Small PA Parks - Request Assistance

Moosh - even though Idlewild is about an hour closer to Lakemont and DelGrosso's than William's Grove is, I think I've decided on WG just because it's a 2.5 hour drive from my house, compared to a 4 hour drive to Idlewild. Sleeping in is important. :)

No doubt, Vater...no doubt ;)

Going back to Williams Grove, does anyone know what happened to those rumors of Hershey buying the park? They seemed to be getting a little loud a few years ago!

Before Hershey bought DutchWonderland the local news papers were printing stories about it.

No such stories appeared for any Hershey / Williamsgrove deal.

Not saying that they are false rumors, but locally I don't recall anything being talked about.

My question is... Would this purchase make sense?

"Yes... well... VICTORY IS MINE!"

I think it would make sense for Hershey in much the same way that the Dutch Wonderland purchase made sense. It eliminates competition. By purchasing the park before someone else has an opportunity to, they keep a competitor from moving into the Harrisburg market and taking business away from Hershey.

I thought the rumors were on this site but I'm too lazy to do a search. Of course, I could also be wrong.

I can see that Dutch Wonderland made sense... Not sure of the finances, but the infrastructure was there (very few upgrades needed) and it was in the toursist area.

But Williams Grove? How much $ would be needed to bring that park up to the standards that Hershey (and the rest of the industry) has set? Back in 1945 Hershey tore down the original Wildcat after a few years of "neglect"... no wood available during WWII, and it would have cost more to repair than to replace when the time came (or so the story goes). Somehow, I can't imagine a coaster (short of any SBNO's) that are in worse shape than WG's Cyclone... certainly the old Wildcat couldn't have been in any worse shape. But that was 59 years ago I know and times have changed.

The farm fields around Williams Grove would be more of a tempting purchase for a competitor than the park itself... at least with an open field you don't have tear down what is already there.

"Yes... well... VICTORY IS MINE!"

I'd heard good things about Cyclone. Is it really that bad?

IMO, no it's not.

The ride op even warned me when I sat down with my daughter that sitting in the back might not be a good idea and if we did stay there to make sure I held on to her.

She said it gave her a headache (the first for any coaster - she loves the arrow loopers), but perhaps I was expecting the worse? Kind of the opposite of anticipointment? I think the fact that it looks like it's ready to fall apart adds to the fun and the ride was certainly...ummm...unique, but not anything brutal.

I attribute it all back to that rare Togo invulnerability gene.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Good to know...unfortunately, the wife doesn't have it. I'll have to give her fair warning before riding.

Last time I went to WG it was a unique experience, but not a bad one, personally all they would have to do is some paving all around and make the rides set in better ( some heavy cosmetic and midway improvements) a little restoration on some of the rides, and thats about it to bring it "up to snuff" and able to add new rides. Also, Im at knoebels all labor day weekend (friday through monday) maybe Ill see you there, just look for the medium sized white husky-spitz and maybe black clothing and thats me lol. *** Edited 8/28/2004 12:01:24 AM UTC by P18***

Hmmmm Wg closing. News to me . I just said to my husband we haven't made our annual trip there. I would be devistated with out another spin on the tornado the spining ride that depending on the ride ops can be quite fun and out of control. I can not for see hershey ever buying that. There would be so much time, money , and restoration involved that I would not think that it would be worth hersheys time or money. Since the park is so close to us where we live, I enjoy just going there for an evening. I would definately never ride the (back breaker as i like to call it) cyclone ever again. That is the only coaster that scares the life out of me!!!! Just looking at it is enough. If you decide to go please talk a lot of advil and your heating pad for the ride to you next destination.

I have not been to idewild in so long, so IMO I would stick to going there. If you have kids I would definately go there . I haven't been there since I was a small child, but I talked to my sister who is still located in the Pittsburgh area and was there last weekend. She told me that the water park is pretty nice there. I would not mind going to check it out. If I didn't do Idewild I would check out DG. Havent been there yet, but seems like a good stopping place.

Heatherw said:
I would definately never ride the (back breaker as i like to call it) cyclone ever again. That is the only coaster that scares the life out of me!!!! Just looking at it is enough.

Heh...now I really can't wait to ride it. Seriously! The more life-threatening they look, the better. :)

I have not been to idewild in so long, so IMO I would stick to going there. If you have kids I would definately go there.

No kids, and that's actually one of the reasons I'd rather wait until I have some before I visit Idlewild. Seems like an excellent park for kids.