Hershey Entertainment CEO has bigger plans for town

Wow, he took out Cedar Point and Busch Gardens Europe in one line. Clearly, this guy knows his competition.

I think if they're going to get people to travel beyond the park, it has to be somehow obvious that there's more to offer, or it has to be promoted better. I know when I went to travel to the Giant food store in 05' to get my discount ticket, I was surprised at all the stuff that existed beyond the park.

I agree with pretty much everything the guy said. It's refreshing to hear from a CEO representing an ultra-successful company talk about how nostalgia can be part of a business plan. The guy's looking forward while taking direction from what worked well in the past.

I liked his comment about taking old rides out of storage that have been mothballed for years, leading me to wonder what it is they have in storage?

Yeah, those rides in storage really piqued my interest! Maybe they still have that cuddle up. That thing would get me to Hersheypark faster than any roller coaster!

This guy has a really nice comprehensive vision. Very refreshing from what is the unfortunate norm in this country (see any suburban area).

I've been told that the Cuddle Up is no longer at the park and that will never be an option. But maybe there's something else in storage? Whatever happened to the Tumble Bug? ;)

What about the Conestoga Wagon? That was my favorite falling star-type ride, and it was replaced with an eating area and interactive 3D adventure-type deals. I wish they'd bring it back.

This gentleman is right on target with what will keep Hershey Park a very entertaining park to go to.

I think the Conestoga actually went to another park didn't it? I like alot of the things hes saying too, sort of reminds me of stuff that used to be planned for my town lol, which I have yet to see go anywhere but the drawing board...:(
On a related note, anyone hear about that "mock-late" stuff Hershey is supposedly test-marketing somewhere? I heard it was gross, basically removes the cocoa butter or something.
*** This post was edited by P18 6/27/2007 3:22:09 PM ***

Hershey's Conestoga was sold, and is doing VERY nicely at Lake Winnie, thanks! Also runs with a VERY strong program at LW...more intense airtime than Cannonball, LOL.

How 'bout bringing back the Intamin wheels. OOPS!

I think that's dead and buried. Maybe there's a Rock-O-Plane lying around somewhere?

How about Lost River?

I like his ideas for the park, but it seems his vision for Hershey (the town) includes HERCO pretty much taking over the whole town beyond the park. It's not that the town should have more restaurants, hotels, retails... it's that WE'LL provide more. Call me a cynic.

But I think Hershey Foods shouldn't dwell on laying off 3,000 people and building a factory in Mexico. Their new slogan should be "Doing Our Part To Stop Illegal Immigration." Accentuate the positive!

And here I thought enthusiasts would be upset he shot down the hypercoaster project that's been rumored since about the beginning of time. :)

-Nate

I never got excited about the hypercoaster because it was just that- a rumor. Personally, I'd love to see a hypercoaster there (something along the lines of SFOG's Goliath) but I don't think that is neccessary for Hershey to be a great park, as it already is.

^^ I did find it a little odd that the guy wants to take control of the town as well, but maybe he figures that no one else is going to step up and do what has to be done so Hershey might as well do it? And I like that take on things... keep the illegals in Mexico! ;)

True, Conestoga and Cyclops were sold to other parks and the Giant Wheel was scrapped.....but it's not hard to locate Huss Enterprises and Rainbows....they could easily bring either Cyclops or Conestoga back.

I also wish they'd reincarnate the Giant Wheel....the Ferris Wheel is just lame compared to the old claw wheel....It's so sad to be in the park and no longer see that landmark. I'm sure someone could build a similar ride if Hershey requested.

I'd also love to see some other old rides reinstalled, replaced....just about anything is possible nowadays in this industry, so who know...we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds.

I would like to see a restored "corner"... like "Lost Pittsburg(h)" was SUPPOSED to be at KW..... how about the corner between Wildcat and Lightning Racer, by the Whip and such. (I have said Geuaga Lake ought to do where the rotting river rides are).... get some cool old flats, build some retro looking refreshment and game stands decked out with ultra Neon, and BAM.... instant 1958 and right at the roadside, all lit up and for everyone to see! :)

With the new Boardwalk right there, imagine a section of flats, art deco stands, neon, and blend it in to the Boardwalk area with a real 60s style Atlantic City or Wildwood style Boardwalk strip!

From the article:

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We're looking in the future... [at] taking the Canyon River Rapids ride and changing that into something that has a little more excitement to it and ... [retiring] rides that have seen their day.

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Okay, my curiosity has gotten the best of me. A rehab of the rapids or a total replacement (with a similar or entirely diferent ride)? A rehab of the ride that combines the elements of a river rapids with the old tunnel and enclosed sections like the mountain of the long gone Lost River? Who knows.

Also... What rides have "seen their day?"

Any thoughts or speculation from the "arm chair experts"?*** This post was edited by SLFAKE 7/3/2007 11:55:24 AM ****** This post was edited by SLFAKE 7/3/2007 12:06:01 PM ***

I have a feeling the next ride to be scrapped, will be the Pioneer Frontier Chute-Out. There are surveyor markings all around that ride, and with the four slides in the Boardwalk area, it really is not needed. As far as rides in storage goes, they still have the train that ran around the outside of the park before the one price admission went into effect. The Giant Wheel was taken out due to the fact it was down more than it was operating. That thing leaked more hydralic fluid than it used. As far as hyper coasters go, I think Stormrunner is as far as they are going to go for a long time. But who knows.

Hershey will never see a hypercoaster 200+ ft tall. Derry Twp (There actually is no town of 'Hershey' as it is all Derry twp) has height restrictions in place to preserve the nature of the skyline.

Another msiconception for most is that Hershey Foods (Chocolate maker) owns Hersheypark. These are two very different companies. HERCO runs the park, stadium, Giant Center, Lodge, and Hotel. Hershey foods runs the Corporate office caddy corner to the lightning racer, the plants, as well as Chocolate World. HERCO is a respectable company that truly wishes for family satisfaction. Hershey Foods, rather Rick Lenny, is the greedy unamerican company that laid off 3000 americans to move jobs over seas. Maybe its just because I am a disgruntled person who used to work for Hershey, but I did not have a positive experience there.

I do love Hersheypark and am there nearly every sunday, monday, and tuesday!