Hersheypark (HP) Discussion Thread

[Satans Hockey]

100, 200 and 300 foot towers next to each other would have looked cool and could have been used better as a progression for people to up their thrills but like others have said maybe they couldnt go that high.

 

Either way I'm looking forward to getting back there soon.

[boldikus]

This is a very peculiar edition, and demonstrates the dangers of trying to please everyone--no one is really happy. I understand the park's desire to make sure they are family friendly, but adding the smaller 80 foot tower appears to be why the tallest tower is so.... short. Visually it would look weird to have a 80 foot tower next to a huge 250ft tower and they might have some height restrictions. I remember there being some issues with even getting Skyrush approved. It will be a pretty unique edition to the park's skyline, especially at night.

 

There are people who are way smarter than I that get paid to think about these decisions, but who is really going to ride the intermediary tower? I imagine that kids will want to ride the 80 foot tower, and thrill seekers will want to ride the 189ft tower; with many people passing on the 130ft tower. I know Hershey Park has been criticized for lacking a drop tower, but now the new knock will be that that Hershey does not have a legit drop tower, imo.

 

"addition". Not "edition". Sorry for being a grammar Nazi but that makes me insane.

[A.J.]

Y'know, thinking about it, I feel like these would have been better suited scattered throughout the park. The tall one near Kissing Tower and Flying Falcon, the middle one out in Midway America and the smallest one in Founder's Way.

[grsupercity]

It is different enough to be cool. Would look neat them next to each other!

[blk_mamba]

This is a very peculiar edition, and demonstrates the dangers of trying to please everyone--no one is really happy. I understand the park's desire to make sure they are family friendly, but adding the smaller 80 foot tower appears to be why the tallest tower is so.... short. Visually it would look weird to have a 80 foot tower next to a huge 250ft tower and they might have some height restrictions. I remember there being some issues with even getting Skyrush approved. It will be a pretty unique edition to the park's skyline, especially at night.

 

There are people who are way smarter than I that get paid to think about these decisions, but who is really going to ride the intermediary tower? I imagine that kids will want to ride the 80 foot tower, and thrill seekers will want to ride the 189ft tower; with many people passing on the 130ft tower. I know Hershey Park has been criticized for lacking a drop tower, but now the new knock will be that that Hershey does not have a legit drop tower, imo.

 

"addition". Not "edition". Sorry for being a grammar Nazi but that makes me insane.

 

 

Oops on that one... That would have drove me insane also if I caught it. lol

[thrillseeker4552]

It's definitely a...weird...addition, but I'm relieved it's not an Intamin Ultra Tower (I never understood those things). I love S&S towers! I agree that the 130-foot tower may get ignored, but we'll see!

[bert425]

so, let's see if I got this.

 

1) people complain that HP doesn't have a drop tower

2) HP announces they are getting THREE drop towers, of different heights and experiences.

3) people complain that it's not exciting enough of an announcement.

 

ok.

[BeansproutMidget]

^

 

I'm glad Hershey FINALLY has a drop tower. Three, actually. I'm looking forward to it.

[GCI Wooden]

For me, it seems like S&S tower rides get more intense the smaller they get. The double shot at Playland's Castaway Cove is 85 feet and has a lot of airtime, while Power Tower at Cedar Point is much taller but shoots you up and then floats down.

It's really weird but I agree. I love the long drops of the tall towers (Like Power Tower), but the smaller S&S drop towers are extremely intense and the one at Indiana Beach had the most extreme airtime I've ever experienced (It put Magnum to shame).

[boldikus]

so, let's see if I got this.

 

1) people complain that HP doesn't have a drop tower

2) HP announces they are getting THREE drop towers, of different heights and experiences.

3) people complain that it's not exciting enough of an announcement.

 

ok.

 

Lol my sentiments exactly. But yeah you shouldn't be surprised.

[Philrad71]

It's disappointing that they have to remove Flying Falcoln for this. If Domintor weren't 10 minutes from my house I probably wouldn't care, but since it is this announcement sucks. Chick-fil-a is a welcome addition though.

 

I'm the opposite.

 

Out of all my visits to Hershey, I never rode Flying Falcon once.

 

I think the concept is clever as it's obviously based on the candy measurement scale at the park entrance for the kids.

 

Plus, being on the hill of Flying Falcon, it's going to be higher than Dominator or Demon Drop which Dorney stupidly put in the lowest part of the park.

 

Also, fuck Chick-Fil-A.

[TyRush]

It will be nice to see a change to the skyline, I understand the aim at this addition but I'm not sure, I really was expecting something more, if anything I am very excited to try the rotating Hershey's tower that is new from S&S. Falcon gets me sick every time so I don't think I have been on it in about 7 years, so I am very happy I now have something to ride that isn't a coaster

[CNYCoasterguy11]

Not sure why most people are upset with this announcement, Hershey is a family park and gears the majority of their rides towards family's, hence why they have so many kiddie and family rides. This is a solid addition to the rise lineup and they are really trading one ride out for three. I like the idea of three heights because some may not be ready for the Hershey Tower and would want to start out smaller first and work their way up. My only suggestion would have been to make the Kisses tower a double shot, the Reese's tower a turbo drop and the Hershey Bar a combo, that way each would be different other than height and capacity. A true choose your own thrill ride. Plus that part of the park is elevated more than others and that will add to the overall height and sight lines from the top

[amy_mel]

Several people asked about height restrictions. Yes, Derry Township has placed height restrictions on the park. I'm pretty sure it's 200 ft however, the Kissing Tower is something like 330 ft so it's either grandfathered in or there's a loophole.

[SteelForceless]

I've always heard that it was a law in Pennsylvania that rollercoasters aren't allowed to cross the 200ft barrier, but I can't find any information on it so if someone could confirm or deny this that would be great.

[TyRush]

I don't believe it's a law at all, just has to do with the different townships and such. It is ironic though that there are 3 200ft rollercoaster drops in PA and that's the highest.

[neil009]

I'm guessing they primarily had capacity in mind going with three towers. I doubt they think that many people would be willing to ride the middle one but not the tallest one. It actually makes a lot of sense to me, gives people a wider variety of choices than the normal setup like Dominator at Dorney. It'll be interesting if the middle tower ends up giving more airtime and a better ride than the taller one, I could easily see that being the case. I wonder, are they going to keep all three running at all times or shut one down on lightly crowded days?

[Vonni]

This may be an odd question, but will the new towers each have separate queues or will all three consist of one queue?

[DirkFunk]

I'm guessing they primarily had capacity in mind going with three towers. I doubt they think that many people would be willing to ride the middle one but not the tallest one. It actually makes a lot of sense to me, gives people a wider variety of choices than the normal setup like Dominator at Dorney. It'll be interesting if the middle tower ends up giving more airtime and a better ride than the taller one, I could easily see that being the case. I wonder, are they going to keep all three running at all times or shut one down on lightly crowded days?

 

The average S&S cluster has one line to reduce footprint since everyone is in line to ride an identical drop tower. In the instance where the middle tower produces a significantly better ride than the tallest tower, then all you do is switch which of the two towers sits idle with a 4-5 person crew by year 3. You also need three distinct (and long) queue lines since each double shot tower has a theoretical capacity approaching 400 an hour at a park with 3 million+ attendance.

[fraroc]

Wow...so Flying Falcon is being torn down....Unfortunately, I cant' say I didn't see this coming....I've seen a lot of speculation for many years that it was on the chopping block. This seems like a great addition for Hershey though. It's a very, VERY well rounded park with a great selection of rides and roller coasters and a drop tower is something that has really been missing.

[coasterbill]

In the instance where the middle tower produces a significantly better ride than the tallest tower, then all you do is switch which of the two towers sits idle with a 4-5 person crew by year 3

 

It's funny because it's true. Then again, I think people will go for the tallest tower regardless of the ride experience.

 

As far as the queue, you'll obviously have your choice of tower at some point, the question is whether or not they'll split later in the line or start at the beginning. If it splits later on then the Reeses tower will likely be unable to even fill the ride vehicle but if it starts out as three separate lines then it might have a minimal wait full of people who would rather ride the good tower but don't want to stand in line for it so they decided to settle.

 

And as far as the comments about people complaining, I haven't seen too much of that. I'm confused as to why one of the three towers exists but I'm looking forward to riding the Hershey's tower when I'm at the park. I'm not complaining at all (though I wish they didn't have to remove Flying Falcon but I totally understand), I'm just confused. And due to how unpopular S&S towers are after the first year or so I'm excited about having a ride at Hershey that I'll be able to ride with very little wait.

[DirkFunk]

And as far as the comments about people complaining, I haven't seen too much of that. I'm confused as to why one of the three towers exists but I'm looking forward to riding the Hershey's tower when I'm at the park. I'm not complaining at all (though I wish they didn't have to remove Flying Falcon but I totally understand), I'm just confused. And due to how unpopular S&S towers are after the first year or so I'm excited about having a ride at Hershey that I'll be able to ride with very little wait.

 

People can't take criticism as anything but "complaining". They can build whatever the hell it is they want and I'm permitted to laugh at any stupid choices they make. They'll be fun rides and at least kinda unique for two of the towers.

[cfc]

I think having three towers of varying sizes isn't a bad idea, as it does offer something for all age groups. Kids can work their way up from the short tower to the taller ones.

[thrillseeker4552]

I think having three towers of varying sizes isn't a bad idea, as it does offer something for all age groups. Kids can work their way up from the short tower to the taller ones.

 

I agree. It's nice to have some middle ground between a frog hopper and a standard 200+ foot drop tower. Even if one of the towers ends up getting "ignored," that just means short lines for us!

[defrocker]

I can take or leave drop towers. Glad it's an S&S though. I definitely prefer the upward launch to freefall.

 

Super excited for Chick-fil-A though!