CoasterEricHP Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Tonite my friend Kim (who works at the Hershey Lodge) and I went into the park just for a few hours AFTER the crowd all went over to the Stadium for the 3 Doors Down, Staind, etc. concert. The parking lot was JUST ABOUT at capacity which means.. thank god most people are at the concert or it'd be a crazy night at the park! Anyways, we got in for free since she works there and I really just wanted to get some rides in and take some pictures at night of the park. So I'll just really quickly go over what we did. First.. Lightning Racer.. no wait. With four trains on this thing eats lines like few other coasters can. An "okay" coaster by day, a GREAT coaster at night! It's my least fav. woodie at Hersheypark, but still a great ride! I definately think Hershey competes with all other parks on the 1..2..3 punch of wooden coasters.. at least until next year.. Rode the Trailblazer... yay.. Great Bear. After working at Dragons and riding it a million times last year I like more intense Inverts.. but the Great Bear is definately one of the most underrated Invert's out there! The layout is so unique. Most people complain about the boring finale, but I like it.. swooping down next to the SDL and the creek. Coal Cracker- NIce little flume. I keep riding this because I want it to be torn down for the station of the hyper next year... but more on 2006 later! We then rode the monorail, then walked over to Storm Runner. Hersheypark really has gotten this coaster up and running consistantly this year! Everytime I've been to the park but one, its been pumping out trains left and right! The line was about a 25-30 minute wait which is about average. Great launch, great UNIQUE layout, and truly one of the Intamins finest. That's about it! We just walked around some and took pictures. Now I'm always hoping to see markings or ANYTHING to hint that Hersheypark might have something big coming for the 100th anniversary in 2006.. but so far... NOTHING. Storm Runner was marked out in July of last year. This year there is no signs of anything, anywhere in the park. This leads me to believe, and not really happily, that we're looking at a waterpark next year. It definately would be a huge money maker, and Hershey desperately needs a modern resort... so I'm thinking possibly Indoor Waterpark/Outdoor waterpark type thing. But even with THAT.. it would have been started by now.. who knows! Usually August is the month for Hershey announcements so we shall see! Oh.. about the hyper comment. I think a hyper starting at the Coal Cracker and running along side the creek down over the Comet would be amazing.. Sort of like Apollo. But, no signs of anything happening.. and B&M already has quite a lot to work on! Eric Rollersoaker people bombing others in line. Grandpa Milton.. he was an awesome person.. Flying Snake Dive.. or the Dropping Jojo Roll Ok.. not at night.. but Storm Runners tophat. Storm Runner at night, didnt turn out the greatest... but its lit up MF style.. only MF is awe inspiring at night.. Cool pic of the Ferris Wheel again The Ferris Wheel at night.. On the bottom is an ice cream place.. The Falcon.. spin and spewage.. but a classic ride u dont see much anymore Comet Hollow.. with the Great Bear, and the Comet! Chocolate World! Home to lots of... uh.. chocolate! Oh yeah.. the new Tropical Twizzlers.. AMAZING
CoasterEricHP Posted July 21, 2005 Author Posted July 21, 2005 a couple more.. Obligatory Vertical Loop Great Bear'age Train... Lightning Racers first drop
Sir Clinksalot Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Awesome TR!! I'm hoping to get to Hershey one of these years.
Rugged One Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Nice report Eric. I was at the park this past Saturday and was just thinking about how if they were going to be building something new next year they would have to start soon. When Turbulence was cancelled, didn't they state that something big was coming for the 100th anniversary? I guess we will have to see.
Meteornotes Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 It's been rumored for a long time that the old indoor stadium will be torn down, and they'll use that space for a water park. There was a movement to get the building designated as a historical landmark, which would keep the building around. That particular building wasn't in the best shape when I worked there 20 years ago, so I can only imagine what it's like now! A water park would be a killer move for Hershey. I'll be curious to see what they do for the 100th anniversary next year. My vote would be for the first US version of Expedition Ge Force... dt
CoasterEricHP Posted July 21, 2005 Author Posted July 21, 2005 Nice report Eric. I was at the park this past Saturday and was just thinking about how if they were going to be building something new next year they would have to start soon. When Turbulence was cancelled, didn't they state that something big was coming for the 100th anniversary? I guess we will have to see. Yeah.. in one of the press releases after they said "We've already invested a lot of money into 2006" or something along those lines... so you think something would be up! HERCO has tons of other things going on with building, or rather restoring, a new corporate building downtown and upgrading the country club and other things. So they are doing stuff for next year to celebrate, just not altering the Hersheypark skyline yet. haha. As far as the Arena being torn down. I would think that'd be underway too.. but I don't see that happening anytime soon. For one, they use that for a lot of the high school sport championships, cheerleading crap, and a lot of other events that Giant Center is just way too large for. Also, the Hersheypark offices are in there over at the monorail side, and then alsooo the Milton Hershey Museum is in front towards the park. I don't see the arena there in 10 years, but I dont see that going down for next year. Plus.. Hershey Bears games were WAYYY better in there guess we'll find out!
coasterdude5 Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Awesome pictures! Those night shots were awesome! That'd be cool if they did build a water park and replace the water with chocolate!
Rugged One Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 I think that the old arena will some day be torn down but not anytime soon. There is still too much public sentiment tied up in it. One day though. As for a future waterpark, an article in the Patriot a couple of months ago on the future of the park made the point that the Parkview Golf Course that runs along the back of the park is dispensable (with 4 others in the area) and could be a possible area for future development of some kind.
Bob O Posted July 25, 2005 Posted July 25, 2005 Nice photo's. im really looking forweard to my first visit in about 10 days!!
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