Hersheypark removes its classic Whip ride

This is a poorly written article. This wasn't a vintage whip; it was a modern remake built in 1997 by a company called Rideworks. It was a terribly executed ride. The biggest offense was it just wasn't fun -- it didn't have a "whip" that was remotely comparable to the originals. The other problem with the ride was that it was LOUD. Instead of a steel wheels running on steel panels on a wood deck like the classic rides, the Hershey whip ran on a concrete floor. (I'm sure the design of the shelter contributed as well.) I used the decibel meter on my watch and it peaked at 115db when on the ride which is borderline dangerous. There was an industrial-sized container of earplugs in the ride operators booth.

Hershey sent out a survey last year asking for people to provide their *least* favorite rides in the park, and the Whip was on top of mine. I'm not surprised at all that they're removing it.

Yeah, the noise was almost comparable to the Coal Shaker, if anyone remembers that thing. It was a Cuddle Up (I always found these more fun than your average Teacup ride) and was deafening. Ride ops wore earplugs there as well.

I rode the Whip a couple years ago, and it was ok. Mildly fun, but yes, not nearly as whiplash inducing as the originals. I remember when Hershey had a kiddie whip, and it too was more intense if memory serves.

I was going to say Bummer, but sounds like it wasn't a great version, and not the classic. I'd always wished a company would come and make a new version of this ride so that it was available in more parks. Sounds like someone tried.

I really love these types of rides. I'm still hoping someone can make a more aggressive modern version. I do appreciate the redo of the classic Cuddle Up themed to tractors at Cars Land and Disney California Adventure, but I wouldn't call it aggressive.

PhantomTails:

it peaked at 115db

Yikes. That's louder than most concerts. Particularly dangerous for the ride ops who sit there all day.

It was a one and done for me. I was excited that someone built a new version of the Whip, but after one ride it was clear that it was not the same at all. "Classic" is definitely an exaggeration.

I remember being very excited that a Whip would be included in the new (ill-concieved) Midway America expansion of Hersheypark. And to echo much of the sentiment here, boy was I wrong. That ride was a dog for all of the reasons listed above. Now, I swear that the last time I rode the ride they had in the meantime come along with steel sections of floor for those square wheels to rumble along. Whatever/if ever they did anything it didn’t help.
I know authentic vintage rides are hard to come by but Idlewild removed their Antique Whip maybe around the same time, which really was a shock. I think it was a 12 tub. If Hershey needed one it’s too bad Idlewild didn’t give a shout out. The parks aren’t that far apart.
There is quite a discussion on FB pages where “experts” are bemoaning the loss of a classic. A few of the better-informed have stepped up to explain the reality of the situation, but it continues. One guy claimed that Kennywood has the last surviving Whip.
By my count there are 7.
Kennywood, Dorney, Lakeside, Knoebels, Rye Playland, Heritage Park, and Camden all have original Mangels rides and they vary in size. Knoebels has the oldest operating cars, the old round ones, and Camden is known by enthusiasts to have the fastest and most thrilling Whip. I think the oldest Whip is Dorney’s and they are quite proud of it. There are many Kiddie Whips and Roto Whips in operation as well.

RCMAC:

original Mangels rides

Just a quick aside to mention that this, as well as Chance, are really unfortunate names for ride manufacturers.

You are probably too young to remember the household laundry appliance called the Mangler or Mangle. It would automatically wring wet clothes and fabrics for faster drying. And women got their arms caught in them all the time.

Knoebel's has another Whip in storage, also... at least they did 20 years ago. It's a different model than the one they operate, I think.

Their original Whip was the smaller 8 car model. There’s a picture of it in the Knoebels history museum (which is well worth a stop if you’ve never been in). From what I can determine it was located near the present ride, maybe around where the roll o plane is. Anyway, in 1940 or thereabouts they installed the ride that operates today (as Whipper) which is larger, I believe it has 12 cars. As I said earlier the ride remains virtually untouched save for the occasional paint touch up. The original, rounder cars are on it- every other Whip I’ve seen has updated 1950’s cars, like Kennywood’s. Geauga’s Snap and LeSourdsville’s Whip had fiberglass cars with a scoop shape that looked like something out of the Jetsons. I don’t know who made them.
The ride Knoebels has in storage is reported to be the largest 16 car model, once again like Kennywood’s. I don’t know when or where they acquired it- it very well may be the one that operated at Idlewild. I remember it was big and had no roof. The next time I’m at the park I’m definitely going to inquire.
If you can’t tell, RCMAC just loves and is a trap for his park history. I believe every park should establish an historical display with relics, photos, and ephemera, and many have. I’m permanently pissed that CP closed theirs and it looks like the intended replacement is on the far back burner. The indoor meeting lounge concept they vaguely publicized was cute, but… no. And Town Hall Museum was mainly photos and chachkies, but still, it provided an interesting look into the park’s past.

Thank God this poor creature is being put out of its misery. It was wretchedly bad.

RCMAC:

And women got their arms caught in them all the time.

This is the derivation of the phrase, "getting your tit in the wringer"

Consider me one of those who felt a sadness for the loss of a Whip ride, assuming it was one of the Mangel's classics. (Even though I couldn't remember one at Hershey, but I've only been there once).

Glad to hear that it wasn't a true classic, and from the sounds of it, better off gone.

CreditWh0re:
This is the derivation of the phrase, "getting your tit in the wringer"

I’ve been waiting since I mashed the send button the other day…

RCMAC:

You are probably too young to remember the household laundry appliance called the Mangler or Mangle.

There's a Stephen King story, and later a film, called the Mangler, about a possessed laundry press.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...he_Mangler

RCMAC:

Camden is known by enthusiasts to have the fastest and most thrilling Whip.

The last few years I have rode it, it seemed to be drastically slowed down. It used to be really fun, now it's slightly fun. As of a few years ago, Camden Park has noticeably slowed down a lot of their flat rides, like the Paratrooper and Scrambler, to name a few that I vividly recall. I'm going to do some digging into the reason why if it the rides still seem slower this season. It's really a bummer.

Maybe West Virginia finally discovered the great 21st century invention called Liability Insurance.

You're not kidding. I rode Big Dipper before I was a year old. My mom held me in her lap. It's probably why I am the way I am. I'm not sure if the ride has a height requirment or not even today.