Pennsylvania parks

It's the extra redundancy of having seat dividers, individual seat belts, and lap bar. The belts aren't that easy to adjust once you're seated. Invariably at least one person per train sits on the belt for their seat, and you have to wait until they reach under, try to find both ends, adjust and buckle.

^THe station setup on Comet exacerbates ALL the other factors mentioned. It's basically a capacity nightmare...rare for a wooden coaster.

What's wrong with the station, other than the people staffing it? (It seems like they either have more people standing around than doing anything, or if they do actually do anything they have everybody check the lap bars at least once.)

Was the station ever set up for separate unloading, like Dragster? I seem to remember a really big platform next to the brake run, bigger than would be necessary for the operation of the storage track.

Last year I kept hearing that the trim was off, and by the time I got there in August it still was. It was a lot better than before, but it was no Phoenix. I wonder if it loses too much speed going in and out of the dogleg section.

Back on the issue of crowds... I used to always go in August, when my girlfriend had a company picnic there. (They no longer do.) I know August is always big crowds everywhere, but the picnic was always on a weekday, which is usually small crowds everywhere. Yet things were always terrible. Most of the day Great Bear had a line over an hour for the front seat, and before Fahrenheit Stormrunner had a line the better part of an hour for most seats.

Does anyone know of any discounts off of the early season price at Dorney Park? The online price seems to be the same as the gate price, so if there's a coupon that would apply to the early season price, that'd be great.

The problem with the Comet station as gator pointed out, is when you get to the top of the ramp onto the platform, you run into a mass of humanity with no clue who's going where. As a result, the queues for the back seats often are no more than 1-2 rides full. I remember on at least one occasion, the person on the mike calling people toward the front lines as well.

Jim, I believe the Comet used to unload at the back of the platform. The exit ramp is still in place-- you would come out on the hill leading down to Comet Hollow, but facing up the hill. This old picture shows the edge of the ramp-- if you can picture the Hollow as it is today. Wave swinger where the Mill Chute hill was, and the Paddleboat Cafe is where the Bug and Ferris Wheels were. The creek is behind the trees and rides.

http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/hershey/hershey.htm

Yes that's correct. The unloading and loading ran a lot smoother when they did it that way. Not sure why they changed it. Probably to avoid congestion on the hill. People would come down the ramp and right out into a high traffic area. Still though, it seemed to work for years.

Another factor in changing it may have been to make the ride accessible for disabled patrons. Both ramps are probably too narrow and also too steep for wheelchair access, especially with other guests using them.

RCMAC said:
add the worlds best Dodgems and Flying Scooters and you can have yourself a day.

What makes them the worlds best dodgems?

The fact that they are better than every other dodgems in the world. ;)

Seriously, though, they haul ass. You can get some serious bumpage.

What makes them the worlds best dodgems?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqnko_x9KD0

Mamoosh said:
Not to pull this off-topic again but re: Potato Patch Fries. My problem wasn't that they were cold or soggy but that the fries themselves had no flavor....For the life of me I cannot understand why people rave about them (and there I go again, pulling a Gonch!).

If I remember correctly, they serve as a bacon and cheese delivery device. If you've got bacon and cheese what more do you need?

I've never loved the Patch fries either. I like crispy, seasoned fries, not soft potato sticks. That said, I don't hate them, as they are decent with cheese on them, and I've had some tasty fries from In 'N Out, but I'll take seasoned fries like Arby's cruly's and Friendly's waffles. Mmmmmm.

Knoebels bumper cars hit HARD! They are not the "love tap" variety at all, but more like a real fender bender! :)

Any news on Stormrunner reopening???

I got an email reply from them on Thursday which said that they were anticipating that it would be open for Memorial Day weekend. But I was there yesterday and the word around the park from just about anybody was that it might not be til June.

You're damn right it wasn't running. If anyone was working on it, you sure couldn't tell.

Either they are waiting for parts, or management doesn't 

consider it important enough to have a crew drawing time

and a half to double time on it. I place my money on the

former.

Hershey pays ride ops overtime?

Maintenance crew, I believe he means.

Of course I meant maintenance, I don't think anyone other than Disney pays overtime to ride help (at least in California,and they do that kicking and screaming).

It would seem they are likely waiting on a part or something. It's hard to imagine they wouldn't have it ready to go by now otherwise.

I for one thought they should pay people to stand there all day and pretend like they are working on it. It would make me feel better...even if I'm being lied to. ;)