Idlewild and Soak Zone
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| Idlewild and Soak Zone | |
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| Location | Ligonier, Pennsylvania, United States  |
| Website | www.idlewild.com |
| Owner | Parques Reunidos |
| Opened | 1878 |
| Operating season | for 2008
May 22nd through |
| Rides | 40 total
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Idlewild and Soak Zone is a family amusement park situated near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, along US Route 30. Founded in 1878, Idlewild is the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, and the third oldest in the United States. The park was purchased by Kennywood Entertainment Company from nearby Pittsburgh, in 1983. On December 11, 2007, Kennywood Entertainment announced it would sell its parks to the Madrid-based amusement company, Parques Reunidos.
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[edit] History
On May 1, 1878, William Darlington gave Judge Thomas Mellon, owner of the Ligonier Valley Railroad, "the right and privilege to occupy his land for picnic purposes or pleasure grounds." The initial development of the site included camp sites on both sides of the railroad, an artificial lake for fishing and boating, picnic tables, and a large hall. With a station on site, the park attracted visitors from Pittsburgh, as well as the surrounding area, for a weekend in the country.
In 1931, Judge Mellon's son Richard B. Mellon, brother of Andrew Mellon, and C.C. MacDonald gained interest in the park and worked to develop the site. They oversaw the addition of pavilions, lunchrooms, bandstands, and many attractions that still stand today, including a three-row Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel. The MacDonald family purchased the park from the Mellon's in 1951. The Ligonier Valley Railroad closed in 1952, and while the railroad had been an important factor in the early success of the park, it's removal had little lasting effect. Under the MacDonald's, the park continued to expand, including the addition of Story Book Forest in 1956.
Few changes took place until the park was acquired by Kennywood Park Corporation in 1983. During the first winter, major changes began to occur. Jumpin' Jungle, a children's area, was added. Story Book Forest was no longer run as a separate operation and was incorporated with the rest of Idlewild Park. Historic Village, once located on the Ligonier side of Story Book Forest, was relocated to the center of the Park for the 1984 season, and was renamed Hootin' Holler'.
With the popularity of waterparks growing, the H20hhh Zone was added in 1985, and the Little Squirts water play area a year later. In 1989 the park expanded across the Loyalhanna Creek, with the addition of Mister Rogers Neighborhood of Make-Believe trolley ride, designed and voiced by Fred Rogers, a local children's entertainer. The area was expanded the following year to include Raccoon Lagoon, an area for children.
The 1990s brought the addition of the Wild Mouse to the Olde Idlewild area. The 21st century brought additions to the waterpark, doubling its size and leading to a new name, Idlewild and Soak Zone.
[edit] Today
Today, the park hosts many picnics for area groups, including labor unions and schools. The park is regarded as one of the best children's and family parks in the world, earning awards from Amusement Today for second-best children's park in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and fifth-best children's area in 2006 and 2007. [1]
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Olde Idlewild
- Balloon Race
- Caterpillar (1947; one of only three similar rides remaining in North America, one of two feature a working canopy, and 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)
- Paratrooper
- 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)
[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)
[edit] 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
[edit] Jumpin' Jungle
- Bubbling Springs
- Alligator Swamp
- Tarzan Swing
- Jungle Phone
- Net Climb
- Flying Turtles
- Jungle Organ
- Tube Slide
- Tunnel Crawl
- Suspension Bridge
- Bigfoot's Mudslide (2008)
[edit] 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")
[edit] Dining
[edit] Storybook Forest
- Jolly Miller
[edit] Jumpin' Jungle
- Sourdough Sam's
[edit] Hootin' Holler
- Feed Box
- Granny Annie's
- Avalanche Cafe
- Uncle Homer's Gyros
- Pacific Traders
- Dippin' Dots
- Big Zack's (Mineshaft Kitchen Food Court)
- BBQ Pit (Mineshaft Kitchen)
- Loco Roberto's (Mineshaft Kitchen
- Potato Patch (Mineshaft Kitchen)
[edit] Olde Idlewild
- Pizza Place
- Ice Cream Stand
- Dippin' Dots
- Lemonade
- Sandwich Factory
- Ye Olde Kettle Corn
- Sweet Treats
- Carousel Snackery
- The Back Porch
[edit] Soak Zone
- Big Eddie's Poolside Grill
- Dippin' Dots
[edit] Raccoon Lagoon
- Ricky's Grill
- Dippin' Dots
[edit] Sister Parks
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