Hersheypark (HP) Discussion Thread

[HPCrazy]

I have never seen Fahrenheit's line that short before.

 

When my friend Alex and I go there, usually we head straight back there for me to get my Fahrenheit ride out of the way and the queu is always like that, especially on a non-busy day in early June. Last year, I don't think it was even half full in the afternoon on the day we visited.

 

Historically, STITP has been overcrowded. The best time to visit is on an early weekday in June.. after that.. have fun. I don't know what it is about the Comet though! It gets insane, slow moving lines all summer.

 

That's exactly when Alex and I go, early June. Last year on the day we went, most of the park was empty or very light crowds. Even the Boardwalk wasn't that busy and there wasn't a line for The Shore and maybe a short wait for Intercoastal Waterway, plus Comet's line was just down the ramp (not even at that). I guess it's just trying to hit the right time, but I think Alex and I have it figured out now.

[redfoot12]

My friend and I want to hit this park up for the first time as well. So it sounds like it would be a good plan to go on a Wednesday in early June.

[tatertot3710]

Today was a good day!

 

-Comet had a 15-20 minute line all day

-Sidewinder was CLOSED

-SDL was a walk-on all day

-Great Bear was a 3-5 train wait all day

-Kissing Tower was a walk-on

-Flying Falcon was a walk-on

-Trailblazer was only running one train, but was a walk-on in the morning, and grew to about 20 minutes later in the day

-Fahrenheit never exceeded 20 minutes

-Xtreme Cup Challenge was a walk-on in the beginning of the day, and approx. 20 min. the rest of the day

-Wild Mouse was 5-20 minutes over the course of the day

-Wildcat was a walk-on in the beginning of the day, but grew to be about 20 minutes later

-Storm Runner was a walk-on for most of the day, but was about 15 minutes in the middle

-Lighting Racer was only running lightning side since thunder VALLEYED IN THE TUNNEL!!! Line was a walk-on most of the day, but never exceeded 10 minutes

Edited April 12, 2010 by tatertot3710

[HPCrazy]

My friend and I want to hit this park up for the first time as well. So it sounds like it would be a good plan to go on a Wednesday in early June.

 

Sounds like a good plan to me Shouldn't be a problem crowdwise.

[redfoot12]

^Sounds good! I'm going to ask for June 9th off from work tomorrow. It looks like it takes around 4 hours from Richmond to Hershey so I'll probably leave at around 6 or 7 in the morning. I'm not a big TR guy but I'll definitely report back some of my thoughts on the trip when I get back.

[coasterfreak101]

-Lighting Racer was only running lightning side since thunder VALLEYED IN THE TUNNEL!!!

 

How in the world does this happen?? That thing flies through the tunnel...unless it went through and rolled back at the next turnaround? How weird...

[tatertot3710]

It looked to me like it happened during testing. The first 4 cars were sticking out of the beginning of the tunnel and I only saw lightning testing as I entered the park.

[F1shy]

Today was a good day!

 

-Comet had a 15-20 minute line all day

-Sidewinder was CLOSED

-SDL was a walk-on all day

-Great Bear was a 3-5 train wait all day

-Kissing Tower was a walk-on

-Flying Falcon was a walk-on

-Trailblazer was only running one train, but was a walk-on in the morning, and grew to about 20 minutes later in the day

-Fahrenheit never exceeded 20 minutes

-Xtreme Cup Challenge was a walk-on in the beginning of the day, and approx. 20 min. the rest of the day

-Wild Mouse was 5-20 minutes over the course of the day

-Wildcat was a walk-on in the beginning of the day, but grew to be about 20 minutes later

-Storm Runner was a walk-on for most of the day, but was about 15 minutes in the middle

-Lighting Racer was only running lightning side since thunder VALLEYED IN THE TUNNEL!!! Line was a walk-on most of the day, but never exceeded 10 minutes

 

Sounds like you had a good day! This weekend was a great weekend for guests - I was working Sidewinder on Saturday and the line never exceeded the ramp to the station. I glanced over at Stormrunner a few times and the lines never reached the top of the stairs. Lightning Racer was running both trains on that day.

 

Yesterday I operated Fahrenheit from 2-6pm and I believe the longest wait was 40 minutes. We were only running two trains... probably because Hershey was expecting little attendance after last Sunday. I have no explanation for Sidewinder's closure or Thunder's "Valley in the tunnel", however.

[PennStater]

-Lighting Racer was only running lightning side since thunder VALLEYED IN THE TUNNEL!!!

 

I was there Saturday with a couple friends, and we noticed that as well. They had two trains running on the Lightning side. Gotta wonder how Thunder stalled there... I suppose maybe if it happened on the first test run of the year.

Edited April 13, 2010 by PennStater

[F1shy]

-Lighting Racer was only running lightning side since thunder VALLEYED IN THE TUNNEL!!!

 

I was there Saturday with a couple friends, and we noticed that as well. They had two trains running on the Thunder side. Gotta wonder how Lightning stalled there... I suppose maybe if it happened on the first test run of the year.

 

Err... okay I guess I lied about both trains running on Saturday, then. My mistake. I must have been seeing things.

[HPCrazy]

^Sounds good! I'm going to ask for June 9th off from work tomorrow. It looks like it takes around 4 hours from Richmond to Hershey so I'll probably leave at around 6 or 7 in the morning. I'm not a big TR guy but I'll definitely report back some of my thoughts on the trip when I get back.

 

My friend and I will be there the first Sunday of that month. We always go that day because of the light crowds.

[redfoot12]

^If they're light on a Sunday then maybe I'll save my vacation day and go the same day! If you see a guy in a TPR Deep South/Texas shirt, that would be me.

[coasterbilly]

well I was going to reply that I'm sorry for everybody's visits and to just wait until we get a weekend or two deeper into the season and all of those crowds will mellow out, it seems with the last few posts it's true lol. I have never had a negative experience at Hershey, they have been advertising Springtime in the Park on radios everywhere and definitely with the gorgeous weather, it was bound to happen. I'll be heading there the last weekend in May on a Sunday, I feel confident things will be back to normal there, and in my opinion Dorney doesn't touch this place, so whoever says Hershey lost their business, reconsider that because summer months are great at this park!

[HPCrazy]

well I was going to reply that I'm sorry for everybody's visits and to just wait until we get a weekend or two deeper into the season and all of those crowds will mellow out, it seems with the last few posts it's true lol. I have never had a negative experience at Hershey, they have been advertising Springtime in the Park on radios everywhere and definitely with the gorgeous weather, it was bound to happen. I'll be heading there the last weekend in May on a Sunday, I feel confident things will be back to normal there, and in my opinion Dorney doesn't touch this place, so whoever says Hershey lost their business, reconsider that because summer months are great at this park!

 

You'll be there the weekend before I am. You definitely won't have a crowd problem either. I agree with what you said. I believe STITP is just a way for a bunch of impatient people to get there who can't wait for another month. The weather just helped it even more. I still think HP in the Dark is better because the event is more festive and fall is just a great time of the year to get your last coaster rides in.

 

^If they're light on a Sunday then maybe I'll save my vacation day and go the same day! If you see a guy in a TPR Deep South/Texas shirt, that would be me.

 

Perhaps if we're both there the same day, maybe we can meet up.

[larrygator]

I believe STITP is just a way for a bunch of impatient people to get there who can't wait for another month. The weather just helped it even more. I still think HP in the Dark is better because the event is more festive and fall is just a great time of the year to get your last coaster rides in.

 

Don't forget, STITP also allows many new ride ops the opportunity to learn the routine under real circumstances during this annual "Soft Opening".

[tatertot3710]

Just moving the rumors to this thread. Yesterday's screamscape post:

 

 

(6/1/10) The latest rumor sent in about Hersheypark claims that they may be looked at obtaining a new B&M coaster creation in the next two years. While nothing is set in stone yet, I’m told that the rumor going around is that the station may be placed in the Comet Hollow section of the park, which is also expected to see the Tilt-A-Whirl removed after this season. More when we find out.

 

The latest:

 

(6/2/10) I’m told that small white triangle looking survey markers can be found around the Comet Hollow area. One is even said to be placed right under a section of Great Bear’s track. Anyone have pictures?

[redfoot12]

I'll be making my first trip to Hershey this weekend (weather permitting) and I was wondering if there was anything food-wise I should try. Or is the food standard park fare?

[Wolf]

I'll be making my first trip to Hershey this weekend (weather permitting) and I was wondering if there was anything food-wise I should try. Or is the food standard park fare?

 

It's pretty standard, although the barbeque place in the hollow below Storm Runner is pretty good.

 

It's worth it to check out the Zoo, too.

[Jim S.]

I don't like Hershey's indoor restaurants. Minetown Restaurant is always crowded, and the Gourmet Grille's food has never seemed well-cooked to me. I like the food court behind the cobra roll of Sidewinder, the Vekoma Boomerang.

[deguy123]

The restaurants always seem to be crowded but we always go to the place down by Trailblazer....they have the best roast beef sandwiches. There is always a place to sit, plus it's relaxing down in that area.

[HPCrazy]

I don't like Hershey's indoor restaurants. Minetown Restaurant is always crowded, and the Gourmet Grille's food has never seemed well-cooked to me. I like the food court behind the cobra roll of Sidewinder, the Vekoma Boomerang.

 

You must go at bad times. We ate at Minetown the last several years and the crowds weren't an issue. I find the food there not to be too bad either.

[Jim S.]

I don't think I've EVER been to Hershey more than one time when it wasn't extraordinarily crowded, and that includes times when I've deliberately gone in the middle of the week in hopes of smaller crowds.

 

I have no problem with the food in Minetown, other than it's average precooked food at average high park prices.

[HPCrazy]

I'm guessing the Boardwalk is helping generate those crowds lol. Actually we went the first Sunday of June last year and the crowds were pretty light. The Boardwalk was the busiest area and even that wasn't that much of an issue. If you look for my 2009 HP PTR from last year, you'll see what I'm referring to. Actually, that's why we plan on going this Sunday, for basically the same situation.

[Ccron10]

I went on opening day this year and while the line for Gourmet Grill wasn't too long, there wasn't many seats available there. From a personal opinion I found Gourmet Grill to be good. I think they changed their fries because when I went there and ate a Minetown Restaurant a year or two ago, they were horrible and didn't have any salt. Now they are great.

 

I still want to try Freeman's BBQ sometime.

 

EDIT: Some servey markers have been recently spotted in the Comet Hollow area and from the looks of them, they are strikingly similar to Fahrenheit's when it was under construction. By the end of summer I am going to be moving out there and going to college nearby, so if this is what I am thinking it could be, I'll have to see about posting updates about it.

[tatertot3710]

According to Hersheypark's Facebook page, their new iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad app has been released:

 

The Brand New FREE Hersheypark iPhone App is LIVE! The App features:- Interactive GPS Map

- Ride/Attraction information (ride heights, thrill level, ride description, photo)

-Real-time ride closure information

-Show times

-Hershey Attractions Hours

-Checklist, etc. Visit iTunes to download the App today!

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fapp%2Fhersheypark%2Fid372038569%3Fmt%3D8&h=73ce1