|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 17, 2006 13:50:44 GMT -5
There will probably be lots more discussion about the fun stuff we do in Pittsburgh over the next few months, but I wanted to post about what I learned from the group packet I got in the mail from Kennywood.
One very COOL thing to me is that there is a Kennywood/Sandcastle COMBO ticket for $22.95 per person.........that gives us one FULL day at Sandcastle water park and ANY evening after 5pm we can go to Kennywood. (5-10pm when it is cooler). We have all talked about how our kids don't always handle the heat very well, so this might be an excellent option. The waterpark lets you bring in your own food and drinks!!! Very few places let you do that!!! We could each bring our own picnic baskets, or buy food there. It has 14 slides that include speed slides, a wave pool, lazy river, hot tub, and kids area.
At Kennywood, the parking is free. The park has 31 major rides, including 5 coasters. There are 14 rides in the kiddieland section. Picnic tables are available and food can be brought in there too. There are free live shows too.
My suggestion is to arrive on Friday evening and get together to swim at the pool that night, go to Sandcastle all day Saturday, and hang out together on Sunday until it's time to go to Kennywood at 5pm. We can toss around some ideas for Monday morning.........what do you think??
The Kennywood group rates are for 20 people or more. The Sandcastle group rates are for 10 or more. All we have to do to get the group rates is to call them and let them know how many we have. Then ONE person either mails in the money for everyone or takes it to the counter the day we get there. Kids under 2 are FREE.
Here is a rundown on the pricing:
REGULAR gate price for KENNYWOOD is $28.95 per person
(kids under 46 inches tall are $18 regularly)
GROUP rate for adults is $19.50.
REGULAR gate price for SANDCASTLE is $22.95 ($10.95 for under 46 inches tall).
GROUP rate for Sandcastle is $14.50 (or $12.50 with a 2 week advance notice). The best deal is the the $22.95 all day at Sandcastle and 5-10pm Kennywood combo.
OR.........we could do the $14.50 Sandcastle plus all day at Kennywood the next day for $19.50? (total of $34.50? for the two full days?)
Opinions?
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by Jessie on Mar 17, 2006 15:06:48 GMT -5
I think the combo deal sounds like the way to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by SuziF on Mar 18, 2006 13:57:11 GMT -5
Jessie, at Kennywood only the general parking, which is the stuff up on the hill where you need to ride a skilift or escalator down to street level is free. There's a fee to park in the ground level/ handicapped lot.I believe it's $6 a car.Food at Kennywood that you birng in can only be ate in the picnic grove & can't be carried into the park thru the main gates. ~someone has to drive it to the seperate picnic grove enterance. All patrons are subjected to walking thru metal detectors to enter park. (even the kids in wheelchairs & strollers are checked with a hand held) They will go thru your backpack by hand as well.
Sandcastle really doesn't have many food options there though what it has is good~ it is sort of boardwalk stlye food booths that you walk up to. Chicken fingers, fruit cups, ice cream, etc. & I think there's one cafeteria style place which I've never set foot in. You can buy alcoholic drinks in the one are (woo-hoo ladies)
...oh & on the kids under 2 are free, it's really limited what they then will allow them on. It's a few select kiddie rides & if it hasn't changed in the last few years, you have to buy single ride tickets for stuff like the train & merry-go round, so it worked out cheaper to just buy the little ones the ride all day.
If I knew how many tickets we needed now, I could buy the group tickets when they run the presale special with my kid's school~ however, some of those tickets arn't good for Saturdays. As I recall, those are $16 up till a certain date. (I'll let everyone know if I get that flyer soon as I could get them at the local grocery store last year)
I think there's a "season" ticket availabe for around $51 as well & if you're going 3 days it 's worth it. Also, exit passes are available on site when we arrive. All I needed to show was Meri's Access card or her Handicapped Parking ID.(I think it was good for her + 3 others)
|
|
|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 19, 2006 13:31:23 GMT -5
For those of you who are going to be with us in Pittsburgh..........can you help me figure out if we want to do one FULL day at Kennywood and one FULL day at Sandcastle? Or would you prefer to do the full day at the water park and 1/2 day at Kennywood?
And..............what about Monday's activities??? I know it's early, but we can start to think about it!
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by chasesmom on Mar 19, 2006 17:50:47 GMT -5
I am voting for Saturday at sandcastle and then sunday swimming and chilling at the hotel pool and kennywood in the evening. Chase gets sick in the heat as those who have been with us know so there is no way I am spending a day at kennywood in the sun. And when do you want to do the picnic? I'll pay full price for whatever the discount is with the two for one deal. That is going to be enough for Chase.
hugs, Robin
|
|
|
|
Post by chasesmom on Mar 19, 2006 18:06:24 GMT -5
Oopps and before I forget....my vote is also cast for the wave pool that is nearby for Monday. We can pack up and check out of the hotel and head there for a few hours so the kids can run swim and play and get wore out so they sleep all the way home:D We can maybe even do our anual picnic there.
hugs, Robin
|
|
|
|
Post by alisonzmom on Mar 19, 2006 22:18:16 GMT -5
I probably won't be much help here as plans will definitely depend upon whether DH joins us or not. IF he does, I figure he can take the older girls to Sandcastle and Kennywood if it is decided to go in the evening. Alison just doesn't tolerate the heat well and forget about keeping her up much beyond 8:30pm!!! Can you say demonic possession cannot be ruled out the next day!!! And all that depends on if we are able to stay until Monday....
If he doesn't come, I will really be stuck between a rock and a hard place!!! Will have to try to juggle everybody's schedule!
Barb
|
|
|
|
Post by CC on Mar 19, 2006 23:14:58 GMT -5
K, I am thinking maybe we will just go the full price and not be part of your group rate, if thats OK  I really am one that tends to go with the flow but with Chris I also like/need to see what the day brings Hmmm is that bad being we are meeting as a group   Honestly I think Kodi Lee is coming BUT she may have a job or off on a drama camp, really not sure yet, so I don't want to plan on her till we are there. One day at the water park is GREAT for us, unless it is hot hot hot then 2 days at the water park might work  KWIM? LOLOLOL K, I know I have never been on one of these get together's and I hear it never rains LOL BUT for me I want to be free to due what works best for the day. If its nice weather one day a whole day at the amusement park could also work very well for us too. So we will just pay as we go, if thats OK Hmmm now I am sure I just HELPED tons LOLOLOL CC |
|
|
|
Post by Emilysmom on Mar 20, 2006 7:52:18 GMT -5
ROFL CC! I couldn't agree with you more...........on wanting to play it by ear. And our family can't get enough of water parks, so 2 full days there would be OK by us too! BUT, if we get close to Kennywood and don't go at all; no matter how hot it is, my kids will NOT be happy campers!!! We have lots of time to discuss this before I call Kennywood back with our numbers. No one has to commit to anything at this point.....or ever, really. We shouldn't have any problem getting the required 20 people for the group discount. I love flexibility, but I'm all about saving a buck too!!! www.kennywood.com/park_info/park_info.phpHere is the Kennywood website again. I have been reading the various areas on this site. Check out the "If it rains" section. Also, it does state that food CAN be brought into the park but it must only be enough for your own family............not for a group picnic, I guess. There are group catered meals available. If anyone wants me to check into that, I can. What does everyone think about SOUTH PARK for Monday, after we check out from the hotel? Some may want to stay even longer.........for us, it will depend on how many days Terry can get off work. Susan |
|
|
|
Post by chasesmom on Mar 20, 2006 15:55:46 GMT -5
Yes to south park please mam.
CC Agatha Ann, you dare to doubt my insisting it never rains on our eventful weekends? trust me darling...at least in OHIO it doesnt but I am very optimistic about Penn too. Tg you can take food into the park, Chase needs to graze every so often, LOL
huggers to you all,
Robin
|
|
|
|
Post by SuziF on Mar 22, 2006 17:11:10 GMT -5
...just so you gal's know, there's not alot of shade at Sandcastle
Some around the baby pool but Kennywood actually has more shade & 3 bona-fide water rides.
I've spent many a scorching day at sandcastle (they actually have misters on their sidewalks so you don't burn your feet cause it gets that bad)
South Park is great ~ we need to check into reserving a grove near the wave pool there
|
|
|
|
Post by CC on Mar 23, 2006 0:19:31 GMT -5
SUZI, K, since you know the area and the parks, you got me sold me girl ;D Kennywood and South Park seem the way to go Kennywood has water rides and regular rides, can't ask for more then that LOLOL and South Park has a wave thing A~ said so maybe the water park is not needed then, thats the idea I am getting from you, RIGHT?? I am game CC ~ |
|
|
|
Post by SuziF on Mar 23, 2006 13:28:21 GMT -5
If I had to pick 2 of the 3 I'd say yup....Kennywood has this great patio alongside a flume ride where you can stand as close as you want & get drenched or go up on the deck & just get the overspray....free attraction, then there's one of those rapids style rides for the more adventerous & a log ride. We usually do the wet rides in the day & then soak up the atmosphere at night...it's a bit like that traditional section of Kings Island was...alll the traditional rides & the kiddieland....tons of food options, plus if we want we can reserve a pavillion & a McD's, LJS & a few other fast foods just outside the parking lot.
SouthPark is huge....acres & acres with a bunch of optional park activities & the wave pool...a few grocery stores & fast food nearby, charcoal grill areas & lotsa grassy areas .
|
|
|
|
Post by joycemsoto on Mar 27, 2006 15:42:23 GMT -5
We are plannig on coming to the get together. I am having a little trouble with my computer now.
Joyce and family
|
|
|
|
Post by joycemsoto on Apr 7, 2006 19:07:40 GMT -5
Whatever everyone decides is fine with us. We like amusement parks, water parks, picnics, get-togethers, etc. Just to be able to see everyone is fine with us.
Joyce ;D
|
|
&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
I really am one that tends to go with the flow but with Chris I also like/need to see what the day brings Hmmm is that bad being we are meeting as a group 
Honestly I think Kodi Lee is coming BUT she may have a job or off on a drama camp, really not sure yet, so I don't want to plan on her till we are there. One day at the water park is GREAT for us, unless it is hot hot hot then 2 days at the water park might work 
KWIM? LOLOLOL K, I know I have never been on one of these get together's and I hear it never rains LOL BUT for me I want to be free to due what works best for the day. If its nice weather one day a whole day at the amusement park could also work very well for us too. So we will just pay as we go, if thats OK 