appeal of amusement parks to a lot of people is the nostalgia of the old rides & old attractions. Rather than spend a fortune on a new roller coaster or something with a long line, why not offer a free classic arcade so some people will spend their time in them instead of taking up more space in long lines for some rides? The cost of a retro arcade set on free play would be minimal. There are many small businesses around the USA of retro arcades now, usually earning as barcades or pay a flat rate for the day. Compare the costs of a buying & operating a new ride vs the cost of running a free retro arcade. I bet the retro arcade would be a lot less, and would be a great attraction at the park. Modern arcades like the one your showing aren't really arcades anymore. They are simply.....gambling for children. Barely any "game" with the chance to spend big bucks for often a dollar store prize, but the lure of a bigger price that is almost impossible to win. Some arcades at amusement parks (not Kennywood, but I won't name them) set their gambling ticket games to not pay out. So the players don't have a fair chance of winning like they thing they do, and the odds were really against them to begin with.

[@Duffster115]

I don't think the 4d whether is considered part of Area 412. The previous place where they had the arcade with what's now Jetters Pub still was an arcade in the main season in 2023 meaning they didn't move back they stayed there. It was opened yesterday and it was nice to see it opened for guests again, and I don't think an arcade is the best fit for the building permanently but I do hope they find some way to utilize the building for guests in the future even if it dose stay as a permanent arcade for its better than nothing.

[@RMsteelerfan7]

I know too much information about Kennywood is just meshes all together sometimes. Apologies for that little overlook about the old arcade where Jeeters Pub is now. You’re right, that was there all year and I’d assume those games were moved to the Penny Arcade this year or into storage since the Pub is now there… so maybe the old Pub location games are the 4D theater games? Surely the Penny Arcade games couldn’t all fit in that tiny little space.

[@Duffster115]

@@RMsteelerfan7 yeah idk they probly have a place to store everything not in public few when closed because they didnt have an arcade elsewhere in the park prior to 2022 when they added some arcade games to that gift shop turned arcade, and now turned into jesters pub.

[@Itspat_visuals]

Off topic but did anyone notice the skeleton up in the window of Old Mill was missing yesterday?

[@RMsteelerfan7]

I didn’t! Garfield’s Revenge coming soon?!?! 😅

[@Itspat_visuals]

@@RMsteelerfan7 please no lol 😆

[@aaronsarchive82]

Very disappointed. I liked the theater. It was a nice indoor attraction that was different from the other offerings. With Rudolph coming this year, I was hoping they'd bring back Rudolph 3D. Never got to see it.

[@scouit2007]

Early!