Thomas Town opens at Kennywood Park, Pittsburgh. The all-new attraction is the second largest Thomas & Friends area in North America.
Thomas Town is one of the largest additions in the 120 years of Kennywood’s history.
All the attractions are located and around Kennywood’s train ride, which has operated with varying themes since 1945.
“With 120 years of history, Kennywood is one of the most beloved amusement parks in the country,” said Julie Freeland, Senior Director of Global Live Events & Attractions for Mattel. “We are so excited to bring our latest Thomas & Friends attraction to Pittsburgh for families to enjoy for many years to come.”
The new Thomas & Friends attraction features five family rides. The Olde Kennywood Rail Road has been rethemed into a Thomas attraction. Guests start at Kennywood Station where they climb on board the little blue engine. The ride makes the most of stunning views of the Monongahela River and the Edgar Thomson Steel Works.
Cranky’s Drop Tower features Cranky the crane. Sodor’s best-known crane lifts guests up high above Thomas Town before giving them an exciting drop. Harold’s Helicopter Tour lets young guests pilot their very own Harold Helicopter while Flynn’s Fire Training is an interactive ride where junior firefighters extinguish ‘flames’ with jets of water. Meanwhile Diesel Drivers is a fun ride with Diesel, Iron Bert and other Diesel engines.
Live entertainment and 4D cinema
A live entertainment show, Steel City Adventures, at Tidmouth Sheds features a range of favourite characters from the TV series. Percy, James, Gordon, Emily and Sir Topham Hatt enjoy story and song as they get ready for an important journey – to Pittsburgh, of course.
There are also themed indoor and outdoor play areas. A retail outlet includes a section for ‘Pick Your Own MINIS’ custom collection. The Pagoda serves a range of lunch and dinner choices on one side, and desserts and ice creams from the other.
For a limited time, guests will be able to watch the 4D adventure Thomas & Friends: Bubbling Boilers at the Kennywood 4D Theatre in celebration of the opening of Thomas Town.
“It’s a great joy to welcome Thomas and his friends into the Kennywood family,” said Jerome Gibas, General Manager at Kennywood. “Guests have been eagerly contacting us for months, and we can’t wait to welcome them all into Thomas Town at Kennywood Park.”
Thomas Town isn’t the only new development at the park. Kennywood is also planning a new land celebrating American football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Blooloop reported earlier this month.
Mattel has moved into branded LBE with the Mattel Play! brand at Sevenum and Liverpool.
