WEST MIFFLIN, PA — While there are no screams from the Phantom’s Revenge at the moment, there is no shortage of activity at Kennywood as the amusement park prepares for the upcoming 2024 season.
Shortly after Kenywood’s annual Holiday Lights event concluded, the giant Christmas tree was taken down and all of the Christmas-colored lights were switched back to white. Now, the sounds of power tools, forklifts and machinery have replaced the terrified shrieks of patrons of the park’s famed coasters.
Click Here: Custom Nameplates
All rides are disassembled every off-season for winter inspections. Most ride parts go to the pavilion area until being taken to the park’s maintenance shop.
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Currently, all that remains of the popular Kangaroo ride is the track. The Phantom’s Revenge coaster is getting a thorough checkup as well.
“Right now, we’re working on the Phantom train parts,” Kennywood ride technician Tanner Horneck said. “We’re making sure everything is good to go for 2024.”
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
There’s lots of other activity at the park. This year, the new Potato Patch-themed bumper cars are being prepared. The Turtle cars have been in the process of being repainted since October.
Additionally, about 10 percent of the Jack Rabbit, Racer, Thunderbolt and Old Mill’s structures are replaced annually. This year, the Thunderbolt’s first turnaround is being re-tracked. At the Racer, it’s the right lift hill and turnaround over the station. At the Jack Rabbit, the final drop. And at the Old Mill, it’s the area surrounding the scene with the former Gold Rusher train.
Kennywood has not yet formally announced an opening date for the 2024 season.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.