Kennywood Discussion Thread

[nitrofan]

Well, here is yet another announcement. It's a Premier Rides full circuit creation at Kennywood for 2010. It looks to be a combination of Mr. Freeze, Farenheit, and a Eurofighter, so this should be very interesting. A ride name has not been released yet. Here is the press release:

New Chapter in Kennywood Entertainment History Announced

PITTSBURGH, December 11, 2007 ? Kennywood Entertainment of Pittsburgh announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its amusement park holdings, including Kennywood in West Mifflin, PA, Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier, PA, Sandcastle Waterpark in West Homestead, PA and New England parks Lake Compounce Theme Park in
Bristol, CT and Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire.

Kennywood Entertainment has been a closely held family business since F.W. Henninger and Andrew McSwigan purchased Kennywood Park from the Monongahela Railway Company in 1906. The Henninger and McSwigan families, now in fourth and fifth generation, have remained owners for over 100 years.

Acquiring Kennywood Entertainment is Parques Reunidos, based in Madrid, Spain, an international operator that manages 61 amusement, animal and water parks in the U.S. and Europe, with total annual visitors exceeding 22 million and revenues exceeding $570 million.

Parques Reunidos, with the financial backing of the Candover investment fund, a private equity investor in London, approached Kennywood with a purchase offer as part of their plan to consolidate family entertainment venues around the globe.

?The Kennywood experience?as visitors have come to love and expect?will continue. Nothing will seem different, even to the folks working at the parks. Existing management and staff will remain in place, said Harry Henninger, Chairman of Kennywood Entertainment.

?In recent years, we've had talks with other operators wishing to acquire us, but Parques Reunidos is the first one to share our vision and philosophy.?

"We have tremendous respect for the work of the Kennywood management team and are delighted to acquire such a quality organization, said Richard Golding, Chief Executive Officer of Parques Reunidos. They've built Kennywood Entertainment into an industry leader in family entertainment. We are anxious to continue the gold standard of entertainment they have established."

Richard Golding recognizes and appreciates the deep affection that all of the Kennywood properties enjoy with their communities,? said Peter J. McAneny, Kennywood Entertainment President. ?They intend to preserve these connections and build upon the history and tradition existing at each of the parks." Henninger added, "This has been a very difficult decision for members of the founding families, now numbering over one hundred and residing all over the country. All of us are tremendously proud of what we created with Kennywood Entertainment. It has truly been a magical ride, managing Kennywood, starting Sandcastle, expanding and improving both Idlewild and Lake Compounce.?

A March completion date is anticipated. The agreement is subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence inquiries by the parties. The purchase price is not being disclosed.


Link to the Official Press Release: http://www.kennywood.com/docs/12.11.07KECNewChapterRelease.pdf

This summer just keeps getting better and better ;)

[nitrofan]

I wonder when we will get more info on this. It looks like a really cool ride.

[palmer]

Well, they took down the Turnpike and people seem to miss already. Hopefully they get the coaster they want in return.

[nitrofan]

Well, they took down the Turnpike and people seem to miss already. Hopefully they get the coaster they want in return.

I'm confident that Premire Rides will satisfy. They are an AMAZING coaster company, and I don't think they have really built a bad coaster (in terms of the ride experience) once it has been updated. (Premires with OTSRs are miserable!)

[Austin]

I think they should replace MHF at SFKK with one of their splash coasters. Theres only 1 in the US so it would be a great hit.

[palmer]

I'm confident that Premire Rides will satisfy. They are an AMAZING coaster company, and I don't think they have really built a bad coaster (in terms of the ride experience) once it has been updated. (Premires with OTSRs are miserable!)

Well the animated pictures show lap bars. I thought they announce that there was lap bars, but i'm not quite sure.

[nitrofan]

Well the animated pictures show lap bars. I thought they announce that there was lap bars, but i'm not quite sure.

I am confident that Premiere will never build a coaster with an OTSR ever again after the disasterous headbanging they caused on their older models. Premeire always builds their coasters with their unique style of lap bar now.

[nitrofan]

Here is a drawing of the layout of this coaster that has been released:

http://www.coastersandmore.de/rides/eas09/kennywood.jpg

It looks like a very cool ride! I'm even more excited for this than before.

The name still has not been released.

[palmer]

The coaster has been confirmed to be named as Sky Rocket.

[nitrofan]

Time to bring this thread back to life!

A construction has been posted on KPConnection.com!

Photos Removed. Please click link below.

All of that track went up in less than 2 days!

Click the link below to view the entire update:

http://kpconnection.com/cu331.shtml

They are flying on this project! I have heard rumors of a projected opening date of May 20. If that is the case, then track work will need to be completed in about 3 weeks. We'll see how it goes.

Be sure to check KPConnection.com frequently. They are posting updates every 2-3 days.

[palmer]

^I wonder why, they didn't start until 2010 to even break ground.

[Austin]

They did technically. Took about a month to take the turnpike out and clear the space for it.

[nitrofan]

They did technically. Took about a month to take the turnpike out and clear the space for it.

They were being very slow though. Most coasters new for 2010 went vertical months ago.

[Shayne]

Well this coaster isn't a difficult construction job at all, so keep that in mind. This is a proven concept from a company that generally gets their rides operating with very little downtime. The launch has become way more standard to Premier than to any other company in my opinion and the track is very simple and lightweight so it is easy to bolt into place. They just didn't need as much time to construct as they would if this was a larger coaster built by another manufacturer.

[nitrofan]

A new update has been posted to KPConnection.com.

http://kpconnection.com/cu406.shtml

Not much has changed, but a lot more track has shown up.

[palmer]

I'm thinking Sky Rocket is gonna have little track done each day and one day they'll put up plenty of track and conitune the little track until another day for load of track, and so on

[Jp]

They have posted pictures on there Facebook. There control room is in a shipping container!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=161672&id=123450319864

[Jp]

As for Sky Rocket, there's a rather big update posted over at Kennyood Connection.

Photos Removed. Please click link below for photos.

Check out the full update here: http://www.kpconnection.com/cu423.shtml

[Jp]

Kennywood has its first inversion in 10 years!

Update --> http://www.kpconnection.com/cu428.shtml

Photos Removed. Please Click Link for photos.

[Jp]

Local news station KDKA had a brief report on "What's New" for 2010 at Kennywood. At the end of the video, they mention a "Coaster Pass" that will be sold allowing guests to "cut the line". Rumors floating around KPConnection state that the pass will be good for 1 ride each on all the park's coasters, and those purchasing one will be given a time window to show up and ride. No word on pricing as of yet. The park's website makes no mention of these passes....although, to be fair, the park website is not routinely updated either.

Here's that video - http://kdka.com/video/?id=71945@kdka.dayport.com

[Jp]

Is any one going to go to the opening weekend of the 19th of June.

[Jp]

From Kennywood.com:

Kennywood's Open, but the Sky Rocket isn't quite ready.

The track is complete and work is progressing nicely on commissioning the ride. We are currently projecting opening Sky Rocket sometime during the week of June 21 if there are no unexpected delays.

We're working very hard to bring you this great new coaster. Check back for updates.

[DarienLake:D]

man i wish i could go to kennywood!

[palmer]

^I do too, yet I live like an hour and a half away. I should go.

[Jp]

Test run of Sky Rocket..

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[nitrofan]

Some notes from that video:
-I like that the launch is starting after a turn out of the station. I'm not sure why, I just do.
-Why did they trim the top of the top hat? It goes over it so slowly that so much of the thrill may be lost.
-I hope they adjust the MCBR. I won't rant yet since this is still an early test run.
-Why did they only design 12 passenger cars? This ride's capacity is going to be awful.

[Austin]

Its trimed to give you a sense of hanging over the edge of a cliff sort of feeling

[nitrofan]

Its trimed to give you a sense of hanging over the edge of a cliff sort of feeling

But the ride is less than 100' tall. Is it really worth sacrificing the speed of the rest of the ride when the effect really wouldn't be that great?

[Changsucks]

^It could also have to do with the rides' elements being too small/quick for what the speed would be or the shape of the top hat. It might be a cool experience though.

Same for the MCBR. I think it might be on that hard on purpose for a "hanging" drop.

I'm really liking the look of this! When it was first announced and I saw that awful NL creation, I thought it was going to be a quirky little compact coaster that looked like it did a lot, but wouldn't... But this actually looks like a lot of fun! I think we will begin to see more of these. Perhaps Holiday World will be next?

[nitrofan]

^It could also have to do with the rides' elements being too small/quick for what the speed would be or the shape of the top hat. It might be a cool experience though.

Same for the MCBR. I think it might be on that hard on purpose for a "hanging" drop.

I'm really liking the look of this! When it was first announced and I saw that awful NL creation, I thought it was going to be a quirky little compact coaster that looked like it did a lot, but wouldn't... But this actually looks like a lot of fun! I think we will begin to see more of these. Perhaps Holiday World will be next?

But look at how slowly it is taking the bunny hills. That's what annoys me most about the MCBR.

On a positive note, that Zero-G Roll looks like it will be awesome! Probably the best part of the ride.

[Austin]

Dont count on Holiday World lol. I cant imagine them adding a coaster with inversions anytime soon

[nitrofan]

Dont count on Holiday World lol. I cant imagine them adding a coaster with inversions anytime soon

No one expected Kennywood to either. I don't think HW will ever become B&M City like several Six Flags parks or Intamin city like Cedar Point, but I could see Holiday World adding a B&M, Intamin, or smaller coaster like this. They seem to be getting into more modern technology lately with Pilgrim's Plunge, Timberliners, and now Wildebeest.

[Changsucks]

Is anyone else having trouble watching the video? I can't watch it for more than four seconds without it stopping. Really annoying...

[bobbinbop20]

I think those trains look really weird

[palmer]

This ride looks fun, but looks weird.

[nitrofan]

Anyone heard anything about an opening date yet? It's about time!

[Jp]

They push back the opening day to June 29th..

But here is POV of the ride...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=581708734222&comments

[nitrofan]

I am SO glad to see that they sped up the ride! It actually looks like fun now! It looks like the twists at the end could be the best part of the ride.

The ride makes a weird noise when it launches though.

[Austin]

Looks amazingly smooth. No shuffling at all. Im very impressed with it. I got to ride it one day haha

[palmer]

The ride makes a weird noise when it launches though.

Probably because of the launching system being relatively new gathering LSMs haven't been used in a long while, especially with Premier Rides.

[Austin]

Premier Rides actually has been one of the pioneers for LIM/LSM coasters.

[palmer]

^I understand that, but Premier hasn't put out many LSMs, or coasters in general, in the past couple years. I'm not saying they haven't, but not as much compared to B&M, Intamin, Vekoma, etc.

[Austin]

LIM and LSM are the same things just different motors. Actually B&M hasnt done any "real" launched coasters. Hulk's system is a joke.

[palmer]

I didn't intend to put in B&M under the launch talk. More of general coasters. And Hulk's system is clearly a joke. Thank the lord they haven't made any other of them (well, the Universal in the making in Korea is supposively making a clone of Hulk).

[Austin]

Even Korea knows Tire launch systems in the age of LIM and LSM is primitive haha.

[Shayne]

Well, in all fairness, B&M didn't create, design or build the launch on hulk. It was done completely by a subcontractor. So technically, B&M have never dabbled in launch coasters.

[palmer]

^True, but I'm pretty sure B&M is doing this launch system for USK

[Austin]

I know that B&M didnt but they still had to design the coaster and everything to accommodate for the launch. Plus its there coaster. They should have a big say in what system is to be used.

[nitrofan]

Let's try to stay on topic...

[DarienLake:D]

So who is excited for skyrocket? (trying to get back on topic haha) I heard its opening tomorrow am i correct?

[Austin]

Nope lol 29th well thats according to Jp. But it should be open soon because ACE is riding it this weekend.

I wish we had a launch coaster closer to me *cough*KK*cough* haha.

[DarienLake:D]

i wish we could get a better launch... well a more thrilling one really... i like OCC MotoCoaster but its based for family (and its a good one). But now we need something for the thrill seekers!!! But yes a launch coaster is a perfect add on to any park i think!

[Truth Seeker]

Nope lol 29th well thats according to Jp. But it should be open soon because ACE is riding it this weekend.

I wish we had a launch coaster closer to me *cough*KK*cough* haha.

A launch coaster would be nice but I't would take up large quantities of land. Let's not forget KK is limited size wise.

[palmer]

I wish we had a launch coaster closer to me *cough*KK*cough* haha.

Well, that's funny. I have a launch coaster near me and it's intinals are KK. :D LOL

[DarienLake:D]

Not all launch coasters are big.. OCC MotoCoaster here at DL is more of a compact design (based for family) but its a good ride. infact where it is now there used to be a pool (a normal size in ground pool)

[palmer]

^Talk about compact...

[Austin]

Heres a good view of the inside of the car as well as the ride, viewed from the side :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UkahzillwI&hd=1

[nitrofan]

Nope lol 29th well thats according to Jp. But it should be open soon because ACE is riding it this weekend.

I wish we had a launch coaster closer to me *cough*KK*cough* haha.

You do have a launch coaster.