The company that owns Pittsburgh-area amusement parks Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle has sold their properties to a family-owned attractions company.
Herschend, which owns properties like ‘Dollywood’, has signed an agreement to acquire all of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. Properties from Parques Reunidos, headquartered in Spain.
“This year, we’re celebrating 75 years of bringing families closer together—and looking ahead to the next 75,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend. “Today’s announcement marks a natural expansion and continuation of that vision. By growing wisely and staying true to our purpose, we are building a future where we can continue creating memories worth repeating for generations to come.”
Herschend says visitors to the Pittsburgh-area parks won’t notice any immediate changes with a “smooth transition” planned.
"Being a family business for 75 years has given us a deep understanding of what makes properties like these special—not just the rides and attractions, but the people who pour their hearts into them every day,” said Herschend’s Board Chair, Chris Herschend. “These historic and beloved properties have been family traditions for generations, and we are honored to help carry that legacy forward.”
Herschend began in 1950 when the family took over cave tour in the Ozark Mountains.
Parques Reunidos purchased Kennywood from the family-owned Kennywood Entertainment Company in 2007.