Over in West Mifflin, the presence of the Phantom takes over Kennywood, turning this amusement park into a Halloween utopia. Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest is not just your average haunted attraction. Instead, it keeps the Kennywood family-fun spirit while also introducing frights for those who enjoy more than just the rollercoaster thrills. Starting at 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October, the ghouls come out to play in haunted houses and scare zones that will leave your skin crawling. (During the less ghoulish daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays, you can explore Kennywood with most rides open and fall decorations throughout the park.)
Back Left to Right: Sara Waldman and Toni Grazioli
Front Left to Right: Grant Jones, Alia Rivers, and Matt Ciccarello
Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest
We took a group of five friends out on a trip to Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest to explore all the jump scares, deliciously creepy eats, and Halloween-themed fun. With comfy outfits for the warm weather fall day, the group ventures through the foggy tunnels that open up into a world of spooky costumes and autumn colors that make Kennywood somehow seem a little brighter than usual, despite the eerie setting.
Our first stop took us to Kennywood’s newest and most popular haunt, Detached. This house puts you into the workshop of The Puppet Master, who has chosen you to contribute to his ever-growing factory of doll parts. What starts off as an introduction to a simple puppet shop quickly turns into a winding, darkly lit venture through various rooms full of haunted dolls with a vengeance. Whether it’s a dark alley, various cages full of doll parts, a butcher shop, empty theater, or storage room, you never know what waits around each corner.
This group had particular fun in responding to the haunt actors. A creepy marionette doll dragging a knife alongside a wall speaks out to group member Sara, “You would be perfect for him.” They quickly respond, “No thank you!” and grab on to another friends’ hand to take off down the hall. The personal interaction makes the experience all that more scary and exciting.
“The scare actors interact with you in a way that makes the walk your own personal horror, not an attraction that you’re just merely passing by,” says Grant Jones.
Creepily Good Eat
By the time we all ran out the doors into the setting sunlight, our beating hearts had worked up an appetite. What better way is there to celebrate the Halloween season than with a spooky treat or two? While there are an endless number of food specials (and drink specials) to try around the lake and throughout the park, two menu items caught these friends’ eyes.
Scary Ice SCREAM is the perfect way to cool down on those oddly hot “second summer” October days. Pagoda Creamery right by Kiddyland serves up these ice cream cones that come in either a black vanilla waffle cone or an orange creamsicle waffle cone with festive sprinkles on top. You can make a chocolate-orange combination by getting chocolate soft serve or you can go classic vanilla to make it a true creamsicle. Plus, the black waffle cone reminds us of Beetlejuice with the purple and green sprinkles on top. This was an overall favorite of our group with Alia calling it out as her favorite part next to riding the Phantom’s Revenge.
Another take on a classic amusement park treat, the Gummy Graveyard Funnel Cake is like the dirt dessert cups you would have as a kid but on top of a funnel cake. Chocolate syrup, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms adorn a freshly fried funnel cake with plenty of powdered sugar on top. This one is perfect for splitting with a group of friends or little ones in the family.
Scare Zones
After filling their stomaches, the group decided to take a walk through the Fear Fest carnival scare zone while their food settled. A few steps away from the Detached haunted house and carousel areas, a large over stretching sign invites guests to walk into a world full of clowns. But, unlike your usual circus clowns, these ones are a bit… quirky. Warning, do not walk into this area if you have a fear of clowns because trust us, you will get a horn honked in your face. Which is all a part of the fun!
From dancing with one of the decaying clowns to having a horn-slinging showdown with another, our group made friendships that will last a lifetime (or an after-lifetime). We even returned to this scare zone on our way out of the park later in the night and both of the clowns from earlier immediately recognized our group and came running over to us. To be seen by a creepy clown is to be loved.
Enjoy the Classic Kennywood Experience with a Twist
Besides the frightening parts of the park, there are many regular walking zones and rides open for guests to take advantage of before the season ends. It only felt appropriate we honor the Phantom with a ride on the Phantom’s Revenge rollercoaster. There’s nothing quite like arching over the top of that first drop and seeing the tiny park and all of Pittsburgh below.
Plus, we had to try our hand at Ghostwood Estate an interactive, ghost blasting cart ride. Just for the record, Matt and Grant were the winners of Ghostwood Estate, a title they both wore proudly for the rest of the night.
We even took the group on The Exterminator two times to experience their in-the-dark exclusive. This takes the already exhilarating underground rollercoaster and turns off all the lights so you cannot see a thing. It truly took the ride to a new level beyond anything this group had tried before. Toni notes, “The rides were amazing as always. I’m so glad we rode the exterminator twice, too.”
Needless to say, for a group of 20-something-year-olds, Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest is the perfect way to celebrate spooky season. But, genuinely, every part of the fall fest works for any age group. Grandparents will love to see the fall decor. Parents will enjoy the haunted houses. Kiddos will love the fun costumes and new attractions. There really is something for everyone whether you come to the family-friendly session during the day or wait for the creatures of Kennywood Park to take over.
Story and Photography by Kylie Thomas
Special Thanks to Taylor Bulischeck at Kennywood as well as Sara Waldman, Grant Jones, Alia Rivers, Matt Ciccarello, and Toni Grazioli
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
