Hersheypark announces Turbulence for 2005

1996: Wildcat

1998: Great Bear

1999: Wild Mouse

2000: Lightning Racer

2002: Roller Soaker

2004: Storm Runner

Now Wild Mouse did sneak in there between Great Bear and Lightning Racer to mess up this two year schedule, but for the most part it has stuck to two years. Turbulence comes 1 year after Storm Runner... but, like wildmouse, it is not a custom installation, but rather a stock model (though the first of its type) along the same lines of Wild Mouse.

Press Release states "Total cost for the new ride and the renovation is approximately $4 million." So that is the coast of the ride and the upgrades in Carrousel Circle. If there are major changes there, and it sounds like there will be, a good chunck of that $4 would have been spent on the change from Carrousel Circle to Founder's Circle. So Wmvcardnil's comment of "saving a few more and getting a roller coaster," doesn't seem to be that much of an issue (and that is assuming that Turbulence is not considered a coaster, wich I personally think it is... complete circuit and all).

As far as not "bringing more visitors." While all upgrades are actually designed to bring in visitors, from my uniformed eyes, I don't think Hershey really is having an attendance problem. Personally, twice this year I decided NOT to go into the park when I drove by and saw how packed it was (with the parking overflowing into the GIANT Center lot).

With GIANT Wheel's departure, something was going to have be put in that place... Why not have it be a cheap coaster. For those who consider it a coaster, it is Number 11. For those who don't, well... I always said Hershey was lacking in the thrilling flat ride department. I only question the location. If they want to give Founder's Circle a "vintage 1920's" feel, I don't know if I would place the newest style there. As I said somehwere else, I would have possibly moved the existing Ferriswheel to that spot and placed Turbulence in the Ferriswheel's locaiton (or even the Wave Swinger from Comet Hollow to GIANT Wheel's old location and placed Turbulence where the Wave Swinger is... providing the footprint is big enough). But oh well... that's just me.

Besides, as far as upgrades go... anyone have any idea on what the park spent two years ago with the addition of The Claw, Frontier Flyers, kiddie Pirate and kiddie (? I forget what it was ?), plus all of the changes and renovations requited for those installations? Is this $4 million so far out of line?

http://www.interactiverides.com/pages/frequent_faller.html

Seriously, I'm very happy to see this ride getting a shot at a *major* North American park....

Next up, Screamin' Squirrel! :)