Kennywood 7/19/09 | Part 1
On my 15th birthday, 7/19/09, I went to Kennywood in Pittsburgh with my family. Super excited, we got to the park and got in the gates at 10:30. The rides open at 11, so we ran back to The Phantoms Revenge and got in line, and I was 5th. At 11 they let us into the station and I got first row on the second train of the day. Phantom is the 8th fastest coaster in the world, and is unbelievable when you plummet down the 200+ ft. drop into the ravine. To wrap up the ride, 5 air time hills with 2 double dips finish with massive forces.
After that, we got to the Exterminator, which was a walk on. This is a spinning wild mouse like no other, for it is pitch black, drops, spins, and the scenery is unbelievable. After being a little crazy and woozy, we got to Swing Shot, which is a dual swinging ride. It is very loud and noisy, but the ride is very fun.
After that, we ran to the Thunderbolt, and got back row seats. Hands up the entire time, we got massive air time, and squished on the turns. Next was time for some Kennywood flat-ride-mania.We went on the Turtle before anything, because my brother has a new found obsesion with it. King Kahuna was up first, and spins you, flips you, and hurls you every which way. It was one hell of a ride. Next was the Grand Prix, the bumper cars. Following was the recently returned Bayren Cure, a fast as hell ride that flings you in a circle at speeds of 30+ mph. After that was Cosmic Chaos, the half pipe disco ride. This was extremely fun and gives you a great weightlessness feeling. Next was a ride I've never ridden before, The Volcano, which is an Enterprise type of ride. In all honesty, it scared me to death because I simply felt so unsafe without any seat belts. However it was fun and a cool experience.
Next up was the Kennywood famous Jack Rabbit. The line was long, but the wait was only around 15 minutes. I sat as far back as I could, an got massive air time on the double dip. Now with an onride photo feature, I got to buy a pic of myself freaking out while I popped out of my seat. Following was lunch, then the Racer. I got an awesome On-ride which I'll get on Youtube later. It was fun, but my train lost. Surprisingly, that coaster had the longest wait of the day. The Racer is really fun, smooth, and a good ride for anyone wanting a good "adventure" with racing. Up next was the Aero 360, an inverted ride that flips you on two arms. It was so much fun and they added in a new part of the ride length where the hang you upside down right before the ride ends.
We walked over the lagoon bridge over to the BMX show. We got soft serve and watched teenagers ride their bikes. We rode the Carousel, and then headed over the Kangaroo. This ride was fun to ride with my mom and dad, and we laughed the entire time. Next were 2 more rides on Cosmic Chaos, a quick walk on for the King Kahuna, then the Bayren Curve again. We headed back to Lost Kennywood where my brother was riding the Whip. After so I went on the Wave Swinger, then headed to the Arcade. The Jack Rabbits line was short-ish, so I got another awesome ride. It was now around 4:30, so we decided to head home.
Part 2
My mom, dad, and I arrived back at the park around 7pm. We went back to the park, and hit up the lame Pirate Ship ride. I got in line to the Phantoms Revenge, which was almost non-existent. I got a middle seat, and it was awesome. Nice sunset, then plummeting into the ravine. Next was GhostWood Estates, the new family dark ride. We only rode this because someone had just puked on the Thunderbolt. After this was another hit up on the Aero 360, then the Jack Rabbit which was awesome at night. Then the Racer, and this time my train won! Next was a final ride on the Phantom in the pitch black. Plus, this time I got back row. It was amazing, and the air time was killer. We hit up the Wave Swinger again and then the Musik express.
Overall, the trip was simply unbelievable. It was the greatest time I've ever had at Kennywood, and even though it was KennyKon, the park was near empty that evening, and that morning until around 3. I took around 200 pictures but I'll take the time to upload them later. Ride Count and ratings:
- Phantoms Revenge: x3 (9/10)
- The Exterminator: x1 (7/10)
- Swing Shot: x1 (8/10)
- Thunderbolt: x1 (8/10)
- Turtle: x1 (5/10)
- King Kahuna: x2 (7.5/10)
- Cosmic Chaos: x3 (8.5/10)
- Grand Prix: x1 (6/10)
- Bayern Curve: x2 (8/10)
- Volcano: x1 (7/10)
- Aero 360: x2 (8.5/10)
- Jack Rabbit: x3 (9/10)
- Racer: x2 (8/10)
- Kangaroo: x1 (7/10)
- Carousel: x1 (5/10)
- Pirate Ship: x1 (6/10)
- Musik Express: x1 (7/10)
