Some Idle 'Wild Winter Photos

I must admit that we have been pretty lucky so far this winter. Mild weather has enabled us to get a lot of off-season work done ahead of schedule. This past week, however, we've gone from mild to wild as winter finally arrived.



While it's true that frigid cold temps and a thick blanket of snow make it difficult to finish up some outdoor projects, they really do transform the Park into a eye-pleasing winter wonderland.



Though the park has always been know for its natural beauty which can be witnessed in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, I hope you'll agree that this wonderful "mountain playground" sure looks beautiful in the winter as well. It's my pleasure to give you this peek inside the Park in these idle 'wild winter photos.

Idlewild Cares Program

We hope you and your family are off to a great New Year and wanted to make you aware of a wonderful program and a very important deadline!

January 31 is the deadline for 501C-3 non-profit organizations to submit requests for our Children's Charities Tickets Program which provides free tickets to children with various physical or economic challenges.

Since 1992, our three Kennywood Entertainment parks in western Pennsylvania, Kennywood, Idlewild & SoakZone, and Sandcastle, have donated nearly 200,000 tickets for summer fun to youngsters. The mission of Children's Charities Tickets is to help others make a difference in the children's lives by providing free tickets to disadvantaged children and/or children with disabilities, and for fund-raising purposes for agencies that work directly with them.

A rotating committee of Team Members (employees) from each park administers the program. Non-profit 501C-3 organizations wishing to apply for free tickets for the 2007 season may visit all of our Park's Web sites such as Kennywood Park, Sandcastle Waterpark and Idlewild & SoakZone for an application.

We will award all tickets by March 31. Please spread the good word!

Note: Pictured above is Mother Goose and our good friend Alexis.

'Tis The Season!

I do love Christmas time. It's certainly one of my favorite times of year!

Idlewild, of course, is known as one of the most popular family destinations during the summer months, but I was surprised to find out that one family actually plans a drive to Idlewild each December...and they don't even enter the gate! You see, they drive out to see "Big Santa". Yes, "Big Santa"...the tall figure that stands at the exit gate each year and sends extra large holiday greetings to all travelers along US Route 30.



I haven't been able to determine how many years "Big Santa" has been sending his Holiday greetings from Idlewild, but he certainly has become a holiday tradition! Christmas lights and garland complete the public display at the exit gate, but inside the Main Office we always put up a Christmas tree. Christmas music is played throughout the hallways which are adorned with all of the holiday cards sent in by Team Members, Guests, Suppliers, and other friends.






As we process all the Idlewild Season Pass orders that many lucky people will be receiving this Christmas, know that we are definately in a Christmas atmoshpere and in the Christmas spirit!!

New Website Coming Soon!

Since taking over the PR/Marketing duties last year, I have been constantly asked about our website...basically, "When are you going to update it?" It is true that while our website was very good when it was launched several years ago, the advancements in web technology have made our little ol' website looking, well, pretty boring.

So, for 2007, in addition to our new family ride (details to be announced!), we are also eagerly anticipating the launch of a brand new website. We are working vigorously to create an informative, easy-to-use, visually appealing website that will prove useful to both Guests that are familiar with the Park and also first-time visitors. It will be updated frequently with the latest information regarding special events, promotions, weather conditions, recent photos and plenty of other fun stuff.

Our plan is to launch the new website at the end of January. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements concerning this exciting project!

The "Off" Season

Ever wonder what goes on in the off-season?

Well, we don't get to go on vacation! There's just as much work to be done during the long, cold winter months as there is in the summer.

For instance, each ride is dismantled, thoroughly inspected, and repainted so it can be ready to go for 2007. The picture at left shows our Maintenance Team working on removing some pieces of the Spider in Olde Idlewild.

Speaking of 2007...we hope that you'll love what new things we have in store for you at Idlewild. Details are still being finalized, but I think that everyone will love the newest addition to Idlewild's family-friendly ride linup. We hope to make the announcment (with all the details!) shortly after the New Year!

Although I can't fully reveal WHAT it is quite yet, I am open to taking guesses. What type of new ride are YOU hoping for? (Keep in mind, it is a family oriented ride) I can't wait to hear your guesses!

We Give Thanks!

The Idlewild Family would like to thank all of our Guests for your support in 2006 and over the last 129 seasons! We are extremely grateful that you have chosen Idlewild & SoakZone as your place for quality FAMILY FUN!

From our family to yours - Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Final Hallowboo Weekend

If you haven't treated yourself or your kids to Hallowboo...click here to see a little sample of what you're missing!

And, if you've already been to Hallowboo, you'll want to make sure you stop by at least one more time because this Saturday and Sunday are the last days of the season!

On Saturday, October 28 come out to have some extra fun with Radio Disney AM 540. Get a little extra Hallowboo fun with Radio Disney games, trivia, music and more appearing in Olde Idlewild from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hope to see you this weekend!