Hersheypark (HP) Discussion Thread

[hey...hey]

Man, there is a lot of hate for Wildcat. I love the ride, and would probably rank it second behind Skyrush. The back seat is the best. Plus, it is the first GCI coaster to boot.

[DJeXeL]

Plus, it is the first GCI coaster to boot.

 

Yes and it rides as such.

[Rotura Violenta]

As far as getting everything done in a short times goes, I was there just before summer and I was able to ride everything in under two hours as the park was totally dead. The place is a bit weirdly mapped out, but there's a shortcut that goes straight toward Skyrush station from the opening gates, but if you're getting there late, it probably won't matter.

 

SDL is fairly lame, but it's sort of a classic of sorts and worth jumping on as you walk from Skyrush to Great Bear to Storm Runner.

[boldikus]

Just found out a Demi Lavato (sp?) show is the night we are thinking of going. Should I just kill myself now?

[Rotura Violenta]

Just found out a Demi Lavato (sp?) show is the night we are thinking of going. Should I just kill myself now?

 

I just looked up who Demi Lavato is—a Barney & Friends character? There were a bunch of people in costumes and stuff when I visited, but they didn't really draw crowds. Is this like a "meet and greet" affair?

 

[EDIT]: Ugh. Nevermind. I see she's like a Britney Spears / Justin Bieber type thing. I could see how that would be a major problem with visiting—especially if you can hear the music.

[Rotura Violenta]

Also, as awful as WildCat is (it's capital-T Terrible), it's worth riding just to see what it's all about. As others have mentioned, the mouse is stock. You could ride the same thing elsewhere quite easily. Same with that hideous boomerang.

[boldikus]

Just found out a Demi Lavato (sp?) show is the night we are thinking of going. Should I just kill myself now?

 

I just looked up who Demi Lavato is—a Barney & Friends character? There were a bunch of people in costumes and stuff when I visited, but they didn't really draw crowds. Is this like a "meet and greet" affair?

 

[EDIT]: Ugh. Nevermind. I see she's like a Britney Spears / Justin Bieber type thing. I could see how that would be a major problem with visiting—especially if you can hear the music.

 

 

I dont care if we can hear it just dont want to deal with crowds that would go to that show. Don't know her music but I know she's a fairly big pop star. Ugh ugh ugh. :/

[Diamondbacker27]

Just found out a Demi Lavato (sp?) show is the night we are thinking of going. Should I just kill myself now?

 

I just looked up who Demi Lavato is—a Barney & Friends character? There were a bunch of people in costumes and stuff when I visited, but they didn't really draw crowds. Is this like a "meet and greet" affair?

 

[EDIT]: Ugh. Nevermind. I see she's like a Britney Spears / Justin Bieber type thing. I could see how that would be a major problem with visiting—especially if you can hear the music.

 

 

I dont care if we can hear it just dont want to deal with crowds that would go to that show. Don't know her music but I know she's a fairly big pop star. Ugh ugh ugh. :/

She's okay, but nothing to kill yourself over.

[boldikus]

After a bit of research I'm seeing the show is at the "Giant Center", which looks close according to maps. But its not IN the park, so do you guys think that will have an effect on crowds at the park? I just don't know the area or the crowds so I'm in the dark. I immediately thought its was like SFGAdv when they have bands/artists play inside the park at one of the venues. edit: thinking that since its not in the park, and show is @ 8pm, it will likely not effect crowds @ park, maybe earlier before show but would likely clear out by 7ish I'm thinking. (Sorry I am an overplanner with these things)

[Diamondbacker27]

After a bit of research I'm seeing the show is at the "Giant Center", which looks close according to maps. But its not IN the park, so do you guys think that will have an effect on crowds at the park? I just don't know the area or the crowds so I'm in the dark. I immediately thought its was like SFGAdv when they have bands/artists play inside the park at one of the venues. edit: thinking that since its not in the park, and show is @ 8pm, it will likely not effect crowds @ park, maybe earlier before show but would likely clear out by 7ish I'm thinking. (Sorry I am an overplanner with these things)

I'm sure it will increase the crowds some, but like 2 hours before the concert things should start to clear up.

[coasterbill]

It may actually help you because a lot of people who were in the park earlier will be headed to the concert. It's also nice that the Giant Center is an indoor venue so you won't be subjected to any of her horrible music while enjoying your night in the park.

 

Leaving the parking lot (which is kind of shared between the park and the Giant Center) after you leave might be horrendous though depending on when the concert ends so be prepared for that.

[boldikus]

 

Leaving the parking lot (which is kind of shared between the park and the Giant Center) after you leave might be horrendous though depending on when the concert ends so be prepared for that.

 

Yeah this is exactly where my thought process headed after that last post. I'm thinking in terms of crowds inside the park it might actually help us out. Now I'm off to hawking the weather (Farmers Almanac says flurries the week after! Anyone ever ridden in the snow?!)

[Rotura Violenta]

 

Leaving the parking lot (which is kind of shared between the park and the Giant Center) after you leave might be horrendous though depending on when the concert ends so be prepared for that.

 

Yeah this is exactly where my thought process headed after that last post. I'm thinking in terms of crowds inside the park it might actually help us out. Now I'm off to hawking the weather (Farmers Almanac says flurries the week after! Anyone ever ridden in the snow?!)

 

I think the weather is what helped me. It was hotter than ass and there were potential storms on the way, so I think it might have kept people out of the park. Although it never rained, it was super muggy and gross. The park clearly anticipated a bigger turnout as all the coasters were running multiple trains, yet they were having a hard time getting them even half-filled with guests. It was great!

[Nickstroberg]

Yeah when I went to Hershey this summer, it was pouring, like FUCKING TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. But they ran every coaster as long as it would run. The only one that shut down was Skyrush. I made nice with one of the employees, who informed me Skyrush will typically E-stop itself on the lift if its too wet. Rode every other coaster until it reopened a few hours later. Stormrunner in the pouring rain=getting shot in the face with an air-soft gun, repeatedly. Still good fun though

 

I'm sure they'll run whatever they can if the weather gets iffy. The ride op I made friends with told me "9 times out of 10, If they can run it, they WILL run it! Thats OUR fuckin' weather policy!" I think thats so cool, because I'm used to CP's hyper-sensitive rain policy.

[fraroc]

Also, as awful as WildCat is (it's capital-T Terrible), it's worth riding just to see what it's all about. As others have mentioned, the mouse is stock. You could ride the same thing elsewhere quite easily. Same with that hideous boomerang.

 

 

Idk....Sidewinder is a pretty damn good ride.

[CanobieFan]

Man, there is a lot of hate for Wildcat. I love the ride, and would probably rank it second behind Skyrush. The back seat is the best. Plus, it is the first GCI coaster to boot.

 

 

Wildcat is in my top 8. I love Wildcat. It's a ride thats vicious.

 

I got bruised though on my hip, so it went from 5 to 8.

[rcjp]

Also, as awful as WildCat is (it's capital-T Terrible), it's worth riding just to see what it's all about. As others have mentioned, the mouse is stock. You could ride the same thing elsewhere quite easily. Same with that hideous boomerang.

 

 

Idk....Sidewinder is a pretty damn good ride.

While I wouldn't say good, it's a decent ride with these trains.

[Noporian]

I bet they spent a lot of effort on this name XD

LAFF TRAKK?!

[coasterbill]

Also, as awful as WildCat is (it's capital-T Terrible), it's worth riding just to see what it's all about. As others have mentioned, the mouse is stock. You could ride the same thing elsewhere quite easily. Same with that hideous boomerang.

 

 

Idk....Sidewinder is a pretty damn good ride.

 

It's sort of okay for a Boomerang but if you have a limited amount of time in the park it's the first ride you should skip. I think Wildcat may be worse but some people do like it so if you have time it's worth a ride (but if you don't have time then skip it)... at least it has a unique layout unlike Sidewinder or the Mouse.

[cfc]

^I'm not a big fan of Wildcat, but it was running a bit better last summer than it has in previous years. Lightning Run is still a great woodie.

[Sharman19]

^I'm not a big fan of Wildcat, but it was running a bit better last summer than it has in previous years. Lightning Run is still a great woodie.

You mean Lightning Racer?

[ejot]

^ That's probably a safe bet.

 

So if you only had time to ride one side of LR which would it be. I go with Thunder, left station, because you get to see the other train crest the lift hill right next to you, which is a cool visual. (Of course, maybe they aren't running two trains... I've only been when it's busy)

Edited September 25, 2014 by ejot

[coasterbill]

You'll have time to ride both sides... the ride never gets a line probably due to it's location and it's high capacity. I don't think anyone would ever be forced to choose.

[mike541x]

I'll be visiting Hersheypark on Saturday, October 17th and possibly the 18th. Being that it's the first Saturday for "HP in The Dark", should I worry about crowds? And another thing I'm still scratching my head about is the "Fast Track" pass.

 

Fast Track Day Pass - $50 - Skip the lines for one ride on 9 of our coasters!

(For riders between 42" and 47" the cost is $20.)

 

Fast Track Evening Pass - $25 - Skip the lines for one ride on 5 of our coasters!

(Available for purchase after 3:00 PM. Valid 5:30 PM to close.)

 

So I can only skip the line once for nine roller coasters just before 5:30 pm? Then I would have to chip in another $25 for "Fast Track" in the evening for only five roller coasters? Maybe I'm not understanding something correctly but it doesn't sound like it's worth the money.

 

Also every roller coaster except for Trailblazer will be a new credit for me. Any suggestions on where to sit on certain rides?

[ejot]

From previous discussion it sounds like the pass is not worth it this time of year, lines are low. I was there on a Saturday in the middle of the summer and was happy to get the afternoon flash pass, it was well worth it, especially getting a walk-on to Skyrush, bypassing an awful line.