Overview

Kennywood offers a Ride Accessibility Program (sometimes called the Alternative Access Program) for guests whose disabilities make waiting in a standard queue difficult or impossible. The program provides a yellow Accessibility Pass that allows the holder to use ADA entrances at participating attractions rather than the main queue. This is not a front-of-line pass — it is an alternative path to board, typically timed to approximate the posted wait.

The IBCCES Accessibility Card

Kennywood now uses the IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) Accessibility Card as a registration pathway for guests who need the Ride Accessibility Program. Here is how it works:

• Register at ibcces.org/amusement-park before your visit. The process involves providing documentation of your disability.
• Bring your IBCCES card and confirmation to Guest Services upon arrival.
• The park will issue your Accessibility Pass based on your documented needs.

Important: the IBCCES card is not mandatory. Guests who arrive without pre-registration can still go directly to the Rider's Safety Center at the Main Entrance or Guest Services near Noah's Ark and obtain a Ride Admission Pass through an in-person process. Pre-registration via IBCCES simply speeds up the arrival process.

Where to Go First

Upon arrival, accessibility guests should go to one of two locations:

• Rider's Safety Center — located at the Main Entrance to the park
• Guest Services Center — located near Noah's Ark in the park interior

Bring any relevant documentation of your disability. Staff at both locations are trained to discuss specific ride accommodations and can advise on which attractions have accessible boarding configurations versus which have physical barriers that may limit participation.

Wheelchair and Mobility Device Rentals

• Wheelchairs and electric scooters (ECVs) are available to rent at the Main Gate on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Strollers and wagons are also available at the Main Gate Gift Shop.
• Availability is not guaranteed. On busy summer weekends, mobility devices rent out early. Arrive at or before opening if rental mobility equipment is critical to your visit.
• Guests who bring their own wheelchairs can access most of the park. The terrain is a mix of flat midway and some gentle slopes due to the hillside setting. Major ride queues have accessible paths, though not all were originally designed with modern ADA dimensions.

Accessible Parking

Guests with an ADA placard or plate should use Gate B for accessible parking. This lot is closer to the accessible entrance and eliminates the escalator/slope walk from the general parking area.

Ride-by-Ride Accessibility Notes

Kennywood's rides vary significantly in their physical accessibility:

• Noah's Ark and Kennywood Junction ground-level rides are the most accessible. Noah's Ark is a walk-through; guests in wheelchairs can navigate with assistance.
• Merry-Go-Round — accessible seating available; guests in wheelchairs can transfer.
• Old Mill — the flume boats require stepping in. Guests who can transfer from a wheelchair with assistance can board.
• Jack Rabbit, Racer — these wooden coasters have narrow lap bar restraints. Guests with larger body dimensions may encounter fit issues; the park recommends testing the seat at the station before committing to the full queue.
• Steel Curtain, Phantom's Revenge — over-the-shoulder restraints. Guests should review the ride's restraint configuration before queuing.
• Exterminator — guests transfer from wheelchairs at the boarding platform.

Kennywood maintains a detailed ride accessibility guide at the Guest Services locations. Asking staff directly about a specific ride's transfer requirement and restraint type before you queue will save significant time.

Sensory Considerations

Several attractions have noted sensory elements:

• Musik Express — may simulate strobe lighting effects.
• Exterminator — fully enclosed with loud music and lighting effects in the dark.
• Noah's Ark — interior includes air jets, moving floors, and sound effects that may be disorienting.
• Holiday Lights (seasonal) — the winter event features extensive audio and lighting displays throughout the park.

Kennywood does not currently offer a formal sensory map or sensory bags through the park's own program, but the IBCCES card registration process includes a section for documenting sensory sensitivities, which can help staff tailor accommodations.

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted throughout the park. They cannot accompany guests on rides due to safety requirements. Kennywood has animal care stations where service animals can be left with a member of your party while you board an attraction.

Practical Tips

• Go first thing. Guest Services processes accessibility requests faster in the morning before the crowds build.
• Carry documentation. While not always required, having a note from a treating physician or your IBCCES card reduces friction at the accommodation desk.
• Ask about specific rides before queuing. Some rides have weight or physical dimension limits beyond height that are not always posted prominently. Staff can advise before you invest time in a queue.