Countdown to Opening Day 2016

The 2015 season has finally come to a close, and the relatively short wait for Opening Day 2016 has begun! Our yearly tradition of providing an Opening Day countdown clock continues this year… see below!

Kennywood opens Saturday, May 7th at 10:30 am!

[ujicountdown id=”Kennywood Opening Day” expire=”2016/05/07 10:30″ hide=”false” url=”” subscr=”” recurring=”” rectype=”second” repeats=””]

[gard]

Noah’s Ark Going Classic in Refurbish for 2016 Season

Noah’s Ark opened in 1936, and is the last remaining attraction of its kind in the world. Despite winning the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for “Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction” for the sixth year in a row in 2015, many long-time fans of the ride haven’t been completely happy with the state of the Ark since it was renovated back in 1996. In the ’96 renovation, the classic funhouse feel to the attraction seemed to be lost with the addition of newer, higher-tech props.

Fortunately, Kennywood has heard the concerns of the Ark’s diehard fans and is undertaking a major refurb project for the 2016 season and the Ark’s 80th birthday! One of the most missed features of the classic Ark was the whale’s mouth entrance to the ride, and you’ll be happy to know that it will in fact be returning!

Original Ark Whale

The whale’s mouth as seen on the Ark before the 1996 renovation

The whale’s mouth had been replaced by the “Elevator of Doom” where riders felt as if they were in an elevator which fell to the bottom of an abandoned mineshaft. The elevator has already been removed to make way for the whale mouth (as seen below).

Elevator of Doom Removed

View as of 12/20/2015 with the Elevator of Doom removed

The park is still developing final plans for the whale mouth entrance. “We are trying to be as faithful as possible to the original entrance, while also meeting the ADA accessibility requirements that have changed greatly since the whale was first installed in 1969,” says Nick Paradise, Director of Public Relations & Social Media for Kennywood. The original whale had a squishy tongue entrance floor.

Ark Skeleton Pit Removed

The former “skeleton pit” room has already undergone a good deal of work. Photo courtesy of Nick Paradise.

Various other elements from the classic Ark such as surprise air blasts will also be making a return; however, the details of what all that will entail have not yet been released. The park hopes to have Noah’s Ark ready for 2016 Opening Day! Check back here and join the discussion on our forums to keep up to date on the 2016 Noah’s Ark refurb project!

[gard]

Friday the 13th 4D and 2015 Phantom Fright Nights

If you love horror movies, you’ll want to check out the new Friday the 13th 4D feature film playing at Kennywood’s 4D Theater during Phantom Fright Nights this year! The film features 13 gory kill scenes and provides “9 Minutes of Terror”!

Friday the 13th 4D Marquee

On September 30th, we were graciously invited to a media preview for Friday the 13th 4D as well as the 2015 Phantom Fright Nights season! Upon entering the park, we were greeted by various ghouls and creatures who will be seen throughout Phantom Fright Nights this year.

Tunnel Ghoul
Pumpkin Ghost

In the 4D Theater preshow room, the scene was quite different from the regular season.

4D Preshow TVs

4D Preshow Tent

There’s some trouble happening here!

We also got to see a demonstration of how the actors’ makeup is done each and every night. This can be a time consuming process, but Kennywood’s talented makeup artists get the job done!

Torrie Makeup BeforeTorrie Makeup After

 

 

 

 

 

Pedro’s was serving us boiling blood. It was tasty! 😉

Boiling Blood Drinks

Some other Phantom Fright Nights notes:

  • Kennywood is open for Phantom Fright Nights every Friday and Saturday in October from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight, plus Sunday October 11th from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
  • “Ark In the Dark” returns this year for its first full season! For an extra fee, guests can enter a pitch-black Noah’s Ark two at a time and try to find their way out alive!
  • Lords of Salem Rob Zombie Tribute band will be performing at the Kennyville Stage on Saturday, October 10th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Tickets are $32.99 at the gate, but they’re slightly cheaper online at $29.99 and cheaper yet at Giant Eagle for $27.99.
  • A Phantom Fright Nights pass is available for $49.99 and gets you unlimited PFN admission plus one “RIP haunt tour”. A 2016 Premium Season Pass will also get you unlimited PFN visits in 2015.
  • To purchase tickets online and view the list of attractions open for the event, visit https://www.kennywood.com/pfn.

[gard]

Kennywood End-of-Summer Discounts

Kennywood is currently offering some pretty nice discounts for ticket purchases online. Seniors (age 55+) can purchase weekday All-Day admission for just $9.99 and Night-Rider admission for $4.99! There are also combo deals for a regular Fun Day ticket and either Phantom Fright Nights or Holiday Lights combo. Date restrictions do apply. See the link below for details or to purchase!

https://www.kennywood.com/plan-a-visit/discounts
[gard]