Idlewild & SoakZone improves coasters, adds ice cream treat, welcomes duck for 148th season

A familiar ride with a fresh look will greet fans of coaster thrills when Idlewild Park opens for its 148th season on Saturday.

And next month, the Ligonier Township amusement park will gain an added attraction with the arrival of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck.

Park visitors this season will see the results of work to upgrade the classic wooden Rollo Coaster. The boarding station has been fitted with a new railing, decking and handicapped-accessible ramps.

“It’s had a lot of track work done, and we’ve re-poured a lot of the concrete footers,” said Jeff Croushore, marketing manager of the family-friendly park.

Make that 3,500 pounds of new track lumber and 20,000 pounds of concrete.

The out-and-back coaster originally was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. in 1938. Updated in 2018, the coaster train carries passengers along a wooded hillside and around a sweeping curve, as they experience sudden drops and changes in acceleration.

Anticipation is building for the reopening of the park’s more modern steel coaster, expected in early June. Once it’s back up and running, park visitors will have a shorter wait to catch a ride on the Wild Mouse.

Crews are upgrading the coaster’s electrical system and sensors, which will increase its rider capacity, Croushore said.

“We used to run three mouse cars on the coaster,” he said. “Now we’ll be able to run five mouse cars. It will be an improved experience with a faster (waiting) line speed.”

Carrying up to four riders, each mouse car travels to the top of a lift before navigating turns, dips and hills on the steel track.

Idlewild’s iconic carousel, which is approaching its centennial anniversary, also has benefited from some TLC. Six of its horses are sporting fresh paint.

An earlier 1920s creation of the Philadelphia Toboggan Co., the carousel arrived at Idlewild in 1931. It’s the park’s oldest operating attraction.

Water park extends hours

Idlewild’s SoakZone Water Park will have its opening a week later, on May 24. But there will be extra time to enjoy its water attractions as the season continues.

On select Saturdays in July and August, Croushore said, the water park will remain open an extra hour — closing at 7 pm. instead of 6 p.m.

“Those are some of our busiest days,” he said.

For the first time, SoakZone will remain open past Labor Day, for a final splash on Sept. 6 and 7.

Croushore said Idlewild and SoakZone annually attract more than 300,000 visitors, which is good news for the region’s tourism industry.

“Idlewild is our summer anchor,” said Ann Nemanic, executive director of Go Laurel Highlands, which promotes tourism in Westmoreland, Somerset and Fayette counties.”We’re very lucky to have this as our key attraction in the summer.

“It provides a wonderful family experience. You definitely have that multi-generational experience that is really hard to come by.”

The park’s Story Book Forest appeals to young children, who can graduate to riding coasters as they get older, Nemanic said.

“It creates memories, and as you become a parent yourself, you want to pass along that tradition to the next generation,” she said.

While visiting Idlewild, Nemanic said, families may stay over and explore other area attractions such as nearby Fort Ligonier or Fayette County’s Laurel Caverns.

“You can unplug and reconnect with your family,” she said.

Beginning of season

Saturday’s first day at Idlewild coincides with the opening day for another popular local seasonal tradition — the Ligonier Country Market.

“Both bring visitors to Ligonier, which is wonderful for our community,” said Amy Beitel, executive director of the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We count that as the beginning of our tourism season.”

Idlewild visitors who mosey into the Hootin’ Holler Western-themed area will discover a new array of tasty fare added to the park’s menu. The Breakfast Bites & Sweet Delights stand will offer breakfast sandwiches, mini waffles and funnel cakes.

“It will serve some breakfast items all day long,” Croushore said.

The stand’s opening will mark the debut in Idlewild of a cool treat that has become a mainstay at its sister park in West Mifflin.

“The dip cone is a favorite at Kennywood,” Croushore said.

Perry’s slow-cooked ice cream gets dipped in chocolate and coated with a choice of sprinkles and crushed nuts, topped with a cherry.

Both parks, along with West Homestead’s Sandcastle water park, are among entertainment venues of Pittsburgh-based Palace Entertainment that are slated for acquisition by Atlanta-based Herschend. Herschend’s properties include Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Croushore said this week that deal has yet to be finalized.

Rubber duck attraction

The World’s Largest Rubber Duck, which towered six stories above Pittsburgh’s Allegheny River in 2013, will pay a visit to Idlewild June 27-29. This time, the big yellow fellow will stand tall on dry land — the field near the Raccoon Lagoon Kiddieland where much of the action occurs when the park hosts the annual fall Ligonier Highland Games.

“We’ll have some activities for kids, including a duck-themed dance party,” said Croushore.

Other upcoming Idlewild events:

• The park will offer free admission to military personnel and veterans, with discounted admission for military family members, during Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26.

• Neighbor Days, held weekends from July 11 to Aug. 3 in partnership with Fred Rogers Productions. The events include appearances by characters from PBS children’s shows such as “Donkey Hodie,” “Alma’s Way” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”

• Kids Fest, on weekends Aug.9-31, featuring character encounters and Wild Foam Parties.

• Hallowboo!, weekends from Sept. 13 through Oct. 26. The annual Halloween-themed kid-friendly festivities include a Trick-or-Treat Trail through Story Book Forest, mazes and re-themed rides and attractions.

Founded in 1878, Idlewild & SoakZone is the third-longest operating amusement park in the country.

Visit Idlewild.com for a calendar of park opening dates and hours and details on admission pricing and season passes.