knowit Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Here is the story http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/07/two_new_water_rides_to_replace.html
Coasterfusion Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 You know alot of parks are getting rid of water rides like river rapids and giant flume rides. I thought that these types of rides would be more popular then a wave pool and lazy river. It's kind of funny, Hershey Park is turning into Dorney now.
coasterdude5 Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Why? Rapids, IMO, are alot better than lazy rivers. Maybe this one will be better... Not impressed with their decision.
Ccron10 Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Rodeo is also getting removed too. It looks like Screamscape was 100% right about this.
knowit Posted July 1, 2008 Author Posted July 1, 2008 Hershey will NEVER be Dorney. They don't have cedar fair to ruin them....Look a Fahrenheit! Yes, I'm a HP fanboy
Teacups Make Me Sick Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Nooooo!!!! I loved the Canyon River Rapids. Funny, my family and I watched a video of us going through the rapids 10+ years ago. I hate when they take out the good stuff (like the Conestoga Wagon) and they replace it with crap like a wave pool.
YoshiFan Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Just another reason I hate the Boardwalk. What is the next ride to go for more stupid Boardwalk expansions. I am really angry at this decision. Everyone I told about this back when it was a rumor was not happy about it and felt Hershey was making a mistake. The Boardwalk should have been built away from the ride park like WWK is at Dorney or made a seperate gate. They tried to put too much in a small area and now it is at the expense of other attractions. The only positive thing about this is that it might help make coaster lines a little shorter but I don't think it will that much since last year I went on a slower day with the Boardwalk open and lines were still long, though that is also due to bad operations like only 1 train on each side of LR. It's funny how years ago I would say Hershey was my favorite park without hesitation, now I'm not so sure.
yankees15 Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 They are calling it "The Boardwalk: The SEAquel" http://www.hersheypark.com/boardwalk/seaquel/index.php ^ I also agree they should have made the Boardwalk a separate park with its own gate. Everything is WAY too close together and it gets very crowded.
Coasterfusion Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 It's just sad that parks have to remove rides that people like to only replace them with attractions that will be overcrowded and annoying. I hate waiting in line to get a tube for lazy rivers. Quick question, why isn't my signature working?
Kennyweird Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I knew it. Oh, well, I got to ride Canyon River Rapids on my last trip, so I'm happy.
CoasterEricHP Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 As much as most of us coaster/thrills people love to hate the Boardwalk, you have to look at the big picture. In 2007 Hersheypark saw a HUGE rise in attendance thanks in large part to the Boardwalk. I'd rather see Hershey build something to add on to the success of the Boardwalk (and Fahrenheit) and see Hershey continue to grow! More people = more money and that equals more great rides in the future (...even though I still cant believe how EXPENSIVE Hersheypark is now) Not many normal people are going to miss the Rodeo.. more people will miss Canyon River Rapids but that ride took up a huge amount of land. The new area seems to make really good use of the available space too. So in short.. I think it looks great and will be a great addition to the park!
coasterdude5 Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I still don't see how they couldn't put the waterpark on the golf courses that they bought. That seemed to be a prime spot for a large waterpark. I see this becoming a problem down the road when they want to expand. What are they going to do, open another waterpark?
dpcman Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 While I'm not the biggest fan of this idea since I don't really like the Boardwalk anyway, I think it's what Hershey needs to do. The attendance did rise last year which helps them get more money to build bigger and better things. I am upset at the loss of CRR but sometimes you've gotta take stuff out. It's too bad they've decided to remove all their typical amusement park water rides to make a waterpark. But...I was a lot angrier at the loss of Cyclops for the Claw and the Conestoga Wagon for a crappy virtual reality show/The Howler.
Coasterfusion Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I wonder if ticket prices will be raised cause of this new addition? Why couldn't they get a new coaster and name it Celsius!
spaceace12 Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I see the Rapids nerd hasn't posted, he must have gone into the fetal position.
TopThrill182 Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Although I didn't have a chance to ride the rapids at Hershey, I can certainly understand their dilemma. On the one hand I love water parks. They are a ton of fun, and really help to increase attendance these days (as it did at Hershey). I went last year and wanted to enjoy the Boardwalk, but couldn't. It was just way too small, and everyone was crammed into the small little place that it was. They desperately needed new attractions. While its disappointing there are no slides included in this (as those will still retain long lines), this is a great start, especially considering you don't have to wait to get in wave pools or lazy rivers. On the other hand I love rapids rides, and I really mean that. They really can rank up there with the coasters with me for the most fun things to do. So I, of course, hate to see one bite the dust. Either way something was going to suffer. Hershey chose to go the water park route, and considering that is going to bring the most new life into the park, I guess thats for the best. The Boardwalk was just way too small, and it would have been a waste of what was already there to leave it that way. It had to expand, and unfortunately the rapids is the ride to suffer. Still, the best plan would to forsee this before the built the water park in the middle of a congested amusement park. If the water park wants to expand again, I think more attractions will go unfortunately.
HPCrazy Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 We all knew this was coming, so it shouldn't be a surprise to most of us on here, at least not me. From the looks of the diagrams, it's all situated very nicely, but I feel that they could have also added a flat or two next season as well. Wave pool looks okay. I'll definitely be over there next getting lots of pics next season.
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I see the Rapids nerd hasn't posted, he must have gone into the fetal position. Oh no, my friend, just can't post from work. Shortly, I will channel George Carlin in response. Until then.... DOH!
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I will now Channel George Carlin..... "The Shore - ...guests will be able to splash, play, and frolic in the rolling surf under the watchful eyes of trained lifeguards. " As apposed to what, lazy-eyed but highly trained orangutangs and a chainsaw wielding alpaca with an inferiority complex? I feel safer already. "Riders will meander and bump alongside each other in rafts on a refreshing ride during those long, hot summer days." Riders, in rafts, going around a circuit, getting wet on a hot day. Brilliant! "Intercoastal Waterway" It's a one-state, land-locked lazy river in the middle of the park! What coasts could it possibly connect? It's a bloody oval that doesn't reach the parking lot! "The expanded Boardwalk will also include an exclusive waterfront cabana area featuring 27 premium waterfront cabanas (exclusive to Hershey Resorts guests). The cabanas will offer spectacular views of The Shore and provide lounge chairs and food and beverages nearby!" Thank God! I'd hate to find a rhino in designated cabana area! It might interupt the flow of my day. And what's with all these over-priced, "I'm better than you because I paid for for a tv, tent and wicker lawn chair from Target" Cabanas? This trend is an elitest ego play, aimed at squeezing more money out of the populace. And only Hershey resort guests can use these premium cabanas? What is premium, exactly? Does that mean while other cabana's are made of rayon, mine's made from silk of a rare Tibetan worm who's butt smells like a KitKat and an old cedar trunk? "...but still you've been asking for MORE! MORE WATER, MORE WAVES AND MORE FUN IN THE SUN!" I didn't ask for this. Did any of you ask for this? I'm pretty sure Intamin AG didn't. I've read everything to the contrary when rumors surfaced about CRR. So then, who exactly WAS asking for this? Space Aliens? (cracks knuckles) Alrighty then! Let's have a look at this "improvement" shall we? Let's start with the name: The Boardwalk The SEAquel. First off, too many 'the's' in this happy fun candy title. Sounds grammatically incorrect and redundant. And SEAquel, while punishly clever and pure marketing genious, should read more like "See? Quell!" as in quelling good sense and popular support for a good rapids ride.
swampfox Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 The question is, will they close Canyon River Rapids and Rodeo during this season, or will they wait 'til the season ends?
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 Ok ok, metaphysical transcendence and humor aside, I hate to see this elusive credit go. But, I can understand the logic behind the descision to a point. No, I don't agree with CRR going away, but I'm not going hater on Hershey either. And, if you had to pick an end to a rapids, this is a better and useful alternative than just empty space or some crappy replacement. EDIT: Special request for all visiting Hershey. Could folks get a few pics of Canyon River Rapids before it's close? Doubtful I'll get up there this year and the reference photos or video would be much appreciated. Thanks!
coastercrazy216 Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 I swear, a lot of parks are going to follow the Geauga Lake path and become only water parks. I am going to be so pissed if thats what Hershey does. It just seems like water parks are becoming more popular than theme and amusement parks... that sucks.
TheRapidsNerd Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 ^Next gen water parks are just the hot trend the past couple years. It's like back in the 80's when rapids came out. EVERYBODY had to get one. Same for shoot the chutes. Those were the hot tickets. Today, it seems the big items are updated water parks, bowl slides, tornados, some water coasters, and updated wood coasters. The industry is just evolving again and gettig rid of older stuff that's harder to maintain at the same time. Certain rapids, log flumes, and shoot the chutes, and even antique cars are part of the trend.
bspellx5 Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 This is a bad move IMO, Canyon River Rapids seems to be REALLY popular, I was there yesterday and mid-afternoon the queue was through 4 of those really long switchbacks, which was probably like at least 40 minute wait. That new area does look cool though, its just too bad they had to remove this for it.
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