Storm Runner

phph, I haven't seen the "Intercoastal Waterway" close up and in action yet. When I was at the park last month, I only saw an empty trough. On Sunday, since the Boardwalk was closed by the time I got there, I didn't bother checking it out too closely.

From the clips I saw on the local news when it opened, it looks to be just a lazy river. But again, what can you tell from a 2 second view on a 60 second report?

It's just a lazy river with several sprayers along the way to get wet. It's wider then most lazy rivers I have been on, so it'll have good capacity when the Summer crowds hit. They only let you take one lap around unless no one waiting to get on when you get to the exit/entrance.

The wave pool is a good addition too, but the waves are really weak! I wouldnt even call them waves. They are more like ripples! :)

They installed new wheel assemblies on Storm Runner, and thats what they were waiting for. Storm Runner been going through a lot of upstop wheels, and the new wheel assemblies are supposed to help them to last longer. Wasn't told if they had to wait because of the new design or just for fabrication of the parts.

One lap around a lazy river? That sucks! The best thing about enjoying a lazy river is going around and around, hangin' with friends....

Yeah, Kings Dominion only allows one lap on theirs as well. It sucks, but the line is so long most of the time that it's completely justified.

KI recently dropped the one ride requirement. No river should have a one lap only rule, simply flood the river with tubes to the max on crowded days, no one really cares. The river is just a perfect way to stay wet, relax and enjoy the middle of the day.

Kinda odd to only allow one go around, on a Lazy River, but what ever floats their inner tubes.

If you're only allowing one lap on the lazy river due to capacity issues, the solution to that problem is clear...you need another lazy river (preferably something more along the lines of Torrent at the 'Bahn, or even Roa's Rapids at Aquatica - not really "lazy" per se).

Or Soak City's Rampage River, Noah's Ark Adventure River, Water Country USA's Hubba Hubba Highway, aka rides I could see myself spending hours on if I could.

rollergator said:
If you're only allowing one lap on the lazy river due to capacity issues, the solution to that problem is clear...you need another lazy river.

Unfortunately, this doesn't always work. WWK (at Dorney Park) always has a line at both lazy rivers and both only allow one lap.

I never knew other places would allow you to go around as many times as you want until I went to Soak City. I just thought one lap was SOP.

Couldn't you do like many less experienced drivers on the Boat Ride @ Knoebels-- wedge yourself against the channel walls and get stuck? Then just hang out there for a few hours.

Not really, lifeguards all over the place telling you to keep it moving.

^^ LOL @ RGB.

A few years back a group of us managed to informally take over the boat ride by occupying all the boats. About 1/2-way thru the ride some of us were able to make a U-turn and extend our cruise. Good times.... ;)

I could see that at Hershey... wedge a tube or start paddling backward and watch the hilarity ensue as security comes charging. That evening the muck raking local news would be all a buzz about a "hijacking" at Hersheypark and asking the sensational question, "With such sinister undesirable elements present, are water parks a safe place for families looking for wholesome summer fun.... Story at 11."

Question for all of you who have seen / experienced the Intercoastal Water Way lazy river at Hersheypark....

Was it worth the removal of Canyon River Rapids?

I haven't experienced it, and I can make an educated guess: no. I always thought CRR was one of the better rapids rides around. Lazy rivers are fun and all, but not worth the removal of a solid ride like CRR.

I loved CRR. It was one of the best rapids rides I had been on. I also love the new wave pool and lazy river. If I had my choice they would have done what was originally proposed and built a separately gated waterpark across Hersheypark Drive. Then they wouldn't have had to remove CRR.
We were chatting about the same topic this past Sunday as we floated around the Intercoastal Water Way. As much as I loved CRR I would rather have the new additions over it.

In the middle of Summer the waterpark will be packed, and most likely I'll be able to walk on most of my favorite coasters there. I have a feeling it may end up like Dorney Park in the Summer, and in the midday heat almost everyone will be in the waterpark and most coasters will have minimal waits compared to what they had last year. I'll report more on that in a few weeks after being there with those crowds.

I am not the type of person that likes to ride water rides, and then walk around the park the rest of the day soaked. I'd rather change into a bathing suit, ride the water rides, and then change back into dry clothes to go and ride the coasters and other rides. The only water ride I'll ride in my clothes is a log flume because they don't usually get me too wet.

Even before the Boardwalk was installed we changed clothes to ride Canyon River Rapids, and Tidal Force. When they added the Boardwalk it made it more worthwhile to stay in our bathing suits a little longer.

With the addition of the Seaquel we'll most likely visit more on the weekends in the Summer then we had in the past. Last year in the middle of Summer we'd only visit the park weeknight evenings after work for a few hours to ride the coasters with the shortest waits.

It's just a matter of opinion.

UPDATE:

Storm Runner is back to running both trains.

They now let you stay on the lazy river, and don't make you get off after 1 lap.

^^Yes!! SR...still my favorite launched Itamin! Far and way!!

Nice to see Storm Runner up and running again. Some of us were talking about heading up there in August or later this month. We have some Pepsi cans with $10 off admission.

When Six Flags America was Wild World/Adventure World the Lazy River around Paradise Island did not require you to get out after one lap. People would be waiting and waiting for a turn to get in and people actually would have to compete for someone walking out with a tube. I haven't been back in the water park since Six Flags got it, so I can't say if the Six Flags ownership limits it to one time around. The Lazy River there is really lame though and had nothing like the one at Dorney Park.