Hersheypark Review 2008

*** Updated 9/7/2008 ***

We stopped at Hersheypark on the way home from Virigina. Hershey and attractions is an easy drive from exits 78 and 81 on I81. Our original plan was to visit during the fall during the "Hersheypark in the Dark" event but since that may or may not happen we decided to stop in.

We left Sterling, VA around 730AM and arrived at Hershey park at 10AM. Parking is now $10, a $2 increase from 2007!!!

Hersheypark (HP) provides a dog kennel for $10 called "the Barking Lot". We boarded "Bailey" there for the day. HP provides water and an air conditioned crate. You must stop by several times in the day to walk and feed your dog.

Discount coupons for Hersheypark were easily found in most northern VA, PA supermarkets, Subways, and other food area. In the past we have had REALLY good luck in getting discount coupons at the PA visit center (located on I81) as well as online. This year we used the grocery coupons only to find out that Hersheypark raised their rates from $47 to $49, so this made a dent on our savings.

Enough of the ramblings -- here is the review:

Rollercoasters:

StormRunner - As soon as we were in the park Austin and I forced the troops to the Pioneer Frontier section of the park to ride on Fahrenhiet. When we got there (around 1030AM) there was already an 1 and 1/2 hour wait! Instead of waiting we decided to check out the new StormRunner coaster (new in 2006) instead which was about a 5-10 minute walk also located in Pioneer Frontier. When we arrived there was NO WAIT. This coaster takes off 0 to 72 MPH in less than 2 seconds, climbs high then has a big drop. This start is very similar to Disney's Rock-N-Roll rollercoaster but I didn't feel that the startout was as intense. Although this coaster starts off great and has some AMAZING drops and excitement, the overall ride is too short. I would have been disappointed if we didn't get to ride this twice.

Comet - This is one of the most scarier rollercoasters (especially if you sit up front), not because of its drops or because of its loops (it doesn't have any). The scary part is that this coaster is REALLY old. I noticed (and so did the coaster) the wood is warped in several places and the whole time I worried about the integrity of the boards and the entire structure. Especially during the sharp curves and turns. After going to Hersheypark for 10 years, this was my first time on Comet and probably my last time!

Great Bear - Always an awesome and nice and smooth steel roller coaster that seats 4 to a seat (feet dangling) with 8 rows for a total of 32 passengers (on most runs). The lines were short when we visted so we waited an extra 10 minutes to sit in the front seat! Wow! Totally awesome!!! I love the Great Bear. Just perfect.

Sidewinder - Didn't go on this ride. The ride goes forwards and then backwards on the same track and includes several inversions times two -- which makes me ill. Austin hit this ride and loved it like his older sister.

Trailblazer - This was our 4 year olds first rollercoaster. This is a really tame rollercoaster which is suitable for "brave" young children as well as "daring" senior citizens and just about everyone in between. Most of the time there is never a wait for this. Techically its part of Pioneer Frontier section of the park but its really kind of at an obscure section of the park with the Texas-style resturant and show close by. A short walk to either Minetown or the main Pioneer Frontier section.

Sooper Dooper Looper - Located in the Comet area of the park, a bit more agressive than the Trailblazer coaster but by today's standards is rather docile for coasters. It contains 1 inversion and the rest of the ride is relatively slow. My wife who is being a bit more daring since turning 40 stated "why am I doing this", I wish I brought my camera!

Fahrenheit - Hersheypark's 11th roller coaster is definately the BEST coaster in the park. Several dated water features were removed to make room for this beauty! After spending 10+ hours in the park and checking in several times to ride this (with 1+ hour) waits we decided to bite the bullet and tough it out and stand in line. Fortunately the line moved better than advertised and we were strapped in our seats within 30 minutes. The crew was energetic, interactive and the climb was even more amazing! To start out, you literally are at a 90 degree angle during the climb. The first drop is even better. Then several more twists turns and drops! It is truly an amazing coaster. I definately would have ride this again if given the chance. Overall, I still like the SheiKra at Busch Gardens Africa better (didn't get to try the Griffon coaster at BG Williamsburg) but Fahrenheit is definately my favorite ride at Hersheypark.

Lightning Racer - Never a wait at night. One of my all-time favorite wooden rollercoasters which has the daring twist of racing another coaster (i.e., Thunder vs. Lightning).

Wildcat - This rollercoaster really jerks you this way and that way. After my mild neck injury in 2007, I haven't been back to revisit this coaster. My oldest son rode this one with my 10 year old daughter (she confirmed my suspicions) this year. This coaster takes up a lot of real-estate in the park. To be honest, I would not mind seeing this be replaced with something else.

Wild Mouse - This is a mini-steel rollercoaster which is common in many parks. Jerks you around. Similar to ones at Busch Gardens Tampa and Disney. Not my favorite.

Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a brand water-park area of Hersheypark introduced in 2007. During last years visit (in late September 2007), the temperature was in the mid 60s and we basically had the entire section of the park to ourselves (even though every other ride had a long wait). Proof here at webshots.com

This time being PEAK summer weather with temperatures well into the high 80s and HUMID: NO SUCK LUCK! In fact there was a VERY LONG line just to get changed in your bathing suit. We poked around and found another changing station with less lines. HP really needs to add more restrooms and changing stations in this area.

Each water-park area is gated to accomodate a specific number of guests, each section contains lifeguards (even after closing time at 6-7pm), and the day we visited it was extremely packed. East Coast Waterworks which is a LARGE (actually HUGE) park area with "climb-ups", water guns, accessories, and several slides can accomodate a LARGE number of guests. However even this had a huge line to get access into.

The Waverider is a cool ride and accomodates two "surfing" guests at a time and takes some skill. This is OPEN later in the summer. One of the kiddie sections was closed and just about all the patio furniture was claimed. To get cooled off without waiting in a LONG, LONG lines our kids found relief near the Roller-soaker coaster area which had ground fountains and high-powered squirt guns to squirt the participants on the coaster.

Overall, I'm not liking these mixed water-parks/coaster parks. My experience seems to be that the entire park moves to the water feature during the day when its HOT. The water section of theses park (in Hershey's case the Boardwalk) is not built to handle or accomodate the demand and crowds they have admitted. I have never had a crowd problem at Water Country.

Boardwalk, the SEAquel is coming in 2009. Hopefully it will correct some of these "crowding" problems. However unfortunately (we found out later after doing some online research that one of my favorite rides -- the Canyon River Rapids will be removed forever to make room for this attraction). Yikes -- Why didn't they get rid of the biggest waste of space and most boring part of the park - the Merry Dip Fun Slide and the Midway America tent????

Food

This time, for lunch we stopped at Minetown Resturant. Its cafeteria style where you pick up premade burgers, fries, nuggets, pizza, etc. There is a wonderful condiment bar that contains all the fixings for your bugers, and sauce for nuggests, etc. I had a delicous burger while Patty had a grilled chicken sandwich. The kids had pizza and nuggets.

I ended up buying the $7 themed beverage cup. Refills are only $1 (this was a savings since a large drink was $2.99 in a regular paper cup -- I probably saved a dollar or two and ended up with another cool cup). Hersheypark unfortunately has switched over to Pepsi vs. Coca Cola (which I prefer). We snacked for dinner and hit Wendy's down the street after we left the park. NOTE: We brought water bottles into the park (Hershey allows 1 per person).

Unlike Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, Minetown is the only area where you can purchase a beer and it must be consumed within its facility.

Kiddie Rides

Hersheypark has lots of kiddie rides with little wait. My 4 year old was NOT disappointed! Kiddie Rides can be found in almost all sections of the park with the exception of the Comet area.

Other Rides:

• The Ferris Wheel was fun, scenic, and relaxing for the entire family late at night. People with a fear of heights should not go on this ride. This is a MUST SEE for photographers.
• Capital BlueCross Monorail is a favorite for Patty and a MUST SEE for our family. This provides a small tour of certain sections of park as well as Zoo America. You can actually see where the original "stop" platform in downtown Hershey.
• Kissing Tower - Able to get some GREAT pictures of the park and the Hershey area. Air conditioned/heated. Appropriate for all members of the family. May be boring for the teens in the family.
• Skyview - A favorite ride to sit back relax, take pictures, or just to talk with your companion on the ride.
• Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge - A ride introduced in 2005 (similar to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World). It is an indoor ride where you use laser light guns to shoot targets to compete against competitors in the cart behind you. This ride is appropriate for ages 4+. My 4 year old absolutely loved this ride.
• The Claw - A favorite for the teens and young adults! Those who can't handle "spinning" like my self shoud not even think about this one!
• Rodeo - My daughters favorite ride (she almost got sick on it) is now going away to make room for the Boardwalk II - the SEAquel

Characters

I heard that Hersheypark was going to introduce new Characters and show them more often. We saw Kiss and there was a character play at Music Box Way that we ran into late. I was able to snap a QUICK picture of Nutrageous with Cameron but overall the characters didn't stick around for picturs. We were a bit disappointed about this.

Overall

We love Hersheypark. We feel that this one park provides entertainment for the entire family. Coasters for the adventourous types as well as kiddie rides for the young-ones and entertainment for the young at heart.