Idlewild & SoakZone's opening day sees rainy weather, chilly temperatures

Few guests decided to brave the 50-degree temperatures and scattered rain Saturday to attend Idlewild & SoakZone’s opening day for its 144th season.

“The weather has kind of put a damper on everything,” said Dominic Urbani, food and beverage manager at the amusement park.

Because of the rain, some attractions, like SoakZone, had to remain closed for opening day, as well as various restaurants. But The Potato Patch, a fan favorite, was up and running.

When weather improves, the park will be open as usual, according to Jeff Croushore, director of marketing at Idlewild.

Story Book Forest and Captain Kidd’s water play area, two attractions that weren’t open last year, will return this summer. Croushore said Story Book Forest and Jumpin’ Jungle will open June 10.

Additionally, restrooms in Olde Idlewild were renovated, and some horses on the park’s 1932 carousel were refinished and repainted as the “first pieces” of a long-term revitalization project, according to a release.

“I think people are eager to get back to activities like going to an amusement park, and we’re happy to welcome them back,” Croushore said. “Everyone’s craving normalcy, and so are we.”

Despite the weather, kids and their parents enjoyed Idlewild’s timeless classics, such as the Loyalhanna Limited Railroad in Hootin’ Holler, the Rollo Coaster in Olde Idlewild and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

Colin and Vayda Raley spent some of their time at the park riding Ricky’s Racers in Raccoon Lagoon.

“It’s so nice for the kids to have a place to go,” said Cora Raley, Colin and Vayda’s mom. “It means the world to see other people and to see smiling faces.”

Cora, 31, of Somerset said the Raley family acquired season passes for Idlewild when her kids were born and have had them ever since.

“It’s a great place for families to come together,” Cora said. “It gives them something to do.”

In terms of coronavirus mitigation, guests at Idlewild who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, Croushore said. Those who aren’t vaccinated must remain masked.

This weekend, the park was open at 75% capacity, but it will return to full capacity thereafter.

“Last year was tough,” Croushore said. “To be open in May is terrific, and to have a full summer is wonderful.”

Idlewild wasn’t able to open last summer until July 6, according to Croushore. In a normal year, he said the park opens seven days a week beginning the second week of June — the end of many kids’ school years.

As of now, Idlewild will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June. In July and August, the park will be closed Tuesdays.

“With continued (coronavirus improvement), hopefully we will be able to add additional operating days and hours to that calendar,” Croushore said.

Hiring seasonal workers this year has been challenging, said Becky Cibulka, director of human resources at Idlewild.

“We are a little behind in hiring,” Cibulka said. “(But we’ve) seen improvement in the last few weeks since we raised pay rates.”

Cibulka said the starting rate for lifeguards and any employee over 18 was raised to $14 per hour, and the maximum starting rate was raised to $17 per hour.

While Idlewild typically hires between 650 and 750 employees seasonally, Croushore said the park only is looking to get over 600 because of fewer operating days.

Most seasonal positions at the amusement park are open to those 16 and older, with some available to 14- and 15-year-olds.

“We’ve lost a bunch of team members because hours were cut back,” Urbani said.

Urbani, 20, of Indiana, Indiana County, said this summer will be his sixth working at Idlewild and working there is crazy but a “good crazy.”

“I just honestly have fallen in love with working (at) amusement parks,” Urbani said. “I’m always super excited for summer.”

Idlewild’s sister parks — Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park — also have both opened. Kennywood opened May 8, and Sandcastle, which was supposed to open Saturday, had its opening pushed to Sunday because of rain.