How Good Is Hershey Park?

Hershey is a great family park. Lightning Racer and Wildcat are great woodies. But don't expect extreme thrills though.

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Sean

I love Hershey park, - Its the Little Park That Could- It seems that while everybody was watching some of the bigger parks become mega parks, Hershey was quietly adding, and adding until it became a really really excellent park

For a good history of HERSHEYPARK, check out the book HERSHEYPARK: The Sweetness of Success. Lots of good (and old) pictures too. It spans the history of the park from before its beginnings (a brief bio in the early chapters on Milton S. Hershey) up to the (current) Wildcat. It tells about the growth of the park, both the good times and the bad times.

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Face it, call ourselves what we want, but to the parks we are all "GP".

We're going to Hersheypark on Wednesday - I'll let you know. :)

We went this past December for the Candylane thing they do at X-mas, but 90% of the park wasn't open.

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park visits in 2002: 14

I remember falling in love with Hersheypark when it was half the size it is now and had only three coasters: Comet, Trailblazer, and Sooperdooperlooper. The park has obviously improved by leaps and bounds, while still keeping the charm it had back in the day. The rides are excellent, though I think the 'Looper is still my favorite, just because it gives me that nostalgic feeling every time I see it. Well, that and the fact that Anton is a god.

Definitely one of my favorite parks.

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-Vater
Coaster Count: 104

gator + Hostyl - Just don't break anything when you're there, as I'm aiming for that Sunday!

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"drop rides, not bombs."

On weekends, Hershey is known for long lines. My wife and I have come up with a strategy we are going to try this year.

We are probably going to make two trips up there soon on weeknights. We can get there by 5 and they are open until 10 (but I think some rides in Midway America close down for the Laser show around 9). Anyway, we are going to concentrate on the rides in Midway America (Wildcat, Wild Mouse, Lightning Racer and the flats) + the water rides. If we have time, we will hit Comet, Great Bear and Looper. However, we are also planning at least 1 trip to HP during Hersheypark in the Dark at Halloween. Midway America and the water rides are closed, but the rest of the park is open. Last year we rode Great Bear, Looper, and Comet till our hearts' content during this event.

Of course, if you are not "local" you don't have this option.

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Face it, call ourselves what we want, but to the parks we are all "GP".

What more can I say. It's a great park.

Ok, now who was it that said that the log flume is lack luster? Sure, it's not the best themed, but check out that eye candy from the ride! Notice how close you get to the SooperDooperLooper and even Great Bear, which might not come AS close. Also, HP actually runs this "hydroflume" AS a hydroflume. Not of the Six Flags' taking out the bunny hill after the drop, as well as closing up one of the drop hills. Why did SF ever do this, anyway? Let the hydros run like designed!

Also of note...Great Bear was having problems last time I was there (almost a week ago). It kept setting up on the lift or something. But Hershey is pretty good about running most or all of their rides on an average operating day. Don't expect Six Flags-level quality here! Now who was it that said that HP is like a Busch park, only with a traditional feel? HP is quality entertainment! The worst coaster there, IMO, is the Sidewinder, and it might be a cool idea if they ripped it out and either put in an Invertigo (Sidewinder's Revenge?) or put in a Premier LIM-launched shuttle with the loading like the Mr. Freezes.

Ben

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Oooh, rg-dub, that is *NOT* going to be a good time for me. I'm going up to Rochester that weekend for a wedding (and SFDL). But dont be mad at me, blame baby "T". It's *HER* friend's wedding (I dont even know da chick :)).

BTW: Me and CMMike went to Hershey on a Saturday and with the exception of Roller Soaker (damn near two hours) we rode everything with VERY acceptable waits. The park was really crowded too, but the lines never felt that long save Roller Soaker. But remember on RS the line is part of the ride *experience*.

Note that "T"'s favorite ride at Hershey WAS the boomerang!
lata,
jeremy
--who thinks EVERY park could use a Mr. Freeze!

I'd say HP is the most undrated park in the business. You really don't hear much about it, but it really doesn't have many true "flaws." Lightning Racer is probably my #1 woodie just because of the overall experience (though I haven't had a night ride on legend or raven). The ride itself is amazing, but those Millennium Flyers are...they seemed like a "Mercedes-Benz" of coaster trains. The whole park has a very cool guest-first feel and the clientele is pretty good too!

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Ride the New England Bush!

Hershey is GREAT!!! Here is a tip: go to their website and make sure that their isn't a concert at the stadium on the day you go. Lines should be okay if their isn't.

Read my trip report about my visit a few weeks ago at: http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=13&TopicID=22967

*** This post was edited by dexter on 7/15/2002. ***

It's a great park. One year ago today, I was there! Lightning Racer can't be beat, and Wildcat is fun as well (but awfully rough), Great Bear is short and sweet, and Hershey has a wonderful collection of water rides. The only thing I didn't like was the park is VERY hard to navigate. Have fun.

I was the one that said Coal Cracker was lack luster... and it has nothing to do with theming. Personally, I could care less about theming. I said it is kind of Blah because what do you do... you go up a lift, an down a minute drop (only a few feet). Then you circle around, then you climb another lift with a minute drop (only a couple of feet), then you turn again and drop down the big drop and back to the station.

Most other flumes I have encountered you have two drops (Kennywood, Waldameer, BGT, BGW, years ago at SFGrAdv, Clementon Park, and even Dutch Wonderland) or you at least have an interesting course (Dorney). One of those (Kennwood's Log Jammer) even has a bunny hop at the bottom of the hill. I am not even adding IOA's Dudly Doo Right Falls into that list BECAUSE of the theming clouds the issue (even with out the theming though it would still be an interesting ride).

Do I still ride it? Yes (when the wait is not that long). Is it still a fun ride? Yes. Is it the most exciting flume out there? No.

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Face it, call ourselves what we want, but to the parks we are all "GP".

There you go, what other park has got this many great comments on this board????

One piece of advice. If you are spending an entire day there and arrive first thing in the morning, go back directly to midway america and work your way forward. Because of the lopsided design of the park (the entrance is to the extreme right, not the center of the park), the lines tend to be worse in the front area in the morning, and thin out by the afternoon while midway america tends to be pretty empty in the morning.

This is what we usually do and may be why the most we have ever waited for a ride there was appx 30 mins, and that was a water ride on a hot day in the mid afternoon.

The location of the entrance (on the extreme right, not in the center) is at least the 3rd entrance to the park.

Years ago the main entrance used to be near where the Kissing Tower now is.

During my first visit in the late 1960's or early 1970's, I remember that the entrance was near the northwest corner of the Arena, very close to where the monorail station is.

The current entrance came into being in the early 1970's when the park started its modernization plan. Keep in mind, back then the boundary of the park ran basically along the course of the Dry Gulch RR. Much of the area beyond Music Box Way wasn't there... and even as late as 10 years ago much of what is now Midway America was nothing but a grass parking area. It didn't seem that far otu of the way before the expansion toward Midway America area began.

Some ask why don't they move the entrance to a more central location. Problem with this, in my opinion, would be to do that would isolate Tudor Square and Rhineland and to a certain extent Carrousel Circle. Tudor Square and Rhineland, while not known for rides is where a large concentration of shops are... which mean revenue. So I don't think we will ever see a change there. Besides, it is also a natural flow from the current entrance to Chocolate World.

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Face it, call ourselves what we want, but to the parks we are all "GP".

This is the only park that we buy season passes for.

Their prices are reasonable for food and drink- sodas and water are 2.50 compared to SF and CP 3.00 and up.

The games are cheap too..a DOLLAR and 2 (the cheapest I've seen) and skill cranes (most) are a quarter!

They have a wide variety of gift shops and restaurants and don't forget to try their Kettle Corn..it's awesome!

The coasters are great with my fave being Lightning Racer..and every time I have been there, the lines are 20 mins to no wait with all 4 trains running.

SuperDooperLooper never has a wait anymore but it is still a fun coaster to ride..Wildcat is fun too but a little hard on the neck..

The Giant Wheel is great and I think the only one on this side of the country..(I think Ca has one somewhere)..

I wouldn't waste your time on Roller Soaker if the line is long, the ride doesn't do anything..so sit below it and you get just as wet..

You'll have alot of fun..we go about 4-5 times a summer and have just about as much fun as we would if we only went once..

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http://www.thegrooveplace.com
Now with Theme Park Chat!

*** This post was edited by CoasterMom on 7/16/2002. ***

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CoasterMom said:

The Giant Wheel is great and I think the only one on this side of the country..(I think Ca has one somewhere)..

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Thanks for mentioning the Giant Wheel. It is favorite ferris wheel ever because it is so unique. I love the height and the fun sensation of flying (in a way) as the wheel lowers or raises while it turns. It is a classic in my family and I look forward to riding it every summer. Also, dangling from a chain high in the air scares me and it's as scary a ride as it is fun.

You'll find a well spent dollar inside the gates of Hersheypark. The staff greets you with smiles and courtesy at the front. The food (ribs and corn by the Trailblazer) is outstanding. The coasters, though not forceful, will surprise you. The Wild Mouse IS wild, Great Bear is short but good, Lightenin' Racer is a treat and 2Hostyl said it best, Wildcat will work you over.

Have fun!

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There's nothing like a woodie...

I must of caught Wildcat on a good day, wasnt too rough at all. Very enjoyable, and insane!! I rode in the back and front, didnt seem rough at all to me... Back is the place for this coaster, out of control, and lots of airtime!

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