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^^^It could get pretty full since the 4th falls on a Saturday this year so be prepared. There will be fireworks on the hill in front of the Hotel Hershey, which can be seen nicely from Midway America or the Boardwalk (my favorite spot for them). The parking lot might provide a nice vantage point as well. The park might also do a catered picnic dinner that you could buy tickets to, which happened the last two years. ^^Weekdays in early June shouldn't really too bad since schools are still in session and most people haven't started vacationing yet. The park has started adding the Pepsi equivalent to Coke Freestyle machines in the park. They are currently at Craftbarn Kitchen and the Lightning Racer Discount Shop. On the Laff Trakk side of things, I found this shot of the pre-show room under construction from two weeks ago on Hersheypark's Twitter page: Construction-wise, it looks like the finishing touches are starting to be added to the exterior and queue (which seems to be really bright at night). I didn't even know Pepsi made them until I saw them at the park the other night. Still missing signage, but that is probably the next step. The queue and railings are in. It is a very bright queue thanks to LED lights. Some more lights to be added to be shown on the building murals. Next to it is the exit path.

Your chances are pretty good since the park has mentioned it will open Memorial Day weekend (probably that Saturday).

I'm probably going to head up on Sunday for two or three hours after work regardless if its open or not just to get dinner, get a ride or two in on the coasters, and check out the ride to see what it looks like now that it is done.

I just noticed this, but look at the back of the bus: Fuji-Q was following you guys around it seems.

Thanks! Sounds like this year's event at Dorney should be about the same as last year which was great! Can't wait!

Stinger is a coaster that I treat as a surprise if it is open, but don't expect it to be when I visit. I don't understand why Vekoma didn't build catwalks on the front and back spikes so that they could make evacuating easier. The only thing I've heard regarding Dorney getting a new coaster was back in 2011 when I overheard two Whitehall Twsp. workers at the McDonalds across the street on break mention something about a new wooden coaster. Considering Cedar Creek Flyers is tucked back a little from the main midway, I would really expect that area to be the possible location on where it could go if they do go that route. Part of me does wonder if this could be possible as it is rumor that has been discussed ever since Possessed was built. Given the last two or three seasons saw small to mid-sized additions, they could have a chance to go with it for a 2016 addition. But still, I'll believe it when I see it.

Just signed up for my 2nd year at Dorney Park! Had a great time last year for a great cause!

Looks like Fuji-Q is expanding on their Neon Genesis Evangelion theming by adding a new attraction and renaming/theming Takabisha to the anime franchise. http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/04/06/evangelion-projection-mapping-attraction-opens-at-fuji-q-highland The interactive attraction sounds pretty similar to Hershey's Chocolate World's 4D Mystery Show and Turtle Talk with Crush where guests will interact with the characters.

1. Cedar Point 2. Kings Dominion 3. Dorney Park 4. Kings Island

The six-pack of whoopie pies are slightly smaller sized (about the size of a baseball) and are pre-made ahead of time. This would make it a great deal for families considering the regular-sized ones are pretty big. I bought a pumpkin with cream cheese-flavored one on Sunday, froze it and just ate it today. It had to have been one of the best I have tried! Also, according to Hersheypark's Twitter page, it looks like Laff Trakk is planned to be open for Christmas Candylane later this year!

You could say the same about Deja Vu, but you don't hear many complaining about it since those big Eli Scramblers have been added to other parks. The same is happening with these Ring-of-Fire rides and it wouldn't shock me if they start to blend in as well within a few years.

While many all of us (including me) do not have the disposable income to throw huge wads of cash at a minute long coaster ride, for those that do, they are supporting an incredible cause: Give Kids the World. Everyone wants a chance to ride a new coaster first, and a really neat way to organize that excitement is to auction the limited seats for a good cause that the park collects zero profit from. Yes, it stinks some of us don't have the money to win a seat, but at least the money spent on those seats is for a great cause that is light-years more important than who gets to enjoy Thunderbird first. Not everything in life is fair to people of all incomes. Sad, but true. I agree to a point, but I still think selling raffle tickets for $10-$20 and donating the proceeds along with specific limited edition merch for the first day with all proceeds going to charity would be not only a fairer system, but I bet they would make a lot more too! How many enthusiasts are going to buy more than one mug or shirt? Not to mention the scalpers that buy loads and sell on on eBay! I wish them all the luck in the world with the launch, I just wish they'd release a full POV I don't think it would be fair for the charities it would be helping as it would bring in less donations for them especially if one person can only donate $10. Not to mention that it would be more complicated than by going the way of top 32 or so donors who raise the most get to ride.

Hersheypark opened for the 2015 season this past weekend and it gave me a good opportunity to check out Laff Trakk from inside the park as well as the other new offerings. Other than the coaster, the park really added on to their current food offerings by renovating current venues, getting rid of duplicate locations, and bringing in some new items and locations. Getting back to Laff Trakk and the Midway America area, it appears that riders will enter an entryway next to the Merry Derry Dips FunSlide, go into an entrance building, make a right and enter an outside covered queue area. Following this, guests will then enter the front part of the building, somehow make their way to the station and to the large part of the building. There is a doorway next to the main part of the building, which I'm guessing will be the exit, which will run between the queue and it, right to the midway. On to the photos. Claw T-Shirt anyone? You can also pick up some new Laff Trakk souvenirs. Moving on to the new food offerings, Makin' Whoopie Pies is one of the newest locations located in the Founder's Way Food Court. For those who don't know what a Whoopie Pie is, this Pa Dutch item is a flavored cream in between two pieces of cake. You can customize your own Whoopie pie by picking one or several flavors of cake. If you want to get creative, you can add in some candy for a little extra or choose a different top and bottom cake flavor. Next you can then pick your filling from flavors such as cream cheese, mint, mocha buttercream, cotton candy, and others. You can have it in a bag to go and eat it there. It is also a pretty decent sized whoopee pie as well! The Overlook Food Court has expanded its food offerings with items such as wraps, salads, pasta, mac and cheese, gluten-free items... You can also get bone and boneless wings as well, which are really good. Pioneer Frontier Food Court now features The Outpost; an allergy-friendly eatery. Tumbleweed Tacos used to be located here. A little farther down the food court is Moe's Southwest Grill, which is their first location at a theme park. Time for Laff Trakk. Thinking back to last year, there used to be a path here that originally led over to the Midway Tent and the entrance to the slides. To ride, guests will enter through this pretty big entrance. Looks like you might then enter this covered area and then finally enter the building through the other door. The last door probably might be the exit. The trim being added to the building seems to be a nice touch. Should be interesting to see what else is added to the building before it opens. Looks like something is going to be added here eventually. Finally for Midway America, new ride signs were added to the Whip and kiddie rides that were moved. Tiny Tracks, which was the kiddie train from near the Carrousel, has been re-added where Lightning Racer's overflow queue used to be. Lastly, if you buy a regular ticket to the park, you can upgrade it to a season pass at two or three locations around the park. Midway Merchandise is one of them.

Wouldn't surprise me if has something to do with the solar panel farm that they plan on adding. I did hear someone mention that they got an email survey recently asking about the idea of building a luxury campground or hotel. Having heard this over the last several years, it really does make me wonder if Six Flags might have the idea of turning Great Adventure into more of a destination park like Hershey or Cedar Point. I mean they already have a water park and a decently-sized theme park with some popular rides, all it would take are a few more attractions in both parks, a company-owned hotel or two, and a few more things here and there. Plus once the solar farm is built, it would cut down on their electric bill and given them more money to work with in the long-run. Ultimately it might bring in more businesses, hotels, and restaurants to Monmouth Road, which doesn't have as many places outside the park like others do.

It is probably going to be busy that weekend, but temperatures, and rain could have an effect on that. The Boardwalk, all the water rides, and Laff Trakk are expected to be closed. What you could do is park in the parking garage behind The Hershey Story Museum, cross over the covered walkway over the railroad tracks and all the way down and around to the park entrance (if you don't mind the walk and don't want to pay for parking). It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk and there is a sidewalk all the way down. You also get some great views of Skyrush and the other rides as well. Am I imagining this or is there an entrance from the ZooAmerica side? That entrance is to only go into the zoo only. Then again, I did go with a few friends last year to Houlihan's through there by getting my hand stamped and going back into the park with the handstamp later. Same with hearing some other people do this to get something to eat at Parkside Cafe, but I would check with the handstamp person on the bridge before trying this.

It is probably going to be busy that weekend, but temperatures, and rain could have an effect on that. The Boardwalk, all the water rides, and Laff Trakk are expected to be closed. What you could do is park in the parking garage behind The Hershey Story Museum, cross over the covered walkway over the railroad tracks and all the way down and around to the park entrance (if you don't mind the walk and don't want to pay for parking). It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk and there is a sidewalk all the way down. You also get some great views of Skyrush and the other rides as well.

I went for a walk Thursday and got to see quite a few coasters testing for the season. Law Trakk's catwalks have arrived and the ride building is starting to get fancied up and it is starting to look like it will blend in with the Midway America theming. The park has also updated their 2015 page with two new shows being added for the season and two new locations where you can upgrade your admission ticket to a season pass. The food locations page was also updated with food items for the new Outpost allergy-friendly eatery. Some of the items include buffalo chicken pizza and sandwiches, southwest chicken sandwiches, grilled veggie sandwiches, cheese pizza, and some others. Overlook Food Court looks like it will have 9 concession locations inside the building and also feature three different types of mac and cheese, wraps, wings, salads, and pastas. A little sidetone on the Dance Dance Dance show; it seems that the park had a show with the same name in the late 1980s and early 90's that was pretty popular. Shiny new wood for the Chocolate House. Chocolate World will be expanding again this year. Storm Runner and Comet were just two of the couple of coasters testing yesterday. Peeking through the fence, Twin Turnpike's Sports Cars exit will share the Antique Cars side. Nothing really new at this end of the building. Special delivery! There are quite a bit of stairs, railings and catwalks. Spiral staircases. The curbing for the midway looks like it is going back in. Trim is being added to the lower portion of the ride building. Here is a closer look. On the park-side of the building, more details are being added and it is really starting to blend in with the area of the park. The Ferris Wheel is now back up, but it is missing its pin wheel so far. The park opens next Friday for Springtime in the Park. I'll leave you with a photo with Skyrush, Great Bear, and the first storm of the year.

Rampage? Like my woodie? Don't steal my rollercoaster design, please You know that was posted around seven years ago, right?

Here's the list of Springtime Rides that will be open: http://www.hersheypark.com/seasonal/spring/rides.php Laff Trakk likely won't be open until Summer 2015 with no official date announced yet, but I think they are trying to aim for Memorial Day. While out on a walk today, they did have a paper posted along the road in front of the building saying that they were proposing to the township last night about decorating all sides of the building with fun house decorations. Hopefully it goes through as the building does seem like it needs something else added to it. The red spouting does add some character to it. Here is what it says on the township website: It also looks like they were in the process of pouring curbing for the paths on the main midway.

Sounds like the backlash from the last game trailer may have made them realize to take a bit more time on making sure the game is done right. We'll see on the next set of screenshots, I guess. http://www.rollercoastertycoon.com/rollercoaster-tycoon-world-production-blog-5/

More photos posted to Hersheypark's Twitter page: This will be the main entrance to Laff Trakk. I think the overflow queue will be off to the right in front of the building. I think I see some framework for a roof that will cover it. Laff Trakk's maintenance bay. Don't see any transfer track yet. What it looks like looking up the lift hill.

If you are going weekdays, I really don't think it would be worth it to get Fast Track Pass. School groups usually show up in the beginning of the month and typically stay for the start of the day and leave around dinnertime. For the first day, I would get Laff Trakk out of the way as the crowds may head to it first thing the following morning. When I think about it, I think it might be tough to figure out which coaster to head to first at the moment as I think Laff Trakk and Fahrenheit both have around the same capacity per hour. A little update on the new food options. It sounds like there will be a new food location that will specialize on food allergies called The Outpost. More photos have been posted to the Hershey Lodge Facebook page of Laff Trakk. These kind of make it look like the track work might be done! The Hersheypark Twitter Page also posted some more: https://twitter.com/Hersheypark/status/576468520168501248/photo/1

From a walk I took on Monday, it also looked like they replaced a few support braces on Comet. Other places in the park, it looked like they were replacing the roof on the Chocolate House near the entrance and re-tracking the second hill before the turnaround on Thunder for Lightning Racer. Laff Trakk's building did get some new spouting, but that's about it. Track-wise they had only several pieces left in the employee lot. The park also posted some photos of the cars on their Facebook page:

From the Conneaut Lake Park Facebook page: So it sounds like they want to sell off un-used land to help pay off the debt?

Looks like quite a bit of the ride is already together. They did add some dark blue/purple trim to the exterior of the building, but it is still mostly white for right now. The foundation for the two kiddie rides that are to be relocated may have been poured given that they have a tent set up in that general area. Once they do that, it will allow them to move the roof structures for them back into place and start work on bringing Tiny Tracks back in Racer's former overflow queue. Can't wait to see what the cars look like!