Kennywood and its sister parks, Idlewild and Sandcastle, are officially now part of the same company that owns Dollywood.
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation acquired Kennywood’s previous owner, Palace Entertainment and it’s 23 other attractions in the United States on Monday.
While Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle have new owners, visitors to the park won’t notice any big chances.
“This is a landmark moment—not just for Herschend, but for every host, guest, and community we serve,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend, in an announcement. “To us, this is so much bigger than adding attractions to our portfolio of family brands—growth is about people. It’s about creating a great place to work so our hosts love what they do and can create memories worth repeating for our guests for generations to come.”
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.
“Our purpose has carried us through both bright seasons and challenging ones—and it will continue to guide us as we move into this next chapter,” said Chris Herschend, Board Chair and third-generation owner. “We’re focused on doing what’s right for the business, our hosts, and the communities we’re honored to be part of.
This process will take time, and we know we will not get everything perfect, but we are committed to listening, communicating and continuously improving.”