Hershey Giant Wheel

Screamscape has a rumor that this family ride may be removed this year. This is the last ride of its kind left in North America that i am aware of. Great capacity, great long ride. It would be a shame to see this ride join Zodiac, Sky Whirls, Astrowheel and Galaxy.

If you do enjoy the ride, an email to the park stating that wouldn't hurt anything.......

I agree.

A now "one-of-a-kind" attraction most likely going away. Its a Hershey landmark as well as a great ride... what a shame.

This is gonna be a stupid question but whats makes it different from the one at SFGADV or the one at the OCean sity Board walk? I've ridden all 3 they seem the same. Even the one at SFNE looked the same. Its sad that it has to go.

I believe Hershey has a Chance Giant Wheel. I know off hand that SFEG and Adventureland in Iowa have them as well.

I think you guys (Crashmando & J) are confusing Hershey's Ferris Wheel for their Giant Wheel.

*** Edited 9/24/2004 4:23:29 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

I'll tell you why they should get rid of it...low ridership. There's never a line for this ride, and it's not in a location that it's really a prominant figure in the park. They could easily put a nice freefall there or other big ride that would actually draw people to that area of the park.

I agree that it is a classic ride and it would be a shame to see it go, but economically speaking, it's just not worth keeping. I could easily see them selling the attraction though, or moving it to Dutch Wonderland.

From the rumors flying around these past few years, I thought the main reason why Giant Wheel's days were numbered were because its uniqueness makes parts very hard to find, not to mention expensive.

If this is the case, I hardly see them moving it to Dutch Wonderland where this same maintenance issue would exist.

As for "draw[ing] people to that area of the park..." I hardly think this is an issue considering that it is located in Carrousel Circle. GIANT Wheel, or any future ride that occupies its present location, is passed by everyone entering the park considering. As long as the entrance to the park stays where it is, Carrousel Circle is the main thoroughfare to the rest of the park.

Personally, while I haven't ridden GIANT Wheel in a few years, I like the fact that it is there. For 32 years it has been a land mark of the park, and was one of the things that helped create a new image for the park when it was going through its transition in the late 1960's and ealry 1970's from a traditional park to a modern "theme" park. I will hate to see it go.

Just give it to Knoebels!

Yeah...removing doesn't necessarily mean it will be SBNO or destroyed...it could be removed then re-added to another part of the park (rumored indoor at the old Hersheypark Arena perhaps?) or to some other park, like Dutch Wonderland. Have no fear, it will probably be in existence somewhere else!

They should keep it. They're not that far from having the most rides of any park in the world. That's one of the most intriguing records a park could have for me personally.

+Danny

Thanks for clearing it up Lord. I was confused. I'm going in a week so I'll make sure I get a ride on it. Thanks again!

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BigJim4Life said:
Have no fear, it will probably be in existence somewhere else!

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You mean like all the other previously operating Intamin double- and triple- wheels?

Excellent point! Although there are triple wheels operating in Korea and somewhere in the Middle East. I think there's another double wheel somewhere too although I'm not certain of that.

Did PKI's double wheel get destroyed or just mothballed?

What parks in the US had Double / Tripple wheels?

PKI... did Great America?

Anyway... I heard somewhere that one of those went the way of the scrap heap, with many of its parts bought up by Hershey to keep their GIANT Wheel operating for as long as it has been. However, that is just RUMOR. I can not confirm that, but it does make sense.

I suppose this is just of good of a reason as any to get out to Hersheypark in the Dark this year. Not only for a possible last ride on GIANT Wheel, but also for a few final coaster rides of the season. They are scheduled to have 8 of their 10 coasters running (Wildcat and Roller Soaker not scheduled to be open). On the three Saturdays that the the park is open there is also a hockey game in GIANT Center. With the park being open until midnight on those nights, I might have to try to make it across the parking lot after one (or more) of those games.

As far as I know, PKI had a double wheel and the two Great America parks had triple wheels.

The two triple wheels were supposedly scrapped... not sure what happened to the PKI wheel.

I know for a fact that the PGA wheel was destroyed, but I'm not so sure about the SFGAm one. According to ITAL's site there is a triple for sale, but I'm not sure how up-to-date their website is. Look here:
http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=231

I'm pretty sure that information is hideously outdated.

Hershey's double wheel was the first (prototype) built by Intamin. It is also the last (double) preceeded in death by PKI's double. There are no Intamin wheels left in the US. I believe there is one in Singapore or somewhere in the far east. I believe this was one of the Marriot/Paramount ones. There are no plans to sell or otherwise preserve Hershey's. It will be scrapped at the end of the current park season. Intamin no longer is able to provide parts or any other support for this or any of their legacy rides. In addition, there is a moderate amount of upgrades needed for the Giant Wheel to continue operation. I was there and rode it on opening day and will be sad to see it go. I have taken my last ride (well, maybe) and as many pictures as I could take, and will soon say goodbye to this gentle "giant".

SFGAm's Triple Wheel was also destroyed. They still have the cages, but the arms and base are long gone.

Aww these are fascinating rides for the whole family. Too bad it's going to be gone. I loved riding PKI's back in the day. In my opinion, it's certainly a loss for Hershey.