Hercules to be replaced by B&M floorless at Dorney

Back in the mid-80's til about 1990, I was at Dorney and wildwater almost every other day, had season passes. I went there with my older sister, her and I loved amusement parks. Hercules was probably her favorite ride. Unfortunately, she got sick and passed away in November of 1990. I can say I've probably been to DP less than 8 or 9 times since then, it's kind of sad.

I can remember it like it was yesterday that May day when they were planning on opening hercules to the public. I watched as they tested the ride weeks prior to that. I recall saying to someone I was gonna be the first to ride it. Well, I woke up early and was the first person in line at the front gate. I guessed that it was probably closer from that gate than the one at the upper lot. When they opened the gates I started jogging up the hill towards the wooden monster. While jogging, I noticed other people starting to run, so it turned into a sprint. I knew it would be a race between me and someone coming down from the gate at the top.

Well, I was the first person in line, I couldn't believe it, "I would be the first person to ride hercules", I thought to myself, while catching my breathe from the sprint up the hill. Waiting in line, someone from the ride came down the steps and recognized the group of people standing directly behind me. After talking for awhile, they invited the people to walk up the steps, I couldn't believe it, they were line jumping :) I even heard a few from the back saying things like, "HEY, that guy was first", and "thats not fair". "Oh well", I thought. I would still be on the first ride to the public, even if not in the front seat. I later found out that the two people that jumped in front of me were interviewed by the local news, channel 69. I was pissed to say the least

Anyhow, I'd be the 2nd person in line and I'll never forget that day. I recall how fast the ride was right out of the gate, "WOW!", I said outloud The trip up the hill didn't seem all that long, but that first drop, highest in the world", the placard said. With my hands over my head down the hill it went and that turn over the water, that was my favorite part of the ride. I couldn't believe how fast it was over, kind of disapointing, always thought it would last longer.Still a great wooden coaster.

Nowadays, I might go there every other year, so, will I miss it? I suppose. But not like I would if I went as often as I did back when.

I apologize for writing such a long post, had to share my thoughts though. Take care

In fact, in Junior High school, we would chain up our bikes at the Ice-Cream world across from the park and ride this thing non-stop.

Of course, we prefered the yellow roller coaster more, because you could take off your safety belts and get major ejector air off of the bunny hops. But Hercules was still awesome as well.

I remember the first time I rode it. It was probably in 3rd or 4th grade with my father. At that time, I still got that sinking stomach feeling that you experience when you first start riding. Well, the drop on Hercules was intense, and it was LONG and fast. That's what I remember the most. It's probably the single most memorable first drop I've ever experienced, and this includes Magnum and Millenium Force.

They put brakes on the thing by the time I got to high school, and it just wasn't as fun anymore.

But I'll always have fond memories of that ride.

I'm surprised someone remembered the ride "Top Gun". It was this really cheesy "World's largest video game" ride. It was really stupid, and you just spun around while trying to blast the other players on the screen. If you won, you got to stay on. I once won twice in a row.