Future of Hersheypark

I just wanted to post this news article from a recent issue of our local paper the Patriot News. You will have to copy and paste into your browser to get it to work.

http://www.pennlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1115046001174730.xml?pennnews

They are really keeping a tight lip on what's coming for their 100th season, but whatever it is its going to be their biggest expansion to date.

I am sure a waterpark isn't far off, but that rumor about a B&M or Intamin Hyper keeps coming up time and again. Whatever they get you know it will be an excellent addition to an already fantastic park.

*** Edited 5/8/2005 8:18:39 PM UTC by Coasterfantom2***

Could you provide some more information on how to access the article? I gave up after awhile. There were too many links, and none of the searches came up with anything. Thanks.

Baltimore-based IntaRide built Storm Runner.

seems reliable

The link worked fine for me when pasted.

""They don't venture into risky prototype rides," said Eric Gieszl, editor of UltimateRollercoaster.com." Seems to me that Hershey tried to do exactly that this year and got burned. Of course Hershey isn't noted for building biggest, fastest rides.

Intaride LLC is the Baltimore based (near BWI)distributor for Intamin coasters in this country, so the article isn't that far off.

Actually, medusa3232, it is reliable. Intaride Ltd., of Glen Burnie, Md., is the North American Division of Intamin AG of Wollerau, Switzerland.

If you go to an IAAPA convention, you won't see "Intamin" listed anywhere. You need to look for "IntaRide." Here's their IAAPA listing:

http://iaapaorlando.com/planner2004/pldetail.wcs?cardnum=800129

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

...just noting that Hershey is aware that they're lacking a Sally-brand (TM) dark ride...;)

Waterpark? Too easy an opportunity to pass up...

Hersheypark seems to recognize their opportunities, and the future looks really bright....they should wear shades....or something...;)

Yeah, I've never actually been on a tried and true 'Intamin', I guess.

Intaride? It makes a few apperances on my top 10 list.

Clint-hoping I get to go to the land of Chocolate & Coasters this summer, b.

Ya, Hershey (like SFA, and Dorney, and SFGAdv) is really in the need of a good dark ride, but where? I can't really think of any old buildings they could put one in, and building a new building for the ride would take up a pretty good footprint. And they already said (at least according to the article) they wouldn't build one in the old arena. I'd LOVE to see a dark ride at Hershey, I'd also love to see where they'd put it! Hopefully it will come true soon.

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

As busy as Dorney's waterpark gets, I think a waterpark in Hershey is a wonderful idea; Indoor waterpark even better.

Cocoa River Falls...Peanut Butter Plunge...Carmel Express (Master Blaster).

I would also like to see a hyper sometime soon.

I have the actual article from the newspaper, and the link on their site is more of an excerpt. In the actual article they also talk about ways to expand the park without building around or removing rides. They also talk about a bridge over or tunnel under Hersheypark drive.

It seems to me that they are actually reading a lot we talk about here on the internet. I have also filled out a survey or 2 at the park last season. They know what their customers want, and that is why they have been so succuessful. Of course maybe the chocolate helps a little bit. ;)

It seems to me that they are actually reading a lot we talk about here on the internet.

Or it seems to me that if us "arm chair / wannabe park designers & managers" are smart enough to talk about it here on the internet, the REAL park designers and managers are actually smart enough to come up with it on their own.

They should have built the hyper back when they were debating between that and roller "what a hunk of crap" soaker.

Got the article. My eyes were a little bit blurry last night and I was spelling Hersheypark wrong. It's so weird that both Dorney and Hershey used to have dark rides, and now there's a move back towards the dark ride. It's the whole "what's old is new again" design movement.

S2K, I kind of agree about Roller Soaker, but it's footprint is so small that you couldn't fit a hyper there anyway. I do see possibilities however starting around Roller Soaker and then crossing to the other side diagonally. As it is right now, there's nothing on that plot of land. It doesn't even have to be a hyper. Something along the lines of Steel Eel would be awesome, and that's only 150ft. tall.

Intamin could probably squeeze a fairly large coaster in their much as they did with Expidition G-Force or (Hersheypark's Own) Storm Runner. Finding a place for the station and lift would be the hardest part, but as they said in the article, they are comfortable working in the confines of their current footprint over the next ten years, which I'm sure translates to, "we have plans for the next ten years and they all involve rides within our current footprint.

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

The way the various rides intertwine is part of what makes Hershey a great park. All of the rides are custom fit to the terrain, so you know you're riding a unique ride and not just a "clone" that sits on its own rectangular plot of ground.

True, about the dark rides, Intamin Fan. I suppose if/when Hershey adds a new dark ride, it won't be located next to the creek like the original one was.

There definitely is room for expansion in Midway America. It wouldn't be too difficult to relocate/compact a lot of what's out there now (the slide and any of the other kiddie rides). A lot of what's there now is pretty spread out. And the "modular" restroom and midway fair buildings are obviously temporary structures that could easily be removed or relocated. That in itself would open up a sizable area for new attractions, or one larger attraction.

If there is one park in this country that knows how to read their market and invest accordingly, it is Hershey. I can't think of one "mistake" they've made in the past few decades (putting aside my general lack of enthusiasm for Storm Runner). Like 'gator said, whatever the future holds, better wear shades.

I agree with you Rob and Gator. Hershey doesn't really ever seem to make a mistake when it comes to installing new rides except for this year with Interactive rides. Had that worked out I am sure it would have been a great addition.

Rob Ascough said:
If there is one park in this country that knows how to read their market and invest accordingly, it is Hershey. quote]
I could not agree with you more, hershey hits the mark every time it is one of my favorite parks,

Yeah, the 'mistake' was made with the 2005 attraction, but that can be over looked. Even John Frusciante makes mistakes now and again (see heroin).

Down is the new up.

Actually, I don't know if this year ended up being a mistake or not. Adding a funky looking coaster in the 'traditional' area of the park, near the front (correct?), with low capacity?

Maybe they fixed the 'mistake' before it was too late. Don't get me wrong, I'd have loved to see a Frequent Faller, but to me, it didn't seem like something I'd at to Chocolate Park.