Although summer is not for a while for most schools and colleges, Pittsburgh’s famed Kennywood Park is hard at work preparing for the upcoming 2014 summer season.  Although the local amusement park may not be introducing a new ride or attraction, that does not mean the park doesn’t have surprises for guests come opening day on May 4.

Besides the regular offseason building upgrades or paint jobs, Kennywood has some noteworthy projects on hand for the 2014 summer season.

For the first time in over 30 years, Kennywood will have a sit-down restaurant for park guests.  The last sit-down restaurant was once located in what is now the Parkside Café.  The Parkside Café is one of two original buildings from the parks first season (1898) still standing.  The other being the original carousel building which up until last summer was home to the Carousel Food Court.  For this coming season, the building will be transformed into Johnny Rockets.  Park guests will be able to sit down in a classic looking restaurant with a menu that will include burgers, hot dogs, salads, deserts, and milk shakes.  The Johnny Rockets at Kennywood will also be host to the friendly singing and dancing staff the chain is known for.

Although the interior will be changed and the building enclosed, the restaurant will be air-conditioned.  Because Kennywood takes great pride in their own history, the exterior and structure of the former carousel building will remain the same.

Kennywood is also bringing back a unique piece of history for the upcoming season.  For the first time in fifteen years, the Thunderbolt roller coaster trains will have headlights.  The trains currently used on the Thunderbolt, were previously used on predecessor roller coaster, The Pippin.  The unique trains that look more like automobiles than roller coaster trains are extremely rare within the industry.  Due to the rides vibrations, fatigue, & maintenance issues Kennywood decided to remove the headlights after the parks 100^th season (1998).  Penn State Theme Park Engineering Group submitted a proposal to the park, which in turn was agreed upon.  The project will restore the two lead headlights with light emitting diode (LED) lighting and replace the painted “T” on the center of the train with a glowing “T.”  The new centerpiece will replace the former mars light, which used to revolve.

Once the sun sets look for the Thunderbolt to be lighting up its track as it thunders through its course!

One other minor change occurring at the park this years deals with the Phantom’s Revenge.  The park will be replacing the former bodies with new updated bodies.  These new bodies will look slightly different as they are now one solid colors rather than two colors.

On a side note, Kenny Kangaroo will celebrate his 40^th season at the park since being introduced in 1974.  2014 will also mark the 90^th year for the Kennywood direction sign, now an arrow.  The Kennywood Arrow has become an icon and symbol for the park.  To celebrate the anniversary, Kennywood will be introducing a special contest that anyone can participate in.  Upon the release of information of the contest, e sure to check Kennywood’s website and social media sites for details.

Kennywood has been Pittsburgh’s favorite summer playground for 116 years and will forever provide a way to unforgettable family fun.

A special thank you goes to Jeff Filicko, Director of Public Relations and Marie Ruby, Director of Ride Operations at Kennywood who made this article possible.

For More Information, please visit http://www.kennywood.com