Accessibility

We are committed to providing the finest in family fun and entertainment. This means we want all of our Guests to have a safe and enjoyable visit. Once you arrive at the park, stop by our Guest Service Center located near Noah’s Ark or Safety Center at the Park Entrance. They will be able to answer any questions and help you with any accommodations you may require during your visit. This guide will provide you with information to help plan your day.

Basic Ride Information

  • 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.
  • Guests with conditions such as pregnancy, back, neck, or bone problems, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, recent surgery, or other health conditions that could be aggravated by bumping or jarring are not permitted to ride all rides. Please read all safety signs at the rides prior to riding.
  • There is always a remote chance that a ride might 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. This may include walking down steeply inclined steps or catwalks, or waiting for an extended period of time in the ride vehicle. Note: our Team Members are not trained to lift or carry Guests.
  • Any Guest who rides a ride must be able: (1) to be seated properly in the required riding position, (2) to have hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the ride unit at all times, and (3) to use all safety devices required in the normal operation of the ride.
  • Any Guest whose size or build would affect the applicable safety restraints (seat belts, lap bars, harnesses, etc.) from functioning properly will not be permitted to ride.
  • 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.
  • 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 rider height restrictions, please visit the Height Station located at the Safety Center at the Main Entrance to the Park or the Guest Service Center by Noah’s Ark.
  • Riders with casts above the elbow must stop at the Safety Center to get a list of rides they can ride. If the cast is below the elbow, there are no ride restrictions.

Ride Admission Program

Our Ride Admission Program is designed with your safety and the safety of others in mind. Our staff at the Safety Center or Service Center will assess each Guest seeking accommodations based on their individual abilities, ride dynamics, ride restraint systems, and manufacturer requirements to determine what rides they can safely enjoy. You will be given a ride accessibility questionnaire to complete to assist us with our assessment. Once completed, you will receive a list of rides that you may safely enjoy.

  • Ridership Criteria

The assessment of each ride consists of the following criteria, which may be required to safely ride a certain ride.

  • 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.
  • APPROPRIATE CENTER OF GRAVITY
    • Explanation: Certain rides require that a rider’s body have the appropriate weight distribution above/below the waist for that ride’s restraint system.
  • CONTROL OF UPPER TORSO INCLUDING NECK AND HEAD
    • Explanation: Most rides require that riders have sufficient muscle control to support their head, neck, and upper torso during the course of the ride.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • MINIMUM OF ONE, TWO OR THREE FUNCTIONING EXTREMITIES
    • Explanation: Certain rides require that riders have a MINIMUM of one, two or three functioning extremities (two legs, two arms, one arm and one leg, etc.) to brace themselves during the ride.
  • 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 to doing this must do so. Ride operators are not trained to lift or physically assist Guests.
  • MENTAL CAPACITY TO BE AWARE OF HAZARDS TO SELF AND OTHERS; OR OF FAILURE TO RIDE IN PRESCRIBED MANNER
    • Explanation: All rides require that riders have sufficient awareness to understand the consequences of actions that may lead to injury to self and/or others. Guests may be able to enjoy select rides when accompanied by a responsible person.

 

Alternative Access Program

We offer an alternative access program that, if you qualify, will allow you to use the accessible (ADA) entrance of the ride. The staff at the Safety Center or Service Center will ask you a series of questions to see if you qualify for this program. If you qualify you will receive a yellow Accessibility Pass, allowing you access to the ADA entrance for the rides. The ADA entrance will be noted by a blue sign. In most, but not all, cases this is the exit of the ride. Please wait until instructed by a Ride Operator to begin boarding.

Please note: the Alternate Access Program is good for the individual that receives the Ride Admission Pass and three (3) additional Guests. The individual with the pass must ride for the pass to be valid.

If granted admission into the Alternative Access Program, you will be able to initially board any attraction with a minimal wait. After riding certain attractions one time, you will be required to get a boarding time approximately equal to the wait time for that ride in the regular queue. You must wait until the given time to ride any other attraction that assigns wait times. You can only have one boarding time at any given time. You can not ride the same ride that requires a wait time twice in a row without receiving a wait time. If we have stopped admitting Guests into the regular line for any reason, we will not admit Guests with an Accessibility Pass, either. This includes giving wait times or boarding with a time already assigned. Wait times must fall within regular park hours. You can ride any other attraction not listed below at any time.

Rides that assign wait times after riding: Black Widow, Exterminator, Jack Rabbit, Kangaroo, Old Mill, Phantom's Revenge, Racer, Sky Rocket, Steel Curtain, Thunderbolt.

PLEASE NOTE: The Accessibility Pass is NOT a "front of the line" pass. It is designed for Guests who have a legitimate physical or mental condition that prohibits them from waiting in the regular queue. Guests caught abusing this program in any way, including falsifying information, transferring passes, or tampering passes are subject to have their Accessibility Passes revoked and themselves removed from the park.

General Information 

Before experiencing an attraction, please note all Safety Warnings (verbal and written).

Casts and Braces

Due to the design of certain ride vehicles and restraint systems, guests may have difficulty fitting into some rides. If you are wearing a cast or brace, please stop at the Guest Service Center to get a list of what rides you can ride. Note: there are no restrictions for arm casts below the elbow.

Definitions 

  • RESPONSIBLE PERSON – a Guest that (1) complies with the necessary requirements to experience the ride, (2) is approximately 16 years old, and (3) possesses the physical and mental ability to supervise someone throughout the ride.
  • INFANT – A handheld child that is too young to walk or sit up on their own.

First Aid

First Aid is located next to the Gran Prix. First Aid is operated by UPMC. Refrigeration for essential medicine is available on a limited basis. In an emergency, please contact any park Team Member.

Food & Beverage

We offer a nutrition guide at our Customer Service office at the Main Gate, and at the Guest Service Center behind Noah’s Ark. Note: Small Fry's in Lost Kennywood is entirely gluten-free. All food items and stands are subject to availability and may change on a day-to-day basis.

Games

All games are accessible. Race games all have removable seats to allow for wheelchair accessibility. Please see the Team Member at the game for assistance.

Guests of Exceptional Size

There is an individual weight limit on Steel Curtain (300 lbs.) and Wave Swinger (220 lbs.). In order to ride, all restraints must be fastened properly. Riders of exceptional size (height/weight) may have difficulty fitting in the following: Racer, Steel Curtain (test seat available), Black Widow, SwingShot.

Guests that are Hearing Impaired

We have assisted hearing devices and closed captioning available at Ghostwood Estate. Please request the closed captioning at these rides when you arrive. We also have menu boards available to assist you when ordering at many of our popular food stands.

Loose Articles

Loose articles, including cell phones, should not be taken on any ride. Loose articles of any kind are not permitted on any roller coaster. Lockers can be rented for the day next to the Gran Prix, or you can leave the item with a non-rider. Loose Article boxes are provided at the rides, but items lost, stolen, or damaged are not the park’s responsibility.

Lost Guests

If a child or individual with a disability gets separated from your group, stop any Park Security Officer or go to Customer Service (Main Gate or by Noah's Ark). Please state who is missing and if they have special needs. We do offer an information wristband where you can write your contact information to place on a Guest. This is helpful if the guest is nonverbal, too young or confused to remember contact information. They are available at Customer Service at the Main Gate and by Noah’s Ark.

Magnetic Fields on Rides

Magnets are used on the following rides: Jack Rabbit, Lil' Phantom, Phantom’s Revenge, Steel Curtain, Sky Rocket, Thunderbolt

Parent Swap

This program allows parents with a child too young to ride to wait at the exit with their young child while the other parent waits in line. Once the first parent has ridden, the other parent can immediately board once the first parent exits. The other parent should be ready to board at the ride exit.

Park Terrain

Kennywood has some steep grades and stairs. Please watch for blue ADA signs to alert you to areas with steep grades. Please take care or go around these sections.

Personal Care Assistant

The cost of admission to Kennywood will be waived for a government-funded or privately paid Personal Care Assistant (PCA) whose attendance is required to enable a Guest with severe disabilities to enjoy a day visiting the park. Whether the tickets are purchased in advance or at the gate for the PCA, any request to waive admission for the PCA must be made at the Customer Service office located at the park entrance. The PCA shall not participate in any services/attractions separate from the individual that requires their services. If the park discovers that the PCA or Guest has misrepresented the purpose of the PCA’s attendance, both the PCA and Guest will be ejected from the park.

Prosthetic Device

On most attractions, guests wearing prosthetic devices will be permitted to ride as long as the device is securely attached and will remain in place throughout the ride cycle. The exceptions to this rule are:

  • Aero 360 - Riders are not permited to ride with a prosthetic device unless it is surgically attached. Riders must have at least three (3) functioning extremities.
  • Black Widow - Riders are not permitted to ride with a prosthetic device unless it is surgically attached. Riders must have at least three (3) functioning extremities.
  • Cranky's Drop Tower - Riders are not permitted to ride with a prosthetic device unless it is surgically attached. Riders must have at least three (3) functioning extremities.
  • Sky Rocket – Riders are not permitted to ride with two (2) prosthetic devices unless they are surgically attached. However, they must have three (3) functioning extremities to ride. If the rider only has one leg, the remaining limb must have a knee. 
  • Steel Curtain – Riders are not permited to ride with a prosthetic device unless it is surgically attached. If a prosthetic device is removed, the Guest must still have three functioning extremities. If the Guest has only one leg, the remaining limb must have a knee. If the Guest has only one arm, it must have a minimum of three fingers to grib the safety restraint.
  • SwingShot – No prosthetic devices attached above the knee are permitted. If the guest chooses to remove the prosthesis, the rider must still have three functioning extremities and the appropriate center of gravity to ride.
  • Wave Swinger - Riders are not permitted to ride with a prosthetic device unless it is surgically attached. Riders must have at least three (3) functioning extremities.

Quiet Areas

Several quiet locations are located in the park, including by the Gazebo and Mushroom Fountain.

Quiet Room

We have a Quiet Room located beneath the Lost Kennywood main entrance. To access the room, you will need a four-digit code. This code will be given to you if you enrolled in our Alternative Access Program. If you did not receive the code, stop by our Service Center located by Noah's Ark, near the Quiet Room.

Restrooms

All restrooms have an ADA stall. There are family restrooms located in Kiddieland, the entrance of Steelers Country and across from the Kangaroo. This family restroom also has an adult changing table.

Retail

All shops are accessible. Ask any retail Team Member for assistance to reach hard-to-reach items.

Service Animals

Service Animals are welcome; however, they are limited to dogs and miniature ponies that have been trained to do work or perform a task for the benefit of the individual with the disability. Service Animals must remain on a leash or harness and be under the control of their handler. If at any time a Service Animal is out of control, they will be asked to be removed from the park. Service Animals are not permitted to ride any ride, with the exception of Journey with Thomas. While the Service Animal is waiting for their handler to ride any attraction, a Guest must remain with them.

Strobe Lights

Strobe lighting, or lighting that can imitate strobe lighting, is used on Exterminator, Ghostwood Estate, Old Mill and Noah’s Ark (can be avoided via bypass). The motion effects of the Musik Express may simulate strobe lights. The following rides have a photo taken during the ride using a quick series of flashes (more noticeable at night): Jack Rabbit, Phantom’s Revenge, Sky Rocket, Steel Curtain.

Wheelchairs and Electric Scooters

Wheelchairs and electric scooters can be rented on a first come, first serve basis at the Main Gate. They can also be reserved in advance on our website.