Hersheypark (HP) Discussion Thread

[Philrad71]

Maybe it is just me, but I find the Sprayground a pretty lackluster replacement, despite the fact that Roller Soaker was a pretty lackluster attraction. Just seems like a huge waste of space... But if there are bigger plans in the works for that corner of the Boardwalk area, it isn't as silly.

 

I agree...this really isn't what I had in mind when they announced it. It looks like something that would be more suited for a smaller water park like Martin's Fantasy Island or Waldameer than Hershey.

 

But perhaps you're right in that maybe they're planning something bigger in the future and could work around or over this attraction. A water coaster would be a great addition! Actually, I thought a splash battle might have fit nicely into that area too.

[TyRush]

Hey guys.... I'm going to Hershey in mid June. I was just wondering how crowded it is there at that time and what develops a long line?

Weekdays and Sunday's are not too bad. I would pick a Tues, or Wed. DON'T go on a Saturday in June unless you want to wait for hours.

[JJLehto]

Went to Hershey twice this season (in 5 days actually) and gotta say despite initial worries, Skyrush is fine. It seems they slowed it a tad over the crest but the AT was nuts as ever. : D

[TyRush]

Yea and honestly its just as good as last year if not better as it seems faster. and i like the front seat now as you hang over the edge, you still feel like your going to fall out, just in a different way. I already have 14 laps this year! Back left is still the best, yet every now and then it is bumpy on the gray corner. Nothing beats its airtime though

[azza29]

First visit coming up on Tuesday, hopefully it won't be too crowded but which rides should I hit up early to avoid long waits?

[Ccron10]

If there is a coaster that has a consistant line thorughout the day, it would be Fahrenheit with usually a 30 to 45 minute wait. Skyrush usually gathers a line at opening, but towards the mid to late afternoon, that line drops off to being at the base of the stairs (5 to 10 minutes). For all rides, lines aren't too bad in the evening.

 

Be sure to download the Hersheypark App if you have an iPhone or Android as it has a map, park hours, shows list, and a constant updated list of closed rides and wait times for major rides.

[azza29]

^Thanks. If lines are short in the evening I might take advantage of the preview plan to squeeze in a few rides tonight.

[TyRush]

^Thanks. If lines are short in the evening I might take advantage of the preview plan to squeeze in a few rides tonight.

Have fun and head to Skyrush! Just remember to do the backwards plan in the morning to get max rides!

[eddie200330]

Just got this in a facebook post.......

 

Attention coaster riders- we need 50 people for a travel channel film shoot at HersheyPark on Fahrenheit on Wednesday June 5th from 7am to 10am. We will take the first 50 that rsvp. Please send an email with your name to kburrows@HersheyPA.com, if you could please cc me on the email just so I know where we stand with people. My email is bwatts@aceonline.org. This is for any one wishing to ride Fahrenheit over and over, you do not need to be an ace member like the last film shoot.

 

Here is additional information Wardrobe – Please no logos (ACE logo is okay), neon colors or shirts with tight patterns on them.

 

 

 

Eat breakfast beforehand and bring water.

 

 

 

Please enter the Park via Service Center Road (look for the large white sign with blue lettering "Hersheypark Employees and Deliveries Only") and ask the guard to direct you to Employee Parking.

 

Please plan to ride Fahrenheit multiple times.

 

The shoot will conclude at 9:50 a.m. as the park opens to the public at 10 a.m. and we must clear the ride area before the public enters the Park.

 

At that time, a Hersheypark team member will escort you to the Employee Gate to exit the Park and return to your car.

[TyRush]

Damn i have school! Well who ever goes have fun!

[Barge84]

Went to Hershey yesterday with some family. They were expecting severe weather in the area, and I think it scared the crowds off. I've never seen an emptier park. The longest we waited all day was about 10 minutes for Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge. Skyrush had about a 10 minute wait in the morning, but after noon it was a walk on for the rest of the day. My 4 year old niece was with us, so we spent a lot of time doing kiddie rides and flat rides, but we never waited for anything. Just an amazing day.

 

I've been really hard on Skyrush after doing ERT on it last year during the New Hotness tour. Now that I understood how to ride it, it might have taken over my #1 steel coaster spot. That first drop is just incredible, and the airtime is insane. Yes, I had to brace myself throughout the ride, but it really helps with the "thigh crush" issues. I'm also a big fan of them releasing the restraints while waiting to get into the station. People were really happy about that.

 

Fahrenheit is probably my 2nd favorite ride in the park, followed by Storm Runner. It's a great trifecta of Intamin rides. I really think this park has one of the better lineups out there. Glad I came back again this summer, as I was kind of underwhelmed last year during my 1st visit.

[Wild 1]

Finally made it out to Hershey today and rode Skyrush for the first time. It had been taunting me since I saw it in May last year and it was well worth the wait. My first ride was on an outside seat and it was absolutely amazing. I did not seem to get the thigh crush that everyone was talking about, it was there but it was not unbearable like everyone made it out to be. It is now my #3 steel coaster. In other random news Storm Runner seemed to be having issues all day, it did not open until about 2 pm and even then it was running one train. It had a 1.5 hour wait so I skipped it. Fahrenheit also had an hour wait due to its awful capacity.

 

The average wait time for the other coasters were about 10 minutes for everything but Great Bear and Skyrush which had a 15 minute waits.

 

Overall it was a great day! Nothing bad really stood out other then Storm Runners wait and that was not the parks fault. Everything good about the park also seemed to shine through especially the landscaping near the new Skyrush path. It looks really nice

[Aceattack52]

Went to Hershey yesterday with some family. They were expecting severe weather in the area, and I think it scared the crowds off. I've never seen an emptier park. The longest we waited all day was about 10 minutes for Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge. Skyrush had about a 10 minute wait in the morning, but after noon it was a walk on for the rest of the day.

I've had experience going to the park when heavy rain was predicted and it was amazing! Until it started to rain.

[Barge84]

Went to Hershey yesterday with some family. They were expecting severe weather in the area, and I think it scared the crowds off. I've never seen an emptier park. The longest we waited all day was about 10 minutes for Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge. Skyrush had about a 10 minute wait in the morning, but after noon it was a walk on for the rest of the day.

I've had experience going to the park when heavy rain was predicted and it was amazing! Until it started to rain.

 

It rained for about 10 minutes at 11 am, and then nothing the rest of the day. I was worried on Saturday because they were prediction biblical storms, but nothing happened. Glad they scared everyone away!

[mikehaggar]

Went to Hershey yesterday with some family. They were expecting severe weather in the area, and I think it scared the crowds off. I've never seen an emptier park. The longest we waited all day was about 10 minutes for Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge. Skyrush had about a 10 minute wait in the morning, but after noon it was a walk on for the rest of the day. My 4 year old niece was with us, so we spent a lot of time doing kiddie rides and flat rides, but we never waited for anything. Just an amazing day.

 

I've been really hard on Skyrush after doing ERT on it last year during the New Hotness tour. Now that I understood how to ride it, it might have taken over my #1 steel coaster spot. That first drop is just incredible, and the airtime is insane. Yes, I had to brace myself throughout the ride, but it really helps with the "thigh crush" issues. I'm also a big fan of them releasing the restraints while waiting to get into the station. People were really happy about that.

 

Fahrenheit is probably my 2nd favorite ride in the park, followed by Storm Runner. It's a great trifecta of Intamin rides. I really think this park has one of the better lineups out there. Glad I came back again this summer, as I was kind of underwhelmed last year during my 1st visit.

 

I was there on Sunday as well. I went at about 6pm and had an absolute blast! There were no lines at all. At about 8pm I went back for my second ride on Skyrush and it was so empty that the ride attendants were letting me stay on the train to continue riding without having to go back through the line. I got about 8 rides in and was able to try many different seats throughout the train including my first ever front seat ride. The back row is still where it's at and I actually prefer the right wing. Such an incredible coaster!

 

It was also nice to be able to basically walk right on to Fahrenheit. I really enjoy it, but the rattling kind of brings it down a notch or two for me. I've noticed the closer to the front that you sit the less noticeable the rattle is, but it is still there unfortunately.

 

Lastly, I'm glad to hear that you had such a good time at the park. I live in Hershey and grew up spending my entire summer at the park so it's obviously a very special place for me. I have to agree that they do have a nice lineup of coasters and after Skyrush I am very excited to see what they do next.

[chargersmichael]

I am making a week trip with my family to visit in New York (have family up there). We are flying in Sunday and driving to a hotel near Hersheypark (then leaving on Tuesday to New York). My family and I have never been. We were planning on entering in early (2 1/2 hours before closing) on Sunday night for free and then spending all of the next day there. I had a couple questions regarding my trip:

1) What order should I do the rides in when I go? What plan should I make?

2) What rides to do? What rides not to do?

3) Restaurants?

4) Any other tips to prepare for the park?

[TyRush]

I am making a week trip with my family to visit in New York (have family up there). We are flying in Sunday and driving to a hotel near Hersheypark (then leaving on Tuesday to New York). My family and I have never been. We were planning on entering in early (2 1/2 hours before closing) on Sunday night for free and then spending all of the next day there. I had a couple questions regarding my trip:

1) What order should I do the rides in when I go? What plan should I make?

2) What rides to do? What rides not to do?

3) Restaurants?

4) Any other tips to prepare for the park?

1)Sunday night Skyrush first! Then Monday do Fahrenheit, Wildcat, Lightning Racer, Wild Mouse, Storm Runner, Great Bear, Skyrush, Comet! Backwards plan!

2)Obviously Skyrush, or all 3 Intamins! ! Every coaster is pretty good, Wildcat would only be the "rough" one.

3)There is a Smoked BBQ Western type place by Storm Runner and Trailblazer which has a show as well!

4)Have Fun and bring comfortable shoes, there are also some steep paths if anyone has knee or leg issues.

[chargersmichael]

1)Sunday night Skyrush first! Then Monday do Fahrenheit, Wildcat, Lightning Racer, Wild Mouse, Storm Runner, Great Bear, Skyrush, Comet! Backwards plan!

2)Obviously Skyrush, or all 3 Intamins! ! Every coaster is pretty good, Wildcat would only be the "rough" one.

3)There is a Smoked BBQ Western type place by Storm Runner and Trailblazer which has a show as well!

4)Have Fun and bring comfortable shoes, there are also some steep paths if anyone has knee or leg issues.

 

Thanks for the info! What roller coasters are somewhat a little rough besides Wildcat? What row(s) should I ride since I don't like any roughness on the roller coasters?

[eddie200330]

I am making a week trip with my family to visit in New York (have family up there). We are flying in Sunday and driving to a hotel near Hersheypark (then leaving on Tuesday to New York). My family and I have never been. We were planning on entering in early (2 1/2 hours before closing) on Sunday night for free and then spending all of the next day there. I had a couple questions regarding my trip:

1) What order should I do the rides in when I go? What plan should I make?

2) What rides to do? What rides not to do?

3) Restaurants?

4) Any other tips to prepare for the park?

 

USE MAP!!! For a first timer this park can be tricky. There is no real continuous loop and criss-crossing the park in any way shape or form can be tiresome. And by all means DON"T RUSH IT! If you are doing the night before and the whole next day you will have no problem getting in everything multiple times and getting to take in the scenery as well!!!

[azza29]

Most of the coasters are pretty good - even the woodies are reasonably smooth. SooperDooperLooper is probably more boring than rough, and Trail Blazer is an Arrow, so watch out for those corners...

[TyRush]

1)Sunday night Skyrush first! Then Monday do Fahrenheit, Wildcat, Lightning Racer, Wild Mouse, Storm Runner, Great Bear, Skyrush, Comet! Backwards plan!

2)Obviously Skyrush, or all 3 Intamins! ! Every coaster is pretty good, Wildcat would only be the "rough" one.

3)There is a Smoked BBQ Western type place by Storm Runner and Trailblazer which has a show as well!

4)Have Fun and bring comfortable shoes, there are also some steep paths if anyone has knee or leg issues.

 

Thanks for the info! What roller coasters are somewhat a little rough besides Wildcat? What row(s) should I ride since I don't like any roughness on the roller coasters?

As mentioned above every coaster is actually pretty smooth. Lightning Racer Thunder(green) was very smooth on all 5 of my rides this year so check that out. Front row on any would be smoothest even on Wildcat. I have found Skyrush to be shaky and actually a bit uncomfortable the past 5 weeks in the back wings, but i love it anyways! The airtime is most powerful back there, But since you don't like roughness, maybe don't sit back there but rather the front which is great! And on any of the steel you can sit anywhere and be good! I prefer Great Bear 3rd row left side, and Storm Runner in the back right side. Comet isn't rough but rather out of control so to speak, Sit in the back on Comet(great airtime)

[A.J.]

Be prepared to walk - a lot. Hersheypark has next to no level pathways apart from ride queues, ride entrances and The Boardwalk. There are a bunch of steep ups and downs that will wear your legs out if you're not prepared.

[Barge84]

Be prepared to walk - a lot. Hersheypark has next to no level pathways apart from ride queues, ride entrances and The Boardwalk. There are a bunch of steep ups and downs that will wear your legs out if you're not prepared.

 

Yep, lots of hills and a lot of criss-crossing, as someone mentioned earlier. My pedometer said that I walked just under 10 miles when I was there on Sunday. Mind you, that was over the course of about 11 hours, but still...

[eddie200330]

Be prepared to walk - a lot. Hersheypark has next to no level pathways apart from ride queues, ride entrances and The Boardwalk. There are a bunch of steep ups and downs that will wear your legs out if you're not prepared.

 

Yep, lots of hills and a lot of criss-crossing, as someone mentioned earlier. My pedometer said that I walked just under 10 miles when I was there on Sunday. Mind you, that was over the course of about 11 hours, but still...

 

LMAO...at ECB my wife wore one of those and it registered just under 15 miles. I think Hershey may be one of the hardest walking parks next to BGW.

[vdejarnette]

Got 5-6 runs on this yesterday and just wanted to pop in to reinforce that SkyRush still hauls major ass after the mods from last year. The lift slowdown at the top is more noticeable towards the front of the train, but in the back row (where the best rides on this beast are anyway, particularly the right wing seat) you can't even tell. Still my #1 steel coaster, we are truly hyper-spoiled here in the Mid Atlantic.

On another note, they made the lap bars about as soft as possible while still being functional and I still heard some complaining about the lap bars being too tight. This ride is just too much for some people, and it is better that way.