We know that you might have some questions about how to plan your perfect Kennywood day. No need to worry! Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions to help you and your group make the most of your visit!
Keep in mind that an overcast day often means shorter lines and just as many thrills! Idlewild & SoakZone has detailed safety measures in place in the event of inclement weather. Safety is our top priority in everything we do, and rides and attractions can and do close if the weather conditions become poor. While most rides can operate in light/steady rain, rides will close when lightning is in the vicinity of the park. Sometimes it may look beautiful here, but if there are lightning strikes being tracked nearby, rides/attractions may close until the weather cell has moved out of range. Please know we will open attractions as quickly as possible, but will not compromise the safety of our Guests and Hosts. High winds and low temperatures can also lead to rides closing for part or all of the day.
Our Rainy Day Guarantee provides a Return Visit Ticket when the park announces closing prior to the scheduled closing time, or when a significant number of attractions in the park are closed simultaneously for a significant amount of time due to weather, power outage or other circumstances. Return Visit Tickets are only issued to those with a paid admission and a valid wristband for that date, and to receive this ticket, guests must present their valid wristband at Guest Services prior to leaving the park. (Season Passholders and comp admissions are not eligible for free return visit tickets). Recipients must then leave the park, as they will no longer have a valid wristband to enjoy attractions that day.
We strongly recommend that minors be accompanied by an adult. The park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors
The park accepts major credit cards, debit cards and electronic payments such as Apple Wallet at gates, gift shops and food stands. Cash may be converted to a Ready Credit card at various Cash-to-Card kiosks throughout the park (located at the General Store in Hootin' Holler, Emporium in Olde Idlewild and Hydro's Gift Shop in SoakZone). There is no fee to transfer cash into Ready Credit Cards and the cards are accepted anywhere that credit cards are, so if you have a remaining balance at the end of your day at Idlewild, you may use it elsewhere. Checks, Travelers Checks, Money Orders not accepted.
We offer free and convenient parking which can be found throughout the grounds. Handicap parking is available in all parking areas, but can be most commonly found in Lots A, C, D, and E.
Many of our lots look similar and there are many entrances from the lots to the park. Make everyone in your group aware of the location of your vehicle and take note of what park building/attraction, etc. you see as the first visual of entering the park. If you all discuss it, chances are it will make it easier to remember!
Idlewild & SoakZone does not use peanut oil for the cooking/frying of any food products. We do use peanuts for toppings for ice cream, in Dippin’ Dots and have peanuts at the candy store. If you have specific questions about our food options, please stop by the Guest Services and ask to speak to a Food & Beverage Manager. We'll be happy to answer your questions.
Firearms and pets are not permitted on park grounds.
Idlewild and SoakZone is licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to serve alcohol, and only alcohol sold by the park is permitted. No guest may bring alcohol onto the grounds. For events when alcohol may be served, product availability will not be marketed beyond menu signs in and around that location, and all transactions will be handled by Team Members certified through the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP). Guests purchasing beer will be required to show valid photo ID with proof of age and will be wristbanded as proof that they have been verified. Any beer and alcohol brought in from the outside is not permitted on park grounds, and will be disposed.
Some rides are restricted by height. Please see our height checking system at Guest Services.
Hand-held infants are not permitted on most rides.
Children that cannot walk independently to the ride, disabilities excluded, are considered Hand Held Infants. Most rides and attractions cannot accommodate Hand Held Infants.
Guests should review our Accessibility Guide before visiting, or stop at Guest Services for more information on rides and attractions that may be able to be enjoyed during their visit.
We strongly suggest that minors under the age of 18 be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. The parent/guardian is solely responsible for supervision of their minors. The park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors. Children are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Unless authorized in advance by Idlewild & SoakZone, all forms of solicitation are prohibited on all park grounds, to include inside Idlewild & SoakZone, at/near entrance gates, and in the parking lots. Park restrictions on solicitation include but are not limited to: panhandling, ticket reselling, ticket scalping, and product sales (such as food and water). Violation of this policy can lead to ejection from the park and/or loss of season pass.
A limited number of Strollers, Wagons, and Wheelchairs are available for rent at Guest Services (located in Hootin’ Holler behind the General Store). The park has a limited number of motorized skooters and standard “push” wheelchairs for rent. All equipment rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and require a photo ID to be held as a deposit for the duration of the rental.
Guests are not permitted to take GoPro cameras on any rides for safety reasons. Point-of-view (POV) GoPro footage from Idlewild & SoakZone must be obtained from the park, or with expressed written permission from the park. Members of the media should contact the media department regarding on-ride footage.
If you are in need of assistance with your online ticket purchases, accessing or updating your account, please call the Call center at: 412-206-4182. A friendly representative will happily help you solve any issues or answer any questions regarding online tickets and purchases.
Please visit our Passholder Perks page!
A list of Bring a Friend Days can be found on the Passholder Perks page. The Bring a Friend Days schedule is updated periodically throughout the year, so be sure to check back regularly.
To ensure ease-of-access to Idlewild & SoakZone for every member of your family, you are always welcome to bring your own strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons.
Firearms, glass bottles and pets are not permitted on park grounds. Overtly offensive clothing such as, but not limited to, clothing with hateful messages, pornography, vulgarity, illegal acts, and /or divisive political messages. Also Note: Tobacco is not sold in the park.
Wheelchairs, electric scooters, strollers and wagons are available to rent at the Main Gate Gift Shop on a first-come, first-served basis.
Idlewild & SoakZone is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged loose articles. However, if you should lose a personal item during your visit to the park, please visit Guest Services, or contact us.
NOTE: Ride operations will not and can not be interrupted during park operating hours for lost item retrieval.
Idlewild & SoakZone has developed an Accessibility Guide, available online and at Guest Services located in Hootin' Holler behind the General Store. This guide contains a wealth of information regarding our safety instructions, health and accessibility information, first aid assistance, and more. You can also inquire with the friendly staff at Guest Services for more information during your visit.
Those in need of a changing table for larger children or adults can visit the family restroom located next to the Spider ride in Olde Idlewild.
Lockers are available for a small fee at the SoakZone. Renting a locker for the day is a safe and convenient way to store your extra belongings without having to lug them around the park during your visit. You can visit your locker at anytime throughout the SoakZone operating hours to pick up your items. The Lockers close at 6:00 PM and all items must be removed at that time.
Idlewild & SoakZone is set within nature. We do not control or restrain wildlife. Wildlife exists in and around these facilities, and it can pose dangers to people. Please be aware that you may encounter the following creatures, among others: Bears, Snakes, Snapping Turtles, Swans and Geese, Bobcats, Deer, Raccoons, and Skunks. Be cautious and respectful of all wildlife. Keep your distance, do not approach animals to "shoo" them away, take pictures, or otherwise. Never disturb, startle, harass or feed animals. Wild animals are not pets. All wildlife may be dangerous, especially if harassed, cornered or threatened. You may also encounter mosquitos, bees and wasps, spiders and other insects which may sting or bite, and which may carry disease. Please notify a park manager if you have safety concerns over a wildlife issue, or if you spot dangerous wildlife on park grounds. Thank you.
Guests are permitted to bring their own picnic basket into in one of our scenic picnic groves or picnic areas aligning parking lots. Pavilions that are reserved for group events will be marked with a RESERVED sign. Any pavilion that is not reserved is open to the general public. You may claim some picnic tables within for your group, but please be courteous and share the pavilion with other parties.
Picnic baskets/coolers are not permitted within the park proper and should be kept in Pavilion and parking picnic areas only. Absolutely no glass bottles/dishes are permitted within SoakZone.
Guests may bring portable grills for use in the picnic groves only. Grilling is not permitted within a pavilion, but must be done outside of any pavilion.
Idlewild & SoakZone is a family park, and as such does not permit any overtly offensive behavior, language or clothing. This includes, but is not limited to, profanity, violence, hateful messages, pornography, vulgarity, illegal acts and/or divisive political messages.
Shoes, shirts and pants or shorts are required in all parts of Olde Idlewild, Raccoon Lagoon, Hootin' Holler, Jumpin' Jungle, Story Book Forest, Picnic Groves and Parking lots. Bikini tops and sports bras are not appropriate shirts for the duration of a Idlewild visit. Bikini bottoms are also not appropriate attire for Idlewild. If your family plans to ride the water rides, you may want to bring an extra set of clothes, because the water rides WILL get you WET! Shoes, shirts and clothing of adequate coverage are required for all rides.
In the SoakZone waterpark area only, swimsuits are permitted, but may not have any metal rivets or other pieces which can damage the slides.
We recommend comfortable, closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing to keep you warm/cool as temperatures change throughout the day. Lockers are available in SoakZone only until 6:00 pm.
Idlewild and SoakZone is a family environment that is a limited smoking facility for cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as electronic (e-cigarettes) and other electronic smoking devices. As a courtesy to our guests and for safety reasons, smoking is prohibited on park midways, eating areas, bench and lounge areas in SoakZone, all queue lines, inside any building (pavilions, restrooms), and theater seating. We ask that smokers refrain from smoking in all areas of the park except for parking lots. Management reserves the right to ask any guest to extinguish cigarettes/cigars/pipes immediately if they are not in a the designated smoking area (parking lots), and also to ask any guest to leave, without refund, for continued non-compliance.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Discuss ahead of time what to do if someone gets separated from your group. The Service Center, located near the Slush Factory at the entrance to Lost Kennywood, or the entrance to Kiddieland are great meeting places. Take note as to what your children are wearing in case you need to describe them to a Kennywood Park Security Officer. Lost children should be told to ask for assistance from a Kennywood Uniformed Employee. When our Team Members find a lost child, that child is taken to the Service Center.