PHOTO COURTESY KENNYWOOD

Pittsburgh-area’s iconic Kennywood Park, as well as its sister parks Sandcastle Water Park and Idlewild & SoakZone, are getting new owners.

Atlanta-based Herschend Family Entertainment is purchasing the parks, which are part of more than 20 acquisitions across 10 states, from Palace Entertainment. That’s a subsidiary of Parques Reunidos, headquartered in Madrid, Spain, which purchased Kennywood and the other local parks in 2008.

“This agreement represents a significant milestone for both organizations — supporting Herschend’s strategic expansion in family entertainment and hospitality while allowing Parques Reunidos to reinforce its strategic focus on its core European market,” according to Tuesday’s announcement.

Herschend  says it is the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company, founded 75 years ago. Its portfolio includes Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Parks & Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, The Vancouver Aquarium and Wild Adventures; Newport Aquarium in Kentucky; Callaway Resort & Gardens in Georgia; and more. It also owns the Harlem Globetrotters, which it acquired in 2013.

Herschend officials said they don’t plan any changes to the local parks’ daily operations in the near future.

“Herschend is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for employees (hosts), guests, and communities,” according to the announcement. “No immediate changes are planned for daily operations as the company thoughtfully integrates these properties into its portfolio.”

Palace CEO John Reilly praised the deal.

“Herschend is the ideal organization to lead Palace Entertainment’s unique properties,” Reilly said in a statement. “Herschend is best in class in providing a high-quality guest experience within its parks. Palace Entertainment’s team members and its parks are in great hands as we make this transition.”

Kennywood, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2023, opens for the spring/summer season on weekends starting April 12 and has teased that the rehab of its largest roller coaster, the Steel Curtain, (and Pennsylvania’s tallest roller coaster) will be completed soon. The Steelers-themed roller coaster was closed last season for what was described as “an extensive modification project.” The park opens daily for the summer beginning Friday, May 23.

Sandcastle Water Park in West Homestead opened in July 1989 and Idlewild in Ligonier was founded by the Mellon Family as a campground in 1878.

Among Herschend’s other new acquisitions are Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pa.; Lake Compounce in Connecticut, which holds the title of America’s First Amusement Park; as well as water parks; family entertainment centers; campgrounds and hotels.