Idlewild and SoakZone to Open Earlier for Longest Season in Park’s 145-Year History
Idlewild and SoakZone will open two weekends earlier than previously planned for the 2022 Season, adding a total of two weeks’ worth of additional dates to the schedule for the longest season in the park’s 145-year history.
With growing demand for family fun and improving conditions to supply those smiles to visitors, Idlewild’s 2022 Opening Day shifts ahead to Saturday, May 7, one of the earliest opening days ever for the Ligonier landmark now in its 15th decade of fun. The SoakZone water park will offer its first splashes on Saturday, May 21, with the Memorial Day weekend marking the beginning of Idlewild’s daily operating schedule – now starting nearly a full month earlier than initially planned. The season will run through Sunday, October 30, making 2022 the longest season ever in Idelwild’s 145 year history.
“Season Passholders will want to set aside plenty of time to spend at Idlewild this season, because we’re offering more days and more ways to play than ever before,” says new General Manager Tim Heger, who arrived at Idlewild earlier this year as his latest step in a 20+ year-long career in the amusement industry. “Guests will find more live entertainment and special events than ever before from the first days of May to fall fun at our beloved HALLOWBOO!”
Heger’s first order of business will be to find approximately 700 new friends to fill seasonal roles at Idlewild and SoakZone. The park offers starting rates of $14 an hour for positions requiring a team member of at least 18 years of age, with key positions such as Grounds, Maintenance and Housekeeping offering even better hourly wages. There are also many seasonal positions available for minors age 14 to 17. Bonuses and advancement opportunities are available, with an open job fair happening at Idlewild on Saturday, March 26 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Attendees can learn more about open positions, submit an application, and enjoy tasty, free amusement park treats. Applications can also be submitted online at any time for Idlewild as well as sister parks Kennywood and Sandcastle.
Seasonal workers also enjoy free admission to Idlewild, Kennywood and Sandcastle on days off. For everyone else, the best way to play at Pittsburgh’s Premier Destinations for Family Fun is with a Season Pass. Passes remain available on easy five-payment plans for a limited time, and range from the high-thrill, no-frill Bronze Pass to the Platinum Pass offering unlimited visits all year long to all three parks. For more information on Season Passes, summer jobs and the 2022 Seasons, visit each park’s respective website.