Hersheypark's 100th

Being that the search feature's down, I'm not sure if this has been confirmed before, but just in case it hasn't been mentioned, Hersheypark is definitely installing a waterpark in the former lawn/show area near Lightning Racer to open in 2007. Not only is the whole area boarded up and covered in earthwork equipment, all of the nooks and crannies of Midway America are stuffed with brightly colored waterslide parts.

Basically, they're going to turn Midway America into one gigantic waterpark between the rapids ride, Roller Soaker, Tidal Force and the new waterpark. Only problem, getting to Lightning Racer and Wildcat without getting wet might be a little challenging next year!

No signs of coaster construction ...

What will happen with the existing waterpark?

Moosh, there is no existing waterpark they only have a tower of "amusment park" water slides (the tube slides that have a raft instead of the 2X tube and end in a chute instead of a pool.)

Hmmm...I only glanced over at that area and thought it was bigger. Oh well, my bad ;) Thanks!

Has anyone seen or heard details about individual features in the waterpark? I know when they were going through the approval process w/ Derry Township, they didn't want to give too many details, citing the competitive nature of the business.

Based on the area that's been excavated, I highly doubt a wavepool. Looks like there's going to be a slide tower that will sit dead-center in the middle of that former field, maybe a lazy river curling around the end of Lightning racer, and probably some slides across the midway. There's a temporary midway that's been laid between the two 8' fences to allow access from Roller Soaker to Lightning Racer, but who knows if that will become permanent or not.

The area in the former laser field is slotted for a interactive play area (with the big bucket, water guns, etc). The tube slides will be above that on the site of the Chaos. Three pools down at the end of the Racer next to the Soaker. Wave, kiddie wave and boogie board. May be other features but that's what's on the drawing board.

I was just there yesterday, you get a great view of the constuction area from Wild Mouse and Thunder's lift (if you turn around.) My guess is that there is going to be two complexes judging on the footers and concrete base they have right now. The only piece of reconizable slide material is all body slide size too, however there is quite a bit of a slide shape I have never seen before; it is a very narrow parabolic shape the my only guess for its purpose is to allow people to sit up on a body slide. Also I saw four colors, whatever that means.

With the excivation of that field does HP have anymore room to expand? From my various views yesterday my only thought was if they expanded into the parking lot between the Hershey Museum Founder's Hall and the Stadium.

That will be really cool if they integrate the waterpark with the existing water rides as it seems.

It'll be interesting to see for sure what's going on at Hershey. I've always said that some waterpark should have one of those interactive water coasters (ala Roller Soaker) as a central part of the waterpark, and it seems Hershey will be doing just that... incorporating their watercoaster right in as part of their waterpark. I'm very interested to see how many attractions Hershey can cram into what little space they seem to have there.

They should have the lazy river go under Roller Soaker if possible so that they can dump water on those people haha, or even a River Rapids ride. I have never been to the park so I'm not sure if it already has a sweet river rapids ride, or if it would be possible to put River Rapids or Lazy River under it. Just think that would be some neat interaction(sp).

They all ready have a River Rapids ride next to (or rather in the same section of park) as Roller Soaker.

*** Edited 5/16/2006 12:02:46 AM UTC by Hamster Boy***

^The exisiting River Rapids runs right under the first turn off the lift of Roller Soaker which has some water effects that shoot up.

Very cool ideas. Waterparks should have water shooting everywhere! One of the best times I ever had at a waterpark was at SFNE with the girl. They have that large interactive play area/pool/wave pool that was seriously a blast. There are lots of water guns, waterfalls etc.

The only water ride that will be somewhat remote from the others is the Coalcracker Flume.

I think the area they're building in is bigger than most people realize. It's a hike getting to LR from the Pizza stand going either up the hill toward Wildcat or taking the walkway that goes off roughly parallel to Tidal Force. Plus Chaos and Frog Hopper were removed/relocated.

As far as expansion goes, I still think sometime in the future, they will start expanding the park into the existing parking lot. Then they will use the golf course property to make up for the lost parking and provide additional parking spaces for future expansion. Just my opinion.

Having the golf course next door gives them a ton of flexibility now. Lots of room for more parking or hopefully, the park itself. I can't imagine them having an immediate need to park more cars as the combined lots of the park, chocolate world and the giant center make for a huge capacity right now.

As far as the water park. I'm a little surprised that they're going this route. It seems to me, not that big of a deal for a 100th birthday celebration. Then again, I will enjoy it I'm sure. Who knows, maybe that's not all that's coming in 2007. *** Edited 5/16/2006 9:55:14 PM UTC by Superstew*** *** Edited 5/16/2006 9:57:10 PM UTC by Superstew***

^If you look at it though this "family park," has sort of overdosed on the new coaster adding. They have actually added 7 coasters in the last ten years (Wildcat, Great Bear, Mouse, Lightning Racer (x2,) Roller Soaker, and Storm Runner) and I think that in order to keep their image they need to diversify a little bit.

I just hope this doesn't detract from the original atmosphere of Midway America, I'd really rather see more classic rides than water attractions going in all over the place up there.

I'd have to say that after this project, they're going to be done with water attractions for a while. There really won't be anything left.

It seems to the naked eye (and my memory) that the space in Midway America isn't that much to put all of these rides...but then again they fit Storm Runner in very well with that small existing space...so I can see Hershey working something out very well. I hope they don't raise prices too much when this waterpark expansion opens...and I hope there's dry areas to walk through to get to Wildcat and Lightning Racer as well. I'd rather not get wet (at times) going to ride coasters.