Battle of the Eastern PA Parks

At this point in time there is a battle raging in the eastern park of PA. Hersheypark, which IMO is not living up to it's overrated profile, they had money that they wasted on Lightnin Racer. While Dorney Park has been trying to get themselves over the top and has maintained a great park. I'd like to see some opinions of which park they like Hershey(overrated) or Dorney Park(underrated). I would take Dorney over Hershey anyday, because if Hershey doesn't have the coaster-line up that gets the best of my interest, while Dorney has Steel Force, Thunderhawk, Hercules, Laser, and soon to be Talon.
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Talon is going to rock, roll, and take its toll!

Hmmm, unless you forgot to update your track record, you haven't BEEN to Hershey. So I think it would be pretty difficult for you to dismiss Lightning Racer as "wasted money" if you haven't even tried it yet! Maybe the lineup doesn't grab your interest, but you should at least try them first.


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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

ok hot shot check my track record now, I still think its wasted money!!!

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Talon is going to rock, roll, and take its toll!

You are entitled to your opinion, but I feel that it is better to make an opinion on a coaster *after* you ride it. Anyway, I've never been to either park, but if you ask me which one I am making a point of visiting this year, it would be HersheyPark. I'm a big fan of twisters, especially of the wooden variety, since HP has three, I feel it's worth a visit. Based on past performances, Talon should be fun (as B&M have yet to make a *bad* coaster). But I see no reason to rush up there this season. (I didnt for LR either). One question though, what about Lightning Racer makes you believe it is a waste of money? I have only heard (seen) positive reviews of it.
lata,
jeremy

They are all diferent parks. Dorney is a big day tripper, competing with SFGAdve, and somewhat with Hershey. Hershey is part of a destination resort, obtaining 2-3 day stays for families, but they still have an imppressive lineup of rides for the day trippers and teenagers.

You forgot Dutch Wonderland, who gets a load of families in the middle of Dutch Tourist country, and probably the best of the parks dollar for dollar is a park that gets alot of group business, has no gate, and builds their own stuff. Knoebels. Just a thought. People in Eastern Pa are given the great chance to visit 4 nice family friendly parks every summer.

Don't forget about Bushkill Park. Too bad I hadn't heard of them until I moved out of the area.

I'm going to HP this year, i don't think it's overrated from what I've seen. why is lightning racer a waste of money? because it's wood?

Lightning racer is one of the smoothest, most incredible woodies i have ever ridden. How can you say HP is overrated when they have 3 AWESOME woodies, a classic woodie, a Great wild mouse (possibly the best non enclosed, non spinning) and an inverted that is basically talon minus a few feet. Dorney has a classic woodie. thunderhawk that is IMHO about the same as hersheys the comet. The wild maus are either an advantage for hershey or the same. that leaves Hercules (ICK!) and steel force (granted, a GREAT traditional hyper) to fend off 3 GCI twisters and the Great Bear, + sooperdooperlooper+sidewinder. Even with Talon, dorney simply is blown away coasterwise.
:::steps off soapbox:::

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I'm 2 for 2 so far!!!

It is quite an amazing feat that all of those parks co-exist together with light competition. Each company has their own objective. Stealing guests is not one of them.

Out of my 3 close to homeparks (within an hour and a half of each my favorite is: Knoebels I'm not going to go into that since I posted why I love this park so much. I'm sure most of you red it at least 50 times already.

Out of Hershey and Dorney I like Hershey more. I think the scenery is much better than Dorneys and I feel there is more at Hershey for nonriders as well. They have the Musicbox Theatre, Dolphin Show, Zoo America, the Ampitheatre and several smaller shows thruout the park. I also think Hershey is a much cleaner park as well.

Dorney IMO is an average park IMO. They have two woodies one being average (Thunderhawk) and the other being a worthless piece of junk. I think Dorney is leading in the steel coaster category with Steel Force, Lazer, and soon to be Talon for the line up. Hershey has the better mouse though. For the nonriders there isn't as much to do for them off hand I can only think of the stage near Dominator.

For the Flat Rides they both have basicly the same selections. Dorney has the S&S towers, and Skyscraper. Hershey has the Chaos.

I guess alot depends of what type of coaster you prefer wood or steel. For Steel The par to hit is Dorney. For wood I'd say Hershey.

I know last year I used my Dorney pass like 5 times two of the times were at Cedar Point. My Hershey pass I used at least 15 times.

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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer

I'm with coasterpunk on this, I prefer hershey over dorney any day. But parks like hershey,knoebels,and kennywood draw different crowds than the six flags/cedar fair "big chain" parks. With one or two more big steelies and a few more flat rides dorney is gonna be in major contention with great adventure. Plus I think at hershey the best is yet to come.

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"One good thing about all this, with all this fresh air we're gonna sleep like babies"
Phoenix-A great town and a great coaster

Its unanimous!

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I'm 2 for 2 so far!!!

You people like to go into detail, I could care less about scenary, shade, even water rides. I don't want that crap! I want coasters that push me to go to the park again, and Dorney is the only park that made me want more. Also Violena pointed out something for me. Hershey is missing something, I like woodies but not that much! THEY NEED A HYPERCOASTER THAT WAY I MIGHT GO THERE AGAIN!!

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Talon is going to rock, roll, and take its toll!

Maybe I should have made my post more pro Dorney for your liking. After all you did ask for our opinions. If you don't want our opinions don't ask. Actually I hope Hershey never builds a hyper that way it will keep people like you away.

I know I shouldn't feed the trolls.
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
*** This post was edited by coasterpunk on 1/25/2001. ***