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Idlewild Park: There's something for everyone

By STACY WOLFORD, For The Review
Friday, July 6, 2001
It sounds like a good idea -take everyone to the amusement park for a day of fun.

But how to make everyone happy? Until each child meets the height requirements to ride roller coasters and other fast paced rides, many families find themselves splitting up for the day to take their children to the appropriate sections to enjoy the amusement rides.

The answer? Idlewild Park.

Families looking to have a fun-filled day that they can spend together can have all that and more at Idlewild Park and Soak Zone.

Located in the heart of Ligonier Valley in Westmoreland County for more a century, the park has grown into one of the area's premier family amusement parks, a place where children - and grown-ups - will spend the day smiling.

Especially considering the price - all day fun passes are $18.95 for adults and children, though kids under two get in free; senior citizens over the age of 55 pay $14. That price entitles guests to all of the amusement rides and visits to Story Book Forest, Mister Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe and the Soak Zone.

Idlewild Park has all of the traditional amenities of an old fashioned amusement park, such as the 1938 "Rollo Coaster," the beautiful wooden carousel and former Kennywood Park favorites "The Whip" and "Tilt-A-Whirl in the "Olde Idlewild" section of the park.

The park also features the steel coaster known as the Wild Mouse, which gives the thrill of feeling like the cars are leaving the track.

While the park is geared toward youngsters, grownups will nevertheless enjoy the stroll down memory lane in Story Book Forest. Once run as a separate operation until Kennywood Park Corp. took ownership of Idlewild in 1983, Story Book Forest still features all of the classic fairytale figures of childhood days.

From the beloved Three Little Bears house to watching "Little Boy Blue" snooze while a real sheep frolics in the meadow, a stroll through the shady forest is a treat for all ages.

"What's great about Idlewild Park is that the whole family can enjoy it together," said Mary Lou Rosemeyer, publicity director at Kennywood and Idlewild parks.

And anyone who grew up watching Mister Rogers Neighborhood will want to take a trip to the land of make believe at Idlewild. A real trolley takes visitors through a tunnel where they visit beloved characters King Friday XIII, Owl, Henrietta Pussycat and others.

While spending the day at the park, be sure to leave plenty of time for The Soak Zone, too.

With 14 waterslides, a large swimming pool with slides, and beach space, the Soak Zone is perfect for those hot summer days.

Those with young children will enjoy the "Lil' Squirts" water play area. With interactive water sprays and an area geared just for toddlers, parents will enjoy watching their children have water fun in a safe area.

The Soak Zone experience isn't complete without trying the water slides, especially the "Pipeline Plunge" that carries one or two people on a raft down a 687-foot enclosed pipe.

Others to try out include the "Classic Serpentine Slides" featuring inner tubes, and the head-first hydro racer slides.

For grownups in need of a well-deserved break, there's the Jumpin' Jungle, a play area for kids of all ages. Racoon Lagoon also features rides designed just for kids."

Idlewild Park will host plenty of summer activities, including July 4 fireworks at 10 p.m.; Mister Rogers Neighborhood Days from July 17-20; Old Fashioned Days from July 24-27; and Carload Days from Aug. 21-24.

Park gates open at 10 a.m. For more information call 724-238-3666 or go to www.idlewild.com


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