‘King Kahuna’ looks rather tame – until it begins to spin in circles
WEST MIFFLIN – The newest ride at Kennywood Park this season looks rather tame – when it’s not in motion, that is. The “King Kahuna,” the centerpiece of a renovated section of the park named Volcano Valley, is the attraction to see this season as the park opened the last weekend in April and will be open daily beginning Friday, May 9.
Not only does the ride spin in a complete circle, but the gondola platform spins in several different ways. And later this summer, riders will get a watery surprise during their trip.
“We try to have something new every year, and it’s not always a big ride every year, but this is a pretty good one,” said Mary Lou Rosemeyer, Kennywood’s director of public relations.
Rosemeyer said she had her first sneak peek at the new ride at Kennywood’s sister park, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn.
As soon as she saw “King Kahuna,” at Lake Compounce, Rosemeyer said she knew that it would be a hit in western Pennsylvania.
New steaming volcanoes, palm trees and some renovations to the formerly known Enterprise are all part of the new section of the park, located near the entrance to Phantom’s Revenge. The Enterprise is now named Volcano, with the ride painted orange and steaming volcanoes and simulated lava and ash adorning the perimeter of the machine.
Rosemeyer said another new addition, the Ham on Rye theater, will have everyone talking. The virtual reality theater allows 10 people to participate at once in a computer-animated competition. Each player has their own headset to participate in the event and also communicate with other players and the live performer who leads the game.
“People are competing with themselves and talking to each other,” she said. “We think it’s going to be very exciting.”
Getting a sneak peek at Kennywood’s newest ride were Rick and Sue Davis, co-founders of Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts, from Vienna, Ohio. They said the 90-minute drive was worth it to see the newest ride, but they often make the drive to West Mifflin several times a year to take in all that Kennywood has to offer.
Versions of the “King Kahuna” have been seen at Kings Island and Six Flags parks in Ohio, they said, noting that they didn’t pass up the opportunity to try Kennywood’s latest addition when they had the chance.
Though they are darkride and funhouse aficionados, the Davises raved about the park’s newest ride and the park in general. During a recent survey of its 280 members worldwide, Kennywood had four of the top 10 darkrides in the country. Rick Davis said Kennywood is the last park in America that has a Noah’s Ark, which was renovated in 1996. Some of the group’s other favorites include the Gold Rusher, Old Mill and the Exterminator.
“This is a perfect park. You couldn’t ask for a better place,” he said. “It has the traditional rides, plus the thrill rides.”
Not to mention all that food.
This year, the park is adding several new items to its ever-expanding menu, including Deep Fried Oreos, which is described as a funnel cake wrapped around an Oreo. The snack has been a carnival favorite for years, but will make its Kennywood debut this season.
Other new food items this year include curly garlic fries, gourmet Italian ice, jalapeno stuffed pretzels and Ben & Jerry’s novelty bars for people to enjoy in between rides and games.
Kennywood will also celebrate comic cat Garfield’s 25th birthday throughout the season and the Kennywood Band will allow people to sing “Happy Birthday” to him every day that the park is open in 2003.
It’s going to be a very busy season at Kennywood, with hopefully large crowds and perfect park weather, Rosemeyer said.
“We have a lot new this year on top of our usual attractions,” she said. “We’re expecting a really good season. It’s going to be a great year.”
Kennywood opens daily for the season Friday, May 9, through Labor Day, Sept. 1. A bonus weekend is scheduled for Sept. 6 and 7. For more information or ticket prices, log onto www.kennywood.com or call 412-461-0500.