The Uncertain Future of Kennywood

[@MrSRArter]

6:14 The best case scenario with new owners is if the entire Palace Entertainment division being bought from Parques Reunidos by a local Pittsburgh-based entrepreneur. Basically Gene Staples times a hundred.

[@speedylloyd]

seems like the last few years were just Parques cleaning up the park to look fresh for a sale. I would be interested in you or someone else doing a similar video on Idlewild. It is scary how little they have done to that park in the time they have owned it, on top of how much they have removed from the park as well.

[@nohandle227]

Agreed, the sad thing is, Kennywood bought a ton of land around Idlewild in the 90's because the Steel Phantom created a lot of profit for them. They haven't done anything with the land and the kicker is, with that acquistion Idlewild has more land than Kennywood has.

[@jasonk.9170]

Me and some people were staring at Steel Curtain just wishing we could get on it 😂

[@JUNIATABURGH]

I stare at the Steel Curtain and it still looks like a scaffold that destroyed the beauty of the lake area and the entire area that it covers !!

[@bmac9949]

I would love to see Herschend add Kennywood to their portfolio. Who can argue with what they have done with Dollywood and Silver Dollar City?

[@justind4936]

I’d like to see Herschend buy Adventureland, Kennywood, and Lake Compounce from Palace. Adventureland Dollywood Kennywood Kentucky Kingdom Lake Compounce Silver Dollar City Wild Adventure That looks like a nice chain of parks to me. Noah’s Ark might be worth picking up from Palace as well.

[@billkeithchannel]

Kennywood used the have the greatest collection of vintage video arcade games that were still in the black & white monitor days. I was so disappointed when that arcade was shut down and all the games were gone. That space became an aquarium. SMH.

[@theboyscout0156]

I think you’re thinking of the wrong park….

[@billkeithchannel]

@@theboyscout0156 I think you are too young to remember.

[@guyz7777]

Steel curtain has been an epic disaster...the surrounding area was never developed....and the ride will be shut down for 2 years

[@coments101]

It's a shame because it's easily the best ride at Kennywood when in operation, Kennywood is my home park too so don't take it lightly when I say it's that good (I'm assuming you haven't been on it like most people because Kennywood can't keep that shit open).

[@MrSRArter]

0:56 Ghostwood Estate was the last decision by Kennywood Entertainment before the sale though construction finished after the sale.

[@jasonshymoniak6163]

Glad someone else brought this up as Ghostwood Estate was a Kennywood Entertainment project. I remember being in high school when were hyping the new for 2008, and to my shock i remember coming home from school, going on Kennywoods website only to be welcomed to 2 announcements, one being ghostwood, the other the sale of kennywood entertainment 😮

[@markvolpe2305]

It sound like Kennywood has been treated better in the past 17 years than my home park Six Flags Darien Lake as far as additions and removals go. Also, Herschend could be a contender and if the company is selling the parks off individually, then I could see Six Flags being interested in the park.

[@MasonJarGaming]

I love all the old rides. I fell feel like that why I lot of people go to kennywood. If I owned Kennywood I would have a really hard time deciding which rides have to go. I would probably expand into the parking lot and build a parking garage to avoid removing anything.

[@cherylblack8925]

I know that can’t tear it down cause a lot is historical landmarks so hoping it will remain an icon for Pittsburgh

[@billkeithchannel]

ACE Historical registry meant nothing to the owner of CLP and the classic Blue Streak that dismantled and burned it down.

[@nohandle227]

@@billkeithchannel ACE has nothing to do with it. It has been designated as a national landmark. Kennywood and a park in New York are the only two with that honor.

[@billkeithchannel]

@@nohandle227 Oh nice I wasn't sure. I think their Möbius strip racer is the oldest and longest running of that type.

[@jasonk.9170]

As long as it isnt to the dude that bought and destroyed Conneaut Lake Park 😂😂

[@billkeithchannel]

I was just reading the old newspaper article that talked about the dismantling and fire. Whodafuq gave that guy the green light to demolish a community treasure with no local heads up besides a permit? Just as sad as the Big Dipper at GLP getting demolished. What a classic that I rode every summer since 1978 and their closing.

[@jasonk.9170]

@@billkeithchannel yeah he gave this big old excuse, but he wanted it gone. I think that was the oldest coaster in America at the time. Now another coaster in Pennsylvania holds that record. There was the bug like the turtle at Kennywood but he sold that.

[@billkeithchannel]

@@jasonk.9170 I'm old enough that I remember _The Cuddle Up_ that was right next to the _Dodge 'Ems_ along that same strip as _The Bug._ And if I recall correctly their Dodge 'Ems had a hardwood floor instead of steel. The Cuddle Up was replaced with The Hell Hole which was their version of The Rotor at GLP. They used to allow people to turn upside down and do records for riding in a row. They stopped allowing people to flip around when a girl with long hair got it caught when the floor came back up.

[@nohandle227]

@@jasonk.9170 The oldest coaster is Leap the Dips in Lakemont Park in Altoona. However, it is SBNO.

[@TheSuziwithaq]

As a huge fan of Kennywood, I hope someone buys the park that wants to keep its nostalgia. So many people would love to see the return of a log jammer and a turnpike. I think there would be such good press and attendance if plans for these two rides would happen. We all know it’s possible. That being said my three favorite rides will always be the wooden coasters. As long S they remain, I will return.

[@bestthefinn]

Rip bayern curve 😢

[@T_rey421]

Herschend would totally take great care of this park and its future! If only just the park was up for sale and not the entire chain

[@triangulism]

Praying to God that Herschend picks up at the least Kennywood and Lake Compounce from Palace. Those would be fire additions to Herschend's lineup and I know there would be much better care and love given

[@ScottyMania313]

I think Kennywood would be a great investment for Hershends to expand their way North and East. Can you imagine what they can do to something like The Old Mill with their theming to fires of the late 1800's to early 1900's, especially with the Steel industry? Let's not forget how Herschend's utailizes terrains on their coasters. The Steel City is a very charming part of America and I think they can do well with adding onto and enhancing the jewels of this classic Trolley Park.

[@yourfavsyd]

they should add the paratrooper. I am at Rehoboth Beach Delaware, and they have a little amusement park. It’s just like Kenny wood and they have the paratrooper! It’s sooo fun!

[@johnchambers8528]

As long as Kennywood attracts good crowds it should be an asset any park operator would want to own. It would be best if a local person would buy it and appreciate the history it means to the local people. However as mentioned in the video you need to add attractions at least every few years to keep the park fresh and give people a reason to come out and see what is new.

[@rexnewcombe8337]

I could see hershand Co that has Silver Dollar City and Dollywood.

[@AidynLeya-dy2bo]

Till this day I will never forgive kennywood for removing log jammer, the 4 flat rides even tho kangaroo is back, and wasting space, I can’t wait till it’s sold

[@eclipz4129]

Exact comment I was looking for, I agree with you since they took out most of the OG stuff and brought in steel curtain literally nothing felt the same when I went back totally different vibe I haven’t been back since either.

[@AidynLeya-dy2bo]

@@eclipz4129 I will say this steel curtain is a great ride and probably one of my favorite coasters out there it just doesn’t fit with kennywood

[@eclipz4129]

@@AidynLeya-dy2bo Now that I agree with, it isn’t a good fit for Kennywood at all… It doesn’t even look right in the middle of the park, it’s too big and it looks out of place. I have been on it and loved my experience each time but it definitely doesn’t fit the park at all.

[@nohandle227]

Um, they refurbished the Turtle for 2024. Also keep in consideration, Palace had it for only 17 years. Before that it was family owned for 100 years, and the park had its ups and downs all that time. If I owned it, as unlikeable my proposal would be, is to lower rt.837 and build a tunnel for it. Then build the park over the tunnel and fill up the lower parking lot. The upper lots will still be for parking but buy the shopping center above it for parking. All of that land was Kennywood's at one time anyways like where the Kmart used to be. They sold the land off in the 70's to keep the park afloat, or it would have went the way West View Park did. They did buy back some land in like the K-mart area, but not the shopping center...yet.

[@RMsteelerfan7]

…Still doesn’t make Palace look any better than they currently are

[@CoasterMovie]

if I owned kennywood I would do a lot of public polls on social media to see what rides they want to go and what new rides they want. First I would probably do a poll about the exterminator to see if they would like to see a RMC raptor or t-Rex replace it if RMC would be willing to build it. What I would be doing immediately would be repainting the sky rocket and invest about unload station for the Steel Curtain and Phantoms Revenge. I would also walk around the whole park and looking for items that are ware and teared to repaint them or replace them with newer and stronger items. Would I be a good owner of kennywood? Rate me as an owner 1-10.

[@billkeithchannel]

When I went to Kennywood in the 80's you walked across the street from the parking lot to get into the park, then all of a sudden in the 90's you walked underground below the road and had to go through metal detectors to get in. Is that still how it is?

[@RMsteelerfan7]

Yes, you go under the road still after metal detection.

[@Kac2rhyme2]

The park is like me playing roller coaster tycoon adding some ground rides to make some please come back. But I was too broke to build something amazing that would last many years.

[@urbex_coasters]

Ghostwood Estate was paid for and planned before Palace. I preferred Goldrusher but I recognise Palace isn't the reason that ride is gone.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

If I owned Kennywood, I would look at the state of their relationship with S&S and see if its repairable. I would consider an El Loco to replace Exterminator, as two people per car on that ride is unacceptable. I would immediately look to add some Flying Scooters, preferable the old Bisch Rocco ones if I can find any, and run them like Knoebels runs theirs. I would look to preesrve as much as possible, especially the wooden coasters and try to maintain a high standard of cleanliness. Also, the food there is wonderful but I would really want to try and to steal that golden ticket for it away from Knoebels.

[@billkeithchannel]

Waldameer has a Wipe Out that replaced their Flying Scooters (Kangaroo) as well as the Vortex (Cosmic Chaos). And their Phantom Flyers looks like they were the ones from Conneaut Lake Park. King Kahuna was probably the Texas Twister from Geauga Lake Park. So does buying old stuff from upgrading/closed down parks really count?

[@johnchambers8528]

Yes, if it is not just redoing what your park has had in the past. My favorite park Kenobel’s does a lot of moving rides from other parks and helps them expand their ride selection. They do buy or build some new rides but everything they do is first class.😊

[@Amerigo3356]

I was waiting for this video. Thaaaaanks👍

[@Duffster115]

I don’t mind palace entertainment that much I know there far from the best but I don’t think there as bad as people think, and kennywood have still been treated mostly well expially with it being there flagship park so it’s what there going to invest in the most and if new people come in I’m worried that they won’t treat it as well with it not being the flagship park, and loosing all the history, events, and etc that makes this park what it is. If this does end up happening I hope there careful to pick some one realy good who will care for the park more than ever.

[@sarahwillis9714]

If I owned kennywood I would bring back some of the flat rides that were removed like the log jammer.

[@BobbyT.]

They really dropped the ball with Steel Curtain/Steelers country imo. They went with a cheap manufacturer that had a bad track record for reliability.

[@MySunshine234]

Now that i'm an adult I really prefer sandcastle over kennywood.

[@Justducki426]

Has the 4d theatre even open anymore?

[@RMsteelerfan7]

Nope, been closed since 2020 originally due to the COVID-19 pandemic… but that’s irrelevant now.

[@geekweidman]

Do one of these on Michigan adventure and cedar fair shivering timbers was the last main coaster that was built and they also have tons and tons of space

[@RMsteelerfan7]

Sorry! This is a Kennywood channel, primarily focusing on all things Kennywood and that’s really it 😅

[@MasonJarGaming]

I really miss the Bayern Kurve. It was my favorite flat ride at the park. I long for it to return, but I know that will never happen. As for filling it's spot with a new ride. I think thats a good idea, but isn't the West Mifflin police using that spot???

[@RMsteelerfan7]

It is the West Mifflin Police Substation, so yes they are using it… but not really, the actual land is just where a police car or two is stored.

[@jasonk.9170]

I'm at Kennywood now so I'll get the inside scoop 😊

[@CoasterMovie]

im going to kennywood in a few hours.

[@jasonk.9170]

@@CoasterMovie I hope you have a great time!!

[@jasonk.9170]

Thank you!

[@CoasterMovie]

@@jasonk.9170 you to!

[@CoasterMovie]

@@jasonk.9170I had a great time. Did you get home safe. I’m saying this because the huge supercell looking storm that was going to go above kennywood that is why kennywood closed at 7 they knew this massive storm was coming right for kennywood.

[@patrickboyd3364]

Maby the old owners will try and purchase the park again.

[@RMsteelerfan7]

They are defunct now, Palace Entertainment bought the Kennywood Entertainment Company… they don’t exist no more.

[@heyo423]

It’s not unlikely the place will be closed in a few years time

[@ashtoniumgaming5673]

Add a B&M Giga with A 500 foot tall intamin accelerator

[@jamesminor5875]

If i had the Money to buy Palace Entertainment I would build New Roller Coasters at every park in the Chain.

[@JUNIATABURGH]

NOW, LOWER YOUR PRICES and run the rides at the speeds they are supposed to run, unlike the Turtle, Kangaroo and Auto Race rides thay have slowed down !!

[@LegUpGaming]

I'll be as straight as possible and say they ruined it. I loved the old rides. Still do. It's what memorable. My favorite ride is Noah's ark. The park is so sterilized and sad now. It lost the charm it used to have. The most memorable day was when my pap took me when I was kid in the early 2000s. Over the past 20 years it's changed into an unrecognizable park.

[@Kennywood_Fanatic]

HERSCHEND SHOULD TOTALLY BUY IT!!!

[@CanvasSuperior]

Irock just 3rd partied. How do i know?? A reliable source that works there. Because we can also get into cedar point with the nametag. Irock owns part of cedar point. I think thats how you pronounce it.

[@Nas-gw9xe]

iROC is literally our ride training they don't own a part of Kennywood or cedar point.

[@toplaycool21]

Palace has been AWFUL to Idlewild though. The reviews of that park is pretty depressing.

[@dananderson3077]

They spent alot of money dude...

[@CedarThrills]

I think that if any chain would buy Kennywood, it would be Hershand.

[@noahkessler5500]

I agree but if you look at Kentucky kingdom who just was acquired by Herschend there has been zero improvement to the park since. Only thing was cinnamon bread bakery but there’s a lot of bare areas that need a lot of work so idk if I’d like that for kw

[@jmanx360]

Nooooo! They haven't added anything to Kentucky Kingdom since they took over and Wild Adventures has been neglected for years.

[@CedarThrills]

I know that they would do barely anything to KW, but I can’t see Six Flags or Seaworld buy it. So if any chain would invest, it would be Hershand.

[@noahkessler5500]

@@jmanx360 I was there a couple weeks ago and it’s honestly sad walking back to storm chaser. Just straight dead areas as soon as you pass thunder run

[@CanvasSuperior]

If i magically owned kennywood. I would buy more land move the steel curtain put the log jammer back in its OG spot. Lower the prices for the whole park. But im sorry 5-6$ for a bottle of water is insane. I think it was $9 for 2 bottles of pepsi products at the cosmic chaos shop. Like are you kidding me? I can go to the speedyway right next to it and get 2 for $4.24 or whatever the deal is ya know? Like i get it they gotta make their money back but they would if they lower prices and stop suckering everyone out of their money. If the steel curtain wasnt fixed in the 1st 2-3 years I’d replace it with an official coaster. Not a prototype. I know the Sky rocket is a prototype as well. But its smaller and is still operating. Ill never forget when you got launched at 68 or 65 mph up the hill. Now its 60. Why? People bitching? Let them. The people who actually enjoyed it going faster was more of a thrill. Ill tell you what is the SC isnt opening next year they can forget me renewing my season pass. Ill take my happy ass to CP. yea the lines are longer but there’s more thrill and bigger coasters. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ i said what i said. Sorry for the rant. Its just annoying seeing the park that i grew up in just keeps getting worse and worse. IMO.

[@SkyrushFanboy]

I just hate palace so much and I hope their parks get sold to competent owners, but they probably won't

[@JellyShmitz]

Yeah, jag offs

[@ChristopherWright-wh8gk]

What happened to the carousel 🎠 and the train too that takes you around Kennywood. I hope that we still have Kennywood we already lost geagua lake and Coneauneat lake Park also too fun town we don't need to lose any more ameasument parks. We need new ameasument parks and bring back fun town too okay

[@RMsteelerfan7]

…the carousel nor the train never left

[@coasterfair2602]

I think it’s a good idea to stay with same ownership but if it does the maybe the same company who owns Dollywood and Sliver Dollar City