Hersheypark 10/19/08 Photo TR:

[Ccron10]

It's been over a year that I've been waiting to give this Trip Report and I am finally happy to do so. Let's get down to the "thick of things" shall we?

 

Chocolate World

Matt (HPCrazy), his friend Alex, my best friend Mary (who hasn't been to HP in 5 years), and me went to the park yesterday to ride their newest scream machine, Fahrenheit. We also rode a bunch of other rides as well.

Mary and Me met Matt and Alex outside of Chocolate World, but before we went into the park, we rode the Tour Ride. There wasn't much of a wait since the line was only to the top of the stairs (5 minutes), but I swear for the number of times I ride it, I could probably lip sync to it. lol

After the tour ride, my dad and mom went on their own and Mary and me went with Matt and Alex into the park to start our rides.

 

Hersheypark (Monorail and Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge)

To start off, we bypassed Founder's Circle and headed straight for RXCC. With it being a walk-on, we got it out of the way. I swear I've gotten better at this ride. Our car didn't even stop and I still managed to score a decent 43,000 points. Mary got a good score of 24,000 and Matt didn't shoot that many and I have no idea about Alex. Here's a secret I've found: If you shoot at the targets farther away, the laser beam grows bigger which makes it easy to shoot and get points. When I come back in December, I might get some more practice and keep re-riding it.

 

Next up was Monorail which only had one train running, but the line never really grew for it. They didn't have the narration going, but they did have a good mix of halloween and some rock-and-roll music.

 

The Official Ccron10 Fahrenheit Review

After waiting for over 1 year to ride this thing, I am finally happy to give my personal review of Fahrenheit.

I can still never get over looking at the lift hill from where the Claw is. Seeing the train going up is an impressive sight. The station looks great and I could actually say it looks a little less like a church this time. The queue line looked a little small in my opinion, but I guess the overflow queue might be bigger than I could see. After waiting 15-20 minutes for the front row, we hopped on the ride.

The lift system looked even more interesting in person and it seemed so simple. The catch brackets knock into the back car of the train and just push the car up the lift.

The lift felt awesome. It reminded me of like climbing a wall, but I thought that it would've been a little steeper, but I was satisfied. Once we crested the hill, we were now staring at a 97 degree drop. What a drop... It yanked us over and pulled us briefly off our seats for a bit. After a forceful pull-out, we were next rocketing to the turn to the right and into the norweigion loop were we experienced the most force in the ride.

Some people have been saying that the cobra roll on Fahrenheit rattle's a bit, but in my opinion there wasn't that much of it. The good news is that it doesn't slam you side to side like on Sidewinder (we'll get to that later).

 

Right after the cobra-roll had to be my favorite section of the ride. The corkscrews whipped you around a bit and gave you no mercy, but I kind of fingured this from seeing of videos of it. Following the intense corkscrews, we raced around the over-banked curve which provided a great positive-g experience. The first drop might've amazed, but the "airtime" hill won me over. It launched me as far off of my seat as Phoenix at Knoebels does!

 

My Final Opinion:

Fahrenheit had to have been the best coaster I've ever ridden. The flow of the ride was incredible and it transitioned through it almost perfectly. The drop was extreme, the corkscrews thrusted you around them, and the airtime hill was pure awesome. But how does it compare to it's big brother? Find out a little later!

 

I'll post the second part of the Trip report a little later. Here are the photos!

The FEARenheit banner. Stay tuned for SEAquel and a batch of other great photos!

A car full of happy riders.

I never knew they added a banner to the base of the station.

I hope Intamin creates more of these.

Now I'm just trying to get fancy.

There's nothing like climbing a wall.

It looks like a picture I took back in April...

There she is.... Time to ride this sucker.

No wait for Falcon when the park opened.

Kissing Tower through the trees.

RXCC may be short, but I still love it.

Got to show some love to Storm Runner.

It may look boring, but you can see inside a lot better.

[Kennyweird]

Pretty cool pictures, man.

 

The Fear-enheit thing is just about the corniest name I've ever seen. What a disgrace to a great coaster.

[Ccron10]

Part II

Let's continue on to Part numero dos shall we?

Howler

Some said this ride doesn't belong in a "high class" them park like Hershey, but I beg to differ. Howler seemed to be a great replacement for the late-Giant Wheel, but doesn't go high. It was a great ride to enjoy as a family. We all had a great time on it, but Matt and me only rode once where Alex and mary rode it a second time while we were in line for Fahrenheit.

As far as I'm concerned, Howler fits right in with HP's collection of rides.

 

Right after Howler was a brief photo session of the Boardwalk SEAquel construction area.

 

SEAquel Construction

There is absolutely nothing left to simply put it. The whole CRR layout is gone and in it's place is the foundation for the new Wave Pool building and a bunch of concrete rocks of the broken-up CRR track. The decorated watch tower behind the CRR photo building is gone and along side the Boardwalk sign is a brand new "The Shore" sign. From the Ferris Wheel in Midway America, it looks like the park got a "bald spot". Our next coaster we headed to was lightning Racer.

Something is missing....

 

RIP-Canyon River Rapids 1987-2008

 

Nothing left, but there is a foundation somewhere on the otherside of that dirt mound.

 

The only building in the Boardwalk that's open.

 

A brand-spankin' new sign of what's to come.

 

Tidal Force needs at least a little love during the off-season.

 

So much for CRR's entrance. But on the bright side, it now gives a great shot of SW and the Kissing Tower.

 

 

Lightning Racer

Ah, the coaster that has started it all for me over 2 years ago... Just about nothing changed since then. Lighting Racer still rides smooth, fast, and Lightning just about always wins!

We all rode twice; once for the front and once for another random spot on the train. The front was a 5 to 10 minute wait and the other was a walk-on. On the first ride, Mary and me raced Alex and Matt, and they won. The second race was Alex and me versus matt and Mary which turned out to be VERY close! It was neck and neck until the very end where Lightning won by half a car length!

The center rows were all closed on this one and on a few other coasters in the park as well.

 

Ferris Wheel, Wildcat, and more pics of SEAquel.

After waiting around 10 minutes in line and noticing quite a few signs that said, "WARNING. FALL HAZARD" in line as well, we got on the Ferris Wheel for some awesome Fall pics of the park and SEAquel construction.

Next up was Wildcat which, since had only one train running, had a 15 minute wait.

 

Fail.

 

I always find some kind of new object of some kind on ECWW everytime I look at it.

 

Sunset falls over Hersheypark's vast ride mountain range.

 

 

Mary and Alex hanging out on the Ferris Wheel.

 

Fahrenheit from the Ferris Wheel.

 

 

The Boardwalk during the fall off-season.

 

I love how this one turned out.

 

Coastline Plunge needs a new coat of paint.

 

A close-up of the 'bald-spot".

 

 

 

This is my opinion, but I don't understand why this coaster is on a lot of people's Top 10 list. I would actually rate Wildcat to be the second worst woodie I've ever ridden. The layout may look cool from a distance, but it rides hard. I don't even want to think how rough it might've been before the Millenium Flyers were added!

 

One of WC's rough turn-arounds.

 

I must be having one of those days....

 

I must be.

 

Since Wild Mouse broke down and Mary and I felt a bit neausiated after our Wildcat ride, we took a 10 minute break, a few photos down at the Chocolate/Cocoa Ave. sign and traveled over to Storm Runner and Sidewinder.

Mary and me in front of the Chocolate Ave. sign. (Photo taken by HPCrazy)

 

One last pic of construction.

 

Sidewinder

In a matter of a year my opinion on Sidewinder went form being pretty forceful ride, to a half-decent coaster, to the worst steel coaster I have ridden. Mary agreed with me on this one too. I've had to resort to the Vekoma Brace Position to protect my ears. Now I understand why matt and Alex hate this ride. Just remove it and add something half decent (not a Boardwalk water attraction). This was a walk-on; no suprise there.

 

Storm Runner

Time to stack this against Fahrenheit. The wait was only to the base of the station stairs and was only 5 minutes with both sides open. The overall ride performance seemed different to me. The launch didn't take my breath away like last time, but the flying snake dive was still fun.

In my opinion I would have to say Fahrenheit is the new "top-dog" for me in HP just because it has more inversions and it blew me away.

 

Skyview and Hersheypark's New Loose Article Policy

After a short hike back to Music Box Way, we got in line for Skyview. Unfortunately Matt and Alex were the only ones allowed on the ride, because my camera and Mary's purse weren't allowed on the ride. We weren't even allowed to leave our stuff in the station either! The ride op said, "We got in trouble for doing that before". So we waited until Matt and Alex got off.

 

The Last 3 Coasters

Since it was around 6:45 right after Matt and Alex got done with Skyview and that Mary and me were planning on leaving at 8:30; we had to get the last 3 coasters done, eat dinner, and then leave.

 

-Comet

Nothing ever changes with this coaster execpt for the line. We just waited one or two trains and hopped right on. Since this coaster was built by the same company that built the Phoenix and knowing that the 3rd row was wild on it, I tried a little experiment and sat in the 3rd row on Comet. It may not have been the Phoenix, but it felt like the coaster was trying to get some airtime on the final bunny hills. Mary thought this was her favorite coaster in the park next to Fahrenheit.

 

-Wave Swinger

Right after Comet, we all decide to take a quick ride on Wave Swinger. It proved to be a great relaxing ride even though the cold kind of stabbed you in the face. But I guess it will be much worse come December. This was a walk-on.

 

-Sooperdooperlooper

We actually got a bonus re-ride on this one! There was absolutely no wait and there were 2 trains running. Still a great ride, but it slams you at the base of the loop and in the brakes.

 

-Great Bear

Great Bear always produces a great ride at night and it is even better from the front seat which was only 10 minutes. Rows in the center were blocked off and the rest were walk-ons. This turned out to be our last coaster of the night and season. A great way to end it in style.

 

Dinner and the Last Few Rides

Since Matt, Alex, Mary and me were all hungry from riding, we ate at Minetown Restaurant. The place turned out to be similar to a cafeteria line where you can pick what food you wanted. They had salads' wraps, personal pizas, hamburgers, fries, grilled chicken sandwiches, and a lot more. I got the personal cheese pizza with chips which I didn't really like. I started realizing I should've got the grilled chicken sandwich instead. I guess I could get that in December the next time I go.

While mary and me were still eating, Matt and Alex went on the Turnpike and when we were done, Alex coaxed mary on to the Flying Falcon. I sat this one out since I didn't want to feel sick like I did last year.

Oh crap, they got angry at Fahrenheit's construction and are planning on taking over the park!

 

 

Next up was the Kissing Tower which had no wait and placed some great halloween music. We all then walked over to Dry Gulch Railroad to conclude our fun-filled day.

I hate my flash.

 

 

Dry Gulch Railroad only had one train running (Janelle), but it had a long waiting period for the train to warm up. i believe the best time to ride this is during Halloween since it kind of fits the theme and the park goes all out on the effects.

 

-Conclusion

Since Mary and me wanted to get some souvenirs before the park closed, we headed towards CW, but before we left, we got one last picture of us together in front of the Hershey Statue.

(Photo taken by HPCrazy)

 

Overall, this trip had to be one of the best trips to Hersheypark I've had so far. I'd like to thank Mary for coming along with me, Matt, and Alex. Hopefully we can all do this again in April.

My next trip back here will be in the beginning of December for CCL, STITP, and if I hopefully during the summer season (crossing my fingers) to experience The Boardwalk for the first time.

[Ccron10]

Here are some BONUS PICS for you guys of Fahrenheit.

 

I don't think anyone took a picture of this sign yet.

 

This one turned out a bit blurry.

 

Right into the brake run.

 

 

 

Cobra-Roll goodness.

 

See ya in April....

 

A good Ferris Wheel shot.

 

 

That should be all of them.

Comment and enjoy.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Some great shots of Hershey and, sadly, the end of CRR. Looks like a fun trip regardless. I really like a lot of the Boardwalk shots. Yay for waterslides!

 

Well done friend.

[HPCrazy]

Yes, we had an excellent time that day. Nice weather and, well, just a really fun time!

 

And I must say again, that I really, really, really enjoyed this T/R Chris! Very well written!

[Lenaapple1974]

I'm a bit late, but nice TR. I wish I could say that I had the same luck when I went Labor Day Weekend. I know - bad weekend to go. This year we are going the weekend prior to Labor day Weekend. I got few pictures...and only got to ride Great Bear! Thank goodness that I totally loved that ride! It was only a 30 min wait too... The only thing I didn't like was that everything was so close together and the park is gi-normous! We didnt get even half way through the park within 5 hours. I am planning a two day trip this time out...