Hersheypark...as we speak, 6/7/12...not such a crushing disappointment

I decided to drive to Hershey after work today because it seemed like perfect coasting weather, and I've been worked up about the disappointment of Thighcrush since Memorial Day. On my hour and 15 minute drive, it started to pour and pour buckets of rain. I was almost at Hershey, so I thought, "well, I guess I'll go shopping at the outlets instead". However, the weather cleared up, so against my better judgment, I bought a ticket to Hersheypark after all. I headed straight to Skyrush, and it was closed. I always hover by the entrance and wait for the mass exodus anyway because I know better. Half the line left, and in five to ten minutes, I was on the second row, left middle seat. I left my restraint very unsafely loose, with just enough room to buckle the seatbelt. As we went down the first hill and into the first airtime hill, my restraint did tighten...and tighten...and tighten. However, the pain was bearable this time, although still couldn't feel my legs by the end. I am now waiting in line to ride it again, perhaps again on an end seat to compare. The little little guy that was on next to me said he wanted to cry because his legs hurt so bad...I felt for him, but I'm glad I gave it another chance...it is a seriously intense ride.

Next up: Lightning Racer!

Was made to sit in back row of Skyrush, and the ride op stapled me in. I begged him to not do it, but he said they were being extra picky today with the lapbars. Back seat drop is awesome. Rest of ride not as painful as first ride ever, but I was gripping the thick blue metal bars underhanded so I was t pullin back on the restraints harder. Right leg from thigh to foot is tingling. Not cool.

Still on to LR though. I won't stop!!

Hahaha...you sound like someone I would love to hang out in a park with! I'm jealous you're at a park right now and I'm at work!

Aw, thanks John! Yeah, I don't quit unless I'm crippled or bleeding from the head. It IS a shake you're working. The park weather couldnt get much better, the crowds are clearing nicely, I've got one more hour, and I'm pretty sure I can hit storm runner, Fahrenheit, and maybe the Flyers. I'm glad I came today. Against ride closings and threats of thunderstorms, this feels like a triumph!

In conclusion, from 7 to 10, I rode:

Skyrush: 2
Lightning Racer (Lightning): 1
Lightning Racer (Thunder): 1
Fahrenheit: 1
Storm Runner: 1
Frontier Flyers: 2

As always, a few things:

Lightning Racer, Lightning side back seat is still my favorite traditional wooden coaster ride. Back seat of Thunder is rougher than Lightning still, but it has always been winning lately. Had a blast on both.

Fahrenheit felt extremely small to me today, and I barely fit, but two weeks ago, I was fine. I also have not gained weight. I fit fine everywhere else tonight...don't know what the deal was, but I was very uncomfortable on Fahrenheit and got a lot of neck and head banging.

Storm Runner was Storm Runner. Always feels faster at night, always feels out of control. Had great time and was gonna run around for another walk on ride (longest wait was Fahrenheit today), but I wanted to go on something calm and soothing, so I went for the Frontier Flyers. Twice. Was gonna ride a third time, but I had a large hot dog earlier on, and my stomach just hates when I eat hot dogs. Rather than continue pissing off my belly, I trekked out to the tram and got a nice seat by myself.

All in all, what a lovely, wonderful trip. Hershey still makes me smile nearly every time I am there.

You didn't get a season pass? It's seems like you may be visiting a few times this season. :)

Coaster Fantom, that was probably my last time this season. I don't like to go to Hershey mid season if I don't have to. The heat, the hills, the lines...no flashpass...plus, I just bought a Platinum Pass for Cedar Fair, I plan on a Six Flags pass, and me and the hubby are going to Orlando this year...I can't justify the amount of money Hershey asks for their passes for a single year with no other parks in their roster (except Dutch Wonderland, and I have no children). Don't get me wrong: it seemed like it took FOREVER for Hershey to gather a decent lineup, but I have much more fondness for some of their coasters than I do my home park (Dorney). Lightning Racer is in my top 10 coasters, and Storm Runner, Fahrenheit, SDL, and even Trailblazer are definitely much loved, but at the same time, I don't miss any of them but LR when I'm not there. Not like El Toro or Nitro.

And that was the longest answer for a simple question. Sorry about that. I'm just so overly excited for this season.

bunky666, I love the back seat on Lightning Racer as well. I'll be there Thursday if all goes well and I'm not completely wiped out from Dorney tomorrow and GAdv Wednesday. And, if I survive Hershey..maybe Knoebels Friday, for my first *REAL* visit in about 4-5 years.

Mike, that is quite an ambitious week! I so wish I didn't have to work this week so I could follow a similar flight pattern. I keep just missing other Buzzers at the parks...this week though, come hell or high water, I WILL go to Massachussetts and ride Bizarro. It WILL happen.

Awww...I'll be at Hershey alone on Fri. Anyone want to join me?

I could meet you there after work. :) around 6:30-7:00. Lol

bunky666 said:
Fahrenheit felt extremely small to me today, and I barely fit, but two weeks ago, I was fine. I also have not gained weight. I fit fine everywhere else tonight...don't know what the deal was,

I had that same experience... one week a bit tight on Farenheit, the next week, no go... had to take the "walk of shame", and I didn't think I gained weight. is it possible that the restraints are slightly different after wear and use of a few years... or have some of the belts been damaged and then repaired, shortening them?

I don't know. I fit fine in Storm Runner, which is the same type of seat, on the same evening. I felt really crammed in there on fahrenheit , like the seat was filled in with something...it is impossible to explain, but I've never had a problem on that ride before. Not even close, actually. Honestly, I felt like I had grown TALLER, not fatter. Strange.

FYI - there is an 8th grade trip there tomorrow, June 15th till 6 pm. About 600 8th Graders so be aware - it's my daughter's school. My DH is chaperoning and he's looking forward to riding SkyRush.

Aw, poor Andy. Lol

Enh. I definitely noticed a bunch of school kids, but given that it was a Friday in June before local schools let out, it was bearable. 20 minutes for Storm Runner and Skyrush (later in the afternoon), 1 hour for Fahrenheit when I took a lap on it around noon.

More of a wait for Fahrenheit than for Skyrush? Huh. Interesting. Wonder if the restraints are so infamous at this point that no one wants to ride it. Although perhaps it also has to do with I think that younger kids are often in the same mindset as I used to be: what is the point of a coaster without loops if it is steel? I know better now, but definitely didn't at that age.

I personally think it just had to do with Fahrenheit's capacity (12 per cycle) vs. Skyrush's capacity (32 per cycle) but what do I know?

I always forget about capacity except in extreme cases (ahem, Roller Soaker). There IS the capacity issue, and it also seems like Hershey is often very slow on dispatches, which doesn't help the issue either.

Yeah, the dispatches are really bad at the park. It's crazy how all 3 times I have ridden Fahrenheit, the ride has either stacked with 2 trains running or double stacked with 3 trains running. With a 24+ seat train I could understand that but not with a 12 seat train. They really need to get the single rider line open again too since every seat should be filled on a ride like that.