Class action lawsuit targets alleged hidden fees on Kennywood tickets

A class action lawsuit against Kennywood’s parent company was filed last week after a local woman experienced issues buying tickets in July.

“It is pretty high and I really thought they were overcharging with all the extra fees,” said Bonnie Lewis of West Mifflin.

Those extra fees added to the price of a Kennywood ticket have become the focus of a new class action lawsuit. Danielle Ratti, who is leading the effort, says the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, which owns Kennywood, tacks hidden fees onto online ticket prices.

“Me and my husband haven’t been in about two-three years because the prices are just so expensive,” Isabella Caito said.

According to the lawsuit, Ratti is demanding a jury trial citing “unfair trade practices.” The paperwork says anyone who buys Kennywood tickets online is forced to pay surprise fees in addition to the advertised prices of admission.

Attorneys say Kennywood uses “drip pricing” - meaning the total cost of a ticket isn’t revealed until checkout when the mandatory fees are added. The lawsuit says when a person adds a $39.99 Kennywood ticket to their cart, a $2.50 fee is added, making the total ticket price $43.49. Ratti says when she bought 7 Kennywood tickets online in July, there was 17.50 in fees.

“That could be gas, that could be groceries, that could be medication,” Caito said. “If you have a family, especially with today’s economy, even like the price of living is just absolutely insane.”

The class action portion of the suit still has to have official approval from a judge and would have to be certified to head to trial as a class action.

“It’s a landmark. I don’t think they’re going to win it but, in this day, and age we’ll see what happens,” said Patrick Clark of West Mifflin.

Ratti and the class members are seeking $50,000 in damages.

Channel 11 contacted Ratti and her attorney but did not hear back. We also reached out to Herschend for comment but haven’t heard from them yet either.

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