| Idlewild and Soak Zone | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Ligonier, Pennsylvania, United States  |
| Website | www.idlewild.com |
| Owner | Kennywood Entertainment |
| Opened | 1878 |
| Operating season | for 2008
May 22nd through |
| Rides | 40 total
|
 Amusement Parks Portal |
|
Idlewild and Soak Zone is a family amusement park situated near Ligonier, Pennsylvania. It was founded as a picnic ground in 1878 by Judge Thomas Mellon. The park is currently owned by Kennywood Entertainment Company from nearby Pittsburgh.
Contents |
History
On May 1, 1878, William Darlington gave Judge Thomas Mellon "the right and privilege to occupy his land for picnic purposes or pleasure grounds". At this time, Judge Mellon was owner of the Ligonier Valley Railroad. Campgrounds were added to the park along the train tracks, a lake was built, and a hall was built for gatherings. The park was originally advertised as a place for churches and schools to meet, and later drew citizens of the city to Ligonier. [1]
Today
Today, the park hosts many picnics for area groups, including labor unions and schools. Flying Aces is the new attraction for 2007, replacing the Trinado. Also new for 2007 are a few new food specialties. Pasta Works located near the new ride has been renamed "The Back Porch" and will be serving Charley Biggs' Chicken 'n' Sauce along with pasta.
Attractions
Olde Idlewild
The rides marked in bold are the roller coasters at the park.
- Balloon Race
- Caterpillar (1947; there are only 3 rides like this remaining in North America, only 2, including Idlewild's, that feature a working canopy, and Idlewild's is the only one that still features an operating undercarraige fan.)
- Ferris Wheel
- Flying Aces (2007)
- Merry-Go-Round (Originally located on the Atlantic City pier, the carousel was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1931, and was one of the last merry-go-rounds built by the company.
- Paratroopers
- Rollo Coaster (Built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1938 with trees from the park.)
- Scrambler
- Skooters (1931)
- Spider
- Super Round-Up
- Tilt-a-Whirl
- Whip (1939)
- Wild Mouse (Before coming to Idlewild in 1993, the Wild Mouse was located at Alton Towers.)
Hootin' Holler
- Confusion Hill
- Dizzy Lizzy's
- Howler (2004)
- Loyalhanna Limited Railroad (An original C.P. Huntington Model)
- Paul Bunyan's Loggin' Toboggan (2005)
Dr. Hydro's Soak Zone
- Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley (2006)
- Hydro Racers
- Hydro Soakers
- Little Squirts
- Pipeline Plunge
- Rafter's Run
- Serpentine Slides
- Shotgun Slides
- Speed Slides
- Swimming Pool
- Tipping Bucket
- Tipping Cones
Jumpin' Jungle
- Bubbling Springs
- Alligator Swamp
- Tarzan Swing
- Jungle Phone
- Net Climb
- Flying Turtles
- Jungle Organ
- Tube Slide
- Tunnel Crawl
- Suspension Bridge
Other Attractions
- Story Book Forest (1956)
- Mister Rogers Neighborhood of Make-Believe (based on the popular television show of local native Fred Rogers, this themed area features a ride on a life-sized Trolley through the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe")
Dining
Storybook Forest
- Jolly Miller - Snacks, Icee
Jumpin' Jungle
- Sourdough Sam's - Panini Sandwiches, Soft Pretzels, Icee, Coffee, Cappuccino, Chips, Pepsi Beverages
Hootin' Holler
- Feed Box - Chicken Sandwiches, Gourmet and Soft Pretzels, Fried Products, Icee, Pepsi Beverages
- Granny Annie's - Funnel Cakes, Fried Oreos and Brownie Bites, Apple Fries and Waffle Dip-Sticks, Pepsi Beverages
- Avalanche Cafe - Hand-dipped Ice Cream Cones, Baked Goods, Gobs, Giant Strawberry Cream Cheese Roll, Coffee and Cappuccino, Pepsi Beverages
- Uncle Homer's Gyros - Gyros, Steak Wraps, Chips, Pepsi Beverages
- Pacific Traders - General Tso's, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Peking Chicken, Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry, Vegetarian Teriyaki, Rice, Vegetables, Egg Rolls, Aquafina and Green Tea
- Dippin' Dots - Ice Cream of the Future
- Big Zack's (Mineshaft Kitchen Food Court) - Made-to-order Panini Sandwiches, Hoagies, Deli Sandwiches, Chips, Pepsi Beverages
- BBQ Pit (Mineshaft Kitchen) - BBQ Chicken, Charbroiled Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Turkey Legs, Jumbo Charbroiled Hot Dogs, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Corn on the Cob, Potato and Cucumber Salad, Pepsi Beverages
- Loco Roberto's (Mineshaft Kitchen) - Tacos, Taco Salads, Wraps, Nachos, Chili, Fresh Lemonade, Lifesaver Icee, Pepsi Beverages
- Potato Patch (Mineshaft Kitchen) - Award Winning Fresh Cut French Fries, Toppings, Chicken Tenders, Pepsi Beverages
Olde Idlewild
- Pizza Place - Pizza, Nachos, Pepsi Beverages
- Ice Cream Stand - Soft Serve Cones, Cherry-Topped Dipped Cones, Banana Splits, Sundaes, Shakes
- Dippin' Dots - Ice Cream of the Future
- Lemonade - Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
- Sandwich Factory - Philly Steak and Chicken Sandwiches, Specialty Burgers, Hot Dogs, Corn Dogs, Fries, Pepsi Beverages
- Ye Olde Kettle Corn - Fresh Popped Kettle Corn, Bavarian Nuts, Aquafina and Green Tea
- Sweet Treats - Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Candy Apples, Homemade Fudge, Fudge Dipped Specialties, Candy, Pepsi Beverages
- Carousel Snackery - Homemade Waffle Cones with Ice Cream, Strawberries, and Whipped Topping; Funnel Cakes with Powered Sugar or Ice Cream and Strawberries, Pepsi Beverages
- The Back Porch - Charley Biggs' Chicken and Sides, Italian Pasta Dinners, Salads, Desserts, Coffee, Cappuccino, Pepsi Beverages
Soak Zone
- Big Eddie's Poolside Grill - Charbroiled Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Chicken Bites, French Fries, Pepsi Beverages
- Dippin' Dots - Ice Cream of the Future
Raccoon Lagoon
- Ricky's Grill - Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken Strip Baskets, Kid's Meals, French Fries, Soft Serve Cones, Icee, Coffee, Pepsi Beverages
- Dippin' Dots - Ice Cream of the Future
Trivia
The reason the lift hill on the wild mouse is slanted is because when the ride was located at Alton Towers, there was a spinning tunnel enclosing it. It is also the only wild mouse coaster ever built by Vekoma, as well as the first modern wild mouse coaster ever built.
Sister Parks
|
|
|---|
| Idlewild and Soak Zone | Kennywood | Lake Compounce | Sandcastle Waterpark | Story Land |
