by Janet Jonus
Idlewild Park is a hidden gem tucked into the LaurelHighlands in between Latrobe and Ligonier Pennsylvania. Idlewild has been named“Best Children’s Amusement Park” by AmusementToday. In contrast to Kennywood, Idlewild is a smaller, quieter, calmerpark with plenty of rides and attractions. It has a waterpark called Soak Zone and lots ofgreen space.
History
Idlewild Park started as a campground along the LigonierValley Railroad run by Thomas Mellon. Pittsburghers flocked to the park to getaway from the dirt and noise of the city. Throughout the years, the Mellonfamily expanded the park adding lakes for fishing and canoeing, and buildingsincluding dining halls, dance halls, and an amphitheater. By 1890, the park wasso popular that the trains arrived with people hanging off the outside andsitting on the tops.
Idlewild added a steam carousel in 1896. In 1931 electricitywas brought to the park and electrical rides soon followed. The Park continuedto expand even after the railroad closed in 1952 because the Lincoln Highway,America’s first coast-to-coast highway, went right past the front gate. New rides were added. Kiddieland opened in1956. In 1983, Kennywood Park Corporation bought Idlewild and expanded it.Storybook Forest became a part of the Park. Jumpin’ Jungle and Hootin’Hollerwere built. A waterpark was added in 1985. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood openedin 1989 and Raccoon Lagoon, a new Kiddieland, opened in 1990.
Idlewild Park
Idlewild Park and Soak Zone meanders along Loyalhanna Creek.Storybook Forest is a fairy-taleland of life-size replicas from favorite fairytales, fables, and nurseryrhymes. Babies and Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Kids are the target forStoryBook Forest. (FamilyFunMom loved playing in the cheese when she was achild. Storybook Forest has been around for a long time!)
Jumpin’ Jungle isa large play area for Preschoolers, Kids, and Tweens. There is a large ballpit, an even larger climbing net tower, a net tunnel, a giant slide, a pipeorgan, and (the FamilyFunKid favorite) the floating balls. (The floating ballsare pipes blasting air. Kids balance balls in the air stream. It is a simpleidea and a lot of fun.)
Hootin’ Holler isthemed as an Old-West village. There is a small, charming log flume ride, theHowler, and one of the stops to the Loyalhanna Limited Railroad. Confusion Hillis a hosted, walk-through with optical illusions galore. Hootin’ Holler is hometo the Mineshaft Kitchen, the largest food area in the entire park. MineshaftKitchen serves Potato Patch French Fries, the Schwinery Barbeque, a taco stand,and a sandwich and salad stand.
Olde Idlewild ishome to most of the main rides. The Wild Mouse and the Rollo Coaster are hereas well as the classic Carousel. Other rides are the Balloon Race, theParatrooper, the Ferris Wheel, bumper cars, the scrambler, the Tilt-a-Whirl,the Super Round-Up, the Flying Aces, and the Spider. In case you get hungry,there is a burger, hot dog, and sandwich stand, an ice cream stand, a funnelcake stand, a pizza stand, and a small candy shop.
Raccoon Lagoon isthe Kiddieland area, across the Loyalhanna Creek. There are 13 rides for littlekids but the real highlight is Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, based on thepopular PBS children’s show by Fred Rogers Productions. There is a food standhere too. The Loyalhanna Railroad stops in Raccoon Lagoon.
Soak Zone is atthe far end of the Park. This large waterpark has a wave pool, body slides,tube slides, a lazy river, a kid’s slide and spray area (best for kids andtweens), and a little kids pool and play area. There are hot, crowded changingrooms and even hotter family changing rooms. There is also a gift shop thatcarries bathing suits, swim gear, and sunscreen. A small food stand offerspizza, burgers, and fries. Many people come to Idlewild to spend the day atSoakZone until it closes at 600PM and then head into the park to ride for thelast two hours.
The Season
Idlewild opens for its 142nd Season on May 18thand 19th (Soak Zone won’t open until May 25th).
Idlewild Park CelebratesMemorial Day May 25, 26, 27. Tour a Civil War encampment and watch a battlereenactment. Military members get in for free. Everyone else can save $6.00 perticket by bringing a canned food item for a Food bank donation.
Run the Memorial Day5K on May 27th. This FamilyFun 5K can be run (or walked) by theentire family. Strollers are welcome too.
June 16th is FirstResponders Day. See emergency vehicles on display. First Responders (withvalid ID) get in for free and family members get a discount.
Celebrate Father’s Day with the Father’s Day Flop on June 16th. There will be specialactivities and discounts.
Meet Peg + Cat atthe Hillside Theater all day long June 17-21. Peg + Cat from the hit PBS showwill be at Idlewild all week long.
June 20 and 21 is the Antiqueand Classic Car Show. Cars will be on display in Parking Lot C. There is anightly parade at 600PM.
June 24-30 isIdlewild’s Annual Showcase of Stars. Watch the area’s best performers inshows all day long at the Hillside Theater.
Play and swim all day and then stay for the Fireworks showat 930PM for Fourth of July.
It’s Daniel TigerDays at Idlewild July 8-12. Meet Daniel Tiger and his Friends KaterniaKittycat, O the Owl, Miss Elaina , and Prince Wednesday from Daniel Tiger’sNeighborhood.
Meet The Very HungryCaterpillar July 15-19 all day long at the Hillside Theater.
July 17th is TwinsDay. Everyone in the car with twins gets in on a BOGO plus there are twinactivities at 200PM at the Hillside Theater.
It’s Christmas InJuly! Santa comes to Idlewild on July 19th.
Princesses in thePark is July 23-25. Meet and take pictures with your favorite Princessesall day long.
Jet Propulsion from ReadyJet Go! is at Idlewild Park on July 29-August 2 for meet and greets all daylong.
Italian Day Festais August 9th with food from La Cucina and fireworks at 930PM.
Close out the Summer Season at Idlewild during Daniel Tiger’s Fall Festival. MeetDaniel Tiger and his Friends Katernia Kittycat, O the Owl, Miss Elaina , andPrince Wednesday from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
The Fall brings the AnnualLigonier Highland Games on September 14th and 215th.The Park is closed but you can watch the Highland Clans compete in ScottishGames.
Enjoy Oktoberfestat Idlewild Park September 22 and 23.
Idlewild Park’s popular Halloween celebration HALLOWBOO runs October 5,6,12,13,19,20,and 26,27. Head out to Idlewild for this FamilyFunFavorite!
The Basics
Idlewild Park and Soak Zone opens daily on May 31 throughAugust 18th. The Park opens at 1030AM daily and closes at 800PM butthere are progressives closures throughout the evening. Generally speaking,Storybook Forest will close at 500PM, Jumpin’ Jungle will close at 500 or600PM, Hootin’ Holler will close at 700PM, and Olde Idlewild will close at800PM. (Closing times may vary.) Soak Zone is open daily from Memorial Daythrough August 18th from 1130AM to 600PM. Idlewild and Soak Zone areopen Labor Day Weekend. Idlewild but not Soak Zone is open September 7 and 8for Daniel Tiger’s Fall Fest from 1130AM through 600PM with Limited Operationsand availability of rides, food, and games. Idlewild and Soak Zone can havelimited operations near the end of summer and on some weekdays when certainrides, food stands, and games open late depending on staffing levels.
Admission to Idlewild includes admission to Soak Zone (whenit is open). Buy tickets online fora discount off of gate prices. All prices are base rate plus taxes and fees. Onlineprices are: Adult Funday (3-59) $44.99, Senior Funday (60+) $28.99, Military Funday(with valid ID) $27.99, Late Day Funday (after 300PM for everyone 3+) $23.99,Seven Day Advanced Purchase (age 3-59) $40.99. A Family Four Pack Funday is$146.99. Kids 2 and under are FREE.
Gate prices are Adults(3-59) are $44.99 weekdays and $46.99 weekends. Senior Gate prices (60+) are$32.99.
Season Passes areavailable. Idlewild has the “Any Buddy” Pass for $149.99. This Pass allows thePassholder to bring a Buddy with them any day of the season. The Pass includesthe Summer Season, Fall Fest, and Hallowboo plus many perks. The Premium Passis $99.99 and includes five Buddy Passes and entry during the Summer Season,Fall Fest, and Hallowboo plus extra perks. The Gold Pass ($79.99) includesentry during the Summer Season, Fall Fest, and Hallowboo plus perks. The SummerPass includes entry to Idlewild’s Summer Season only. The Senior Pass (age 60+)costs $49.99 and includes entry for the Summer Season, Fall Fest, and Hallowbooplus some perks. The Mitiatry Pass (valid ID required) costs $49.99 andincludes entry for the Summer Season, Fall Fest, and Hallowboo plus some perks.Some Season Passes are currently available for 3Pay. Spread your payments out over three months with a validcredit card. You can gain entry to Idlewild after the first payment is made.
Idlewild is also offering the PA Pass with admission through the end of 2019 for four PA Parks –Idlewild and Soak Zone, Sandcastle, Kennywood, and Dutch Wonderland. The Passis $199.99 per person.
Idlewild also has the SummerDining Pass. The Pass entitles the Passholder to two meals and one snackper visit. The Pass is only good for season passholders. It can only be usedduring the Summer Season. There are other restrictions. The Summer Dining Pass is$89.99 plus taxes and fees.
Idlewild Park is located on Route 30, about 50 miles outsideof Pittsburgh between Latrobe and Ligonier. Admission is handled in your carupon entry. Admissions can get backed up on busy days. If you are using yourseason pass for the first time, you will be able to get into Idlewild but youwill have to have your Pass processed at customer service in Hootin’ Hollerafter you enter the Park. Parking is Free and stretches the length of the Park.Most people park closest to their target location. If you are heading toStorybook Forest or Jumpin’ Jungle, parking areas A and B. Lots C and D arebest for the rides. There is parking nearer to Soak Zone, past all of the otherparking lots. Handicap Parking is in Lots A,C,D,E. One warning about Parking,entry to Idlewild is one-way. If you drive past your parking lot, you cannot goback to it.
Idlewild Park: 2574 Route 30, Ligonier PA 15658 / 724-238-3666 / https://www.idlewild.com/
