Hersheypark's Roller Soaker to be replaced with "sprayground"

Granted I have no idea who's land it is, but why on earth did HP not put a waterpark in the dead field behind Giant center? The waterpark is tiny compared to many, and I think a separate admission park would have been better. However is it possible that without one the other would not survive?

I'm pretty sure the park owns it. A few years ago they bought the golf course adjacent to Chocolate World. If I remember correctly, it covers somewhere between 150 and 200 acres. Supposedly it was for future expansion. I don't think they've started to move into yet, but if and when they do, HP should be able to get really creative.

This is the first I've ever heard it suggested that anyone might have a problem finding Lightning Racer. Hershey doesn't have the most intuitive layout I've seen, but it's far from awful. LR isn't like a Drachen Fire situation where the coaster (and entrance to it) is practically impossible to find unless you're absolutely determined to ride it.

Speaking of which, I'm curious to know if the folks who think Hershey's layout sucks also think the same about Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

I will say that back in '01 when I first went to BGW (DF was closed at that point, but still standing) I completely forgot it even existed at all. I didn't see an entrance to it, could barely see it through the trees, and it wasn't obviously in the middle of anything.

Lord Gonchar said:

I have said for years, I don't consider myself a coaster enthusiast - especially compared to the average people who make up enthusiast groups. I just don't care nearly as much. It's an interest.

Superstew said:

Gonch, I couldn't help noticing while looking back through - according to CB, this was part of what was your 13,898th post. Well like you said earlier, WOW !! Almost 14,000 posts ! Boy, if that isn't considered an enthusiast and someone who cares, I don't know what would be. In any event, it sure is one hell of an interest ;)

Yep, it is a hell of an interest.

Three things (and feel free to skip past and start reading after #3 if you want to get right to the point):

1. I've been posting here for almost 12 years. That's about 1150 posts per year. Or 3 posts a day. Is that excessive or even unreasonable? Perhaps. Probably not. Who knows?

2. As Lost Kause has been telling you it's more about community around here. I've been talking to these people for 12 years. They make up a good chunk of my Facebook friend list. They're people I know and like outside of the sphere of roller coasters and theme parks. People I've met in real life outside of coaster functions. I came here for the enthusiast stuff, but stayed so long and participated frequently because I like the people, not because I'm a hardcore enthusiast.

3. Sheer numbers don't indicate content. I've made 5 posts in this thread (this will be number 6) that were nothing but comments that had nothing to do with an interest in, knowledge of or discussion about theme parks - most were direct conversation with you. I made 2 that were related to interestin, knowledge of or discussion about coasters and/or theme parks. And that 3-to-1 ratio is probably low over my lifetime of posting here.

With all of that said, let's put in into context.

I made that comment based on the fact that you accused those of us with the opinion that Hersheypark's layout was subpar of being self-important enthusiasts who thought their opinion mattered too much.

Hmmm.

Here's a comment I made just three months ago:

"No one really cares what enthusiasts think outside of the enthusiast community. We don't pay the bills. Hell, we mostly cause grief. At best the parks can use us as bodies for video and photo shoot or cite our silly polls for advertising purposes and bragging rights. They don't need us. They use us and toss some ERT our way every once in a while...and I barely understand why they do that.

'GP' isn't a bad thing. If enthusiasts thought more like the GP, there'd be less urge to punch them. Punch them in their little ugly troll faces.

I think we need to use 'GP' more. Just be sure you're using it correctly. These are the folks that drive the industry, that pay for the coasters, that matter in any sense at all to the businesses behind the parks.

I don't think the comment was arrogant at all. It was just completely indicitive of how out of touch, self-important and ass backwards the worst of the community can be."

Mind = Blown

Whoa, duder! I made the exact same comment you did...three months ago! I literally agree with you 100%. Enthusiasts have an inflated sense of self-importance within the industry.

Surely my comments can't be the result of that, can they? Any inflated sense of self-importance my comments have are due to the fact that I'm Lord Gonchar, not because I'm an enthusiast. (winky face...kinda)

And if you really care and feel like nosing around the site, you'll find me making the comment many times that I don't consider myself an enthusiast going pretty far back.

But then again, most of the active, participating community already knows this. I'm that guy. I don't care when coasters get torn down. I don't travel to enthusiast events except for Coasteruzz events (again the community), I've been to one theme park in the last two years.

("The Lord doth protest too much, methinks." - it really works if you say it with on over the top lisp and british accent)

So yeah, you can jump in an try to make a big stink and accusations and whatever because you're mad that some of us think your favoritest park has a poor layout. And yes, I replied to the trolling...again. Please don't point to it as an example of you not being the only one to derail the conversation (as I'm expecting) - you don't get the priviledge of making one last comment then leaving me to hang. I do.

...

And Hersheypark's layout still sucks.

Jeff said:

I've never found Hershey's layout to be a detriment to enjoying the park. No one here has explained why it's bad either.

I felt like I owed a better answer than my first one.

In the CP and Hershey comparisons, I look at it this way:

CP has wide open midways that move a lot of people and go in clearly defined directions that make accessing rides quick and easy regardless of the location. Kind of like the interstate highways.

Hershey has smaller pathways that can get crowded, go in all directions, intersect and require actual navigation (turn left here and then make the next right) to go from place to place. Kind of like city streets.

It's just easier and quicker to move on the interstate.

An to stick with an analogy, some of the smaller "charm" parks have meandering paths that easily move their small crowds and provide a bit of joy just walking the path. Kind of like those winding country roads that make for a scenic Sunday drive.

I came here for the enthusiast stuff, but stayed so long and participated frequently because I like the people...

Y U no stop avoiding me?!

LostKause said:

SF America's layout sucks too. I wonder what they were thinking when they did that?



The layout at SFA is the least of it's problems... (that was a cheap shot, I know).

LostKause said:

My biggest problem with HP is where they put new attractions.

It's ok Krause, you're smart you can find em :)

So Gonch thinks CP is like Columbus, Ohio, and Hersheypark is like London, England. I can accept that.

And really, Stewie, let it go. You're ranting about personalities and trying to be right about something no one really wants to read about.

Yeah, thanks to Gonch for providing a clearer, refined view of what I was trying to say at the top of page 3.

Jeff said:

So Gonch thinks CP is like Columbus, Ohio, and Hersheypark is like London, England. I can accept that.

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Jeff old buddy ... Letting it go. Actually already had. You lost me a little (not that that's hard to do) with the whole personality, trying to be right thing, but in any event, Done Deal !

And Gonch ...

Great post ! I totally believe you man ! You can think HP's layout sucks all you want - that's just fine. And while yes, HP is probably my fave (well tied with CP), I'm not mad, upset or trying to make a stink because you or someone else doesn't like something about the place.

I think where we got hung up on this was that you and LostKause in particular, thought that my comments we're directed right at you over your position and the stance you took about HPs layout. Simply not the case or the point I failed miserably at trying to make. My little blurb (which no doubt I should've explained better looking back at it now) was not aimed at someone that merely thinks that the layout sucks - rather, it was meant for and about the typical know it all, self important "enthusiast" who thinks it sucks because they are god of amusement parks and that their own opinions are the absolute solid gold facts. The same ones who also have the frame of mind that no one else knows jack or has any knowledge on the subject but them ... By no means was I implying or insinuating that it was ANYONE here in this community. And the kicker with all of that is, for all intent and purposes, the ones I was referring to, probably make up less than 1% of the people on these boards.

Now putting a wrap on this ... being that you guys aren't and don't consider yourselves the aforementioned enthusiast or hard core coaster nut troll (nor do I as like I stated before it was just a generalization not singling any one or two particular people out) that's caught up in his or her own hype, AND whom which I actually was referring to - my remarks did not and should not have phased or affected you guys in the least bit. You were not the ones in the cross hairs of my "trying to be right" rant.

The bottom line of all of this is, it was presumed I was accusing people on here and lumping them in with that group. I wasn't ! And that's why we ended up in this little tiff. No matter now, it's all good and moving on.

And Hershey Park's layout ????

I'll take that hug now

Lord Gonchar said:
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Pweeew!! Pwew! Pwew! Pwew!

Amurica!!

LostKause said:

I wish there was a page we could link to that said all this when this happens. Something just a little bit more in depth than the TOS page.

You mean something like, "don't feed trolls"? I always thought that was understood. But, no, the usual suspects fall for it every time one of these guys shows up. That's why they keep coming back.

Enh. It's the offseason. At least it gives us something to read.

Vater said:

Speaking of which, I'm curious to know if the folks who think Hershey's layout sucks also think the same about Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

I've only been to BGW once, and me and my buddy did get lost. Especially trying to find Alpengeist. It was slightly frustrating, but more funny than anything. It added to our day and the charm of the park :)

Jeff said:
I've never found Hershey's layout to be a detriment to enjoying the park. No one here has explained why it's bad either.

The only part I find bad is the way Boardwalk is crammed in but unlike a lot of people I actually like Boardwalk. It's somewhere I can go to stick my feet in the water and cool off for a bit but not dedicate myself to going all out water park crazy for a few hours. The older areas of the park are enjoyable to meander around. The "charm" is off the charts. :)

Vater said:
Speaking of which, I'm curious to know if the folks who think Hershey's layout sucks also think the same about Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

Well, the Sesame Street area is pretty terrible and the dead end Italian area isn't my favorite but overall I think BGW is a better park to walk around because you have the option to walk around the ring or jump around with the sky rides or train.

eightdotthree said:

Well, the Sesame Street area is pretty terrible and the dead end Italian area isn't my favorite but overall I think BGW is a better park to walk around because you have the option to walk around the ring or jump around with the sky rides or train.

GayCoasterGuy said:

I've only been to BGW once, and me and my buddy did get lost. Especially trying to find Alpengeist. It was slightly frustrating, but more funny than anything. It added to our day and the charm of the park :)

I can relate to both accounts. And I don't think Busch has a bad layout. It's not extremely intuitive, has a few dead ends, mostly consists of narrow paths and there are very few places that make it clear where you are in the park if you're not familiar with it. You know, not unlike Hershey. Yet I have very few problems navigating either.

And I am out of shape and lazy.



The only real problem I saw with BGW's layout was a place near the back of the park, somewhere near Alpie and Griffon, where the path goes in a very exaggerated "S" shape around a few shops and buildings. I believe that a wall in that section is movable to allow for better navigation for when the park is more busy, or when they are trying to clear out that area, perhaps.

I suppose I could complain a little bit about the Italy section of the park, and how it only has one path leading in and out of it. It's a pretty large area, with a lot of interesting attractions. I wonder if people who are unfamiliar with the park ever totally miss that section?

Also, I wish that they would add a big coaster near the back of the park somewhere between Ireland and France. And I wish that a few of their rides were longer, like Roman Rapids and Le Scoot Log ride.

It sure is a beautiful park though.

Vater said:

Speaking of which, I'm curious to know if the folks who think Hershey's layout sucks also think the same about Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

Actually, now that you mention it, yes - I kind of do. 

Vater said:
It's not extremely intuitive, has a few dead ends, mostly consists of narrow paths and there are very few places that make it clear where you are in the park if you're not familiar with it. You know, not unlike Hershey.

Exactly.

I really like the use of 'not intuitive' because that describes it perfectly.

I'm not a moron. I can get around these parks and find rides and stuff, but it takes some degree of conscious effort - no matter how small. I find it distracting in a way.