Coaster Community

Hersheypark  - Wednesday August 12, 2005

From the moment he created his community, Milton S. Hershey planned to build a park to create a more pleasant environment for workers and residents than any typical factory town of the time.  In 1903, even though Hershey's Mennonite mother thought his idea was frivolous, he proceeded to survey a site along Spring Creek suitable for his park. On April 24, 1907, Hershey Park opened with a baseball game played on the new athletic field as Mr. Hershey and his wife, Catherine, watched from the grandstand.

Hershey Park's original appeal was its simplicity. An ideal spot for picnicking, boating, and canoeing, the Park was landscaped with graceful trees and wooded groves that provided a shady retreat for thousands of people without being crowded. The original main buildings, a rustic bandstand and pavilion, served as a stage for vaudeville and theatre productions.

On July 4, 1908, a merry-go-round was installed and opened and each season there after brought added attractions to Hershey Park. By 1945 there were more than two-dozen "amusements and fun devices," and the one that is still in use today replaced the original carrousel. In 1946, The Wild Cat roller coaster was replaced by The Comet, which is still a family favorite and is ranked in the country's top ten wooden roller coasters. 1950 saw the addition of twin Ferris wheels 66 feet high. Ten years later The Dry Gulch Railroad was installed.

Now in the new millennium there are 10 coasters and numerous other rides in all shapes and sizes.  While HERSHEYPARK has undergone many changes since it opened in 1907. It has remained the same over the years with our commitment to provide guests with fun and entertainment in the midst of beautiful, natural surroundings.

Tickets are on par with most amusement parks across the country, however buying tickets at any GIANT food market will save you quite a bit of money.  There is one right in town and there are quite a few of the stores scattered across Pennsylvania.

Finding the park can be a little tricky, best suggestion is to follow the signs.  It is located on one of the most central streets and is conveniently located next door to Hershey's Chocolate World as well as Zoo America.

Food is reasonably priced, but is typical amusement park food.  We were unable to find any real bargains or higher than decent food, but that is the norm with most parks that we have visited.  We do suggest the Chinese food restaurant that is across from the entrance to Great Bear.  

The park is really wooded which creates a nice shaded effect in every section but the Midway, which is wide open.  It is very important to get a map when coming into the park as the layout can be confusing as there are literally pathways everywhere.  There is really not a "circle" present with the park, but we did find that most people headed right once entering to go hit Great Bear, while the rest went straight to Storm Runner.  Our suggestion is go back to the Midway area and ride Lightning Racer and Wildcat as well as Roller Soaker before the crowds make it back there around noon.  The park is deceptively small, but in actuality is really spread out.  Bring some good walking shoes as you will need them.

Overall Park Rating: 9 out of 10



RIDE REVIEWS (Coasters)

Comet: 3 out of 10 - This is the oldest coaster in the park and it behaves in that fashion as well.  While the ride is not completely intolerable, it does have its moments where you wonder why you got on.  Ride this one for the count credit and perhaps some history, but do not go expecting to re-ride it.

Great Bear: 8 out 10 - This B&M inverted coaster has one of the most unusual layouts I have ever experienced.  While it looks tame, and it is to some degree, there are some instances where you are left with a "wow" sensation.  I especially enjoyed my night rides on this coaster as the whole forest run section of the ride is almost pitch dark.

Lightning Racer (thunder): 9 out of 10; Lightning Racer (lightning): 8 out of 10 - This dueling woodie, which happens to be a Clair Jr. classic, is by far the jewel of the park.  Located as far as you can get from the front gate, but worth the walk, this ride is worth the price of admission.  Out of control and just fast!  We did like the lightning side better than the thunder because it seemed more out of control.  Definitely a multiple re-ride coaster!

Roller Soaker: 8 out of 10 - This was one neat ride.  I really enjoyed both getting bombed by the riders as well as bombing people when I was riding the coaster.  Such a neat combination of elements and I am surprised that something like this has not been picked up by water parks.  The only draw back that I can see to is, is that the load time is pretty long which can make for long lines.

Sidewinder: 2 out of 10 - Vekoma Boomerang, enough said.  Ride it for the credit and move on.  The weird thing about this coaster is the tall trees it has growing in its courtyard (between the station and vertical loop).  

SooperDooperLooper: 3 out of 10 - You would think that a Schwarzkopf ride would be fun and out of control, but this ride was almost boring.  I do not know if it has been neutered since it first debuted, but I was left with a bland feeling after riding it.  I guess I wanted Zambezi Zinger, Whizzer or even Thriller and this one did not produce.

Storm Runner: 10 out of 10 - This coaster kicks major booty.  Intamin is one of my favorite coaster builders.  Their launch coasters are a lot of fun and this one rates as by the best of the rocket coaster genre.  The roll and dive element is by far one of the scariest elements I have ever went through.  Oh, and I dare you to try and keep your hands up on the launch and through the top hat - it's not happening.

Trailblazer: 6 out of 10 - This Arrow mine train coaster is surprisingly a lot of fun.  You have to hunt for it though as you can actually walk right by the station area without even realizing it is there.  The loop around the Storm Runner queue line is a neat interaction.

Wild Mouse: 6 out of 10 - I like mice and this one did not disappoint.  The line on this one was much better than the one at Dorney Park.  I think this one delivered a more out of control feeling as well.

Wildcat: 5 out of 10 - I realize that this was one of the first coasters that Clair Jr. did, but I was not overly impressed with it.  In fact you could say it was on the verge of being rough.  I think the coaster could really use Millennium Flyers and they would make all the difference.  With the PTC (I think) trains, you feel every jerk and bump and sometimes that is a little too much.



RIDE REVIEWS (Other Rides)

Canyon River Rapids: 8 out of 10 - This river rapids ride is mean.  The ride starts off giving you a false sense of security before slamming you with several waterfalls in a row.  During the first part of the ride I kept asking myself why all of the people were getting off the ride drenched.  I soon found out.

Coal Cracker: 6 out of 10 - This log flume has a pretty layout with all of the trees and so on.   We did not get very wet on it, but it was still a fun ride with a big final plunge near Great Bear's station.

Tidal Force: 9 out of 10 - You have not seen a wave from a chute the chutes until you have seen Tidal Force.  I thought Perilous Plunge's wave was huge.  This thing makes it look miniscule.  We got so wet on this ride and yes we were hanging on for dear life as that drop is really high.  

The Whip:  7 out of 10 - This is an old-fashioned classic amusement ride and you do not find them very often in parks.  While not as good as the one at Dorney Park, this was a must ride for us.