Without a doubt, water attractions are usually some of the most popular types of rides at any amusement park. America has over a thousand water parks, more than in any other country, and Hershey, Knoebels and Dorney all have big areas set aside for water rides and attractions that remain some of the busiest and most popular sections of the parks. But NEPA has several other water parks that are pretty popular, as well. Today, a new park will be entering the compare/contrast mix, a water park that is considered one of NEPA's most popular water-only parks. It is called Camelbeach, and is located in Tannersville, Pa at the Camelback Mountain Ski Resort. Camelbeach will enter the blogs when it has a comparable water ride to our three main amusement parks. But out of the four water parks, which one reigns supreme?
Hersheypark: The Boardwalk
Hersheypark opened its water park The Boardwalk in 2007 as a celebration of the park's 100th birthday. Before the Boardwalk, Hershey had several water rides: Canyon River Rapids, a fun rapids ride; the Roller Soaker, a unique interactive water coaster; Tidal Force, a huge splash down ride; and the Western Chute Out, a group of water slides. 2007 separated these water rides into an actual water park and added several new ones, as well. The biggest additions were Coastline Plunge, a more modern group of water slides; and East Coast Waterworks, the biggest water playground on the East Coast. The outdated and rarely-ridden Western Chute Out was dismantled after the 2007 season to make way for the Fahrenheit roller coaster, and a year later Canyon River Rapids was taken down to create "The Seaquel," an expansion to the Boardwalk that included The Shore, a wave pool, and the InterCoastal Waterway, a lazy river. The Boardwalk has been a big success for Hersheypark, and is always, ALWAYS crowded. The fact that Hershey squeezed the Boardwalk into a small area does not help the crowd situation, as it can become unbearable around midday, with waits for even the water playground and wave pool. The Boardwalk is popular, but some (like myself) miss the old, simple days when the four separate water rides were the way to cool off.
Knoebels: Crystal Pool
Knoebels' Crystal Pool was opened in 1926, and although the area has been greatly expanded and changed since then, the pool is still in its original spot (which is pretty cool, if I do say so myself). Going along with Knoebels' "pay as you go" idea, it costs $6 to enter the pool area, with different combo plans available regarding water slides and night swimming. The pool itself is beautiful, and it's huge, with several slides and diving boards of different heights and sizes scattered throughout. Knoebels has been expanding their pool area over the last ten years or so, adding a couple of fun water slides independent of the pool and a kiddie area called Kozmo's Play Pool. While the Crystal Pool area doesn't have the giant water attractions of the other three parks, it makes up for it with a great ambiance and great crowd control. Consider adding a dip in the Crystal Pool to your day at Knoebels.
Dorney Park: Wildwater Kingdom
Wildwater Kingdom is considered one of the biggest water parks located inside a theme park in the USA. It opened in 1985 and originally had a separate admission from Dorney Park. This changed ten years later, when Dorney's "two parks for the price of one" campaign was introduced. As water parks go, Wildwater Kingdom is top-notch. It has 22 water slides that are all different from each other, and each pack a thrilling ride. It also has two lazy rivers, two wave pools and three separate kiddie areas, which means that the park never feels overly crowded, even on the hottest Saturday in July. Finally, Wildwater Kingdom offers easy access to the two water rides that are actually located "across the border" in Dorney Park, Thunder Canyon (a thrilling rapids ride) and White Water Landing (their big splash-down ride). Wildwater Kingdom is a great water park, and a wonderful addition to Dorney Park.
Introducing: Camelbeach!
Camelbeach Waterpark is only 12 years old, but with over 30 water slides, it's hard to believe the park is that young. Camelbeach is the way that the Camelback Ski Resort in Tannersville, PA makes money in the summertime, and its location in the picturesque Pocono Mountains is a different type of feel than other, "beachier" water parks. The park features some great rides, including the Titan, a family giant tube slide; Triple Venom, extremely intense body slides; two "toilet bowl" slides called Vortex and Spin Cycle; and Pharaoh's Phortress, a big water playground that is Camebeach's newest addition. The park features a nice-sized wave pool, lazy river and kiddie area, as well, and is well spaced-out, so the crowds don't become overbearing. I have visited Camelbeach several times and am excited to add it to the NEPA-musement blog. Any time we have a blog focusing on some sort of water ride, you can bet that Camelbeach will be in the mix!
The Verdict
1. Dorney Park
2. Camelbeach
3. Knoebels
4. Hersheypark
Every one of these four water parks are very popular, but the top two--Dorney's Wildwater Kingdom and Camelbeach--are heads and shoulders above the other two. Both parks have tons of water rides that can keep a family busy all day, but they are both located in big areas that never feel overcrowded or unbearable. I gave Dorney a slight edge just because it is slightly bigger and has more overall to do, but Camelbeach is growing rapidly, and if we address this topic again in five years, that park may get the advantage.
Knoebels' Crystal Pool came in third due to its lack of rides and attractions compared to the other parks. However, its ambiance and crowd control are what set it above the chaos that is Hersheypark's The Boardwalk. Simply put, Hershey crammed an entire water park into a very small area, which has created extreme overcrowding and a general uncomfortableness to what should be a fun, relaxing environment. On top of that, NONE of the newest water rides have amounted to anything special--their best water rides are the two old ones that are left, Tidal Force and the Roller Soaker. Hershey may have more attractions than Knoebels when it comes to the water, but Knoebels sets the bar higher when it comes to quality.
So, spending a hot day in NEPA? Feel free to cool off at one of these water parks!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Hersheyprk Trip, Day 2
Here is the continuation of my trip to Hersheypark that I took with my husband and ten year-old sister on Sunday, August 8 and Monday, August 9th. This entry covers our second day, on the 9th.
We checked out of the Grantville Days Inn at about 7:40 AM. We then got back on Interstate 81 south, getting off at exit 77, which is the other Hershey exit. There is a nice, out of the way Perkins restaurant right off this exit where I knew we could get a filling breakfast before the park opened. The restaurant was almost empty, and we got our fresh, yummy food within twenty minutes of sitting down. It was a low pressure way to start the day. I made sure that we ate enough food to get through several hours, since I knew the Boardwalk water park was one of our first destinations that day, and eating meals in the always-crowded Boardwalk is always a hair-raising experience.
We arrived at Hersheypark by 9:15 (and didn't have to pay for parking because we had yesterday's parking stub and Preciew Plan-marked admission ticket) and got in line in front of the main gate by 9:30. There was a good-sized line of people waiting to get in, but it moved fairly quickly, and the gates opened slightly before the official opening time of 10:00.
Our first stop was to be Fahrenheit, Hershey's newest coaster with a record breaking 97 degree drop. However, since it was still only 9:57, we got stopped by ropes in Music Box Way. We only had to wait three minutes before the ropes dropped, and we quickly moved on to Fahrenheit. My little sister and I got in line for Fahrenheit, which was already about a twenty-minute wait two minutes after opening, while my husband went to the Boardwalk to get a locker. It was a good thing we went right to Fahrenheit, because in the twenty minutes we waited in line, the queue became very long. However, we got on and rode the ride without any issues.
We then met up with my husband, who had gotten a locker at the centrally-located Boardwalk changing rooms near the Roller Soaker and Nathan's hot dogs. After changing and putting on sunscreen, we headed first for the Roller Soaker, a unique interactive water coaster that is very popular and always has a long line by the middle of the day--and, to make things worse, the line is one of the slowest-moving in the park. Luckily, it was so early in the day that there was not a long line, but we still had to wait about a half hour due to technical difficulties with the ride. The ride operator announced that it could only be a five-minute delay, or it could stretch to hours. My family decided to take a chance and stay in line, since if we got out of line we risked the chance of it getting very long later on. Our risk paid off--the ride was fixed in about ten minutes, and we had a fun, soaking wet experience.
We next rode the Intercoastal Waterway, Hershey's lazy river that is only in its second year of operation. The park has made some nice changes to this ride. There are no more double tubes, which cuts the wait drastically. Also, you can now ride around the Waterway as many times as you want. This was a nice addition, and we floated around the Intercoastal Waterway twice before deciding to disembark.
Next we rode Tidal Force, Hershey's great splash down ride, which had an average-sized line. By this time, it was after noon. The Boardwalk was becoming very, very crowded due to the popularity of the area and the 90-degree heat, so we decided to pick and choose our next rides. While my husband went to ride the Vortex "toilet bowl" water slide, me and my little sister spent some time in Hershey's other new attraction that is in its second year, The Shore wave pool. The wave pool was pretty crowded, but we had a nice time riding the waves.
After that, we decided to try out East Coast Waterworks, the biggest water play area on the East coast. However, there was actually a line to get into it! None of us wanted to wait in a line to get into what should be a free-entering play area, so we decided to call it a day regarding the Boardwalk. We changed but left our bags in the locker (since we had paid a $15 all-day charge), then headed to the back section of the park and the Boardwalk's next door neighbor, Midway America.
The first thing we did, since it was around 2:00, was eat a late lunch of popcorn chicken and perogies from Midway Munchies, a great little stand next to the Ferris Wheel. After we were full, we rode all the Midway America rides--the Ferris Wheel, Lightning Racer (Hershey's wooden racing coaster), Music Express, the Whip, the Wild Mouse and the Wildcat (Hershey's third wooden coaster). They have some good midway games in this section, and my husband played some of those, as well. Lines were a big longer than usual, but the longest we waited for any of these rides was probably around twenty minutes.
It was very, very hot by this time. To stay cool in lines (some that should have been better shaded), I decided to buy a misting fan/spray bottle. They have these all over the park; I bought ours at Fun in the Sun, a shop near the Wild Mouse and Wildcat. It really came in handy for the rest of the day, and was well worth $12.99 for keeping cool while waiting in lines.
We next headed to Pioneer Frontier and tried to ride the Frisbee pendulum ride The Claw. However, we had another technical difficulty--this time, we were on the ride and ready to go when the ride operators detected some problems, and we had to vacate the ride. Unfortunately, we didn't feel like waiting in line all over again, so we had no Claw ride that day. We did ride several other Pioneer Frontier rides with no problems, however--the Pirate ship, the Dry Gulch railroad, Storm Runner (Hershey's launching coaster) and the Trailblazer (a tame mine train coaster) were all fun rides with average-sized lines.
We walked back to Minetown, at this point having done almost everything we wanted to do in the last twenty-four hours. My little sister and I decided to ride the Great Bear again, only this time we decided to ride in the front seat. You have to wait in a separate, slow-moving line for the front seats, but the view during the ride is totally worth the wait!
After a couple more Sooperdooperlooper rides, we decided to call it a night. My husband went back to the Boardwalk to get our things out of the locker while my sister and I waited for him at the main gate (doing some shopping along the way). Upon leaving the park, we had a late dinner at an Olive Garden restaurant about seven miles away from the park. We ended up leaving the Hershey area around 10:00 PM.
My trip to Hersheypark was loads of fun. A few issues cropped up, but we planned a loose schedule of rides ahead of time and concentrated on making the most of our time, so these issues did not put a damper on our trip. Hershey will be open for about two more months, with crowds becoming thinner as the summer wanes. Plan a trip before the park closes for the season!
We'll be back to regular blogs next week.
We checked out of the Grantville Days Inn at about 7:40 AM. We then got back on Interstate 81 south, getting off at exit 77, which is the other Hershey exit. There is a nice, out of the way Perkins restaurant right off this exit where I knew we could get a filling breakfast before the park opened. The restaurant was almost empty, and we got our fresh, yummy food within twenty minutes of sitting down. It was a low pressure way to start the day. I made sure that we ate enough food to get through several hours, since I knew the Boardwalk water park was one of our first destinations that day, and eating meals in the always-crowded Boardwalk is always a hair-raising experience.
We arrived at Hersheypark by 9:15 (and didn't have to pay for parking because we had yesterday's parking stub and Preciew Plan-marked admission ticket) and got in line in front of the main gate by 9:30. There was a good-sized line of people waiting to get in, but it moved fairly quickly, and the gates opened slightly before the official opening time of 10:00.
Our first stop was to be Fahrenheit, Hershey's newest coaster with a record breaking 97 degree drop. However, since it was still only 9:57, we got stopped by ropes in Music Box Way. We only had to wait three minutes before the ropes dropped, and we quickly moved on to Fahrenheit. My little sister and I got in line for Fahrenheit, which was already about a twenty-minute wait two minutes after opening, while my husband went to the Boardwalk to get a locker. It was a good thing we went right to Fahrenheit, because in the twenty minutes we waited in line, the queue became very long. However, we got on and rode the ride without any issues.
We then met up with my husband, who had gotten a locker at the centrally-located Boardwalk changing rooms near the Roller Soaker and Nathan's hot dogs. After changing and putting on sunscreen, we headed first for the Roller Soaker, a unique interactive water coaster that is very popular and always has a long line by the middle of the day--and, to make things worse, the line is one of the slowest-moving in the park. Luckily, it was so early in the day that there was not a long line, but we still had to wait about a half hour due to technical difficulties with the ride. The ride operator announced that it could only be a five-minute delay, or it could stretch to hours. My family decided to take a chance and stay in line, since if we got out of line we risked the chance of it getting very long later on. Our risk paid off--the ride was fixed in about ten minutes, and we had a fun, soaking wet experience.
We next rode the Intercoastal Waterway, Hershey's lazy river that is only in its second year of operation. The park has made some nice changes to this ride. There are no more double tubes, which cuts the wait drastically. Also, you can now ride around the Waterway as many times as you want. This was a nice addition, and we floated around the Intercoastal Waterway twice before deciding to disembark.
Next we rode Tidal Force, Hershey's great splash down ride, which had an average-sized line. By this time, it was after noon. The Boardwalk was becoming very, very crowded due to the popularity of the area and the 90-degree heat, so we decided to pick and choose our next rides. While my husband went to ride the Vortex "toilet bowl" water slide, me and my little sister spent some time in Hershey's other new attraction that is in its second year, The Shore wave pool. The wave pool was pretty crowded, but we had a nice time riding the waves.
After that, we decided to try out East Coast Waterworks, the biggest water play area on the East coast. However, there was actually a line to get into it! None of us wanted to wait in a line to get into what should be a free-entering play area, so we decided to call it a day regarding the Boardwalk. We changed but left our bags in the locker (since we had paid a $15 all-day charge), then headed to the back section of the park and the Boardwalk's next door neighbor, Midway America.
The first thing we did, since it was around 2:00, was eat a late lunch of popcorn chicken and perogies from Midway Munchies, a great little stand next to the Ferris Wheel. After we were full, we rode all the Midway America rides--the Ferris Wheel, Lightning Racer (Hershey's wooden racing coaster), Music Express, the Whip, the Wild Mouse and the Wildcat (Hershey's third wooden coaster). They have some good midway games in this section, and my husband played some of those, as well. Lines were a big longer than usual, but the longest we waited for any of these rides was probably around twenty minutes.
It was very, very hot by this time. To stay cool in lines (some that should have been better shaded), I decided to buy a misting fan/spray bottle. They have these all over the park; I bought ours at Fun in the Sun, a shop near the Wild Mouse and Wildcat. It really came in handy for the rest of the day, and was well worth $12.99 for keeping cool while waiting in lines.
We next headed to Pioneer Frontier and tried to ride the Frisbee pendulum ride The Claw. However, we had another technical difficulty--this time, we were on the ride and ready to go when the ride operators detected some problems, and we had to vacate the ride. Unfortunately, we didn't feel like waiting in line all over again, so we had no Claw ride that day. We did ride several other Pioneer Frontier rides with no problems, however--the Pirate ship, the Dry Gulch railroad, Storm Runner (Hershey's launching coaster) and the Trailblazer (a tame mine train coaster) were all fun rides with average-sized lines.
We walked back to Minetown, at this point having done almost everything we wanted to do in the last twenty-four hours. My little sister and I decided to ride the Great Bear again, only this time we decided to ride in the front seat. You have to wait in a separate, slow-moving line for the front seats, but the view during the ride is totally worth the wait!
After a couple more Sooperdooperlooper rides, we decided to call it a night. My husband went back to the Boardwalk to get our things out of the locker while my sister and I waited for him at the main gate (doing some shopping along the way). Upon leaving the park, we had a late dinner at an Olive Garden restaurant about seven miles away from the park. We ended up leaving the Hershey area around 10:00 PM.
My trip to Hersheypark was loads of fun. A few issues cropped up, but we planned a loose schedule of rides ahead of time and concentrated on making the most of our time, so these issues did not put a damper on our trip. Hershey will be open for about two more months, with crowds becoming thinner as the summer wanes. Plan a trip before the park closes for the season!
We'll be back to regular blogs next week.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Hersheypark Trip, Day 1
I went to Hersheypark for two days on Sunday, August 8th and Monday, August 9th, using the Preview Plan for the first night. I went with my husband and my ten year-old sister. Here's a recap of our first day!
We left our home in the Scranton area around 1:00 in the afternoon, heading down Interstate 81 for almost the whole trip. There were some traffic issues, but our GPS guided us around them easily, and we arrived in the Hershey area in exactly two hours, at around 3:00.
The first thing we did was check into our hotel. We stayed at the Days Inn in Grantville, which is right off the I-81 exit. It's only seven miles away from Hersheypark and is drastically cheaper than any hotel you'll find closer to the park. Plus, it's nice and clean with good amenities and a polite staff who seem to be knowledgeable. As long as you don't care about things like having a pool or fitness center, the Days Inn Grantville works great for families on a budget.
At around 5:00 we headed toward Hershey, eating dinner at the Cocoa Grill, a diner near all the chain restaurants in Hershey. The food is good and not too expensive, but the ambiance definitely leaves something to be desired.
At 6:00, we headed off toward the park. We parked in the Hersheypark lot and paid the full $10 parking charge, which at first seems a bit steep for the Preview Plan's two and a half hours in the park. However, as long as you keep both your parking ticket and admission ticket, parking the next day is free. Hershey doesn't go out of their way to advertise this--I had seen it tucked away on their web site, and we received a piece of paper explaining this when we paid for parking, but I think that if someone wasn't paying close attention, they could easily pay for two days of parking and be none the wiser.
Since we still had about an hour before I wanted to go to the Hersheypark gate, we decided to go visit Chocolate World. This is a big "visitors center"-esque venue outside of Hersheypark, with shops, food, a factory tour ride, a 3-D show, and Hershey's Factory Works, where you can make your own candy bar (among other things). The crowd at Chocolate World was big but not too bad for a Sunday in the middle of summer. Since we were trying to save both time and money, we only chose one thing to do at Chocolate World. My family decided to ride the totally-free chocolate factory tour ride.
The line for the factory ride was out the door when we queued up. However, I wasn't daunted--the factory ride has an extremely fast-moving line due to the fact that it is a continuous-loading attraction with a high capacity. Therefore, we only waited in line for ten minutes before we got to ride the ride. I have probably ridden the factory tour ride at least fifty times in the past twenty-one years, and it never disappoints. It's a nice ride through a simulated factory that explains all about how they make the chocolate. As you exit the ride, you get a complementary Hershey bar, which is a nice way to satisfy the craving you developed while riding the ride.
After buying some fresh cookies and milk from a stand in the food and shops area of Chocolate World, it was about 7:10 and time to head down to the Hersheypark gate. The first thing we did was go to the Candy Brand measuring stations. Hershey puts a creative twist on height requirements, separating each height into categories featuring their own products. We were all thrilled to find out that my little sister was a Twizzler for the very first time--she barely made the 54" Twizzler cut off, but she was definitely over the line. This meant that she could ride the park's biggest coasters for the first time!
There was a line formed for the Preview Plan outside the gate. (Check out the "Let Me In!" entry from a few months ago, which explains this fantastic Hershey perk in more detail.) The line was long, but we were let in slightly before 7:30 (two and a half hours before park closing). The first ride we decided to ride was the Great Bear, Hershey's fantastic inverted coaster. This decision was made for several reasons--first and foremost, my little sister was dying to ride one of the coasters she had just been watching for years. Second, the Great Bear is located in Minetown, which is right in the middle of the park, yet not a far walk from the entrance gate. When you only have two and a half hours of park time, taking long strolls around the park isn't an option!
The line for Great Bear wasn't very long, and we rode it in a good amount of time. (My little sister loved it, by the way.) We next headed to the Great Bear's next door neighbor, the Coal Cracker, which is a standard flume and had no line, which was a great surprise. My family then continued down into Comet Hollow, which is one of the older sections of the park; therefore, it's pretty close to the entrance. We rode the famous Sooperdooperlooper (the first looping coaster on the East Coast) and Wave Swinger with lines that weren't too long, but the next ride we wanted to try, the Comet, had a VERY long line. The Comet, Hershey's classic wooden coaster, is a favorite, especially by people leaving the park who want one last thrill. Since it was about 8:30 at this point, I made an executive decision to wait on the Comet until the line was shorter.
Instead, we headed up the hill to Music Box Way. There, we rode the Reese's X-treme Cup Challenge, an indoor arcade game-like ride that can have really long lines--but only had an average one tonight. We also rode the Skyview, a scenic sky ride that takes you over a river and inches from the mighty Great Bear.
By this time, it was about 9:40, only twenty minutes before the park closed for the night, and lo and behold, the line for the Comet, which had looked to be forty minutes an hour ago, had now dwindled down to about a five to ten minute wait. Excitedly, my family rode the Comet, glad we had spent the last hour riding two additional rides and not standing in the long Comet line.
It was 9:57 when we got off the Comet. We finished off the night by getting some soft ice cream at the Crossroads Creamery, which is located next to the Reese's X-treme Cup Challenge, before heading out of the park.
After leaving, my husband and little sister both wanted some roller coaster shirts to wear the following day, which would be our full park day. Outside the park gate, I found a store called Hersheypark Memories, which actually had many coaster shirts to buy! It was a nice surprise, since I hadn't known about this particular store before. They bought their shirts, and we walked back to the car, ready to go back to the Days Inn and sleep. After all, we had a full day at Hersheypark to wake up for!
To be continued!
We left our home in the Scranton area around 1:00 in the afternoon, heading down Interstate 81 for almost the whole trip. There were some traffic issues, but our GPS guided us around them easily, and we arrived in the Hershey area in exactly two hours, at around 3:00.
The first thing we did was check into our hotel. We stayed at the Days Inn in Grantville, which is right off the I-81 exit. It's only seven miles away from Hersheypark and is drastically cheaper than any hotel you'll find closer to the park. Plus, it's nice and clean with good amenities and a polite staff who seem to be knowledgeable. As long as you don't care about things like having a pool or fitness center, the Days Inn Grantville works great for families on a budget.
At around 5:00 we headed toward Hershey, eating dinner at the Cocoa Grill, a diner near all the chain restaurants in Hershey. The food is good and not too expensive, but the ambiance definitely leaves something to be desired.
At 6:00, we headed off toward the park. We parked in the Hersheypark lot and paid the full $10 parking charge, which at first seems a bit steep for the Preview Plan's two and a half hours in the park. However, as long as you keep both your parking ticket and admission ticket, parking the next day is free. Hershey doesn't go out of their way to advertise this--I had seen it tucked away on their web site, and we received a piece of paper explaining this when we paid for parking, but I think that if someone wasn't paying close attention, they could easily pay for two days of parking and be none the wiser.
Since we still had about an hour before I wanted to go to the Hersheypark gate, we decided to go visit Chocolate World. This is a big "visitors center"-esque venue outside of Hersheypark, with shops, food, a factory tour ride, a 3-D show, and Hershey's Factory Works, where you can make your own candy bar (among other things). The crowd at Chocolate World was big but not too bad for a Sunday in the middle of summer. Since we were trying to save both time and money, we only chose one thing to do at Chocolate World. My family decided to ride the totally-free chocolate factory tour ride.
The line for the factory ride was out the door when we queued up. However, I wasn't daunted--the factory ride has an extremely fast-moving line due to the fact that it is a continuous-loading attraction with a high capacity. Therefore, we only waited in line for ten minutes before we got to ride the ride. I have probably ridden the factory tour ride at least fifty times in the past twenty-one years, and it never disappoints. It's a nice ride through a simulated factory that explains all about how they make the chocolate. As you exit the ride, you get a complementary Hershey bar, which is a nice way to satisfy the craving you developed while riding the ride.
After buying some fresh cookies and milk from a stand in the food and shops area of Chocolate World, it was about 7:10 and time to head down to the Hersheypark gate. The first thing we did was go to the Candy Brand measuring stations. Hershey puts a creative twist on height requirements, separating each height into categories featuring their own products. We were all thrilled to find out that my little sister was a Twizzler for the very first time--she barely made the 54" Twizzler cut off, but she was definitely over the line. This meant that she could ride the park's biggest coasters for the first time!
There was a line formed for the Preview Plan outside the gate. (Check out the "Let Me In!" entry from a few months ago, which explains this fantastic Hershey perk in more detail.) The line was long, but we were let in slightly before 7:30 (two and a half hours before park closing). The first ride we decided to ride was the Great Bear, Hershey's fantastic inverted coaster. This decision was made for several reasons--first and foremost, my little sister was dying to ride one of the coasters she had just been watching for years. Second, the Great Bear is located in Minetown, which is right in the middle of the park, yet not a far walk from the entrance gate. When you only have two and a half hours of park time, taking long strolls around the park isn't an option!
The line for Great Bear wasn't very long, and we rode it in a good amount of time. (My little sister loved it, by the way.) We next headed to the Great Bear's next door neighbor, the Coal Cracker, which is a standard flume and had no line, which was a great surprise. My family then continued down into Comet Hollow, which is one of the older sections of the park; therefore, it's pretty close to the entrance. We rode the famous Sooperdooperlooper (the first looping coaster on the East Coast) and Wave Swinger with lines that weren't too long, but the next ride we wanted to try, the Comet, had a VERY long line. The Comet, Hershey's classic wooden coaster, is a favorite, especially by people leaving the park who want one last thrill. Since it was about 8:30 at this point, I made an executive decision to wait on the Comet until the line was shorter.
Instead, we headed up the hill to Music Box Way. There, we rode the Reese's X-treme Cup Challenge, an indoor arcade game-like ride that can have really long lines--but only had an average one tonight. We also rode the Skyview, a scenic sky ride that takes you over a river and inches from the mighty Great Bear.
By this time, it was about 9:40, only twenty minutes before the park closed for the night, and lo and behold, the line for the Comet, which had looked to be forty minutes an hour ago, had now dwindled down to about a five to ten minute wait. Excitedly, my family rode the Comet, glad we had spent the last hour riding two additional rides and not standing in the long Comet line.
It was 9:57 when we got off the Comet. We finished off the night by getting some soft ice cream at the Crossroads Creamery, which is located next to the Reese's X-treme Cup Challenge, before heading out of the park.
After leaving, my husband and little sister both wanted some roller coaster shirts to wear the following day, which would be our full park day. Outside the park gate, I found a store called Hersheypark Memories, which actually had many coaster shirts to buy! It was a nice surprise, since I hadn't known about this particular store before. They bought their shirts, and we walked back to the car, ready to go back to the Days Inn and sleep. After all, we had a full day at Hersheypark to wake up for!
To be continued!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Hersheypark Bound
I just wanted to let everyone know that tomorrow I will be heading off to Hersheypark for a two day trip. While there, I will be trying the Preview Plan for the first time and also checking out those mysterious markings in Comet Hollow. Watch for an entry next week on all this and more!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Swing Things
Pendulum rides--which are so named because they are based on the swinging motion of a fixed pendulum--have become very popular at amusement parks over the last ten years or so. In doing research for this blog, I learned that the category of "pendulum rides" is actually quite vast, with at least eight varieties of the ride. These include rides as basic as the classic swinging Pirate ship to the more complicated and rare "Topple Tower" ride. While Hersheypark, Dorney and Knoebels all have several versions of pendulum rides in their lineups, this entry is going to focus on the "Frisbee" style of pendulum ride. A Frisbee pendulum ride definition is as follows from Wikipedia:
"The Frisbee is an pendulum-motion amusement ride...a 14 meter pendulum is suspended between two support frames. Attached to the base of this pendulum in a circular gondola, 8 meters in diameter. 36 to 40 riders (depending on individual design) are seated in the gondola, facing either inwards or outwards.When the ride cycle starts, the gondola begins to rotate. In addition, the pendulum arm begins to swing through an arc of 170°. Riders experience speeds of up to 50mph (80 km/h) during the ride."
All three parks added this type of ride within several years of each other, which is very interesting, considering there are less than twenty Frisbee rides in the United States (that I am aware of). No doubt about it, NEPA loves their Frisbee rides--but which park has the best one?
Hersheypark: The Claw
Named for the shape its seats form, The Claw was the first Frisbee ride that came to NEPA. Installed in 2003, it is located in Pioneer Frontier across from the Dry Gulch Railroad and near their other big pendulum ride (a pirate ship). The Claw seats 32 riders in eight groups of four seats that face inward. The ride itself is good and intense, with the swing reaching a maximum height of about 64 feet in the air. The Claw is a popular ride, and lines for it can become long due the slow nature of loading (it's a stop and start ride, not a continuous loading one). However, it's worth the wait--The Claw definitely delivers a thrilling ride!
Knoebels: Fandango
Opened in 2005, Fandango is named after a lively flamenco dance because, as Knoebels claims, "Much like the dance it’s named for, the Fandango starts slowly, then the speed gradually increases to a whirl of exhilaration." Fandango seats its riders facing outward rather than inward, and the seats are not separated into groups but sit right next to each other. Once Fandango gets going, it delivers nonstop thrills--the ride gets great height, making you feel as if you are almost going to go upside down, and you can get great air time at the ride's highest peak. Another exciting aspect of the ride is the line--located so close to Fandango, the ride sweeps what feels like inches away from your head. The biggest problem with Fandango? Finding it! It is at the very back of Knoebels, tucked away behind the Phoenix roller coaster and Antique Cars ride. Casual Knoebels visitors may miss Fandango, but definitely keep your eyes peeled for this ride, because it should not be missed.
Dorney Park: Revolution
Revolution is almost identical to The Claw at Hersheypark in every way. It seats 32 riders facing inwards in eight groups of four, and has the same intensity as The Claw, as well, reaching a maximum height of about 65 feet. Revolution was introduced in 2004, only a year after The Claw, which probably explains the similarities. Revolution, which is located at the back left side of the park near the hyper coaster Steel Force, packs the same punch as The Claw, and is a very fun ride.
The Verdict
1. Fandango
2. The Claw
3. Revolution
Fandango wins the Frisbee race simply due to the fact that it is a much different ride than either The Claw or Revolution--in a good way. Although I could not find out exactly how high Fandango swings (and if someone knows, don't hesitate to inform me!), I have ridden all three rides and can attest that Fandango goes higher and faster than the other two rides, therefore giving you a more thrilling experience. The outward-facing seats make the ride moire intense, as well. The Claw and Revolution are basically carbon-copies of each other and are both good rides, but I gave The Claw the edge because it came out a year before Revolution and was the pendulum ride that started the three-year Frisbee craze in NEPA.
Pendulum rides are fun in any shape or form, but the Frisbee style is one of the most intense and exciting. NEPA is lucky to have one at all three of its major theme parks, so go out and experience the swinging sensation! You won't be disappointed.
"The Frisbee is an pendulum-motion amusement ride...a 14 meter pendulum is suspended between two support frames. Attached to the base of this pendulum in a circular gondola, 8 meters in diameter. 36 to 40 riders (depending on individual design) are seated in the gondola, facing either inwards or outwards.When the ride cycle starts, the gondola begins to rotate. In addition, the pendulum arm begins to swing through an arc of 170°. Riders experience speeds of up to 50mph (80 km/h) during the ride."
All three parks added this type of ride within several years of each other, which is very interesting, considering there are less than twenty Frisbee rides in the United States (that I am aware of). No doubt about it, NEPA loves their Frisbee rides--but which park has the best one?
Hersheypark: The Claw
Named for the shape its seats form, The Claw was the first Frisbee ride that came to NEPA. Installed in 2003, it is located in Pioneer Frontier across from the Dry Gulch Railroad and near their other big pendulum ride (a pirate ship). The Claw seats 32 riders in eight groups of four seats that face inward. The ride itself is good and intense, with the swing reaching a maximum height of about 64 feet in the air. The Claw is a popular ride, and lines for it can become long due the slow nature of loading (it's a stop and start ride, not a continuous loading one). However, it's worth the wait--The Claw definitely delivers a thrilling ride!
Knoebels: Fandango
Opened in 2005, Fandango is named after a lively flamenco dance because, as Knoebels claims, "Much like the dance it’s named for, the Fandango starts slowly, then the speed gradually increases to a whirl of exhilaration." Fandango seats its riders facing outward rather than inward, and the seats are not separated into groups but sit right next to each other. Once Fandango gets going, it delivers nonstop thrills--the ride gets great height, making you feel as if you are almost going to go upside down, and you can get great air time at the ride's highest peak. Another exciting aspect of the ride is the line--located so close to Fandango, the ride sweeps what feels like inches away from your head. The biggest problem with Fandango? Finding it! It is at the very back of Knoebels, tucked away behind the Phoenix roller coaster and Antique Cars ride. Casual Knoebels visitors may miss Fandango, but definitely keep your eyes peeled for this ride, because it should not be missed.
Dorney Park: Revolution
Revolution is almost identical to The Claw at Hersheypark in every way. It seats 32 riders facing inwards in eight groups of four, and has the same intensity as The Claw, as well, reaching a maximum height of about 65 feet. Revolution was introduced in 2004, only a year after The Claw, which probably explains the similarities. Revolution, which is located at the back left side of the park near the hyper coaster Steel Force, packs the same punch as The Claw, and is a very fun ride.
The Verdict
1. Fandango
2. The Claw
3. Revolution
Fandango wins the Frisbee race simply due to the fact that it is a much different ride than either The Claw or Revolution--in a good way. Although I could not find out exactly how high Fandango swings (and if someone knows, don't hesitate to inform me!), I have ridden all three rides and can attest that Fandango goes higher and faster than the other two rides, therefore giving you a more thrilling experience. The outward-facing seats make the ride moire intense, as well. The Claw and Revolution are basically carbon-copies of each other and are both good rides, but I gave The Claw the edge because it came out a year before Revolution and was the pendulum ride that started the three-year Frisbee craze in NEPA.
Pendulum rides are fun in any shape or form, but the Frisbee style is one of the most intense and exciting. NEPA is lucky to have one at all three of its major theme parks, so go out and experience the swinging sensation! You won't be disappointed.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Knoebels' Coaster Future
With only two major roller coasters (and one kiddie one), Knoebels Amusement Resort is definitely a coaster lightweight compared to Hersheypark and Dorney Park. However, what Knoebels lacks in quantity they make up for in quality--Knoebels' two wooden coasters, the Phoenix and the Twister, are spectacular rides. Fans of Knoebels' coasters should be excited to know that the park is in the process of adding two new coasters to the park--but not without some drama. One coaster seems to be on schedule, while a completion date for the other coaster is very much up in the air--if it ever opens at all.
Black Diamond
The Black Diamond has been under construction for a few months now, and looks to be a cross between a dark ride (like their famous Haunted House), a mine car ride (with a Western theme) and a Wild Mouse-style coaster. Interestingly, this is another relocation project similar to the Phoenix (albeit on a much smaller scale). The Black Diamond was formerly the Golden Nugget at Morey's Piers amusement park in Wildwood, New Jersey. In 2008, Morey's Piers announced they were taking the coaster down, and soon afterward, Knoebels bought the ride's tracks and trains. Knoebels is now in the process of reconstructing the ride. I visited the park last month and saw the building where the ride will be located well under construction. Recent pictures on Knoebels' official Facebook page show that the track is now being laid out inside the building. The Black Diamond construction seems to progressing well on schedule and looks to be a very exciting ride!
Flying Turns
The Flying Turns is a bobsled coaster that is modeled on old coasters that used to be prevalent in the 1920s. Any bobsled coaster (which is a coaster that has a pipe-shaped track) in operation today is made of steel; however, Knoebels decided to be daring and build their coaster out of wood, like the bobsled coasters of yore. The old wooden bobsled coasters existed in a time when safety restrictions at amusement parks were much more lax than they are today, and since these old wooden bobsled coasters are not around anymore, it's been pretty hard for Knoebels to complete their ride since they have no "working models" to compare it to. Construction began on Flying Turns in 2006. In 2007, the track was completed and test runs began. However, the ride did not pass these safety tests. Not many specifics are known about the test runs, but it is commonly speculated that the trains were moving too fast on the track. Knoebels has said the problem was with the wheels on the trains, and they were working on designing new wheels for the ride. The last official statement I have seen from Knoebels is from their web site in 2009. (If anyone knows if the park has said anything regarding Flying Turns more recently, please let me know.) The statement claims that Knoebels is trying hard to open Flying Turns. But now, a year later--and four years since construction on the coaster began-- Flying Turns sits quiet and still, with no updates on when it will open--if it ever does.
The Verdict
The Black Diamond sounds like it's going to be a great ride that should open on time for the 2011 season. As for Flying Turns, I believe that Knoebels bit off more than they could chew when they built this ride. Wooden bobsled coasters are defunct for a reason--they weren't 100% safe. It's great that Knoebels is working so hard to bring back a classic style of coaster, but maybe this type of coaster just isn't meant to exist in today's world of amusement park safety. No word from Knoebels for a year regarding the opening of the ride makes me think the park is making little progress as they try to make Flying Turns safe. I know that Knoebels will never open up a ride that isn't completely safe, but at this point, I am not sure if this ride is ever going to open. Even if it does, people knowledgeable about the ride's history might be a little wary about riding it. I know that I will feel a little nervous about getting on a ride that seems to be taking so long to make safe.
So, while the Black Diamond coaster looks to be a sure hit, the fate of Flying Turns is up in the air right now. Can Knoebels overcome the ancient ride design and bad press and create another winning coaster? Hopefully, someday we'll find out!
Black Diamond
The Black Diamond has been under construction for a few months now, and looks to be a cross between a dark ride (like their famous Haunted House), a mine car ride (with a Western theme) and a Wild Mouse-style coaster. Interestingly, this is another relocation project similar to the Phoenix (albeit on a much smaller scale). The Black Diamond was formerly the Golden Nugget at Morey's Piers amusement park in Wildwood, New Jersey. In 2008, Morey's Piers announced they were taking the coaster down, and soon afterward, Knoebels bought the ride's tracks and trains. Knoebels is now in the process of reconstructing the ride. I visited the park last month and saw the building where the ride will be located well under construction. Recent pictures on Knoebels' official Facebook page show that the track is now being laid out inside the building. The Black Diamond construction seems to progressing well on schedule and looks to be a very exciting ride!
Flying Turns
The Flying Turns is a bobsled coaster that is modeled on old coasters that used to be prevalent in the 1920s. Any bobsled coaster (which is a coaster that has a pipe-shaped track) in operation today is made of steel; however, Knoebels decided to be daring and build their coaster out of wood, like the bobsled coasters of yore. The old wooden bobsled coasters existed in a time when safety restrictions at amusement parks were much more lax than they are today, and since these old wooden bobsled coasters are not around anymore, it's been pretty hard for Knoebels to complete their ride since they have no "working models" to compare it to. Construction began on Flying Turns in 2006. In 2007, the track was completed and test runs began. However, the ride did not pass these safety tests. Not many specifics are known about the test runs, but it is commonly speculated that the trains were moving too fast on the track. Knoebels has said the problem was with the wheels on the trains, and they were working on designing new wheels for the ride. The last official statement I have seen from Knoebels is from their web site in 2009. (If anyone knows if the park has said anything regarding Flying Turns more recently, please let me know.) The statement claims that Knoebels is trying hard to open Flying Turns. But now, a year later--and four years since construction on the coaster began-- Flying Turns sits quiet and still, with no updates on when it will open--if it ever does.
The Verdict
The Black Diamond sounds like it's going to be a great ride that should open on time for the 2011 season. As for Flying Turns, I believe that Knoebels bit off more than they could chew when they built this ride. Wooden bobsled coasters are defunct for a reason--they weren't 100% safe. It's great that Knoebels is working so hard to bring back a classic style of coaster, but maybe this type of coaster just isn't meant to exist in today's world of amusement park safety. No word from Knoebels for a year regarding the opening of the ride makes me think the park is making little progress as they try to make Flying Turns safe. I know that Knoebels will never open up a ride that isn't completely safe, but at this point, I am not sure if this ride is ever going to open. Even if it does, people knowledgeable about the ride's history might be a little wary about riding it. I know that I will feel a little nervous about getting on a ride that seems to be taking so long to make safe.
So, while the Black Diamond coaster looks to be a sure hit, the fate of Flying Turns is up in the air right now. Can Knoebels overcome the ancient ride design and bad press and create another winning coaster? Hopefully, someday we'll find out!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Coaster Style
For years, you have been too scared to ride that one roller coaster that always seemed just a little too high, or fast, or intense. But as you watched all your friends and relatives ride the coaster and come off with excited grins and fun stories to tell, you've felt a pang of jealousy, because a small part of you wants to join them. And now, today you have finally worked up the courage to try the coaster. Odds are, you will end up loving it, and want to show your new love off to the world. What better way to do so than to buy yourself a roller coaster T-shirt?
Roller coaster T-shirts are a great souvenir, and Hershey, Knoebels and Dorney all have many varieties of coaster shirts for almost all of of their big roller coasters. But sometimes, it can be tricky to find a shirt for the coaster you are looking for. I will tell you exactly where to find T-shirts for your favorite roller coaster at these parks--and which park offers the most for your money.
One note: Shirts come in all shapes and sizes, and the prices tend to rise slowly from year to year, so the prices I will quote for you are very general. Take them as a guide, not an exact estimate. Also, names of shops can change over the years, so if something sounds unfamiliar, the name of the store may have changed from what it used to be in the past.
Hersheypark: Between $14.99 and $18.99
Comet: Looking for a shirt about Hershey's beloved old wooden coaster? Look no further than Comet Souvenirs and Supplies, which is a small stand located right across from the Comet's entrance. You can't miss it!
Fahrenheit: Hershey's newest coaster has tons of shirts to promote it! Find them at Coaster Collectibles, which is located near the coaster in Pioneer Frontier.
Great Bear: For Hershey's classic inverted coaster, you can find all the shirts you need at The Kissing Place, located right across from the coaster's entrance. Note: I think the name of this store has changed since I was last at Hershey, to Marketplace Souvenirs. I will double check this when I go to Hershey next month.
Lightning Racer: For shirts about Hershey's wooden racing coaster, go to the store that the ride exits into, the Lightning Racer Markdown store. You can get great buys here! Especially look for shirts that claim you were victorious over the other train.
Roller Soaker: For this unique water coaster, try any store in the Boardwalk section of the park. Shirts featuring the Roller Soaker may have been more prevalent when the ride opened eight years ago, but check out Beachology and you may find what you're looking for.
Sidewinder: I have not once seen a shirt for the boomerang coaster Sidewinder, but that doesn't mean they didn't exist at some point. Try the stand outside Sidewinder's next-door-neighbor Storm Runner, or Coaster Collectibles near Fahrenheit, and you may get lucky--but don't hold your breath on this one.
Sooperdooperlooper: Looper shirts have been hard to come by in recent years--they are usually in small quantities and have very little selection when it comes to shirt designs. Try to find Looper shirts at the Comet souvenir stand or at a stand-alone booth right next to the Looper itself.
Storm Runner: The "0 to 75 in two seconds" coaster has its own stand near the ride that sells a moderate amount of shirts for the Storm Runner enthusiast. Again, however, these were more prevalent when the ride first came out.
Trailblazer: I have never in my life seen a shirt for the Trailblazer, Hershey's mine car coaster that is very tame and great for kids. The ride is quite old, which is probably why I believe no shirts are currently sold today. If anyone knows of any, please feel free to let me know!
Wild Mouse: Shirts for the generic Wild Mouse ride have been spotted in Hersheypark from time to time, in various locations all over the park. One place I have had the best luck is at Hersheypark Outfitters, which you see immediately upon walking through the park gate. This store used to be called Hersehypark Happenings, and under the old name the store seemed to have more coaster shirts than it does now.
Wildcat: Another older coaster that had more shirts back in the day when it first came out. I have not seen many Wildcat shorts out there, but if they exist today, I would try the Lightning Racer store first, or Hersheypark Outfitters.
Knoebels: Between $9.99 and $14.99
Phoenix: For multitudes of shirts about Knoebels' oldest and most famous wooden roller coaster, go to the Chalet store. It is located across from the ride, and is a large, beautiful shop which lends a nice atmosphere to find exactly what type of Phoenix shirt you're looking for.
Twister: Knoebels' newer wooden coaster doesn't have the history that the Phoenix does, but you can still find many shirts that feature the ride. They are located at the Twister Shop, which is next to the place where you can pick up your Twister souvenir photo. It is just a booth rather than a store and the selection isn't quite as large as the Phoenix gets, but you can still find a good shirt here.
Dorney Park: Between $15.99 and $19.99
Hydra: There is an entire shop dedicated to merchandise related to Dorney's floorless coaster, and if you ride the coaster, you cannot miss it--you have to walk through it to exit the ride! The store is big and does not disappoint when trying to find the best shirt that represents the great green coaster.
Talon: Dorney's inverted coaster has many shirts, and I have always seen them in the Carousel Emporium, which is located near the main entrance and is on the midway between the Carousel and Talon itself. This store sells many different items, but it has always featured Talon shirts, as well.
Demon Drop, Possessed, Steel Force, ThunderHawk and Wild Mouse: For all of Dorney's other coasters, try the Possessions store, which is located across from Possessed. This store features all of the park's coasters (except, I believe, the Wild Mouse, but this could have changed) and is a great one stop shop for all your coaster enthusiast needs!
The Verdict:
1. Knoebels
2. Dorney Park
3. Hersheypark
Knoebels knows that coaster lovers enjoy showing off what they've ridden in T-shirt form. The park provides multitudes of different shirt designs for both of their wooden coasters. And with many of the T-shirts being only $9.99, the price is right, as well! Dorney comes in second because of the appeal of the one-stop shop that is Possessions, and all of their coasters are represented with a variety of shirt designs. Dorney really only has two drawbacks: their prices tend to be the steepest among the three parks, and the lack of coaster T-shirts near each individual ride can confuse some people as to just where to go to find their favorite coaster's T-shirt. Hersheypark's lack of T-shirt respect as the rides get older puts them in third place--unless you're looking fot a Comet T-shirt, the older the ride gets, the harder it is to find a variety of T-shirts for it--if you can find any at all!
Roller coaster T-shirts are a great souvenir, and Hershey, Knoebels and Dorney all have many varieties of coaster shirts for almost all of of their big roller coasters. But sometimes, it can be tricky to find a shirt for the coaster you are looking for. I will tell you exactly where to find T-shirts for your favorite roller coaster at these parks--and which park offers the most for your money.
One note: Shirts come in all shapes and sizes, and the prices tend to rise slowly from year to year, so the prices I will quote for you are very general. Take them as a guide, not an exact estimate. Also, names of shops can change over the years, so if something sounds unfamiliar, the name of the store may have changed from what it used to be in the past.
Hersheypark: Between $14.99 and $18.99
Comet: Looking for a shirt about Hershey's beloved old wooden coaster? Look no further than Comet Souvenirs and Supplies, which is a small stand located right across from the Comet's entrance. You can't miss it!
Fahrenheit: Hershey's newest coaster has tons of shirts to promote it! Find them at Coaster Collectibles, which is located near the coaster in Pioneer Frontier.
Great Bear: For Hershey's classic inverted coaster, you can find all the shirts you need at The Kissing Place, located right across from the coaster's entrance. Note: I think the name of this store has changed since I was last at Hershey, to Marketplace Souvenirs. I will double check this when I go to Hershey next month.
Lightning Racer: For shirts about Hershey's wooden racing coaster, go to the store that the ride exits into, the Lightning Racer Markdown store. You can get great buys here! Especially look for shirts that claim you were victorious over the other train.
Roller Soaker: For this unique water coaster, try any store in the Boardwalk section of the park. Shirts featuring the Roller Soaker may have been more prevalent when the ride opened eight years ago, but check out Beachology and you may find what you're looking for.
Sidewinder: I have not once seen a shirt for the boomerang coaster Sidewinder, but that doesn't mean they didn't exist at some point. Try the stand outside Sidewinder's next-door-neighbor Storm Runner, or Coaster Collectibles near Fahrenheit, and you may get lucky--but don't hold your breath on this one.
Sooperdooperlooper: Looper shirts have been hard to come by in recent years--they are usually in small quantities and have very little selection when it comes to shirt designs. Try to find Looper shirts at the Comet souvenir stand or at a stand-alone booth right next to the Looper itself.
Storm Runner: The "0 to 75 in two seconds" coaster has its own stand near the ride that sells a moderate amount of shirts for the Storm Runner enthusiast. Again, however, these were more prevalent when the ride first came out.
Trailblazer: I have never in my life seen a shirt for the Trailblazer, Hershey's mine car coaster that is very tame and great for kids. The ride is quite old, which is probably why I believe no shirts are currently sold today. If anyone knows of any, please feel free to let me know!
Wild Mouse: Shirts for the generic Wild Mouse ride have been spotted in Hersheypark from time to time, in various locations all over the park. One place I have had the best luck is at Hersheypark Outfitters, which you see immediately upon walking through the park gate. This store used to be called Hersehypark Happenings, and under the old name the store seemed to have more coaster shirts than it does now.
Wildcat: Another older coaster that had more shirts back in the day when it first came out. I have not seen many Wildcat shorts out there, but if they exist today, I would try the Lightning Racer store first, or Hersheypark Outfitters.
Knoebels: Between $9.99 and $14.99
Phoenix: For multitudes of shirts about Knoebels' oldest and most famous wooden roller coaster, go to the Chalet store. It is located across from the ride, and is a large, beautiful shop which lends a nice atmosphere to find exactly what type of Phoenix shirt you're looking for.
Twister: Knoebels' newer wooden coaster doesn't have the history that the Phoenix does, but you can still find many shirts that feature the ride. They are located at the Twister Shop, which is next to the place where you can pick up your Twister souvenir photo. It is just a booth rather than a store and the selection isn't quite as large as the Phoenix gets, but you can still find a good shirt here.
Dorney Park: Between $15.99 and $19.99
Hydra: There is an entire shop dedicated to merchandise related to Dorney's floorless coaster, and if you ride the coaster, you cannot miss it--you have to walk through it to exit the ride! The store is big and does not disappoint when trying to find the best shirt that represents the great green coaster.
Talon: Dorney's inverted coaster has many shirts, and I have always seen them in the Carousel Emporium, which is located near the main entrance and is on the midway between the Carousel and Talon itself. This store sells many different items, but it has always featured Talon shirts, as well.
Demon Drop, Possessed, Steel Force, ThunderHawk and Wild Mouse: For all of Dorney's other coasters, try the Possessions store, which is located across from Possessed. This store features all of the park's coasters (except, I believe, the Wild Mouse, but this could have changed) and is a great one stop shop for all your coaster enthusiast needs!
The Verdict:
1. Knoebels
2. Dorney Park
3. Hersheypark
Knoebels knows that coaster lovers enjoy showing off what they've ridden in T-shirt form. The park provides multitudes of different shirt designs for both of their wooden coasters. And with many of the T-shirts being only $9.99, the price is right, as well! Dorney comes in second because of the appeal of the one-stop shop that is Possessions, and all of their coasters are represented with a variety of shirt designs. Dorney really only has two drawbacks: their prices tend to be the steepest among the three parks, and the lack of coaster T-shirts near each individual ride can confuse some people as to just where to go to find their favorite coaster's T-shirt. Hersheypark's lack of T-shirt respect as the rides get older puts them in third place--unless you're looking fot a Comet T-shirt, the older the ride gets, the harder it is to find a variety of T-shirts for it--if you can find any at all!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Big Splash
The temperatures in NEPA have been hot, hot, HOT lately. Hot weather makes for good times at amusement parks, and when the temps are in the nineties, the water rides usually have the busiest queues. Today I'm going to compare and contrast the three big "splash down" rides at Hershey, Knoebels and Dorney. Also referred to as "Shoot the Chutes" rides, a splash down ride is very simple--larger-than-life flume boats go up a big hill, make a turn, and come screaming back down another hill, creating a giant splash and soaking everyone on board--and usually many passerby, as well. There's nothing like a wall of water to make you feel refreshed after walking around a ninety-degree park all day!
Hersheypark: Tidal Force
Hersheypark's Tidal Force is one of the tallest splash down rides in the world, with a 100-foot drop. It's definitely the tallest one I have ever ridden, and gives off a big splash that, actually, used to be much bigger. When the ride first opened in 1994, spectators would get just as soaked as riders, which didn't always sit well with people who preferred to stay on the dry side of things. Hersheypark made some adjustments after Tidal Force's first year to make the splash less intense for spectators, but for passengers in the 20-seat boats, you still get absolutely sopping wet. The trip up Tidal Force's hill is a slow one that gives nice views of the surrounding Pioneer Frontier and Boardwalk sections of the park. The big turn at the top does leave something to be desired, with a slightly-jarring, water-less turn on wheels only, but once you get to the head of that 100-foot drop, you forget about all of that. The plummet is breathtaking and thrilling, and really should not be missed!
Knoebels: Skloosh
Skloosh, which was named after the sound wet sneakers made while riders walked off the ride, is half the size of Tidal Force, with a 50-foot drop. Obviously, the smaller drop decreases the soak factor--despite claims that this is Knoebels' "wettest ride" and that people leave it soaked, I have rarely come off this ride being totally drenched. Skloosh, which opened in 1997, is located near the front of Knoebels. Because of this, the trip up the big hill is not as scenic as Tidal Force's, with the parking lot taking up most of your view. The turn at the top is smoother than Tidal Force's, but the 50-foot drop seems to be over quickly, and is definitely not as thrilling. However, Skloosh is still fun and a good example of a splash down ride. Young children experiencing their first "Shoot the Chutes" ride will especially appreciate it.
Dorney Park: White Water Landing
Cedar Fair bought Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in 1992, and in 1993 they opened their first addition to the park: a splash down ride called the Pepsi Chute. The Pepsi Chute, of course, is now known as White Water Landing. It boasts an 80-foot drop and one of the best ambiances on a splash down ride that I have ever seen. The trip up the big hill is a nice scenic one that features views of the Hydra floorless coaster and the rest of Dorney Park. The turn at the top is especially cool--you actually float through a wooden building, with a voice in the background welcoming you to White Water Landing and to "enjoy your 80-foot drop." And 80 feet is nothing to sneeze at--the drop is fast, fun and gets you soaking wet. White Water Landing is a great splash down ride, and can be perfect on a hot day.
The Verdict
1. Tidal Force
2. White Water Landing
3. Skloosh
In the case of splash down rides, bigger really is better, because the bigger the drop, the more wet you will get. Tidal Force is a much more exciting ride than either White Water Landing or Skloosh because of its great height, and it really is one of the tallest of its kind in the country. White Water Landing is 20 feet shorter than Tidal Force, but it still packs a good punch, and the ambiance is the best of the three rides. And Skloosh? I'm sorry, but in my opinion 50 feet just doesn't cut it for a splash down ride. The ride is fun, but not thrilling or soaking wet.
So, looking for a quick way to cool down at Hershey, Dorney or Knoebels? Take a ride on--or heck, even just stand in front of--a "Shoot the Chutes" ride. You will not be sorry--but you will be soaking!
Hersheypark: Tidal Force
Hersheypark's Tidal Force is one of the tallest splash down rides in the world, with a 100-foot drop. It's definitely the tallest one I have ever ridden, and gives off a big splash that, actually, used to be much bigger. When the ride first opened in 1994, spectators would get just as soaked as riders, which didn't always sit well with people who preferred to stay on the dry side of things. Hersheypark made some adjustments after Tidal Force's first year to make the splash less intense for spectators, but for passengers in the 20-seat boats, you still get absolutely sopping wet. The trip up Tidal Force's hill is a slow one that gives nice views of the surrounding Pioneer Frontier and Boardwalk sections of the park. The big turn at the top does leave something to be desired, with a slightly-jarring, water-less turn on wheels only, but once you get to the head of that 100-foot drop, you forget about all of that. The plummet is breathtaking and thrilling, and really should not be missed!
Knoebels: Skloosh
Skloosh, which was named after the sound wet sneakers made while riders walked off the ride, is half the size of Tidal Force, with a 50-foot drop. Obviously, the smaller drop decreases the soak factor--despite claims that this is Knoebels' "wettest ride" and that people leave it soaked, I have rarely come off this ride being totally drenched. Skloosh, which opened in 1997, is located near the front of Knoebels. Because of this, the trip up the big hill is not as scenic as Tidal Force's, with the parking lot taking up most of your view. The turn at the top is smoother than Tidal Force's, but the 50-foot drop seems to be over quickly, and is definitely not as thrilling. However, Skloosh is still fun and a good example of a splash down ride. Young children experiencing their first "Shoot the Chutes" ride will especially appreciate it.
Dorney Park: White Water Landing
Cedar Fair bought Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in 1992, and in 1993 they opened their first addition to the park: a splash down ride called the Pepsi Chute. The Pepsi Chute, of course, is now known as White Water Landing. It boasts an 80-foot drop and one of the best ambiances on a splash down ride that I have ever seen. The trip up the big hill is a nice scenic one that features views of the Hydra floorless coaster and the rest of Dorney Park. The turn at the top is especially cool--you actually float through a wooden building, with a voice in the background welcoming you to White Water Landing and to "enjoy your 80-foot drop." And 80 feet is nothing to sneeze at--the drop is fast, fun and gets you soaking wet. White Water Landing is a great splash down ride, and can be perfect on a hot day.
The Verdict
1. Tidal Force
2. White Water Landing
3. Skloosh
In the case of splash down rides, bigger really is better, because the bigger the drop, the more wet you will get. Tidal Force is a much more exciting ride than either White Water Landing or Skloosh because of its great height, and it really is one of the tallest of its kind in the country. White Water Landing is 20 feet shorter than Tidal Force, but it still packs a good punch, and the ambiance is the best of the three rides. And Skloosh? I'm sorry, but in my opinion 50 feet just doesn't cut it for a splash down ride. The ride is fun, but not thrilling or soaking wet.
So, looking for a quick way to cool down at Hershey, Dorney or Knoebels? Take a ride on--or heck, even just stand in front of--a "Shoot the Chutes" ride. You will not be sorry--but you will be soaking!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Rumor Mill: Hershey's New Coaster?
This blog is going to mainly be about comparing and contrasting Hersheypark, Knoebels and Dorney Park. However, I also want this blog to be about what new rides and attractions may arrive in the future. As a reader of this blog, I want you to be informed of what may happen at the parks before the average amusement park guest. Therefore, I bring you The Rumor Mill, which will pop up whenever I encounter a juicy tidbit of information. Remember that anything in The Rumor Mill is just that, a rumor, and SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS FACT. Hopefully, I will get to add a new section called The Fact Mill when any rumors officially get confirmed or denied.
Hersheypark's New Coaster?
I started hearing rumors about a month ago that Hersheypark was planning on building a new roller coaster. Apparently, there are some construction markings on the ground in several places of Comet Hollow, an area near the front of the park that holds some of Hershey's oldest and most classic rides--namely roller coasters the Comet and the Sooperdooperlooper, which was the first looping coaster on the East Coast back in 1977. Of course, any news of a new Hershey coaster makes me very, very excited, but then some unpleasant rumors began to surface.
Swirling around the rumor mill of the Internet is the possibility that Hershey may remove either the Sooperdooperlooper or the Comet to make room for a new hyper coaster (a metal behemoth that rests in the 200-foot drop range). While a hyper coaster would make a great addition to Hersheypark, removing the Looper and the Comet--or both coasters--would NOT sit well with me or many other classic coaster lovers out there. These two coasters are landmark rides that paved the way for the coasters of today. The Sooperdooperlooper and the Comet are fond favorites in the hearts of many riders, and I know that getting rid of them would cause an outcry in the amusement park community.
However, don't put too much into these claims. After doing some research, I realized that the Sooperdooperlooper was Hersheypark's most popular ride last summer. Hershey would be very silly to take down their most-ridden ride in the entire park to take a gamble on a brand new coaster that may never be as beloved. As for the Comet, it is a classic old wooden coaster that usually has a nice, healthy queue, and I highly doubt they will take this ride down anytime soon. But then, what rides can come down without causing too much stir?
Hersheypark took down two water slides to make room for their record-breaking newest coaster Fahrenheit two years ago, and very few people cared. Last year, they got rid of Canyon River Rapids to make room for the lazy river and wave pool, which caused more of a stir in the community of Hershey fans, since this ride was a favorite of many (myself included). There are two other rides that I have heard rumors about the park getting rid of over the past few years. One is the Flying Falcon, which is a 100-foot tower that takes your falcon-themed cars rotating and flying through the air--and usually has no line. The other is the Sidewinder, a Boomerang coaster that shoots you through a series of loops first frontwards, then backwards--which is a cookie-cutter coaster and can be found at many parks around the country (and world--I actually saw one during a trip to Vienna, Austria!). In my personal opinion, neither of these rides would be much missed. But the fact is, the removal of one, or even both, of these rides wouldn't make enough room for a new roller coaster, much less a huge hyper one. So where would Hersheypark put a new coaster?
If the construction markings in Comet Hollow are any indication, right at the front of the park, which hasn't seen any major expansion since the thrilling Great Bear coaster smoothly fit into the area in 1998. I have not seen these markings for myself yet, but I plan on taking a trip to Hersheypark next month, and I will investigate then. Expect another edition of The Rumor Mill after my trip, complete with pictures--unless, of course, we learn enough information before then for me to write an entry entitled "The Fact Mill"!
Hersheypark's New Coaster?
I started hearing rumors about a month ago that Hersheypark was planning on building a new roller coaster. Apparently, there are some construction markings on the ground in several places of Comet Hollow, an area near the front of the park that holds some of Hershey's oldest and most classic rides--namely roller coasters the Comet and the Sooperdooperlooper, which was the first looping coaster on the East Coast back in 1977. Of course, any news of a new Hershey coaster makes me very, very excited, but then some unpleasant rumors began to surface.
Swirling around the rumor mill of the Internet is the possibility that Hershey may remove either the Sooperdooperlooper or the Comet to make room for a new hyper coaster (a metal behemoth that rests in the 200-foot drop range). While a hyper coaster would make a great addition to Hersheypark, removing the Looper and the Comet--or both coasters--would NOT sit well with me or many other classic coaster lovers out there. These two coasters are landmark rides that paved the way for the coasters of today. The Sooperdooperlooper and the Comet are fond favorites in the hearts of many riders, and I know that getting rid of them would cause an outcry in the amusement park community.
However, don't put too much into these claims. After doing some research, I realized that the Sooperdooperlooper was Hersheypark's most popular ride last summer. Hershey would be very silly to take down their most-ridden ride in the entire park to take a gamble on a brand new coaster that may never be as beloved. As for the Comet, it is a classic old wooden coaster that usually has a nice, healthy queue, and I highly doubt they will take this ride down anytime soon. But then, what rides can come down without causing too much stir?
Hersheypark took down two water slides to make room for their record-breaking newest coaster Fahrenheit two years ago, and very few people cared. Last year, they got rid of Canyon River Rapids to make room for the lazy river and wave pool, which caused more of a stir in the community of Hershey fans, since this ride was a favorite of many (myself included). There are two other rides that I have heard rumors about the park getting rid of over the past few years. One is the Flying Falcon, which is a 100-foot tower that takes your falcon-themed cars rotating and flying through the air--and usually has no line. The other is the Sidewinder, a Boomerang coaster that shoots you through a series of loops first frontwards, then backwards--which is a cookie-cutter coaster and can be found at many parks around the country (and world--I actually saw one during a trip to Vienna, Austria!). In my personal opinion, neither of these rides would be much missed. But the fact is, the removal of one, or even both, of these rides wouldn't make enough room for a new roller coaster, much less a huge hyper one. So where would Hersheypark put a new coaster?
If the construction markings in Comet Hollow are any indication, right at the front of the park, which hasn't seen any major expansion since the thrilling Great Bear coaster smoothly fit into the area in 1998. I have not seen these markings for myself yet, but I plan on taking a trip to Hersheypark next month, and I will investigate then. Expect another edition of The Rumor Mill after my trip, complete with pictures--unless, of course, we learn enough information before then for me to write an entry entitled "The Fact Mill"!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Let Me In!
Usually, when going to an amusement park, the first things people usually think about are, "Rides! Fun! Junk food!" But after one gets their head out of the clouds, they realize that all this excitement comes with a price. Going on vacation is always a costly experience, and Hersheypark, Knoebels and Dorney are no exceptions. Interestingly, each park does admission quite differently--but which will give you the most bang for your buck?
Note: To keep this complicated topic as simple as possible, I will only be discussing regular admission tickets, since these are the basic tickets that most people will buy. For more information on anything other than regular admission, check out each park's web sites.
Hersheypark: $52.95
The price for a one-day ticket at Hersheypark is $52.95, and let's be honest, that is a hefty price for just one day at an amusement park. However, Hershey has several ways of making this price seem much more manageable. First of all, Hersheypark also offers two and three day tickets--the two-day ticket costs $70.50 while the three-day costs $99 even. Take a close look at these prices--the two day ticket is only $18 more than a one-day ticket, which means that you're really just paying $35.25 a day. That is MUCH lower than Hershey's normal one-day ticket price! Get the three-day ticket and you're paying only $33 a day. "But I don't want to spend three days in a row in Hershey!" you're exclaiming at this point. Never fear--these two and three-day tickets are FLEX tickets, meaning that you do not need to use them on consecutive days. Let's say you want to go to Hershey once in May and once in August. Most people will buy two one-day tickets right before they go to the park both times. But if they buy a two-day ticket in May, then can save their second day for August and save a bundle of money!
There are three other ways to save money at Hersheypark. First, Hershey offers a Consecutive Day ticket price of $31.95. So you only bought a one-day ticket but your kids are clambering for more? Save your ticket stub, go to a hotel and get some rest. The next morning, return to the ticket booth with your stub and pay this discounted price. You're still paying more than you would have if you bought a two-day ticket to start with, but it's better than paying over $50 for a one-day ticket two days in a row!
Second, if you just want half a day of Hershey fun, try sunset admission, which is only $26.95. When sunset admission begins depends on when the park closes, but the later the park is open, the earlier sunset admission becomes available. A great option if you don't plan on spending the whole day in Hersheypark.
Third, one of the best ways to save money--Hersheypark's Preview Plan. Whether you bought your tickets online or at the gate, or have a one, two or three-day ticket, you can go to the park the day before you plan on using it and get in FOR FREE for several hours before closing. Once again, the times you are allowed in vary depending on what time the park closes, and it's rarely more than three hours before closing, but this is still an amazing deal. Take advantage of this if you can!
Knoebels: Free Admission
I know what you're thinking--"FREE???? Hands down, I'm going to Knoebels!!!!" And yes, it is very true that Knoebels has no admission price, which automatically makes it a cheaper option than other parks. However, Knoebels does cost money, and sometimes, when you think you're saving money, you can actually be spending more. Knoebels operates on a "pay as you ride" plan, meaning that each ride costs a certain amount of money. You can buy ride tickets in $5, $10 or $20 books that cost $.50 to $.75 cents less than that, depending on the day. The rides themselves cost between $.75 and $3, so with a big family these tickets can get used up quickly. Knoebels' solution--the "pay one price" option, which costs $30.50 for basic rides and $38 if you want to ride the wooden coasters, as well. These pay-one-price plans are usually only available during the week. Knoebels also offers pay-one-price sundown plans that let you in to the park later in the day for less money. These are similar to Hershey's, costing $17.50 without coasters and $22.50 with. Finally, every once in awhile Knoebels has $9 bargain nights.
Dorney Park: $43.99
Dorney's biggest perk that is you get "two parks for the price of one": with one admission price, you can get into Dorney Park, which has all the coasters and dry rides, and Wildwater Kingdom, the large water park. This price is $43.99, which is average when it comes to theme park tickets. When the water park isn't open at the beginning and end of the season, Dorney gets even cheaper--tickets are just $27.99. However, don't think you can go to Dorney in the middle of July intending on only visiting Wildwater Kingdom for this lower ticket price. You still pay $43.99 most of the year, whether you visit both parks or just one of them. Dorney, like both Hershey and Knoebels, offers Starlight Admission, letting you into both parks later in the day for $22.99. Dorney also offers two-day flex tickets that work exactly the same as Hershey's, meaning that you do not need to use them back-to-back. These tickets cost $63, and if you crunch the numbers, that means you'll be paying $31.50 a day. This is definitely cheaper than the normal price, but be careful--regular tickets are already discounted from the $43.99 if you buy them online, so Dorney's two-day ticket isn't quite the great bargain that Hershey's is.
The Verdict
1. Hersheypark
2. Knoebels
3. Dorney
This was a very, very tough call. At first glance, it seems that with no set admission price, Knoebels must be the best deal. However, I think that Knoebels can only be cheap with a very small family of two or three people. Larger families usually do one of three things: buy piles upon piles of ride tickets (which can really add up), get the "pay one price" plan (which isn't really cheaper than other amusement parks) or use tickets, but have to limit their day to certain rides. Hersheypark has the most expensive tickets, and I have heard complaints about how expensive it is to get into the park, but I feel as if the park tries very hard to make admission accessible for everyone. Comparing the three parks, Hershey has more options and better deals on multiple-day tickets than Dorney and Knoebels. And other other reason Hersheypark is number one? You really get what you pay for! Hersheypark has more rides and entertainment than the other two parks, and--guess what, Dorney?--Hershey offers a water park in their admission price, as well. I put Knoebels in second because if you're smart, it can be a very good deal, and Dorney is third because honestly, their admission plans are nothing special. But I honestly believe, after a lot of hemming and hawing over the "safe" answer (Knoebels) or the "real" answer (Hershey), that I had to go with my gut. Yes, Hershey's one-day basic ticket price is the most expensive, but the vast money-saving options the park offers and the fact that Hershey has so much more to do than the other two parks makes it my choice for where you'll get the most bang for your buck.
Until next time!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Old Woodies
For my first "compare and contrast" entry, I decided I would start with the most popular attraction at any amusement park: roller coasters. Specifically, I will be looking at the old wooden roller coasters that are housed inside Hersheypark, Knoebels and Dorney. The COMET lives in Hersheypark, Knoebels houses the PHOENIX, while the THUNDERHAWK calls Dorney home. But which of these coasters reigns supreme?
One note before I begin--I will always give a description and personal opinion of each attraction in the order I first described the parks in my initial blog. After describing each attraction, I will then rank them from best to worst. My rankings are mainly based on my opinions, but I do try to come by my opinions objectively and to not let personal preference get in the way.
Hersheypark: THE COMET
Built in 1946, the COMET was actually a replacement for Hersheypark's first wooden coaster, the Wild Cat. It is a double out and back coaster--for all you non-coaster junkies out there, here is Wikipedia's definition: "Out and back refers to the layout of a roller coaster. An out and back coaster is one that climbs a lift hill, races out to the far end of the track, performs a 180 degree turn and then races its way back to the station." Double out and backs do this twice, and the COMET is no exception, with a long ride time that is a nice change of pace from newer, quick steel coaster rides. The COMET has an 84 foot lift hill with a 78 foot drop (which, I've heard, is actually nicknamed the "Chocolate Drop" after Hershey's sweet theme). It travels at about 50 mph, and gets some great air time on the smaller humps near the end of the ride. This coaster is well-maintained and runs two trains named "Mork" and "Halley." Overall, I believe the COMET is a great ride--it is just fast and jarring enough to be thrilling, but doesn't go overboard with either. A nice coaster for first timers!
Knoebels: THE PHOENIX
The PHOENIX is very famous, as it is the first roller coaster ever to be completely relocated from one park to another. The PHOENIX, which is another double out and back coaster, was originally called "The Rocket" when it was built in 1947, and lived at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas. After Playland closed, Knoebels bought the coaster in 1984 and had it shipped, piece by piece, from San Antonio to Elysburg. The coaster opened at Knoebels in 1985 and was renamed the PHOENIX because it was reborn from the ashes of the closed Playland park. The history is what makes people want to ride the PHOENIX, but the ride itself is what draws people back for more. With a 78 foot lift hill, 72 foot drop and speed of 45 mph, the PHOENIX is very comparable to the COMET in many ways. However, the biggest difference in the rides is the air time. The PHOENIX hosts the greatest amount of air time on any coaster that I have ever ridden--at times during the ride, I have felt that I was actually standing in my seat rather than sitting! One reason I believe that this air time is so extreme is that the PHOENIX has no lap belts--it has only a safety bar that rests quite high above the seats. This air time makes the PHOENIX a very intense ride!
Dorney: THE THUNDERHAWK
The THUNDERHAWK is the oldest of the three coasters and was built in 1923 right on the site it sits now at Dorney Park. The ride is a single out and back that was originally just called "The Coaster" until it's fiftieth anniversary, when it was finally christened as the THUNDERHAWK. The ride has also gone through extensive remodeling, with a twisting figure eight section added in 1930. As coasters go, the THUNDERHAWK is not big--it boasts an 80 foot hill with only a 65 foot drop, with speeds of up to 45 mph. After the larger hills of other coasters, some may not be impressed by the smallness of the THUNDERHAWK's first drop, but the ride still delivers a fun ride, with good speed and air time throughout. A classic coaster that we're all very lucky Dorney still maintains and keeps around, if for nothing than the fact that it is a great example of old wooden coaster.
The Verdict:
1. Phoenix
2. Comet
3. Thunderhawk
I have to go with the PHOENIX on this one. On paper, the PHOENIX and the COMET are very, very similar rides. However, the PHOENIX's history and extreme air time are what sets it slightly above the COMET in my book. The COMET is a fantastic ride, as well, but is on the tamer side and doesn't have the amazing history the PHOENIX has. And the THUNDERHAWK? It's a great ride, but the other two coasters are leaps and bounds above it.
What are your thoughts?
Until next time!
One note before I begin--I will always give a description and personal opinion of each attraction in the order I first described the parks in my initial blog. After describing each attraction, I will then rank them from best to worst. My rankings are mainly based on my opinions, but I do try to come by my opinions objectively and to not let personal preference get in the way.
Hersheypark: THE COMET
Built in 1946, the COMET was actually a replacement for Hersheypark's first wooden coaster, the Wild Cat. It is a double out and back coaster--for all you non-coaster junkies out there, here is Wikipedia's definition: "Out and back refers to the layout of a roller coaster. An out and back coaster is one that climbs a lift hill, races out to the far end of the track, performs a 180 degree turn and then races its way back to the station." Double out and backs do this twice, and the COMET is no exception, with a long ride time that is a nice change of pace from newer, quick steel coaster rides. The COMET has an 84 foot lift hill with a 78 foot drop (which, I've heard, is actually nicknamed the "Chocolate Drop" after Hershey's sweet theme). It travels at about 50 mph, and gets some great air time on the smaller humps near the end of the ride. This coaster is well-maintained and runs two trains named "Mork" and "Halley." Overall, I believe the COMET is a great ride--it is just fast and jarring enough to be thrilling, but doesn't go overboard with either. A nice coaster for first timers!
Knoebels: THE PHOENIX
The PHOENIX is very famous, as it is the first roller coaster ever to be completely relocated from one park to another. The PHOENIX, which is another double out and back coaster, was originally called "The Rocket" when it was built in 1947, and lived at Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas. After Playland closed, Knoebels bought the coaster in 1984 and had it shipped, piece by piece, from San Antonio to Elysburg. The coaster opened at Knoebels in 1985 and was renamed the PHOENIX because it was reborn from the ashes of the closed Playland park. The history is what makes people want to ride the PHOENIX, but the ride itself is what draws people back for more. With a 78 foot lift hill, 72 foot drop and speed of 45 mph, the PHOENIX is very comparable to the COMET in many ways. However, the biggest difference in the rides is the air time. The PHOENIX hosts the greatest amount of air time on any coaster that I have ever ridden--at times during the ride, I have felt that I was actually standing in my seat rather than sitting! One reason I believe that this air time is so extreme is that the PHOENIX has no lap belts--it has only a safety bar that rests quite high above the seats. This air time makes the PHOENIX a very intense ride!
Dorney: THE THUNDERHAWK
The THUNDERHAWK is the oldest of the three coasters and was built in 1923 right on the site it sits now at Dorney Park. The ride is a single out and back that was originally just called "The Coaster" until it's fiftieth anniversary, when it was finally christened as the THUNDERHAWK. The ride has also gone through extensive remodeling, with a twisting figure eight section added in 1930. As coasters go, the THUNDERHAWK is not big--it boasts an 80 foot hill with only a 65 foot drop, with speeds of up to 45 mph. After the larger hills of other coasters, some may not be impressed by the smallness of the THUNDERHAWK's first drop, but the ride still delivers a fun ride, with good speed and air time throughout. A classic coaster that we're all very lucky Dorney still maintains and keeps around, if for nothing than the fact that it is a great example of old wooden coaster.
The Verdict:
1. Phoenix
2. Comet
3. Thunderhawk
I have to go with the PHOENIX on this one. On paper, the PHOENIX and the COMET are very, very similar rides. However, the PHOENIX's history and extreme air time are what sets it slightly above the COMET in my book. The COMET is a fantastic ride, as well, but is on the tamer side and doesn't have the amazing history the PHOENIX has. And the THUNDERHAWK? It's a great ride, but the other two coasters are leaps and bounds above it.
What are your thoughts?
Until next time!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Welcome!
Hello, family, friends, and anyone out there who loves the amusement parks of Northeastern Pennsylvania!
My name is Jessica. I have wanted to start a blog for awhile now, but the right topic never quite fell into my lap. I have many, many interests, but I wasn't sure if I was enough of an expert in any of them to blog about them. I also have a job that I love and am very good at, but, let's face it, I'd like this blog to be about something different than what brings in the bacon. I wanted this blog to be about something really FUN that I also consider myself an expert at. Then, finally, it hit me--what is my number one favorite thing to do that is nothing but pure fun? Going to the amusement parks of NEPA--Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Hersheypark and Knoebels.
I have been going to all three of these parks since I was a very young girl. The first one I attended was Hersheypark at the age of four, waaaay back in the year of 1989! Hersheypark is, naturally, located in Hershey, PA, and is only about twenty minutes from the state capital of Harrisburg. Back in 1989, Hersheypark had only three roller coasters. Today, the park boasts ELEVEN coasters, and has greatly expanded from it's beginnings in 1907, when it opened as a recreational area for Milton S. Hershey's chcolate factory workers. Going to the park at least once a year as a child--and multiple times a year as I grew into an adult--I watched as it became the park it is today. Despite all the changes, Hersheypark remains a great blend of heart-stopping rides and family favorites, and unique ambiance mixed with everything you'd normally expect from a typical amusement park. It is, and always will be, one of my favorites.
Not to say that I don't enjoy Knoebels Amusement Resort, as well! Knoebels, located in Elysburg, PA, was the second amusement park I ever attended. Sadly, I don't remember the exact year I first visited Knoebels, even though I know I was quite young. What I do remember is a small yet beautiful park that seemed to have sprung from the farmland and forest that it started as. Knoebels is privately owned, and has less attractions than your typical major theme park. However, Knoebels more than makes up for that with unique ambiance--a rustic, relaxed feeling that differs from any other amusement park I have ever been to. Just becasuse Knoebels is low-key, however, doesn't mean it doesn't pack in the screams! Knoebels has two major coasters that are both fairly famous, and a unique Haunted Mansion that has won several awards. Also, the food at Knoebels is regularly claimed to be the best amusement park food--in the COUNTRY. I will always have a soft spot for Knoebels!
I didn't go to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom until I was a little older. However, the park, which is located in Allentown, PA, immediately became a must-visit place every year. The park has had a long string of owners, but upon being bought by Cedar Fair several years back (that's the people who brought you Cedar Point, the roller coaster lovers' place of dreams come true), it really became a major player in the NEPA amusement park industry. Dorney Park smacks you with typical amusement park rides the second you walk in. It is filled with rip-roaring coasters and tons of mdiway rides. It also hosts many family rides, but the focus is really on the sceam-rippers here. Wildwater Kingdom is the water park that is included in Dorney's one-price plan, and it does not disappoint, putting many other local water attractions to shame. Dorney is a fast-paced rush of fun, and I feel empty if I don't visit it at least once a year.
Obviosuly, every one of these parks is different, and they all have their ups and downs, as well. I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to describing all that the amusement parks of NEPA have to see and do. However, keep reading this blog, and little by little, I will draw you into the heart of these parks. My goal is, with each enty, to take one aspect that all three parks share and tell you how they compare and contrast. I plan to cover everything, from rides to admission to the parks' restrooms! So sit back and get ready to delve deep into the heart of Dorney, Hershey and Knoebels...
...when I choose to write again.
Until then!
My name is Jessica. I have wanted to start a blog for awhile now, but the right topic never quite fell into my lap. I have many, many interests, but I wasn't sure if I was enough of an expert in any of them to blog about them. I also have a job that I love and am very good at, but, let's face it, I'd like this blog to be about something different than what brings in the bacon. I wanted this blog to be about something really FUN that I also consider myself an expert at. Then, finally, it hit me--what is my number one favorite thing to do that is nothing but pure fun? Going to the amusement parks of NEPA--Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Hersheypark and Knoebels.
I have been going to all three of these parks since I was a very young girl. The first one I attended was Hersheypark at the age of four, waaaay back in the year of 1989! Hersheypark is, naturally, located in Hershey, PA, and is only about twenty minutes from the state capital of Harrisburg. Back in 1989, Hersheypark had only three roller coasters. Today, the park boasts ELEVEN coasters, and has greatly expanded from it's beginnings in 1907, when it opened as a recreational area for Milton S. Hershey's chcolate factory workers. Going to the park at least once a year as a child--and multiple times a year as I grew into an adult--I watched as it became the park it is today. Despite all the changes, Hersheypark remains a great blend of heart-stopping rides and family favorites, and unique ambiance mixed with everything you'd normally expect from a typical amusement park. It is, and always will be, one of my favorites.
Not to say that I don't enjoy Knoebels Amusement Resort, as well! Knoebels, located in Elysburg, PA, was the second amusement park I ever attended. Sadly, I don't remember the exact year I first visited Knoebels, even though I know I was quite young. What I do remember is a small yet beautiful park that seemed to have sprung from the farmland and forest that it started as. Knoebels is privately owned, and has less attractions than your typical major theme park. However, Knoebels more than makes up for that with unique ambiance--a rustic, relaxed feeling that differs from any other amusement park I have ever been to. Just becasuse Knoebels is low-key, however, doesn't mean it doesn't pack in the screams! Knoebels has two major coasters that are both fairly famous, and a unique Haunted Mansion that has won several awards. Also, the food at Knoebels is regularly claimed to be the best amusement park food--in the COUNTRY. I will always have a soft spot for Knoebels!
I didn't go to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom until I was a little older. However, the park, which is located in Allentown, PA, immediately became a must-visit place every year. The park has had a long string of owners, but upon being bought by Cedar Fair several years back (that's the people who brought you Cedar Point, the roller coaster lovers' place of dreams come true), it really became a major player in the NEPA amusement park industry. Dorney Park smacks you with typical amusement park rides the second you walk in. It is filled with rip-roaring coasters and tons of mdiway rides. It also hosts many family rides, but the focus is really on the sceam-rippers here. Wildwater Kingdom is the water park that is included in Dorney's one-price plan, and it does not disappoint, putting many other local water attractions to shame. Dorney is a fast-paced rush of fun, and I feel empty if I don't visit it at least once a year.
Obviosuly, every one of these parks is different, and they all have their ups and downs, as well. I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to describing all that the amusement parks of NEPA have to see and do. However, keep reading this blog, and little by little, I will draw you into the heart of these parks. My goal is, with each enty, to take one aspect that all three parks share and tell you how they compare and contrast. I plan to cover everything, from rides to admission to the parks' restrooms! So sit back and get ready to delve deep into the heart of Dorney, Hershey and Knoebels...
...when I choose to write again.
Until then!
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