Kennywood's 119th Season Begins April 29

West Mifflin, PA - Come for the rides, come for the food. No matter why you visit, Kennywood is ready to welcome guests for the start of another exciting season! Kennywood begins its 119th season at 11 a.m. on April 29, part of a Season Passholder-exclusive weekend before fully opening to the public on May 6. Daily operations begin on May 25. New for the 2017 Season, Kennywood’s Sky Rocket roller coaster, known for launching from 0 to 50 miles per hour in three seconds, will soon send riders into a whole new world: virtual reality (VR). Sky Rocket’s riders will be able to choose between the thrilling, real-world ride involving a nearly 90-degree vertical launch and three inversions, or donning VR headsets to enter a lifelike world painstakingly programmed to match the sensations produced by the roller coaster. “While we put great value on history, tradition and nostalgia here at Kennywood, the ability to innovate and deliver the newest thrills is critical to our continuing success,” says Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “Entering the Virtual Reality arena with Sky Rocket is one way we look to stay on the cutting edge.” Kennywood maintenance and construction crews are working with industry leader VR Coaster to develop the Sky Rocket’s virtual ride. Four riders per train (which seat 12 guests) can upgrade for a small fee, and experience the ride wearing a Samsung Gear VR headset. The VR Experience is expected to be completed and open to guests at some point this summer. Also new this summer, Kennywood’s 4-D Theater will broadcast a new show where everything is awesome. The LEGO® Movie™ 4-D Experience®! Set after the events of the blockbuster movie, the gang finds themselves entangled in an Evil Secret Plot involving a mysterious theme park. This custom-made 4-D Experience® combines dazzling 3-D computer animation with real-world effects, showing continuously each day. The 4-D Theater is included with admission to Kennywood. While technology is at the center of this season’s ride updates, taste is behind a number of changes to Kennywood’s Food & Beverage Department. The Potato Patch spinoff, Small Fry's, is now entirely gluten-free, while Snack-a-Saurus in Kiddieland will also introduce a new, health-conscious yet kid-friendly menu from Bean Sprouts! Pretzel purveyor Auntie Anne's moves into the former Pedro's stand, which has relocated to serve burritos, nachos and other Mexican foods in Lost Kennywood. There’s so much to try this summer, you’ll need a brand-new All-Season Dining Pass to get to it all!   

“While we put great value on history, tradition and nostalgia here at Kennywood, the ability to innovate and deliver the newest thrills is critical to our continuing success,” says Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “Entering the Virtual Reality arena with Sky Rocket is one way we look to stay on the cutting edge.”

For information on Kennywood's schedule, admission prices, discount opportunities, special events and more, visit www.kennywood.com or contact the park at 412-461-0500.