Parks are quietly adding opening dates.

Amusement parks are quietly adding opening dates and times online.  

While most amusement parks don't rate the attention Disney and Universal collect, you would still expect some kind of notice about them reopening after COVID19. However, you'd be wrong.

 It seems amusement and theme parks across the east coast are quietly updating their websites to show opening dates and hours without a big to-do. We've been keeping an eye on things and it seems this week, dates and times are appearing on websites with little or no fanfare.

Just today we discovered the following have opening dates:

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: June 25th.
Kennywood: July 1st.
Idlewild Park: July 3rd.
Waldameer Park: June 22nd.
Dollywood: June 15th
Knoebels: July 3rd.


Ceder Fair parks still show no opening dates, but it has been discussed about Carowinds reopening soon (July 27th) according to various news articles. This would put Cedar Fair behind the eight ball of collecting what is left of the 2020 season.

Seaworld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa have also dropped opening dates in the last few days, with both parks set to open to the public again on June 11th.

Please note, all these parks will have limited capacity and various ticket rules. Plan accordingly by seeing what rules each park has and if they require a reservation system, ticket sales rules and modified hours.

Steel Curtain June Update

Hello readers,

Sorry it's been a minute since I've updated about Steel Curtain; life just got in the way. So there has been quite a lot of progress on the build for Steel Curtain and the trains have arrived as well.  The seats are shaped like footballs; because the whole football theme going on with Steelers Country.  So I'll start with pictures of the seats for everyone since that's where I have some issues:

As you can see the seats are shaped like footballs and...well...they look SUPER uncomfortable.  Seriously who thought it was a good idea to put thigh holders on roller coaster seats! Besides having the crotch holder on the seat (because I can't think of another thing to call it) there are also the thigh holders on the lap bars too.  Like, I get the safety but if you've never sat in one of those let me tell why it sucks ass: if you have thighs that are bigger than, well, a stick which most people do unless you're a teenager then those lap belts are squeeze you in there.  The last time I rode a coaster with thigh huggers, I definitely bruised on my sides so I am not looking forward to that again.

Other than my unhappiness with the seats the rest of the ride is coming together nicely.  I am excited to see the finish project and ride the coaster.  Here are the most recent pictures posted by Kennywood:

 

 

 These pictures look amazing and make me excited for the ride.  The only downside is that Kennywood has not updated their website with an official opening date; it still says Summer 2019.

These pictures were from just last week on Flag Day.

As you can see from the above picture the coaster is nearing completion with only a little bit left to complete before the ride opens.  I do wish that Kennywood would announce an opening date already; like how are we supposed to plan to visit, haha?





While it may seem like that on occasion I am not excited for Steel Curtain; I really am.  I am just not looking forward to the headache all those twists and flips and turns are going to give me.  Kennywood has needed some new blood in the park for awhile because Sky Coaster is really nothing to write home about and so far this year it seem to be down for repairs.

I am hoping that by the next I write everyone Steel Curtain will have an opening date.

Until then!!!

Kennywood- Steel Curtain Update 4/16/19

Hello Fellow Readers!!!

I am here with the monthly update and pictures for Steel Curtain out in Kennywood.  So at this point the dive loop and banana roll are up and completed (see pictures below).  All the pictures are from Kennywood's Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

 






I love how Kennywood included the bridge in the ride so to speak.  It just adds that little bit of extra so the environment.

So as of right now opening day for Kennywood is May 4th and Steel Curtain doesn't have an official opening day just Summer 2019.

There really isn't much more to added this evening so I shall make this the end and see everyone at the next update!!

Kennywood Park-Steel Curtain update

Hello lovelies!!!!


Quick update for everyone regarding Steel Curtain at Kennywood Park.  This week the construction crews installed its tallest piece!!!  Kennywood marked the occasion with a video on their Facebook page:

Topping out at 220 feet you can see the rest of the beauty that is the park and it is quite beautiful; sitting right next to the Mon, or well the Monongahela River to everyone else.

I also have grabbed a few more pictures from Kennywood's Facebook page showing more fun construction bits.

 

 

 

  

My favorite part is seeing construction moving along through the weird weather that is Pittsburgh, haha.  It finally seems to be leveling out weather wise here in Pittsburgh so construction should move along at a continuous pace.

I will make sure to update as more pictures and information as soon as I find more out.

Later readers!!

Steel Curtain Update 2/26/19

Hello my peeps!!!

Scratch that, I should never say that again.

I hope that this month has been kind to every single one of you because it's been pretty nice to us here at ISI.  I've got an update for everyone on Kennywood's Steel Curtain; it looks like construction is going at a nice rate over in Homestead/West Mifflin area.  I've pulled some photos from Kennywood's facebook page for everyone to view.

As you can see the building is coming along nicely; especially considering the weird ass weather we've been having here in Pittsburgh these last couple of weeks.  There are just about 10 weeks until Kennywood's opening day on May 4, 2019 for the general public and based on statements made on their Facebook page Steel Curtain is still expected to be under construction.  As much as all those twists and turns are going to screw with my stomach I am still excited to ride this. 

My favorite picture is the long one which was taken from the top of the Racer, but I am bias since the Racer is my favorite coaster in Kennywood.  Hopefully one or two of these pictures is a favorite for you lovely readers out there.

That's my small update for today folks and as more pictures come around I'll be sure to make up another update.

Have a wonderful night readers!!

The Steel Curtain - Record Breaking Coaster at Kennywood Park

Hello again all!!!

I am writing from the frozen depths of Pittsburgh; okay maybe not frozen but pretty darn close if I say so myself.

Speaking of Pittsburgh; Kennywood Park is opening it's newest attraction in Summer 2019!!  Now, I truly enjoy going to Kennywood during the summer season because it's still one of those nice parks where even if you don't ride, walking around is fun.

Onto the new bit though THE STEEL CURTAIN

This coaster will be located in the newest additional of the park, aptly named Steelers Country.  This is a nod to our hometown football team The Pittsburgh Steelers and the name of the coaster is a nod to the nickname of the 1970s defensive line.  Honestly, this city LOVES the football team.

So on to some STATS on this new construction coaster:

Height: 220'

Max Speed: 76 mph/122 kph

Time: 2 minutes

Trains: 2 trains with 6 cars equaling 24 riders

Track: 4,000 ft of track

Inversions: 9

Lift Angle: 50 degrees

Manufactuer: S&S - Sansei Technologies

Kennywood is no stranger to record-holding. Now they will claim a few more for my hometown park. This new coaster will break 3 records, including a world record. 

1: Pennsylvania State Record for Tallest Roller Coaster

2: North American Record for Most Inversions

3: World Record for Tallest Inversion

Pretty darn impressive for my little hometown park if I do say so myself.  This new area will be located at the back of the park where the Log Jammer used to be near the Aero 360 picnic groves.  It's not far from the main entrance and should be visible from there especially considering the height.

Onto the picture bit!!  Kennywood's Facebook has released quite a number of pictures showing what the area will look like plus how construction is moving along; which isn't bad considering the weird winter we've had here.

 
 

 

 

 

As you can see the construction is moving right along at a nice pace.  We've also got the ride video that Kennywood put together via YouTube.

This looks like it'll be a pretty nice ride and hopefully Kennywood will keep up with the maintenance needed so the ride stays smooth over the years; especially with the winters we get.

Since I am a huge fan of Kennywood Park I truly love seeing them updating and staying relevant with the bigger parks.  I am excited to ride The Steel Curtain, even though all those twists will probably mess with my stomach (I'm weird like that).