Idlewild and Soak Zone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Idlewild and Soak Zone is a family oriented 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 from nearby Pittsburgh.
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[edit] 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.
As of 2006 Idlewild Park has 2nd placed in Amusement Today Magazine's Best Kid's Park award for 3 consecutive years.
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Olde Idlewild
(The rides marked in bold are the roller coasters at the park)
- Balloon Race
- Caterpillar (built 1947; there are only 3 rides like this remaining in North America, and only 2, including Idlewild's, that feature a working canopy)
- Ferris Wheel
- Merry-Go-Round (built 1931; one of the last built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company)
- Paratroopers
- Rollo Coaster - This small wooden coaster is built over the hillside. It features some small dips, a curve, and then heads back to the station. (built 1938 by Herb Schmeck; named as a Classic Coaster by American Coaster Enthusiasts)
- Mad Scrambler
- Skooters (built 1931)
- Spider
- Super Round-Up
- Tilt-a-Whirl
- Trinado
- Whip (built 1939)
- Wild Mouse - This original wild mouse coaster features mouse shaped cars that carry up to 4 riders per car. It goes up a tilted lift hill, followed by twists, drops, and quick turns.
The official site has info on every ride.
[edit] Hootin' Holler
- Confusion Hill
- Dizzy Lizzy's
- Howler (2004)
- Loyalhanna Limited Railroad (An original C.P. Huntington Model)
- Paul Bunyan's Loggin' Toboggan (2005) - This ride is the only Idlewild attraction that takes your picture during the ride. The picture is then available for purchase on your way off of the ride at the Blue Ox Photographic Gallery.
[edit] Soak Zone
- Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley (2006)
- Hydro Racers
- Hydro Soakers
- Little Squirts - Children's pool and play area
- Pipeline Plunge
- Rafter's Run
- Serpentine Slides
- Shotgun Slides
- Speed Slides
- Swimming Pool
- Tipping Bucket
- Tipping Cones
[edit] Jumpin' Jungle
- Bubbling Springs
- Alligator Swamp
- Tarzan Swing
- Jungle Phone
- Net Climb
- Flying Turtles
- Jungle Organ
- Tube Slide
- Tunnel Crawl
- Suspension Bridge
[edit] Other Attractions
- Story Book Forest: featuring model and live story book and nursery rhyme characters. Celebrating 50 years of story book memories during the 2006 season!
- 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 popular "Neighborhood of Make-Believe"
[edit] Did you know facts
1. For decades, Idlewild Park had only one roller coaster before the Wild Mouse was erected at Idlewild in 1993.
2. Idlewild's Rollo Coaster was built in 1938 by that era's leading roller coaster builder, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Wood for the ride was cut on Idlewild property. The carousel was one of the last merry-go-rounds built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, in 1931.
3. The park hosts many picnics for area groups, including labor unions and schools (such as the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit from its opening during Memorial Day weekend.
4. The tilted lift hill on Wild Mouse used to feature a spinning tunnel at its old location, Alton Towers.
5. Most of the rides spin.
6. Paratrooper is also used at Kennywood.
7. There is a Whip, like at Kennywood.
8. The children's ride area is known as Raccoon Lagoon.
9. Paul Bunyan's Loggin' Toboggan was purchased from the Old Indiana Fun Park. Ricky's Racers in Raccoon Lagoon were also purchased from this same park.
10. Seventh grade students at Wendover Middle School go to Idlewild on the Thursday before Memorial Day, and eighth grade students at Harrold Middle School has their annual trip to Idlewild Park on the Friday before Memorial Day.
11. The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit has an annual picnic at Idlewild Park on the same day Harrold has their trip.
