HPCrazy

I can tell you that unfortunately, the place will probably be packed. Not only are the lines long on Saturdays, usually, but the girl scout Camp-o-ree is this weekend and next. That will probably also contribute to the lines and wait times probably being longer. I'd say Great Bear, Comet and Fahrenheit will all have close to a 45 min to an hour wait. I know this from past experiences, which is why Alex and I never do Saturdays during the summer and Hersheypark in the Dark. Sundays and weekdays aren't usually that bad. Too bad you couldn't go this Sunday instead of Saturday. I'm not expecting huge crowds when I go next Sunday because a majority of the girl scouts may be heading out by then (they'll probably be in the park most of the time on Saturday anyways).

Great T/R and pics! Where was that Diamondback and train shot taken? I wouldn't mind taking something similar when I go out there this August.

Last time I was there, the Berenstein Bears were still around. Peanuts was added one year later in 1999. Hopefully I'll get to see some of those Peanuts characters when I go back up in August! Great T/R!

^ I totally agree with you! I just loved the close up expressions of the rider's faces. I really should try doing some shots like that.

Great pics again! You seem to master the camera like I do lol! You mentioned about them working on the left smokestack. They were doing the same thing to the right one when I was there back in October. It's nice that they are restoring them and putting some upkeep to them. By the way, did you notice the walkway under Roller Soaker at all? The one that went behind the former rapids? It was mentioned in the past that this path was going to be restricted to the public and that only employees would only be allowed back there. I was wondering if you paid any attention to that at all. I took notice it was on the 2009 map, but IMO, you can't always trust that. Also one more thing, I do agree with Speeddeamon128. How does this expansion affect park crowds? I know you were there on a Saturday and those are typically days from disaster. Usually crowds aren't that bad on Sundays in June (when me and my friend Alex go), so I was just wondering what your thoughts might be from your experience. I just can't wait to see this completed in person, versus when it was under construction back in April when I was there. Again, good pics!

About time someone posts somekind of preview of this thing! While I do not do water attractions like this, I will be walking through the area and checking this out on my June 7th trip with lots of pictures! I do agree with others that the rapids should have not have been sacrificed for this but capacity was one of the main issues. Nice pics by the way. Seems like June 7th is never gonna get here, I don't know if it's me or not - lol!

Nice pics of the expressions of the rider's faces. No Boardwalk update though, oh well.... I loved the Millennium Force and Fahrenheit shots. I'm excited about hitting Fahrenheit again this year and the Millennium photos have me all hyped up for when I go out there this August. Good T/R by the way!

All I can say is that it better be open by June 7th since that's when I'm going.

I agree in that the crowds have become thicker at Hershey, especially with the Boardwalk and Fahrenheit. I don't know how that crowds will be affected this year with the Shore and Intercoastal Waterway. I'm going on June 7th, and that will be after you, so I can't help you there as far the Boardwalk expansion goes. What I would do is go directly to Fahrenheit first as soon as you walk in the gate. If the line is pretty full already (yes, there are idiots that run back to it, even after the security guards tell them not to run), check to see if the singles line is available. If it is, and the wait is already pretty decent, go for it! I did it last year and waited about five minutes for the second row (or something like that). Do not do Comet Hollow first as everyone seems to either go down there first or over to Fahrenheit / Storm Runner (if it will be open). Hit Comet later in the day, early evening as on a non-busy day, this seems to have lesser crowds. Me and my friend Alex will usually hit this coaster later in the day and usually don't have a problem with lines (unless the place is jam-packed). Great Bear shouldn't be a problem for a Monday. I know it isn't for a Sunday in June since that's what Alex and I usually do. If you decide not to do Fahrenheit first, I highly reccommend going out to Midway and doing the two GCI's (Wildcat and Lighting Racer) first, as well as Wild Mouse, as these will be walk-ons first thing in the day. Lightning Racer is also a people eater when both trains are on the track so unless the place is jam-packed, this shouldn't be a problem throughout the day. And Hershey has one of the best Wild Mouse's out there. With the lack of trims, it really provides a nice, intense, experience. As far as food goes, I don't know what your plans are. We usually eat back at Minetown Restaurant (adjact to Coal Cracker / Great Bear). I usually get a personal pizza, side salad and a drink in there. We'll also eat at the Subway near Sidewinder / Storm Runner. I've also heard people hype up the Freeman's Bar-b-que place down by Trailblazer. While I have never eaten there before, I can tell you the aroma smells awesome and I have heard great reviews about it, so perhaps you may want to check that out as well. Oh something I forgot to mention, you SHOULD do Chocolate World first! I highly recommend on getting there an hour early (9 am) when Chocolate World opens, go in there and do the tour. It gets you in the mood for the day. Alex and I NEVER go to Hershey without doing this first. Even if you are done, let's say, around twenty after nine, go down to the park gates anyways. They'll usually let you in about ten to fifteen minutes early, depending on the crowds. During this time you can hit a ride or two that's usually available to "Hersheypark Sweet Start" guests staying at a Hershey Resort. What I did last year was just park myself in front of the barrier by Reese's X-treme Cup Challenge, and wait for them to lower it so I could go for Fahrenheit. One more thing, make sure you include a water ride in the mix. Coal Cracker is excellent in that it cools you off without getting super wet (what I prefer for anyone who doesn't want to get wet that much) or Tidal Force and the rest of the Boardwalk attractions. Reese's X-treme Cup Challenge and the Kissing Tower are both air-conditioned so you can also hop on one of those attractions to cool off. That's my two-cents. I hope it helps you in someway. I'm not a Dorney expert (only been there twice in 2000 and 2006), but I do go to Hershey several times a year. It is clean, beautiful and the staff usually is pretty good. Overall, I recommend Hershey over Dorney when it comes to the coasters and those other things (not that Dorney isn't good either, it's improved greatly over the last several years). Most of all, have fun!

This is exciting! While I do miss Canyon River Rapids, I will be anxious to to take a stroll through this area. I'll be taking lots of pictures and will put my best shots in a PTR when I get back in two weeks.

I'm guessing whoever emailed you would be more correct than just a ride operator. Sometimes you can't alway trust what they say.

Looks like you're going around the time I am going, which will be June 7th, approximately two weeks. I can't wait to see this all in person. While I think this could have been placed elsewhere (along with wiser thinking as well as saving the rapids) it is a great addition. But like has been discussed in the past, I think their goal here is ride capacity.

My friend Alex and I will be there on June 7th. Unfortunately, nothing in July for me, until I go out to CP and KI in August. Hope you have a great time though!

I am currently working on re-doing my entire Hersheypark drawing. When completed, it will be entirely to scale (or almost to scale) and you will get a sense of hills, terrain, ride/structure placement and what else. I'll post it in a thread here when it's completed.

They just posted their 2009 park map. Click this link to see it: http://www.hersheypark.com/map/images/09_parkMap.jpg While I think it has gotten alot sloppier over the years, it sort of gives you an idea of where everything is located (besides a few paths being way off to scale). Hope it helps!

Looks like they are putting the finishing touches to the area. The "Shoreline Grill" sign appears to be on the building and they are also setting up the lounge chairs around The Shore. This really has me excited as June 7th gets closer! EDIT: The park just uploaded its 2009 park map to the site, and it features the SEAqual on it. Here's the link: http://www.hersheypark.com/map/images/09_parkMap.jpg

The Boardwalk page has been updated over at the park's website: http://www.hersheypark.com/boardwalk/index.php EDIT: New update! If you go to the park's Boardwalk page: http://www.hersheypark.com/boardwalk/index.php They have NEW photos of the Shore and Intercoastal Waterway WITH people in them! Check them out!

Yeah, my friend and I get there an hour early and go to Chocolate World. After that, we head down to the gate and wait down there (they do open them early and you can ride the rides that are open for the HP Sweet Start). At ten, then they open the rest of the park. The Comet doesn't get that long of lines in the early evening too. We've walked up on it around that time already. It usually gets a full queue on a very busy day (Saturdays).

I would definitely do Chocolate World first. You will not be dissapointed!

Wow, what great photo memories! I'll be going back to Cedar Point this August again for my second time so these are just getting me all hyped up! By the way, I recognized that Jumbo Jet. I have a pic of it in my book, "The American Rollercoaster". Do you (or anyone else here) know when it was removed?

Looks like they are letting people into the Seaqual area, with the exception of allowing them into the two attractions. This probably has something to do with the park having something for its employees and promotional shoots, maybe...

I'd prefer either Fahrenheit or Storm Runner. If it has to be a woodie, I'd say either Lightning Racer or Comet.

I'll share with you what my friend and I usually do when we get there. First off, we're always there an hour early to do Chocolate World. No trip is complete without a spin on their tour, especially if you are new to the place. Last year, we went over to Fahrenheit first, as this would probably be one of the best times to ride it until later in the day. If you don't mind riding by yourself, I strongly recommend the "singles line" on this coaster. Since the ride was broke down that morning, we stopped over by the ride later in the day and I waited five min for the second row instead of waiting in the almost filled main queue, thanks to the singles line, one of my best friends in the amusement industry! After that, I would head out directly to Midway. Usually everyone goes to Comet Hollow and Great Bear first and not out to Midway. Usually those rides are walk-ons in the morning (I know from plenty of experiences!). Lightning Racer is a people/line-eater, especially when both trains are on per track. If you plan on doing the Boardwalk, I also recommend getting out there early and getting a locker and one of the lounge chairs as I have heard from many that they go fast. I don't know how much the Seaqual will affect this though but it's still good to keep in mind if you plan on getting out there. Also do not miss their Wild Mouse! One of the best out there! The lack of trims really intensifies the ride experience and boy, does it feel like you're gonna fall off the edge! Reese's X-treme Cup can be done anytime. Usually it doesn't have a long line unless the place is totally packed. The monorail is also a must ride as it takes you into downtown Hershey and over ZooAmerica as well, my friend and I always make sure we ride this one! As far as eating, I don't know what your plans are. I highly reccommend Minetown Restaurant (across from Coal Cracker flume and Great Bear) which has all kinds of stuff in there. I usually get a personal pepparoni pizza, side salad and a drink in there. Another place we usually eat is the Subway, located at the food court near Sidewinder and Storm Runner. I think they are one of the cheaper places to eat in the park, but don't hold me to that. But regarding rides, do not miss Fahrenheit, Storm Runner, Great Bear, Comet and Lightning Racer. They are my absoulute favorite coasters in the park, even though I do love to ride the other ones alot (other than Sidewinder and Roller Soaker). I hope you have alot of fun! If there is anything else you have questions about, feel free to ask.

I love those pics! Seeing WDW back in the day brings back alot of memories to me. I remember the 20,000 Seas lagoon, with the ride operating in 1989. The next time I went in 1995, the ride was shut down but the lagoon was still there. I think seeing the castle in the birthday garb would have ruined my vacation for me. To be honest, I'd rather have a crane hovering over it while they are repainting the spires instead of all that fake candy and pink paint. Great PTR!

I didn't know if any of you tried using the Steelworx "Support Killer" feature to eliminate the supports on the log flumes and mine train rides in RCT3? Do they all dissappear? I couldn't get the supports directly under the track (for those two rides types) to vanish. Is there something I am doing wrong or is there a trick to it? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!