Kennywood's newest thrill: Black Widow

Looking for the next big thing that will make your hair stand on end and your stomach want to evacuate its contents? Kennywood Park is happy to oblige, giving thrill-seekers one more thing to scream about in 2012.

The new Black Widow will swing a circle of 40 seated riders back and forth like a pendulum while at the same time rotating them counterclockwise. At its peak, riders will hang 146 feet off the ground at a 120-degree angle from the center -- feet above their heads -- while moving 68 miles per hour.

Feel nauseous yet?

Guests must be at least 52 inches tall to be strapped into the ride, which will be in Lost Kennywood, near the boarding station for Phantom's Revenge. It replaces the Pitfall, which before it was sold earlier this year was the park's tallest amusement at 251 feet and whose deconstruction was completed Thursday.

Workers will begin preparing Black Widow's foundation later this month. Mum's the word on cost, but park officials expect the new thrill ride by Zamperla to go vertical in March or April, and be ready for riders by the start of the park's daily operation on May 17, if not by opening day on May 5, according to spokesman Jeff Filicko.

To set your stomach in motion, check out a video of "Giant Discovery" at www.zamperla.com.

First published on December 16, 2011 at 12:00 am