Movieguy Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 So on July 13th, I'll be heading down to Hershey Park for the first time ever. I've already made reservations, and I'll be staying at a motel nearby until the 15th. I've heard so many things about this park, and all the coasters inside of it. I'm psyched to ride as many as I can, but I also want to be prepared for such a big place. So, I want to ask anybody who's been to Hershey if there's a plan of attack for the day that I should follow? How does the parking work there? What should I go to first? What should I avoid? Where are the best food stands? What are the best times of day to ride? etc... Many thanks in advance to anyone who responds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYTL Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 First, look at the map on Hershey's web site. Next, are you going to the water park? If not, when you get in, head straight towards Midway America. Go to pioneer frontier next. After that, cross a bridge into Minetown. Head into Comet Hollow and ride what you wish. That sums up all of the coaster sections. Some "Must Rides" with the suggested time of day are: Storm runner:Early, Farrenheit:Good luck sucker!,Lightning Racer: Just avoid mid-day, Great Bear: Always has a long queue. Chocolate world gives you free chocolate if you go on the tour. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPCrazy Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I'll share with you what my friend and I usually do when we get there. First off, we're always there an hour early to do Chocolate World. No trip is complete without a spin on their tour, especially if you are new to the place. Last year, we went over to Fahrenheit first, as this would probably be one of the best times to ride it until later in the day. If you don't mind riding by yourself, I strongly recommend the "singles line" on this coaster. Since the ride was broke down that morning, we stopped over by the ride later in the day and I waited five min for the second row instead of waiting in the almost filled main queue, thanks to the singles line, one of my best friends in the amusement industry! After that, I would head out directly to Midway. Usually everyone goes to Comet Hollow and Great Bear first and not out to Midway. Usually those rides are walk-ons in the morning (I know from plenty of experiences!). Lightning Racer is a people/line-eater, especially when both trains are on per track. If you plan on doing the Boardwalk, I also recommend getting out there early and getting a locker and one of the lounge chairs as I have heard from many that they go fast. I don't know how much the Seaqual will affect this though but it's still good to keep in mind if you plan on getting out there. Also do not miss their Wild Mouse! One of the best out there! The lack of trims really intensifies the ride experience and boy, does it feel like you're gonna fall off the edge! Reese's X-treme Cup can be done anytime. Usually it doesn't have a long line unless the place is totally packed. The monorail is also a must ride as it takes you into downtown Hershey and over ZooAmerica as well, my friend and I always make sure we ride this one! As far as eating, I don't know what your plans are. I highly reccommend Minetown Restaurant (across from Coal Cracker flume and Great Bear) which has all kinds of stuff in there. I usually get a personal pepparoni pizza, side salad and a drink in there. Another place we usually eat is the Subway, located at the food court near Sidewinder and Storm Runner. I think they are one of the cheaper places to eat in the park, but don't hold me to that. But regarding rides, do not miss Fahrenheit, Storm Runner, Great Bear, Comet and Lightning Racer. They are my absoulute favorite coasters in the park, even though I do love to ride the other ones alot (other than Sidewinder and Roller Soaker). I hope you have alot of fun! If there is anything else you have questions about, feel free to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 The best food (outside of the chocolate) is Freeman's BBQ! That is as long as you like BBQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 I LOVE the BBQ! Thanks for the info. And thanks especially for your contributions, HPCrazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoshiFan Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 If you want to ride Rollersoaker that should be the first ride you go to if you get to the park early. It is very popular and has a horrible capacity I estimated it to be around 360 riders an hour and that is figuring every seat is filled, the website says 725 an hour but that is impossible, that means a set of 3 trains has to dispatch every minute which never happens. I just hope when you go operations are good, on my last trip Storm Runner had 1 train with a 75 minute wait, Fahrenheit had 2 trains running with the single rider line closed, Sooperdooperlooper had 1 train running with a line to the lower levels (which is unusual) and this was a day the park wasn't that crowded. The park has really gone downhill in operations in the past few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBru Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I went last year around the same time you are going this year. First of all, make sure to take advantage of the park's Preview Plan the first night you arrive! This is a great deal---when you buy an adult admission ticket, you can get into the park the night before (after 7pm, I believe) for free! You can get your of 'just-credits' (Roller Soaker and Trailblazer) out of the way here, as well as pick up a few night rides. (SR, Sooperdooperlooper, Comet, and Great Bear are all amazing night rides!) Your next couple days, definitely run to Storm Runner first. Most of the crowd will head to Fahrenheit, so you will easily get 2 or 3 walk-ons before a queue begins to build. I suggest the front seat for your first ride, and the back seat for every other one. My favorite coaster at Hershey, no doubt! After that, head down to Midway America, all the way over to Lightning Racer. After a few rides on these fun woodies, make your way back around the park until you reach Comet Hollow. Spend your nights here, as the crowds will have done it all already, and the coasters here are great after the sun goes down. Have a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 I'm definitely gonna hit Storm Runner first when I get to the park. As for crowds around Farenheit and Great Bear, I don't really mind waiting in line. I've been to CP quite a few times in the past, so I'm used to all that. Plus, I'll have my MP3 player with me, just like last year at Knoebels. (Don't worry, I know how to make sure nothing of mine gets lost or stolen. ) I'm gonna be leaving on the morning of the 13th as early as I can, cause it's a nearly 4 and a half hour drive to Hershey from Ithaca, according to my GPS. The Preview plan sounds promising too, so I'm gonna consider that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 The best food (outside of the chocolate) is Freeman's BBQ! That is as long as you like BBQ. WHAT!? No mention of the kettle corn? Larry, you disappoint me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 ^Yes, HersheyPark does have the most awesome kettle corn. But it is not a well balanced meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirouettes907 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 If the free candy at the end of Chocolate World isn't enough to entice you to take the tour, please note that this tour also features singing cows. I mean, come on--SINGING COWS! Not to mention you will run across types of Hershey Kisses you've probably never heard of--I bought a bag of chocolate truffle Kisses the last time I was there and they're delicious. But really, I can't stress enough how integral Chocolate World is to the whole experience (and it's free; can't beat that!). Other than that, I would agree with what others have told you so far. I know I'm partial to the place because my family went there every summer when I was growing up, I haven't been to many parks beyond the east coast and the Comet was my first roller coaster, but I think Hershey is one of the most unique parks out there. It has a great collection of rides and an interesting story behind it. I really hope you have fun and enjoy it! ~Megan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Oh, I'm definitely going to Chocolate World first when I get there. As long as the tour doesn't include a frightening trip through a psychedelic tunnel where they show chickens getting their heads chopped off, then I'm cool with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYTL Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 The best food (outside of the chocolate) is Freeman's BBQ! That is as long as you like BBQ. WHAT!? No mention of the kettle corn? Larry, you disappoint me. Wow I totaly over passed those two! Movieguy: No chicken killing, just singing cows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPCrazy Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I would definitely do Chocolate World first. You will not be dissapointed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Kettle Corn too? My god, I'm getting even happier that I chose this place this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adeuce02 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hey i just got back from hershey. Use the preview plan its really worth it. Oh and yes the kettle corn is awesome to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deguy123 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Yes the preview plan is great. I usually do it on a Sunday night as all the people are clearing out. I Usually can get a ride on all coaster that night that way the next day I don't have to rush around. The Comet to me seems to always have the longest wait so check that either first thing or later in the day. Also like everyone else has said eat at the BBQ place....just the smell will grab your attention Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 \. Also like everyone else has said eat at the BBQ place....just the smell will grab your attention Well, I've got a fairly keen sense of smell, so I'll probably be able to detect it from across the park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeboy23 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I sadly passed over the BBQ place when I was at Hershey. How does it compare to Trappers Smokehouse at BGE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 ^I prefer the Freeman's BBQ, they have Sweet tea and great sides, also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBru Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 OH! I almost forgot...(and this will really come in handy). Your first full day at Hershey, get to the park at least 30 minutes before it opens. When the gates open (they let you in before the posted opening time), head straight to Comet. This ride opens about 20 minutes before anything else, and that is the only time you will find this classic without a line. (Then, head back to it as your last ride of the day.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 ^Just Curious. Why do you think someone would want to ride Comet twice when there are so many other coasters worthy of repeat or night rides? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPCrazy Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Yeah, my friend and I get there an hour early and go to Chocolate World. After that, we head down to the gate and wait down there (they do open them early and you can ride the rides that are open for the HP Sweet Start). At ten, then they open the rest of the park. The Comet doesn't get that long of lines in the early evening too. We've walked up on it around that time already. It usually gets a full queue on a very busy day (Saturdays). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankees15 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Get to the park before opening and go to Storm Runner first! You can get a couple walk on rides on it and then head over to Fahrenheit. The line will still be very short at this point. After, do all the coasters in Midway America. Stop for lunch at anywhere in the park and then go back to Comet Hollow and Minetown. The waits will be longer but it won't be ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Well, I'm not sure how early I'll get to the park on Monday, since I'll be driving down from Upstate NY for 4 and a half hours, but I'll definitely apply the strategy for the following day I'll be there. I applied the same showing up early strategy to the week I spent in WDW in July 2005, and it worked beautifully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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