Hersheypark (HP) Discussion Thread

[rcjp]

^I know, right? I really enjoyed it and would like to see more of these.

[Ccron10]

 

^ I don't understand why the park is only doing it on Friday nights. I was REALLY excited to get a pitch black ride on Lightning Racer, and I was extremely disappointed to see it was only on Fridays.

 

Another thing I don't understand is it not mentioned on the website? I didn't even know it was a Friday thing until I saw the signs outside of WC and LR. What a bummer that was!

The signs were from when they first did the event two years ago. They've been doing the 'Coasters in the Dark' event every night last year and they didn't change the sign yet. When it comes to this, I kind of think the best one for this event is Lightning Racer given it's location away from much of the midways and the stadium lights (like Comet and Wildcat).

[boldikus]

Too tired to really post anything concrete until tomorrow but I just came here to say OMFG SKYRUSH.

 

update: TR posted.

[jedimaster1227]

Hersheypark has sent us a press release regarding the newest residents at ZooAmerica!

 

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park has increased its population by eleven. These new residents are ready to meet guests at the Zoo and include:

 

• “Shirley,” North American Porcupine
  
• “Isabella,” Pronghorn
  
• “Cora,” Thick-billed Parrot
  
• “Adidas,” Black-footed Ferret
  
• Turkey Vulture
  
• Three Sidewinders
  
• “Mitzi,” American Marten
  
• “Lily and Laurel,” White-tailed Deer
  
• “Rainier,” Mountain Lion cub

“Welcoming new animals to ZooAmerica is always fun and exciting for both our guests and our Naturalists,” said ZooAmerica Director Troy Stump.

 

Now through March 27, 2015, Friday admission to ZooAmerica is specially priced at $5.50 to encourage guests to meet the new animals while enjoying the natural beauty of Pennsylvania in the winter.

 

Shirley, the porcupine, is a three-year old female who came to the Zoo from a breeder in Minnesota.

 

Isabella, affectionately known as “Izzie,” is a five-month old female from Bear County USA in Rapid City, South Dakota. She was captive-raised and will join Buddy, a two and a half-year old pronghorn, in Big Sky Country.

 

Our new thick-billed parrot Cora was hatched at ZooAmerica on August 20. She joins the other five thick-billed parrots.

 

Adidas was born on June 18, 2009 at the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in Colorado and came to ZooAmerica from Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.

 

The turkey vulture arrived from the Audubon Center in Connecticut. He is a rehabilitated bird that was deemed un-releasable and is now at home in the Zoo.

 

Three one-month old sidewinders arrived from Zoo Atlanta. Nicknamed Horned Rattlers, these venomous snakes are unique because of their sideways form of locomotion.

 

Mitzi, an eight year old female American Marten, came to ZooAmerica from a breeder in Minnesota. She will join the two males on exhibit.

 

Two White-tailed Deer will join the Zoo’s buck on exhibit. Lilly is 1 ½ years old and Laurel is 2 ½ years old. Both does arrived from a local breeder.

 

Rainier, an abandoned mountain lion cub rescued near Spokane, Washington, came to the Zoo in August at one-month of age. He is growing rapidly and will eventually join Rosa, the adult female Mountain Lion, on exhibit.

 

With more than 200 animals from five regions of North America, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is both an educational and fun experience which allows guests to see many of the continent’s animal residents up-close and personal. Just like people, many of the Zoo’s residents are more active this time of year and enjoy the crisp winter air.

 

For more information about ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, please visit http://www.ZooAmerica.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ZooAmerica.

[mike541x]

I remember seeing some empty exhibits at ZooAmerica a few months ago. Looks like they'll finally have use for them now.

[Ccron10]

Much of the building framework is up for Laff Trakk. This thing looks like it will tower over Midway America since the Ferris Wheel, Wildcat, and Lightning Racer are only slightly taller than the building. I'm going to go see if I can get a few better photos later. This was taken from the nearby Red Robin parking lot.

[DJeXeL]

In all honesty, I COMPLETELY forgot about Laff Trakk. Good to hear they're making progress.

[patrick_rc_fan]

In all honesty, I COMPLETELY forgot about Laff Trakk. Good to hear they're making progress.

 

Don't worry-- you're not alone.

[TyRush]

Construction on it has been moving really slow, nothing to be ashamed of forgetting about it

 

Maybe when I head home next week I'll get out to the park and snag a few photos

[Ccron10]

Construction on it has been moving really slow, nothing to be ashamed of forgetting about it

 

Maybe when I head home next week I'll get out to the park and snag a few photos

I wouldn't say that it is moving slow, but more like what was going on wasn't really interesting as the ride will be basically sat down on a concrete floor and the frame just started going up a week ago.

Here's a little more detailed update on the building. It is just about 80 feet tall so it is almost as tall as Lightning Racer, Ferris Wheel and Wildcat. No track spotted yet.

http://wp.me/p1sPRq-i0

[Myself]

The staggered ceiling is kind of a surprise to me, but I guess only build what you need to, eh?

 

Honestly, I feel like this project disappeared from the radar thanks to Thunderbird, Fury, the BGW coaster, etc. As one of two projects (Impulse being the other) I actually expect to be able to ride next year, I have been looking forward to this.

[ajfelice]

The staggered ceiling is kind of a surprise to me, but I guess only build what you need to, eh?

 

Well there is an approximately 30ft surplus since the building will be 80ft and the maximum ride height is roughly 50ft, so nothing too tight. I'm sure everything is for good reason.

 

As to the pace of construction, the building itself is obviously going to be the most tedious. The coaster should be able to be assembled in a couple months time, or less, based on what I can recall from an outdoor installation of the same coaster model back in 2004. "Slow" wouldn't be a fair description of the construction progress as there is a lot going on between the foundation that needs to support a coaster as well as an 80ft building.

[chris921]

"same coaster model as 2004" - this ride is such a joke. Spending so much money on an 80 ft building and tacky fun house decorations for a mediocre-at-best canned coaster layout....no wonder so many people forgot about it already

[GwaziBSRider1]

That Maurer model is actually quite fun. It has a nice spin to it and doesn't try to punch you in the gut like some of the others. I think it will work well with the theme, and it will be a nice addition to that area of the park.

[boldikus]

I personally think its a good addition to the park. While I'd like to see some adult flats like a great drop tower or screaming swing, and I'm not a fan if spinning mice, I dig the kitchy concept for Laff Trakk, even the name. If the effects are done right it should be a very interesting ride and it fits into that area perfectly.

 

During a moment of boredom at the office yesterday I ventured back through this thread to when Skyrush was under construction and its interesting to see peoples then speculation and feelings of what the ride would be like, and all of the comparisons/contrasts to I305, especially now that Skyrush seems to generally be considered one of the most intense/best coaster experiences on the planet.

[michaellynn4]

I think its location is one of the best things about it. It'll really help entice crowds back towards the end of the park again and spread everyone more evenly throughout, whereas now it's as though the vast majority seem to stick to the front half of the park.

Edited December 17, 2014 by michaellynn4

[boldikus]

Another thing I meant to mention in the above post is that I'm not surprised people aren't *really* following construction on this like they are with some of the other 2015 coasters. I mean, as unique as the concept is, its a mouse in a box. Not only is it not generally as interesting to most as a larger construction project like Fury or Thunderbird, there isnt going to be all that much to see other than the box going up, unless there are folks that get to go behind the scenes once track and whatnot starts going in.

[DBru]

The staggered ceiling is kind of a surprise to me, but I guess only build what you need to, eh?

 

I like it. I think it'll make it look more like a "building" and less like a "box."

[Myself]

I never said I didn't like it, just that it surprises me. Kennywood did well making Exterminator look like a building instead of a box, and I expect Hershey will have no difficulty doing the same.

[appel]

Although Laff Track will be a nice family addition, I am looking forward for their next big coaster, hopefully in 2016.

[coasterfreak101]

the BGW coaster, etc.

 

To be fair, BGW isn't building a coaster. Just ask BGW.

[TyRush]

Oh how I wish Skyrush went back to its original lift hill speed

[mike541x]

^How much faster was it? It seemed pretty quick when I rode it back in October, I can't imagine how much crazier the airtime was on the backseat if it was faster.

[TyRush]

^Oh it was truly another dimension, the whip feeling over the crest was something I'll never get to feel on a rollercoaster ever again, unless of course they run it back to full speed! if you think Skyrush is trying to thrown you out of your seat now, then you wouldn't even consider it safe back in the prime time. Watch some early testing videos it just flies over the top

[DBru]

The lift was so fast that, if you weren't paying attention, the transition from the station into the lift would staple you. Hard.