Hercules Remembered

OMG U R SO DUMB!!! HERCULES RUELZ AM I RITE???/ etc. etc.

This ride got nothing but bad reviews when it operated... but like Shockwave, everyone's all up on it's nut once it's gone.

I really hate to see any coaster go, but it really was time for this one. It just needs to be understood - some coasters just can't last forever. Parks change, parks move on, parks evolve, and we enthusiasts, because we get so attached to certain parks and rides, don't like to deal with it. Look at all the resitance to things such as Qbots, Fastlane, and FastPass. We've discussed what we like and what we don't like about them until our fingers were numb, but its something that it probably here to stay, and, IMO, probably resisted so much because we just don't like our precious parks to change that much. Unless its a new coaster, of course! :)

My first time at Dorney was just a few weeks ago. For Hercules specifically, there are actually quite a few things that I like about it. As others have mentioned, the stretch from the station to the lift is awsome. Probably the best on any traditional type coaster, except for maybe the dark, dark, dark tunnel on Phoenix. Despite the brakes on the first drop, I still thought that it was very powerful and meaty feeling, and the turnaround I really, really enjoyed. I don't mind roughness at all when I feel like the track is doing something worth while. I really did enjoy that first turn a lot. I love Dinn coasters when they really open up and fly. The Beast on a good night, and Mean Streak at 97's CoasterMania come to mind.

Of course, then the train nearly stops at the top of that loooooong accent ending behind the station. I actually thought the drop under the station was a neat little trick, and something I've never seen before. I'd never noticed anybody else mention it before, and I think its really cool. Not that the drop is that great or anything, just the idea, I mean. I wish more coasters had extra little quirks like that.

We all know how the rest of the ride goes, and it ain't too pretty. It seems a shame to replace a woodie with a steel ride (especially a farking B&M) but maybe someday Dorney will get that woodie back. B&M has a terrific site to work with (I know if I were a designer I would be pissing my pants over being able to put something onto that hill side) and hopefully we'll get to ride something different unique.

Goodbye Hercules. Like they say - death is the best career move you can make. Maybe people will bring you up every couple of months just like Drachen Fire and you'll become the legend in death that you never were in life. ;)

First, I don't like to see any coaster (especially a wooden coaster) go... second, I didn't hate Hercules (I could take it or leave it)...

But let's see... the small, 80 year old Schmeck designed Thunderhawk stands... the 14 (or so) year old, overgrown, Dinn designed Hercules goes...

Makes perfect sense to me. Quality over "Quantity".

On a related note...

Do I sense a case of "Drachen Fire Syndrome" (DFS) on the horizon? A coaster that everyone complained about as too rough, painful, "it should be torn down", etc while it was operating, but now that it is scheduled to be dismantled people are strating to cry about "losing a great (but misunderstood) coaster", "Why couldn't they save it..." etc.

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Half of the people surveyed agree, half disagree and another half are unsure.
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE 9/5/2003 8:47:11 AM ***
*** This post was edited by SLFAKE 9/5/2003 8:58:53 AM ***

This is definitely "Drachen Fire deja vu" all over again. When it ran, people were very quick to yell "TAER IT DOWN"... now that its getting "TEARed" down, people are getting all sentimental and saying how it wasn't that bad.

I think this is a good move for everyone, both the park and coaster riders, and I'm sure that will be proven in 2005. Until then, it just proves the old saying: Be careful what you wish for.

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

What I don't understand about this whole thing is the suddenness of it all. Granted, Dorney Park may have been wrestling with this idea for a while now but I don't understand why they just decided to announce this on a random thursday. And who all did they announce this to? The only resources I have been able to find that have sited this were Atown's McCall's newspaper and Dorney's website. Why couldn't they have told more people? Especially so those who actually liked the ride (myself) could have gotten some last rides on it.

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This space will forever be dedicated to Hercules-R.I.P. 1989-2003

Ahh Hercules...

The approach to your lift was one of the finest in the land.

After that, you were a complete snooze.

Crashmando - MiA is completely flat... I doubt they could move it.

MAnderson & others - While I agree that Hercules was not the greatest ride, some here spent time as rideops for it; others had their first ride or their kids' first ride on it. Not asking you to praise the ride, but at least show a little respect for it's demise ;).

SLFAKE, you beat me to it!! A few years from now, Hercules will be up there with Drachen Fire, The Bat, and countless others which "had the best layouts of all time" only after they are long gone.The few people who say they have ridden will say it was a great ride, and everyone will be crying for Dorney to resurrect it, or build a new woodie called "Hercules' Revenge".

While I do not particularly enjoy when coasters are torn down, this, IMO, is one that deserves it. Got to ride it this summer, and it was my first/last ride ever. I didn't see anything good about it, and thought to myself it was a waste of space.

To all that have sentimental attachment, sorry, hopefully the new floorless will ease your pain a little! It could be worse, they could have made that land into a picnic area.

Let me make a couple of comments...

1] In my opinion there is a difference between "rough" and "agressive" and I feel many times the terms are used incorrectly.

Rough is a byproduct of, among other things, poor engineering and/or construction and poor maintenance of the structure and/or train.

Agressive is due to extreme negative, positive, and lateral forces and is independent of any design, construction, or maintenance issues.

Combine the two, however, and you have a recipe for a headache!

2] I don't think it's realistic to attempt to save every coaster that meets the wrecking ball. Groups like ACE and NAPHA only have so much lobbying power and finances to pull a rescue off, so they have to choose their battles wisely.

While I would have likes to have seen Dorney Park replace Hercules with another Gravity Group or GCI terrain coaster I can't fault them for going with a more reliable and less costly to maintain product.

mOOSH

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chris said:
Ahh Hercules...

The approach to your lift was one of the finest in the land.

After that, you were a complete snooze.

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You're calling the 1st drop and the lake turn a bore? ya ok. That first drop was incredible before the trims and great after them, I dont care what anyone says.

Edit-Harry Traver. If you would be so kind to sell me some of your documented footage of hercules I'd really ap it. I don't know if you have video and could make a copy for me that'd be awesome.

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This space will forever be dedicated to Hercules-R.I.P. 1989-2003
*** This post was edited by DorneyDante 9/5/2003 3:54:45 PM ***

Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. Everything from the lift on was a complete waste, as far as I'm concerned.

Dorney Dante - you really need to stop taking people's criticism of Hercules so personally. You loved the coaster and that's fine, I'm glad it brought you enjoyment. Others did not and are entitiled to their opinion without being mocked or bashed for it.

Respectfully, I do think you need a small dose of reality. Hercules routinely placed near the bottom of the respected Wooden Coaster Poll that Mitch holds each year, so its not just a select few who had negative opinions of the coaster. That does not mean you can't love it and mourn its removal but you need to be realistic about its standing in the coaster world.

mOOSH

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<sar"chasm> First drop.... a bore? No not at all when for all intents and purposes it was a holding brake, and if you call that bouncing, shuffling, jackhammering, first turn snoozeworthy, I don't know what to tell ya </sar"chasm">

If you want to see a drop and turn like that that is excellently done, look at the only great Charlie Dinn creation out there, Thunder Run.

How am I mocking or bashing anyone? I am simply stating my opinion like the rest of you. The crude remarks like the one above (he just won't stop already) make me defensive.

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This space will forever be dedicated to Hercules-R.I.P. 1989-2003

nice construction site btw dante, it was cool to see the stages of development.

/ --------------------------------------
http://www.eightdotthree.net

Your welcome! I'm glad some people found it interesting.

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This space will forever be dedicated to Hercules-R.I.P. 1989-2003

Dante - I apologize, by saying "mocking or bashing" I was perhaps being a bit harsh. That being said there's no need to get defensive. I don't see anyone challenging your opinion, merely stating their own.

mOOSH

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2004 Coaster Calendar now available. Order in advance and save. See S&D Greetings for details.

Speaking of the CoasterQuest site, is it still updated? There's some fascinating stuff in there about winter rehab, construction, etc. Thanks for the link, Dante

Okay... When you spend 13 hours a day, 6 days a week for an entire summer with something, you grow to love it. I'm tired of all the talk that it was low rated, and talking about polls and this and that because almost every day of my summer I watched guests come off the ride smiling and running back for more. I can say that although Hercules required money to maintain... She was loved by the guests who visited the park... and I'm not talking about Coaster Enthusiasts... I'm talking about the every day person who spent their money to show their family a good time. It's going to be sad to have to go to work tomorrow and work somewhere that isn't home to me. The only qualm any of us had with her was that damn hill trim brake... I remember that ride way back when, and although she's gotten rougher, she still held all the excitement now that she did back then. There is nothing more satisfying than watching a kid come off that ride and asking dad or mom if they could go again... Reminds me of when my Dad took me on my first roller coaster... which just happened to be Hercules. Without that coaster I wouldn't love coasters the way I do... I love all coasters, but this one was special... I know many of you didn't like it, and I respect that... but in the grand scheme of society as a whole... you're in the minority. I'm looking forward to the B&M, but NOTHING can replace Herc.

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In Memory of Hercules (September 1, 2003) and all those who spent their summers working there
we will miss you!

Yeah, I've ridden Hercules, but you guys shouldn't be THAT mad, you're getting possibly one, or the, best floorless roller coaster. I mean, look at the stats we have now, a three minute ride, and 5 tunnels. Come on now. Look at the bright side of the story.

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