Hersheypark Skyrush - Sunday, May 27th, 2012

My husband and I thought we would head over to Hersheypark to catch a ride on Skyrush as soon as the park opened today to beat the rush. It opened this weekend and the park was expecting crazy crowds due to the weather, the Boardwalk opening this weekend, and Skyrush. It definitely seemed like it was well on its way to a big crowd day while we were there.

The first thing to note is that the park has opened a new throughway from the front of the park over to Comet Hollow. It begins right past the stroller rental place and before Hospitality Services and ends right at the Skyrush entrance. It's really nice, not only because it saves you the walk up the hill and back down again into Comet Hollow, but also because it gives you really pretty views of Skyrush, SuperDooperLooper and Comet that you never had before. My picture-taking pals would appreciate this. My hubby and I also commented that it would be a nice place to sit (they have benches all along there) and just relax watching the coaster... and people.

The queue wasn't too bad when we got in and we didn't figure the wait would be too bad. We were wrong, of course, but we had no idea how awful the station was designed. (There's a separate line to the left for front row riders and we opted for that. There's nothing special to note about that, except that knowing what we know now, it isn't worth the extra wait.)

The station is designed with the exit on the same side as entry. The stairs for exit run parallel to the stairs for entry in fact. And there is not enough room in the station to allow for the exiting riders to get by with the air gates open so you must wait for every rider to exit before the entering riders can load.

As if that's not enough, they installed some lazy susan-type contraption to store riders' belongings and they placed them at the end of the entry rows beside the air gates. Which is great for the entering riders to get their things in while they wait to save time, right? Unfortunately, however, they aren't very big and by the time everyone puts their backpacks and so forth in it, it doesn't spin very well. So it's actually just one more thing to slow the exiting riders down further as they try to leave.

We also encountered a wait due to the ride ops releasing the harnesses four times to allow for a rider to try multiple seats before being told she couldn't ride. The ride ops are I'm sure still in training, but it appeared they weren't moving fast enough given the already adverse capacity issues for the ride.

The dispatches ran about 5 to 7 minutes apart.

But, honestly, that's not the worst part for me. We finally had our chance to ride and I was still pretty excited. The coaster has a cable lift and it flies up the hill at great speed and over the steep drop and turn to the right at what I believe was reported to be 70 mph. That's great.

However, at that point I realized there's a terrible flaw in the train design that has the lap bar coming down from overhead to rest directly on the top of the rider's thighs. So after that point in the ride, it was extremely painful. At any point that I would've enjoyed air time in my seat, I was hurting from the lap bar cutting into my thighs. You might think this was just a typical "getting pinned" in the seat situation and the ride op did give my harness a push walking past. But I don't believe it matters. The position of the lap bar on the legs is going to create discomfort no matter how loose it might fit.

So Skyrush was a bust for me. I wouldn't recommend traveling a great distance to ride unless of course you have other reasons, too. It seemed like others were enjoying it, however, I will admit. I would guess that families with adolescent kids will love it. It appears to be thrilling and "ultimate" and perhaps the kids can get a better position under the lap bar, I don't know.

But capacity is a big zero so I would imagine this coaster will have a hefty wait at all times. I also believe the hype it's been given could be driving some of the response. It's supposed to be amazing, so it must be, right?

I am of course only one opinion...well there's mine and my husband's...and the people who rode in front of us who we had ample time to get to know.

Skyrush looks awesome, but the experience is less than stellar. I will honestly not likely ride it again.

On the positive side, however, we enjoyed a station walk-on for Storm Runner. So again... everyone can keep their Fahrenheit and Skyrush. I'm happy with the short wait at the best coaster in the park. ;-)

Well, that's disappointing.

Rode Skyrush this morning. I agree with the lap bars, but this ride is seriously awesome! Insane airtime and sense of speed, I mean insane!

Have to admit I'm taking devious pleasure in complaints about the lapbars.

OTSR FTW!

I would go so far as to say that I think this coaster could use the same restraints as I-305. I fully expect my opinion to be in the minority, though. After all, I believe that few think like me...and I'm really ok with that. :)

Great TR, yet disappointing. I was looking forward to hearing about how awesome this ride was.

The good news here is that Storm Runner was a walk-on. That is an awesome ride.

So, about that new path... I imagine it runs between Skyrush and Comets second out and back run? Are there any new shops or room for more rides along this new path, or does it look like it will strictly be a way to alleviate crowds racing towards Skyrush's entrance?

And how in the world did they fit a station into the former tilt-a-Whirl post? Hersheypark seems to be able to fit stations into the smallest areas. Where do people stand in line for the ride?

Sadness. I'm headed (from TX) to Hershey in mid June on a Friday and was really looking forward to Skyrush. Haven't been since Storm Runner, so also looking forward to Fahrenheit. Oh well, if Skyrush is that big a bust, I have no problem racking up serious laps on Storm Runner and Great Bear. Maybe I'll wear football pads for my lower extremities. ;)

Not discounting Carrie's take on the ride at all, but I've heard quite a few reviews of Skyrush comparing the airtime and the lapbars to El Toro's. A few have complained about thigh pain, but overall the reviews have been very positive. I am concerned about the capacity issues, though. Sounds like poor queue design and management.

Got people posting pics from the park today on Facebook. The latest photo shows the train dispatching with only 2 of the 4 front-row seats occupied.

What's up with that?

LK, I would imagine it will remain a walkway only. It's very pretty, though. The queue is right on the corner of that midway (between SDL and Comet) and right before the bathrooms.

Andy, you may find it to be just fine. Everyone's experiences can be different.

Vater, the same. For me, comfort trumps everything. If a coaster is fast and exciting, but hurts, it's a deal-breaker for me. Others don't mind some discomfort and pain for a rush...they're called masochists. ;-)

Though I even compared the way I felt to how my husband must have felt on El Toro (he won't ride that one again either because of his pain) that was the only comparison. I have no problem riding El Toro and Skyrush is very painful to me. I don't believe the restraints are the same.

Gonch, there was a lot of that, too, yesterday. And the seat design with the outside seats in a row sitting back a little and the two in the middle being more together and pushed forward a bit, makes riding with a partner a little awkward. It didn't feel like I was riding with Dave. Not a huge deal, but one more thing that added to the list of strange decisions for this coaster by the park.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with Carrie I didn't find Skyrush to be painful AT ALL!!! the ride is amazing the airtime is off the charts, talk about the steel version of El toro, except Skyrush is the over rolling thunder hill on every hill!!! I will agree that the station set up is a nightmare, and seeing them send out trains half empty doesn't help it one bit. Overall this is an amazing ride, fast, smooth, tons of airtime, g's and the area of Hershey this thing was put in is just beautiful. Imo Hershey and Intamin has done an amazing job with this ride I would even go as far a saying this is the best new coaster of 2012!!!

I will say Skyrush has pushed Bizzaro@SFNE to my #3 spot with my top 5 steel coasters being #1 I305, #2 Skyrush, #3 Bizzaro, #4 Expedition Ge Force, and #5 Piraten Yes I'm an Intamin fanboy lol.

Get out and go ride Skyrush you will not be disappointed and I'm not just saying this b/c I'm an Intamin Lover it truly is an Amazing ride short be very very sweet.

First post !!!!!!111!!

I've read similar comments to Carrie on FB all day about capacity, the station, etc. AVMatt said it's better than any Intamin steel except for Bizarro, but he said it's not as good as El Toro (and he doesn't really like El Toro).

I have a feeling I'll love the ride, hate the wait.

I rode Skyrush today, and I only waited for about half an hour. The station design is horribly flawed, and yes, the restraints are extremely painful. Even if you leave the restraint loose, the forces end up pushing the narrow, hard plastic into your thighs. Carrie, I completely agree that the trains need to be fitted with some sort of different restraint system. The airtime on this ride is unfrigginbelievable, but both me and my riding partner were in so much pain that we couldn't enjoy the experience. I can say without a shadow of a doubt though that the drop on Skyrush is fantastic, the overbanked turns really feel like you ARE upside down, and if you can withstand the discomfort of the horrendous restraint system, you will experience such ridiculous airtime that if you are like me, you may be a little afraid for your life in the best possible way. Straight up last hill on El Toro ejector air.

Oh, and on a side note: fast track passes are stupid at Hershey. One time for each coaster, no Skyrush on the ticket, and it is fifty bucks a person. Oh, and you have to go to certain coasters at certain times. And no one at guest services/information even knew they were selling them or where to purchase them. Blech. No thank you...and didn't really need them because everything but Skyrush was a one train wait or a walk on today.

Gonch, they were not filling trains. Not even making an effort to fill them, actually.

Wow, we criticize your new fave and you go right to old and fat being the problem? How old are you, 12? Actually, the TINY girls I rode with were in a ton of pain too. So your rude and moronic suggestion is incorrect.

Dear SKYRUSH,

You're right, your comments about people are not welcome here! My WIFE, Carrie, is P.H.A.T (pretty hot and tempting)!!!

I HOPE I GET TO RUN INTO YOU ON THE MIDWAYS!!!!!!!!!

If anything, having extra chub in the thigh area would provide extra padding, I would guess.

Dear Mr. Skyrush person, it sounds to me like you don't belong here. When you take offense that easily, you have real problems that I suspect will not be easily tolerated at CoasterBuzz. Also, conversing with coaster enthusiasts older than yourself is a good way to learn about this great hobby. Unfortunately, you are failing miserably, so far.

Your right I'm sorry Carrie for be down right rude and disrespectful to you and Bunky666. I was in a pissy mood which is no excuse. I know this was not the right foot to start out on I tried to delete it but it wouldn't let me so I just wanted to say Sorry before Jeff see's that post and bans me for being a dbag.

Even when you delete it, we still see it.

My suggestion? Just sulk away with your tail between your legs.