Hersheypark in the Dark Question

I'm probably just being an idiot, but I can't find the hours for Hersheypark in the Dark. Is the park open at all this weekend? It didn't appear that way, but I couldn't find definitive information on the website and I wouldn't think they'd be closed? Any help?

I happen to have a Hershey brochure in front of me (I was at the park on Sunday and picked one up). The Halloween in Hershey days are:

October 15-17, 22024 and 29-31

Hours are Fridays 5-10, Saturdays 2-10, Sundays 2-9.

Hmm - so does that mean they're closed this weekend, or it's just not officially the "Hersheypark in the Dark" event? I hope they're not closed, that sort of blows my plans for this weekend out the window...

They were technically "closed" last weekend... UPS buyout day. Our office's UPS driver has a big heart (and knows I love coasters) so he got tickets for my girlfriend and I. There were np Halloween decorations up so I'd imagine the next few weeks will allow them to transform the park while hosting a few more buyouts.

Aww - that sucks, looks like I won't be getting on Storm Runner again this year =( Thanks for the info man.

I'm ashamed because Hershey is one of my favorite parks and I only made it there once this year. To be honest, I wasn't nuts about Storm Runner- didn't really do anything for me. But I did score two rides on one of my favorite B&M inverts and finally got on Roller Soaker, which they were running dry. Can't forget sooperdooperlooper either... still a great ride!

Closed this weekend according to their schedule... except for possibly a buy out.

Double check those times.

"DATES AND TIMES
October 15-17, 22-24, and 29-31
Fridays 5 PM - Midnight
Saturdays 2 PM - Midnight
Sundays 2 PM - 10 PM"

(Cut and pasted directly from their website)

Granted... the 10pm (and 9pm Sunday) closing does sound a bit more like Hershey... but then again... according to their very site... Could be expecting bigger crowds this year with Haunted Harvest?

Also... this year 8 of their 10 coasters look to be open (Wildcat and Roller Soaker won't be running). Plus, one last chance to ride GIANT Wheel. *** Edited 9/30/2004 2:31:01 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

The brochure I picked up at the park has the earlier closing times listed although it does make sense for them to keep the park open later because of the crowds.

I wonder why Wildcat is always closed for the Halloween event? I know that the entire Midway America section used to be closed but with it now, open, why is Wildcat closed?

Just out of curiosity, can you link to where you pulled those hours from? I just feel dumb that I couldn't find them!

Here ya go.

Last year for Spring Time in the Park... wasn't Wildcat or Lightning Racer open? As with HP in the Dark, Midway America used to be closed for Springtime in the Park.

Maintenance / rehab / timing issues? Having all wooden coasters open till the end of Oct and then having them open for Springtime in the Park (MidApril) means that they have 5 1/2 months to do yearly maintenance / rehab on 4 coasters (for maintenance purposes, I would count LR as 2)... but if they keep one closed (WC), they buy some more time. Estimated 28 weeks of from regular season close to regular season opening. 6 weeks of rehab/Maintenance on each coaster... one at a time would take 24 weeks with 4 weeks to spare. If you run all of them for HP in the Dark and Springtime in the Park, you lose 6 weeks. By keeping one closed for the fall and spring events, you get the entire 28 weeks back to get all 4 ready for the following season. Just a my guess as an unknowning member of the GP though.

Let's see if in April WC is open and LR is closed for Springtime in the Park.

I was wondering too about the difference in hours listed between the website and the brochure/maps they hand out at the park. I suppose you just go early enough so you don't feel shortchanged if they close at 10, and get a bonus if they're open till 12.

Again with the later hours, is this another sign Hershey is trying to attract a different demographic? After all, how many families with kids will be there till midnight? But 2-10 on a Saturday does seem a bit short, compared to what other parks are doing.

Last year, Lightning Racer (as well as the rest of Midway America) was open for the first time during the Halloween event. Wildcat was not running. Could be a maintenance issue- maybe they leave LR open because it handles larger crowds? Or is more family-oriented?

I for one hope that the Fri and Sat midnight closings and Sunday 10pm closings are correct.

Reason: The Bears play in GIANT Center on Sat Oct 16,23 and 30 as well as Sunday Oct 31. If the games are as speedy as they were the last two seasons, the Saturday games should be over around 9:15pm (2hrs 45 minutes before Midnight) and the Sunday game should be over around 7:15 (2hrs 45 minutes before 10pm). Some good chances to hop over to the park before heading home.

SLFAKE, I'm sure the folks at the park considered that once the Bears' schedule was released. (What, no Cher concert (for the third time)???

I guess we should consider the website info correct, since the brochures would have been printed up around March or so.

RatherGoodBear:

I really wouldn't say that. All of those years when the Bears played at home in the HPArena during while HP in the Dark was going on... when all you had to do was walk to the back of the Arena to enter the park... the closing times were Sat 10 and Sun 9.

I think that this may have more to do with their Haunted Harvest and that the time change is just a good coincidence with the times of the games.

According to the Hershey Park website, Wildcat will be running this year.

Last week, Wildcat was not listed as one of the rides open... it now is on the list. I also think the number of tickets for Storm Runner has dropped 8 to 6.

I suppose that is covered by that little bit of fine print that states "Hours, rides, entertainment, and attractions are subject to change without notice."