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sooperdooperlooper at Hershey park----35 times one day. I started at about 5pm till close. Had I known the record was 53, I would have started earlier. There was no one in the park and I could have easily done it!

Foxnews.com was showing live footage. It looks pretty bad

I know how theoretical capacities work, but they are just theories. The line for Fahrenheit went VERY quick. They were dispatching a train every 2-3 minutes, and that was with 2 train operation. I can only imagine what would happen with a 3 train operation.

Hey, I'm a big fan of peppermint patties! Free candy=no problems with me! They could have handed out atomic fireballs, though!

Yeah, I know there is nothing like walking through the que on storm runner and then immediately sitting down! Also, I forgot to mention I did ride Fahrenheit 3 times. Each time I stood in line the wait got progressively shorter. Last ride---15 mins! An accapella group called the Ice Breakers came and perfored for those waiting in line, which was cool. (Ironic since this coaster is "Fahrenheit") Also, I did get a good photo of the storage area. I'll get it up as soon as I can.

Well, I made my way to Hersheypark today, comp tickets left over from Saturdays "Nantimi 11" contest in hand. (Thanks JB) Upon entering the park, my friend and I made a straight shot to the steepest drop in the U.S. I made a bet with myself that a Wednesday in late May while most schools are still in session would be a safe bet to avoid crowds.......boy, did I have a winning hand! After crossing the entrance to the que, it only took 25 minuets for us to board a train. Hersheypark claims that the restraint system is identical to the one on Storm Runner. I have to disagree. I am one of those guys of a "larger size----Height and/or weight". I found the trains on Fahrenheit to be more accommodating than the ones on it's bigger sibling. The belt straps are slightly longer, the seat is a little larger, there is more leg room. I'm 6' 4 and 1/4" tall and weight 310. I will tell you I had no problem fitting in the restraint. The shoulder harness part of the system is also softer and more pliable than SR. They almost mold to your body. so if you're a larger guy like me---go for it! Upon being strapped in by the attendant (very nice guys and gals operating today), the all clear was given and the train departed from the station. They were dispatching trains every 2 - 3 minutes, so the line went rather quickly. After lining up with the lift, the dogs on the chains butted themselves against the rear of the vehicle, then proceeded to push us up the verticle hill. Cresting the apex, you are hit with 97 degrees of out of your seat goodness. The Norwegian Loop is a fantastic inversion. Plenty of G's at the bottom, probably the most intense part of the ride. The cobra was very smooth, the double corkscrew was more enjoyable than I though it would be. After the overbank, you are met with a great airtime hill, followed by another overbank. End of story. My final thoughts: Fahrenheit is a fantastic coaster. Although shorter than most, it packs alot of ride into a small footprint. Storm runner (The launch is stunning, as is the rest of the layout) was my favorite steel coaster up to this day, but I now have to officially give the title to FH. In terms of comfort, smoothness, excitement, and just plain good old fashioned G's, Fahrenheit delivers. It was a smart investment by HP, and will certainly draw many to the park. FH was the only coaster with a line today. We walked right on Storm Runner, Comet, Looper and Xtreme Cup challenge with no wait. I have some pics of the station in action, but I've lost my USB connector. I'll get those up as soon as I can.

Looks like I'll be heading out today to claim my "first ride" on FH. I'll try to get some pics from inside the station, since that hasn't been touched on yet

After the Nantimi 11 got off storm runner after our ERT, we exited and was rushed by "The running of the bulls". I was almost whomped by 20 or 30 people trying to get to the entrance of SR.

I'm planning on going again sometime in the near future. what times work best for you?

I may have left about 2:45. (Not totally sure) It was completely upside down in the cobra when was stitting on the bench. There seemed to be a lag in retrival activity, and I had a concert to perform in, so I left. I still had to get to my van and that took about 15 minuets. As I drove by the coaster on Hersheypark Drive it was still upside down in the cobra. (30-35 minutes after I departed the boardwalk area) Thanks for the clarifying. To all Nantimi folk: It was nice to meet you all. I got to spend some time with Nat and her mom and Joe. I had a great time and hopefully we can (big dream here) all get to ride it together someday...as it should have been so! Also, Thanks again to HP Staff (JB, Marty, Gary) for being gracious and answering all of our coaster geek questions. a

Knoebels in PA still has a free admission pay as you ride policy. They have a brass ring on their merry go round. old fashioned, but fun none the less

HIS JUST IN! I just got off the phone with natatomic! Fahrenheit IS running! They got the coaster running some time around 7. She got to ride and she explained it as a smooth transitioning coaster that flew through the elements. I'm sure she'll post more later.

THIS JUST IN! I just got off the phone with natatomic! Fahrenheit IS running! They got the coaster running some time around 7. She got to ride and she explained it as a smooth transitioning coaster that flew through the elements. I'm sure she'll post more later.

Dude, you have your info all wrong. Yes, FH did valley in the cobra. BUT!!! Media people did NOT receive 2 hours of ERT on storm runner. The nantimi 11 received 15 minutes of ERT on Storm runner in lieu of the time they were to receive on Fahrenheit. After that, it was opened to the public. They all were off of Storm runner by 10:10 am. I know this because I was one of the people given the ERT.

CONFIRMED--------Fahrenheit did indeed valley in the cobra roll. As of 3 pm they were still in the process of pulling the train through the cobra with a crane. They had hoped to open the ride by this evening. Even though the ride was not operating, the guys at Hershey (JB, Marty) still gave us the opportunity (Nantimi 11) to talk to to one of the park engineers about the ride and then gave us ERT on storm runner. They also allowed to keep the tickets that they had originally gave us to get in, so we could come back another day to ride Fahrenheit. More to come later

I'll be heading to Hershey tomorrow for the opening of Fahrenheit. I will be with the Nantimi 11 getting 15 minuets of ERT. I will do my best to take some photos of the ride.

Did you know that the stream that runs through Hersheypark is NOT made of chocolate??!!!! It's caramel!

Thats a good pic. Thanks

I got my e-mail just a little while ago;) I believe the zac spin has a similar system, but they are not identical.

As some of you may know, I have a few contacts in Hershey. I asked one of these contacts just what would be "cooling down" Hersheypark in 2009. I asked him if they were removing the rapids ride. I got a surprising "I can't tell you that" after a slight pause. But he did say what was going in was big. Big in a sense that "alot" of people would be able to go through it. Thats all I know at this point. More to come (hopefully)

Just talked to someone who is involved with the new coaster. They are not testing multiple sets of wheels. They will be using the same ones installed on the train now. Accelerometer testing should begin tomorrow if it hasn't already started today. Humans may start testing the ride as soon as Friday. A little bit on the chain and the rollback system. The dogs on the chain attach to the back of the train and push the train up the lift. Both chains run independently of each other. If one chain breaks, the other chain is completely capable of pushing the train over the hill. I also found out the way the lift is set up, the train cannot fall backwards. (Unless the train is put into retrieval mode, at which time maintainance can lower the train or push it over the lift hill depending on the situation) This person did not go into detail, but apparently since the system is hydraullic, the system wont allow the train to fall backwards. Not exactly sure how this will work , but I was assured that it's totally safe. In the unlikely event that both chains would break or malfunction, riders will be safe.

Perhaps they have magnetic brakes at the bottom of the lift hill in case of a roll back, similar to Storm Runner? Maybe the image from page 63 of the brakes on the flat track with the advancement wheels is the ticket?

Just to let you guys know that this is not Intamins first Vert lift hill. This is the second. The first is somewhere in the southern hemisphere, albeit I do not know exactly where. This information came from a reliable source. I will try to locate the other coaster and post it here.

Tanks4me05 said Have you been on the Sidewinder at Hershey Park? I think that was the first boomerang that had the new trains and in my opinion one of the smoothest.

It would surprise me big time if they tore down the old Hersheypark Arena. It was built by Milton Hershey himself. . It's been bought and paid for several times over! Local high schools also rent it out for their hockey practices. They also still hold concerts in the facility, so it's not like it isn't making any money. It's a smaller venue than the giant center so smaller bands can come to town and still have a true arena show!