Why do you have to pay if you don't want to ride the rides?

Yes.

Because this is American

Call and ask them.

Thats the way it always has been. They use to offer a cheaper rate for nonriders, but they no longer do that. There are a few amusement parks near Erie PA that have a no entry fee, but theyre small ones and not as nice as Kennywood.

The cost of admission

You are paying entry into the park.