Ride Policies

RIDE ADMISSION POLICY FOR guests with disabilities.

If any of the criteria below applies to you or a member of your party, or if special access is needed, please stop at the Rider Safety Center at the Park Entrance before going through the turnstiles.

Our Ride Admission policy has been developed with the help of a biodynamic engineer and recommendations of the ride manufacturers. Our policy is based upon our past experience and our knowledge of each ride in both normal and emergency operating conditions. Our prime consideration is your ability to endure the dynamics of a ride without risk of injury to yourself, other riders, or Kennywood team members. Every ride at Kennywood is evaluated for specific rider requirements. Kennywood will do a brief individual assessment to determine the rides appropriate for the individual. This assessment will avoid delays in boarding rides throughout the day.

1. ABILITY TO EXHIBIT INDEPENDENT SEATED POSTURAL CONTROL UNDER THE DYNAMIC CONDITIONS OF THE RIDE. Explanation: Most rides require that riders have the body and spinal control to sit upright without the aid of other people or devices and be able to maintain proper riding posture even during bumping or other characteristic movements of the ride.
   
   
2. APPROPRIATE CENTER OF GRAVITY
   Explanation: Certain rides require that a rider's body have the appropriate weight distribution for that ride's restraint system.
   
   
3. CONTROL OF UPPER TORSO INCLUDING NECK AND HEAD. Explanation: Most rides require that riders have sufficient muscle control to support his/her head, neck, and upper torso during the course of the ride.
   
   
4. ABILITY TO HOLD ON WITH UPPER EXTREMITIES.
   Explanation: Certain rides require that riders have either one or both functioning arms to hold on during the ride cycle. A functioning arm is an upper extremity or prosthesis exhibiting good grip control, the ability to brace, and the strength to allow the GUEST to maintain the proper riding position throughout the duration of the ride.
   
   
5. ABILITY TO BRACE SELF WITH LOWER EXTREMITIES.
   Explanation: Certain rides require that riders have one or both functioning legs to be used for bracing the body during the course of the ride. A functioning leg is a lower extremity or a prosthesis that can be used for bracing.
   
   
6. MINIMUM OF TWO FUNCTIONING EXTREMITIES.
   Explanation: Certain rides require that riders have a MINIMUM of two functioning extremities (two legs, two arms, or one arm and one leg) to brace themselves during the ride.
   
   
7. MINIMUM OF THREE FUNCTIONING EXTREMITIES.
   Explanation: Certain rides require that riders have a MINIMUM of three functioning extremities (two legs and one arm OR two arms and one leg) to brace themselves during the ride.
   
   
8. ABILITY TO ENTER/EXIT THE RIDE WITHIN SPECIFIED PARAMETERS WITHOUT ENDANGERING SELF OR OTHERS.
   Explanation: GUESTS must be able to enter and exit the ride without jeopardizing themselves or others, and to assist with their own evacuation if necessary. This may include special arrangements such as entering through the exit or having someone in their party assist them in the boarding process. If a GUEST has to be lifted in and out of the ride unit, a responsible person who is accustomed in doing this must do so. Ride operators are not trained to lift or physically assist guests.
   
   
9. MENTAL CAPACITY TO BE AWARE OF HAZARDS TO SELF AND OTHERS; OR OF FAILURE TO RIDE IN PRESCRIBED MANNER.
   Explanation: Most rides require that riders have sufficient awareness to understand the consequences of actions that may lead to injury to self and/or others. In addition to the physical and mental requirements defined previously, each ride was evaluated relative to specific temporary conditions that may prevent a GUEST from riding a certain ride. Specific conditions evaluated were:
   
   * CERVICAL COLLAR OR NECK BRACE
   * BROKEN COLLAR BONE
   * FULL ARM CAST
   * BRACED ARM CAST
   * FULL LEG CAST
   * BILATERAL ABDUCTION CASTS (BRACE BETWEEN LEGS)
   * THE SUITABILITY OF SAFELY CARRYING HAND-HELD INFANTS ON EACH RIDE.

BASIC INFORMATION:

1. EACH GUEST MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN RIDING POSTURE AND BRACE THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE RIDE AGAINST POTENTIAL FORCES CREATED BY THE RIDE AND/OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS.
2. GUESTS with conditions such as pregnancy, back, neck or bone problems, cardio‑vascular problems, high blood pressure, recent surgery or other health conditions that could be aggravated by bumping or jarring must exercise discretion in selecting rides.
3. THERE IS ALWAYS A REMOTE CHANCE THAT A RIDE MIGHT NEED TO BE EVACUATED. EVACUATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY DUE TO SUCH CAUSES AS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM, WEATHER CONDITIONS OR POWER INTERRUPTION. IF AN EVACUATION IS REQUIRED, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO MANEUVER ACROSS CATWALKS, SOMETIMES FROM THE HIGHEST POINT ON THE RIDE, AND WALK DOWN STEEPLY INCLINED STEPS OR CATWALKS OR WAIT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE RIDE VEHICLE. Note: Kennywood team members are not trained to lift or carry GUESTS.
4. Any GUEST who rides a ride must be able: ‑to be seated properly in the required riding position ‑to have hands, arms, feet and legs inside the ride unit ‑to use all safety devices required in the operation of the ride.
5. Any GUEST whose size or build would affect the applicable safety restraints (seat belts, lap bars, harnesses, etc.) from functioning properly may not be permitted to ride.
6. For the purpose of this policy, a responsible person is one who physically and mentally meets all the requirements to ride the ride, is sixteen (16) years of age or older, and exhibits the maturity generally expected from one 16 years of age or older. In the case of immediate family members, the age for the responsible person may be waived at the sole discretion of Kennywood.
7. ALL RIDE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS APPLY. Each ride is reviewed specifically to determine the size limits necessary to make safety restraints effective, and to meet the ride manufacturer's requirements.For more information regarding the Ride Admission Policy Slip, please visit the Rider Evaluation Center at the Main Entrance to the Park. Riders with casts below the elbow or knee will have no restrictions on any rides or attractions, and therefore do not need to obtain a Ride Admission Policy Slip. If riders have casts above the elbow or knee, please visit the Rider Evaluation Center at the Main Gate.

Pennnsylvania Act No. 1994-58 Amusement Rider Safety and Liability ActThe Pennsylvania Amusement Rider Safety and Liability Act requires that riders must obey all warnings and directions regarding this ride and must behave in a manner that will not cause or contribute to injury to themselves or others. Failure to comply is cause for dismissal from the Park without a refund.

Weather Policy
Rides will close due to inclement weather, particularly heavy rain and/or lightning. A specific answer as to which rides will be closed or which rides remain open is not possible, because varying degrees of inclement weather cause different effects on different rides. The rides affected most are the roller coasters and water rides. Kennywood makes every effort to reopen rides as quickly and safely as possible. Generally, the following inclement weather conditions will affect the listed rides and attractions:

• High Winds: Skycoaster, Pittfall, Swingshot, and Kenny's Parkway.
• Heavy Rain: Phantom's Revenge, Skycoaster, Aero 360, Thunderbolt, Auto Race, King Kahuna, Cosmic Chaos, Pirate, and Turnpike.
• Lightning and Severe Thunderstorms will have varying affects on all rides and attractions.
  
  It is not possible to specifically state which rides will be closed at a specific time because the varying degrees of inclement weather can cause different effects on different rides.

 

Definition of a Responsible Person
A responsible person is defined as (1) a person who meets the height requirements and (2) is able to supervise the mnor throughout the ride cycle.

• Parental Swap
  To accommodate parents with children too small to ride, and no one to watch them while the parents ride, parents may swap, i.e., take turns watching their children. One parent waits in line while the children and other parent are at the exit. After the first parent rides, he or she can then swap positions with the waiting parent, who can then bypass the queue to ride.Please remember that Kennywood Team Members are not responsible for watching your children, as they must focus their full attention on operating the ride in a safe manner.
• Loose Articles
  For safety reasons, loose articles are not permitted on any ride or attraction. Loose articles include but are not limited to hats, keys, glasses, cell phones, pagers, backpacks, purses, stuffed animals, cameras, and video cameras, etc. Please leave loose articles with a non-rider, in a locker, or in the bins provided at the rides. Smaller items can be secured in cargo pockets or waist pouches. Kennywood is not responsible for any loose articles that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Please report any lost article to the Team Members in the Service Center. Kennywood will make every effort to obtain lost articles. For safety reasons, picture taking or videotaping is prohibited while riding.

• Line Jumping
  Line jumping is defined as: (1) a guest advancing ahead of another guest already waiting in line, (2) a guest leaving a line and re-entering at the same point, and (3) a guest saving a place in line for another guest. Purchasing food and beverages, tending children, using restrooms, or visiting with friends are not valid reasons for joining another guest in line late or re-entering a line ahead of other waiting guests. Line jumping will not be tolerated and can be cause for ejection from the ride or the park without refund.

• Young Children and Infants
  Infants are defined as children who are unable to walk independently. Infants are permitted to ride the following rides: Garfield's Nightmare, Olde Kennywood Railroad, Noah's Ark, Gold Rusher, and Merry Go Round. Please remember that to ride, infants must wear shirts, pants, and shoes. Children wishing to ride in Kiddieland must be able to walk on their own (independently) to ride.

• Height Station
  Kennywood's official measuring station is located at the Main Gate. For your convenience, visit the Height Station prior to entering the park to be aware of the rides your children may and may not ride. Please remember that height requirements are based on the safety restraints of the rides and are designed for your child's safety.

• General Restrictions
  Kennywood reminds guests to exercise caution when deciding which rides to experience if they have any of the following conditions: Heart problems, back/neck problems, pregnancy, high blood pressure, or recent surgery. Please remember that existing conditions are not limited to those listed. If you have any questions concerning rides that are safe for you, please visit the Rider Safety Center at the Main Entrance.

• Restraint System Safety
  For safety reasons, all passenger restraint systems, including lap bars, shoulder harnesses and seatbelts, must be positioned and fastened properly to allow guests to ride. Guests of exceptional size may not be accommodated on some of our rides and attractions. This may apply to, but is not limited to, guests who exceed 6'3', and those with a 42" waistline or greater.Larger guests may experience difficulty on these rides: SwingShot, Aero 360, Pitt Fall, Racer, Wave Swinger, Wipeout, Exterminator, and King Kahuna.

• Miscellaneous Restrictions
  Partners are required on the Turnpike and Thunderbolt. Kennywood will make every attempt to accommodate single riders, but cannot promise to pair guests. Footwear must be worn at all times throughout the park. Guests are required to wear shoes on all rides and attractions. Slip-on shoes should be removed on the following rides: Aero 360, Pounce Bounce, SwingShot, and Pittfall.

• Dress Code
  Kennywood requires that all riders wear shoes and shirts. Jackets may not be worn around the waist. It must be worn properly, left with a non-rider, or left in the bins provided.
  
• SMOKING POLICY
  Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas.