Tom Was Here: Kennywood Park at Night - West Mifflin, PA - September 2022
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Decided to take a trip to Kennywood Park for the first time since early into the season and in my time away there’s a lot to discuss. We get into Kennywood season pass pricing, questioning the passing changing, questioning additional costs for haunts at Fall Fest and more. We also get into controversial Kennywood hot takes. In this video, I share mine. What’s yours? We meet Chuck, who started a very popular group, Kennywood Krazy, on Facebook, discuss Kennywood game prices and much more. Check it out and make sure to like, share and subscribe!
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Great video. I miss the days you could go to Kennywood before dark and get in for half price mainly to go there to eat and ride a few rides. Its ridiculous they took away military and senior discounts let alone removing weekends from the bronze pass. I most miss the old days of going to Kennywood by noon and being able to ride 30 rides before it was time to go home. Today with the lines you would be lucky to get in 12 rides. You are correct, it has transformed from a local amusement park to a national theme park.
Thank you! It seems that Kennywood is trying to piece itself out of the market, not sure how well that will fly here. It may make the park less busy as a result and then Kennywood will have to drop prices/add perks to passes to get the same people back they had before they dropped those perks. It’s an Odd approach.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam your problem is that you had them plain the bacon and cheddar fries are good
My go to food at KW is now the BBQ place and the brisket nachos, not the potato patch. Yeah it's more money but worth it. In the past I'd get fries anywhere that had the shortest line lol. I do like the new cups/drinks with the gold passes this summer. Locals complain about KW closing early among other things,so I would point out that Hershey Park closed early ALL summer. Closed at 8pm on a Sunday in late June when I was there and Waldameer was open 6 days a week, not 7. I also went to Cedar point twice. they rely on foreign workers and they were back this summer as they had staffing issues past 2 summers. One thing I noticed at CP was the constant ride closures. I can guess that many of these parks are still short-staffed in all areas and not quite recovered from covid so of course prices will increase while quality may have gone down. All the parks I mentioned are now cashless too.
The BBQ place is pretty good! Yeah I just don’t see why people go to the Patch especially with a long line. Yeah I don’t fault them for closing earlier as that seems to be what everyone is doing. Good to know that other parks were doing it too. It’s not just a Kennywood thing. Yeah I actually forgot about the cashless thing until I went to play a game. Wonder why they are doing that.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam they have all gone cashless. I mentioned earlier, waldameer has been cashless for years now. Hershey and cedar point(all Cedar Fair) went cashless recently. Even the hotels at CP are cashless (we stayed at the breakers). I read that it makes the lines shorter but I also think it saves them time, and not dealing with cash is probably much easier for these parks. Also most venues here are cashless now such as PPG, PNC park, and Heinz field . Sign of the times I guess.
Yeah I think it’s the new way of the world, apparently making change takes too long so they just remove it altogether. I get the reasoning.
I actually like the direction Kennywood's going. Which is funny considering 10 years ago, I had the same thoughts you had.
So it’s not an issue with Kennywood trying to grow or expand or theme, but it’s an issue that they are charging more but removing attractions and rides. You can charge more easily when you add a bunch of stuff, but when you remove things and charge more, it falls flat.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam And because of that, they're probably going to get some of the old rides back that have been taken out of service the past two years. The Kangaroo has come back, and there might be hints of something returning next year as well as something new based on reported leaks.
I haven’t been at kennywood in years I’ve had no desire
I get it. They are making some improvements but there’s still those issues as well.
Understandable.
I didn’t know if it was because I had such high expectations but when I tried the potato patch fries it was a top 5 most disappointing food experiences I have ever had. They had the same taste and texture as school cafeteria fries…and I waited 45 minutes for them.
I understand that - hype will ruin anything if the product doesn’t deliver. It’s just not worth the hype and reputation that they have. I appreciate you putting your name to this as I have. Good to know I’m not alone.
I do believe I read some place that the new haunted attraction the top pass holders like platinum & Gold passholders got into that for free. I agree with you on the potato patch fries. I do not like soggy fries.
I think it did say something about the first few nights those passholers would get it free, but I just don't understand why they are charging more at all. The ticket price for that event alone should be enough. Also, thanks for your support on the Patch thing. I just don't understand the hype at all.
I totally agree with you! Kennywood has gone in the direction of a theme park, something like six flags/cedar fair/disney, rather than an amusement park like Waldameer or Knoebels. The bronze passes for next season are crazy, they aren't exactly cheap, but the benefits sure are! It might be the park's way of trying to keep crowds down on weekends though, just force the bronze passholders to only go on weekdays. Personally, my family is on the fence about renewing our gold passes due to the jump in price and cutback on the perks. I totally get prices going up, but knocking down the perks at the same time isn't the best move. Potato patch to me isn't bad, but it isn't worth it for the portion size. I do not eat much at all but one thing of fry's at the park cannot even fill me anymore. As for the mAlice haunt, I have heard that it is outsourced so that's probably why it is an upcharge. Fall fest is a good event if you are a passholder. I can go and only get 3 or 4 rides and it doesn't bother me, but I've had friends absolutely jacked because they paid for a ticket and only got to do 1 haunt and 1 ride all night.
The problem with them going in a theme park direction is they don’t have the same attractions a theme park has, not even close. The bronze passes changed are strange to me, they should want the park always busy. So you can make money on food, games, etc. Also charging more and giving less perks if a silly approach to keep the customers happy, especially when you are not opening any new rides or attractions. The Patch has just never done it for me and I don’t understand the reputation but to each its own. I liked Fall Fest at first but now that I’ve been to bunch of haunts in the area, a lot of Kennywood haunts feel inferior in almost every way. A local farm goes all out and makes Most of Kennywood starting haunts look like a joke. It’s probably a great event for rides though! I’ll still go because I like it, but they need to step up their game, and charging for new haunts isn’t the way!
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam Personally, I think they may be going in a Six Flags direction. Six flags has essentially priced out the lower and middle class and made their parks not as busy. But, the way they see it, their parks are full of guests who don't mind dropping a ton of money at the park, they would rather have those kinds of guests and a not packed park than a packed park with guests on a budget. Doesn't make sense to me, but it seems like many parks area going in that direction, including kennywood.
I can see that reasoning but Kennywood hasn’t reached the destination status that a Six Flags is just yet. They have a plan I’m sure but they are putting the cart before the horse. You have to add the rides and attractions and then you can make these sweeping cost changes.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam fishpond is always closed I go there every week and just raised prices to 10:00
The games are from a outside company that is why not a lot of people play them cause word that I had gotten is they have to make a certain amount of money and they will stay
It’s an off thing to outsource these. Also that’s an outside company thinking that people would pay that amount for games. So it’s good to see that most people are not.
Spot on! It’s sad that KW has purposely alienated many demographics (senior citizens). I’m sad that a beloved ‘amusement park’ has turned into a money grabbing ‘theme park’.
It’s very confusing to me! I just don’t see what there is to gain by removing senior and military passes. Not only is it good will, but they will spend money at the park. Just a confusing approach. Glad I’m not alone in that thought!
Steelers experience not opening yet
They won't be opening it. They are making the building a haunt for Phantom Fall Fest. Not sure if they have any plans after that for the building, but they announced that the Steelers Experience was being scrapped.
I think it was a legal logistics issue. Imagine if you ran a 40 yard dash and tore your ACL, you could sue the park for that. Problem there is that the Steelers can’t be happy with what’s going on there. It’s so empty. The restaurant is always closed, they don’t have games over there. It should be packed with stuff.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam KW also doesn't advertise that restaurant in the Steelers area enough either. Last time I was there on a Friday the park was packed on a hot day. Yet I sat in that area and had empty tables all around me. The restaurant has AC, yet a few people were inside. It did close early. The only foot traffic is from those riding the SC. They need to put something there that draws more than just SC riders.
@@beckymossor5284 Do you know anything about what might be going on there? Also, what are the plans for the old 4D theater building? Have they scrapped any plans of reopening the 4D theater?
@@danielfoster3642 they are making it a haunt for Phantom Fall Fest. The theater is not going to be a theater anymore as far as I know. I heard that it's a locker room for the employees and a changing room for scare actors.
It was awesome meeting you. I am glad you got your button. I agree with you when it comes to the bronze pass though
Nice to meet you too, and yeah Its where people may not renew because of those changes and it’s going to hurt the park.
Next year I hope kennywood chases a little bit especially with lowering the game prices a bit and dealing with bronze passes since now it will be just on the weekdays next year and free parking near the escolator, I love kennywood but I am not a big fan of what they are doing and to there guests.
It seems they want to improve the park which is good, but making the guests pay more for less isn’t the way to do it. It’s a mistake on their part.
thinking about moving to mifflin....is it a good place to live
Yeah go for it! It’s pretty big so choose your area wisely.
I disagree on lots of these statements! I think Phantom Fall Fest is amazing and top notch not to mention it have always been rated as one of the best! Also not to mention Kennywood at least still gives you 5 free haunts others now Charge you for all the haunts and not include any with addmsion, so kennywood is still better! Also Kennywood is a amusement park not a theme park the prices are not that crazy other amusement parks still cost a lot more The potato Patch fries are fresh cut fries, with amazing cheese and bacon I have had those same toppings on other types of fries and they don't taste as good as the potato patch! Idk why some people want the log jammer over the curtain for me Curtain is infinity better than the log jammer could ever wish to be! Also Yes the steers Experience building is where the new haunt will be. I Love the current passes we never got a suvonior cup before let alone free refills, and unlimited admission to Fall Fest the best halloween event, and holiday Lights its great! I don't mind the passes at all there was some tiny downgrades from last year but its not that bad, and for the bronze I feel like its better than black out dates and it could help the park be busier on there least busiest days of those week days.
That’s ok and understandable! I have no problem with you or others disagreeing! I have my opinion and you certainly have the right to share yours as well. I’ve gone to a ton of haunts over the past few years and I can tell you in my opinon that Kennywood is getting beat in terms of haunt quality and overall experience by a bunch of haunts in the area. Also, it’s not really 5 free haunts, it’s 5 included with admission. Problem is that it used to be 8. Mortem manor and the experiment one that used to be by Steelers country, also the Ark was included in admission before. So they took 3 away and are charging more. That’s an issue. Kennywood definitely is an amusement park, but they want to be a theme park. For me the patch comes down to personal preference, I don’t like that type of fry. As far as the passes, charging more and giving people less isn’t a good look. It’s also a problem when they have removed more rides and not added any. I just don’t see how it benefits them. As you stated it might be less crowded, but I don’t think that’s what they want.
So basically you like how prices are high and your happy with that smh 🤦🏼♂️
Thank you Jason. Kennywood is definitely improving over the last five years.
I do disagree with you on the french fries. Potato patch fries are real potato just sliced and fried the way they are meant to be. Because there is so much substance to fresh potatoes some will appear soggy. The other "fries" you mention are frozen, hydronated, chemically induced potato parts that definitely will get crispy. But besides being crispy its hardly a real potato. Long story short, I would prefer a real potato fried over all the hydronated oils and other substances they put on those other "fries." There is a reason they are half the price.
This is a fair point. Admittedly I’m a fan of foods I affectionately call “dirt” food. Cheap, tastes good, but hardly real by any stretch so I could be a bad judge. Problem for me is that they are expensive, lack flavor and are soggy. A place like Five Guys used real Potatoes, are more soggy than crispy but they are delicious.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam I hear you. Sometimes the best pizza is the frozen cardboard kind and you cant explain why
I have too many because I care too much. lol Start using peanut oil for the fries at the potato patch only , so people can enjoy the REAL potato patch fries, is only one small gripe. Peanut oil makes them so they do not get soggy. When they switched off of peanut oil they ruined it.
Kennywood outsourced the games.
I can understand this, I only criticize Kennywood because I want them to be better. I agree Peanut oil would make the fries way better. The outsourcing of the games priced them way out of the market for most people.
@@TomWasHereOnUA-cam I agree. I love Kennywood and I only gripe because I want them to be better, last another 100 years, and hold on to some of the tradition and individuality they had. New coasters are great but there's other things that they don't consider that matter to the people that go to that park the most. Like senior citizens that just like to take their grandkids (i believe you mention that in one of your videos)
Right! I don’t gripe about Kennywood just to gripe about them. I want them to be better. But…them losing senior passes is strange. It doesn’t benefit them it seems. They can make minor changes that would have major improvements.
It's because it's not owned by Americans anymore.
Definitely having owners from the area was for more of a traditional park whereas Kennywood these days set their prices based on outside groups that have no concept of Pittsburgh at all.