Idlewild and SoakZone

As the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, Idlewild has been entertaining generations of families since it was founded as a camping ground in 1878.

It is predominantly a children's park aimed at the under-12s, and has won many awards including being named the world's best children's park by Amusement Today at the Golden Ticket Awards in 2010.

Idlewild features a number of classic rides alongside a large waterpark and a Story Book Forest that retells classic fairytales with lifesize models and several live actors.

The park's 1938 Rollo Coaster wooden rollercoaster from PTC is an ACE Coaster Classic and has recently been refurbished. This operates alongside Wild Mouse, a Vekoma Wild Mouse originally from Wiener Prater which spent several years at Alton Towers as Alton Mouse in the late 1980s end early 90s.

Other highlights amongst Idlewild's ride collection include an increasingly rare 1947 Caterpillar, a Whip built in 1939, and one of the last operating Tumble Bug rides in the world.

For much of its history, Idlewild was owned by the wealthy Mellon family from Pittsburgh. In 1983 it was sold to Kennywood Entertainment Company, owners of Kennywood. The Kennywood Entertainment Company was subsequently purchased in 2008 by the Spanish amusement park company Parques Reunidos who now operate Idlewild under their American subsidiary Palace Entertainment.

Set amongst shady trees, with plenty of attractions to explore and a calm friendly atmosphere, Idlewild is more than worth a few hours visit. With seven themed lands to explore and the Loyalhanna Creek flowing through the middle of the site, it is easy to lose yourself in the surroundings ... and miss things, so be sure to check the park map!

Attractions