Kennywood Offering Sleek New Ride, Park Enhancements For 2023 Season

WEST MIFFLIN, PA — Kennywood is celebrating its 125th season this year, and the public is invited to the months-long birthday bash.

At a media preview day on Wednesday, details emerged on Kennywood's new thrill ride, the alien-themed Area 412, a new coffee shop, a renovation of the popular Pizza Warehouse and a series of special events.

"Kennywood continues to elevate the guest experience with even more thrills and excitement in what is sure to be the biggest and best season yet," Kennywood assistant general manager Rick Spicuzza said.

Perhaps the most significant addition to the park is Spinvasion, the first ride of its kind in the United States. Opening this spring, it's an multi-action spin ride that Kennywood officials said "will provide an electrifying combination of speed and gravity, along with its unique single-rider experience."

Spinvasion riders will be strapped in to their solo manned aircraft to prepare for a classic swing experience after takeoff. They'll crisscross with other pilots, and riding sideways at certain points parallel to the ground.

Also new for 2023 is Area 412, an alien-inspired section of the park that will include Spinvasion; an updated and rebranded retail shop; and 1898 Coffee, an in-park coffee shop.

Many cosmetic improvements have been made at the park:

• Pagoda, one of the park's most popular restaurants, will receive what park officials called "whimsical facades" featuring a fire-breathing sausage and a larger-than life frozen treat.

• Pizza Warehouse now sports a flashy brick facade, an updated interior, an all-new menu and a revamped ordering process.

• Golden Nugget will have a new turquoise and Kennywood yellow exterior.

• Cosmic Chaos has an eye-catching neon green new color.

• SwingShot now features colorful ribbons swirling up the sides of the massive swinging ride that catapults riders more than 90 feet into the air.

Kennywood's 2023 season opens on April 22.