Kennywood to reopen Friday for season pass holders, Sandcastle to open for everyone

Both amusement parks were scheduled to reopen for season pass holders and “Family and Friends Day” on July 6, but because that fell within the county’s order of no gatherings with more than 25 people, they did not reopen as planned.

However, with the health department’s new revised order for Allegheny County, gatherings are allowed of up to 50 people outside.

[ PREVIOUS STORY: Kennywood, Sandcastle postpone reopenings after health department’s order ]

Kennywood officials said there will be several new changes to adhere to the health department’s guidelines, including:

• Limiting Capacity
• Pre-Entry Temperature Checks
• Face Coverings and Personal Protective Equipment
• Social Distancing
• Adding Sanitizing Stations
• Enhancing Cleaning Measures
• Educating Guests & Team Members

The “limited capacity” change will affect each ride, pool, slide, restaurant and building at the amusement parks, according to the release.

Everyone is required to wear a mask, except for children two years old and younger. Guests can remove their masks at designated “cooling zones,” and temperature checks are required at both parks.

Sandcastle will still sell beer and mixed drinks, but there will be no alcohol sales at Kennywood. Outdoor dining and takeout food will be available.

All guests are encouraged to RSVP for the day they wish to visit, in addition to having a pre-purchased ticket or season pass. That is to allow for better social distancing inside the parks.

The Skycoaster and other attractions at both parks will remain closed, mostly because of the difficulty with social distancing and staffing. The full list of closed attractions is below:

• Skycoaster
• Noah's Ark
• Gran Prix
• Thomas Town Big Adventures Play Zone
• Steelers Experience Building
• Bayern Kurve
• End Zone Cafe
• Pedro’s

Also, hours of operation will be altered, as both parks will be closing earlier than usual.

• Kennywood: 10:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. on most nights, hours subject to change

For more information on that, CLICK HERE.

You can read the full statement from park officials below:

“Opening Day at Pittsburgh’s premier family fun parks, Kennywood Park and Sandcastle Waterpark, has been delayed twice in this strange summer of 2020. The third time will be the charm: Kennywood will open to Season Passholders on Friday, July 10, with non-Season Passholders able to visit beginning Monday, July 13. Sandcastle will open to all guests beginning July 10.

Previous opening dates in early May and on July 7 were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Kennywood and Sandcastle have implemented numerous measures following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and best practices within the amusement and attractions industries.

The most important elements of the Southwestern Pennsylvania parks’ new safety measures include:

• Limiting Capacity

• Pre-Entry Temperature Checks

• Face Coverings and Personal Protective Equipment

• Social Distancing

• Adding Sanitizing Stations

• Enhancing Cleaning Measures

• Educating Guests & Team Members

The changes will be apparent even before visiting Kennywood or Sandcastle. The parks will limit capacity not only in the parks, but on each ride, pool, slide, restaurant and building to ensure compliance with recommended social distancing standards. In order to accomplish this, all Guests are strongly encouraged to RSVP for the day they wish to visit, in addition to having a pre-purchased ticket or Season Pass. The parks will only sell tickets and Season Passes online. Walk-up sales will not be available this summer, and all sales by third parties, such as schools and community groups, will be conducted online. All Season Passholders and non-Season Passholders who previously RSVPed for visits on July 10 or later will be able to visit on those dates without making new arrangements. Season Passholders who planned to visit July 7-9 will need to schedule new visits through www.kennywood.com/rsvp or www.sandcastlewaterpark.com/rsvp.

Both Kennywood and Sandcastle announced a delay of their openings in compliance with Allegheny County’s request for voluntary stay-at-home measures from July 3 – 9.

“The health and safety of our Guests and Team Members continues to be our top priority as we work to reopen in this new environment,” said Kennywood Assistant General Manager Rob Henninger. “We strongly believe our plan and its new health and safety measures will allow people to come and enjoy the fun, safe experience we’ve been proud to provide since 1898.”

Kennywood and Sandcastle’s sister park, Idlewild & SoakZone, opened to Season Passholders on Tuesday, July 7. Idlewild opens to the general public on Saturday, July 13, with similar health and safety measures in place. For more information on each park’s specific plans, please visit the Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle websites.

To show appreciation for our patrons’ patience and support, all 2020 Season Passes purchased by June 14, 2020 include the 2021 Season as well. Given the disruptions and continuing adaptations this summer, some attractions may not be available on each park’s respective opening day, and some may remain closed all this year. Kennywood is open daily through August 25, and open weekends until November 1. Idlewild & SoakZone and Sandcastle are open daily through August 23, with Sandcastle being open on weekends until Labor Day and Idlewild through October 25.”