Since I've returned to blogging, all my posts have mainly been "HersheyHersheyHersheyHershey" with a dash of "Knoebels" thrown in. It doesn't help that I had two Hersheypark trips in May, and am planning another major, multi-day trip for the end of June. But this blog is supposed to be about Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and Camelbeach Waterpark, as well! Before we get back to comparing and contrasting these parks (which is really the main point of this blog), I thought I should give you an update on Dorney and Camelbeach...what have they been up to for the last couple years?
Camelbeach--2 New Slides!
Since I was pregnant, I didn't go to Camelbeach last summer. That means that I missed the debut year of the park's two newest attractions--water slides called Dune Runner and Sandstorm. I plan on jaunting to Camelbeach in August (when my daughter is hopefully big enough to sit up and splash in the kiddie pool) and will give a full review of the rides then. But here's an overview on what I should expect.
Sandstorm is a slide that has two funnels along its route. I have only ever seen slides that have only one funnel, and you usually just go down a big drop, go up either side of the funnel and then splash down into the pool at the bottom. Sandstorm looks like it incorporates the funnels within a longer slide, and should be a new, fun experience. It looks to have tubes that can fit up to to 4 people, so the whole family can ride together.
Dune Runner is another family tube ride, but this is an open-air slide. It slides straight down, with several humps that probably have some great air time. I've ridden a similar ride at Dorney's Wildwater Kingdom (Cascade), and the ride is a lot more intense than it looks and goes very fast. Dune Runner seems bigger than Cascade, so it should be a thrilling ride!
And Speaking of Dorney...
I have a confession to make about Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. I used to be a Dorney regular--we went every year with my dad for awhile when I was a kid, and my 24 year-old sister and I continued the tradition for several years as my dad lost interest. Four years ago, in 2008, my husband, my two sisters and I took a major trip to Dorney.
But I haven't been back since.
It's nothing against Dorney--nothing bad happened, and I wasn't offended by the park in any way. It's just that for some reason, a trip to the park hasn't happened in the past four years. This is mostly because we always seem to have some sort of financial crisis in the summer, and I need to pick and choose which amusement parks to hit or miss. I will admit I have a very soft spot for Hersheypark, so that park is usually my priority. Dorney is also a tad more expensive than any of the other parks, so when picking and choosing on a budget, it doesn't always make the cut.
This isn't to say I haven't WANTED to go to Dorney in four years! The park has added a ton of rides and attractions since I last visited. In 2010, Demon Drop, a scary-looking drop tower/coaster, was imported to Dorney from its sister, the famous Cedar Point. In 2011, a giant kids area named Planet Snoopy opened. And this year, a new coaster was introduced--Stinger, an inverted variation on the classic boomerang coaster (which is another import, from California's Great America park). Also opening this year--Dinosaurs Alive!, which adds animatronic dinosaurs throughout the park.
Even though I haven't been to Dorney recently, I used to go very, very often, and I will still include it in any compare/contrast article I can. I won't review any ride I haven't yet ridden, however.
So! I think we're now up to date on what's been going on at all four parks. Coming up next...we'll finally get back to comparing and contrasting!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Rushing the Sky in Hershey
Here is a recap of my trip to Hersheypark on Monday, May 28 (aka Memorial Day).
My sister (age 12 and in the Jolly Rancher height category for the first time) and I arrived at Hersheypark at 9:00 AM after an uneventful drive (and a stop at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast). I had bought my season pass and my sister's one-day admission ticket online before leaving. One interesting note about the one-day admission purchase--I used the standard $14-off coupon found at Dunkin Donuts and Burger King. While checking out, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade my ticket to a 2 or 3-day flex ticket for a discounted price. Discounts for 2 and 3 day tickets are rare, and this one is definitely not advertised by Hershey, but it looks intriguing. For my June trip, when we will need to get a 2-day ticket for my husband, I am going to try buying a 1-day ticket first and then "upgrading" for the cheaper price. We'll see!
Anyway, I flashed my season pass voucher at the parking attendant to get free parking. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my season pass also lets me park in the preferred parking lot (when available), which is MUCH closer to the park. We were right next to the Hersheypark Arena and Tram Circle, and I've never parked so close before! My parking spot was also close to the season pass office, where I needed to go first to get my picture taken and official pass made up.
After I had my official pass, my sister and I waited in line for the gates to open. There was quite a crowd gathered, but we were pretty close to the front of the line. We hit a minor snag when our bags were checked--you are allowed to bring one water bottle per person into the park, but apparently, you're not allowed to bring FULL bottles of water. This seems pretty ridiculous to me--my sister and I had two generic bottles filled with water, not brand-names like Aquafina or Dasani. Plus, it's not like Hershey makes any money when we fill our bottles at a water fountain. We were told to dump our water before entering the park. I didn't.
At 10:00, the gates opened, and just about everyone (my sister and I included) headed to The Hollow via a new path near the stroller rental building in Rhineland. This is the quickest way to get to Skyrush. But halfway down the path, we were stopped--Skyrush apparently wasn't open yet, and the queue outside the ride entrance was backing up. We waited for about twenty minutes, but by this time, any advantage we'd tried to gain by hitting Skyrush early was gone. With no idea when the new coaster would be opening for the day, I made an executive decision--to head to the Boardwalk for some water rides and come back to Skyrush later. It was a risky move--if the ride opened soon after we left, we could be facing a LONG wait later in the day. But I didn't want to stand around and do nothing, either, so we headed off.
On our way to the Boardwalk, I noticed Storm Runner (the 0 to 75 mph in 2 seconds coaster) was running fairly empty trains. My sister and I decided to take advantage of the short line and hop on Storm Runner. The ride was practically walk-on, and I got to ride in the front seat on this coaster for the first time EVER. It was absolutely thrilling!
We next passed Fahrenheit, the 98-degree drop coaster, and noticed the line wasn't substantial for this, either--not walk-on, but certainly much shorter than usual. We queued up and rode Fahrenheit within twenty minutes. This time, we sat in the very back row for the first time ever, and it definitely added intensity to the already-thrilling ride!
It was finally Boardwalk time. To save money, my sister and I chose not to purchase a locker. I put all my money and valuables in a waterproof pouch around my neck. We used bag drops for all the water rides and coasters throughout the day, and ran into no big problems. Lockers are definitely preferable, but when you care about saving money, Hershey does make it easy to lug a bag around all day. (Not sure how easy it is on your back and shoulders, but that's a different issue.)
In the Boardwalk, we only rode four rides, even though the area was refreshingly not crowded and lines were minimal. We first rode the Whirlwind, a big funnel that is part of the four-slide Coastline Plunge complex. We next headed to the Roller Soaker, the interactive water coaster, but it was down for maintenance. My sister and I instead hit the next-door Intercoastal Waterway lazy river. We floated around three times, keeping an eye on the Roller Soaker each time. After our third trip, we saw the ride was open, so we disembarked and headed to the water coaster.
We hit the shortest line I have ever waited in for the Roller Soaker, which was wonderful, since this line can be very slow-moving. After the Roller Soaker, we headed over to the splash-down ride Tidal Force, which we got on quickly with another record-short line.
It was now time to abandon the water rides--my sister and I were both hungry, and still had Skyrush on our minds. We changed in the rooms near the Ferris Wheel and had lunch at our favorite Midway Munchies. Since they were right there, we then rode the two wooden coasters Lightning Racer and Wildcat with minimal waits (Wildcat was walk-on).
We decided to check on Skyrush's progress. I kept trying to see what was going on using the Hersheypark app I had downloaded onto my Android phone. However, the app never seemed to work right. I couldn't access closed rides or wait times, which is pretty much the whole point of the app for someone who already has a map of the park in their head. We therefore had to hoof it all the way across the park to see if Skyrush was open, but it was worth the walk--the ride was running! Not only that, but the queue was manageable--definitely the longest wait of the day, but I think we only waited about a half hour. For a brand new coaster on its third day of public operation, that wait is NOTHING. I think my sister and I would have waited longer if we hung out in the original line backup at the beginning of the day!
So, how was Skyrush? It was like nothing I have ridden before! I got more air-time on this ride than I have ever gotten on a classic wooden coaster. The lap bars are just that, in your lap instead of over the shoulder, which I have heard some complaints about. However, to me, they were perfect--they held you in comfortably but still made me feel like I'd be thrown from the ride at any second! The ride is also silent--it makes no noise as it zips through the track, which is one reason I had trouble knowing whether it was running or not. Standing in line, I couldn't tell when the train was on the lift hill unless I was looking for it!
I was very impressed with Skyrush. It is definitely the craziest, most thrilling coaster I have ever ridden. The wing seat (which I ride in) definitely made the ride even more exciting. The coaster is a great addition to Hersheypark!
After Skyrush, my sister and I rode the SooperDooperLooper, complete with the new trains and brakes. The new trains are very spiffy, and update a ride that is a classic without taking away any of its charm. The new braking system was impressive, really smoothing out some of the old, awkward brake spots, and made the ride more enjoyable.
After the Looper, my sister and I rode the Coal Cracker flume, then got an Icee at the next door Coal Cracker Pretzel stand. We took a break from the almost-90 degree heat and took our Icees to the nearby Minetown Restaurant, which was air conditioned. While in the restaurant, I noticed the Coal Cracker and Great Bear had closed. Since Great Bear was to be our next ride (and my favorite coaster of all time, by the way ), we were disappointed. It turns out that these rides, plus the Looper, Skyrush and Comet, were all closed because a circus train had come in, and the circus was worried the coasters would scare the departing animals. That made sense and was fine, but I wish Hershey had let us know ahead of time when the ride closures would be occuring.
Luckily, the rides were due to re-open later in the day, so my sister and I instead headed back to Pioneer Frontier, where we rode the pendulum Claw ride and the boomerang Sidewinder coaster. The Sidewinder has new restraints--not sure if this was a new addition this year or last, but they were very comfortable and made that ride more enjoyable, as well. My sister and I also rode the Kissing Tower, where we got to see some elephants getting off the circus train.
The coasters still weren't open yet, and I wasn't sure how much longer to wait--it was about 5:30, and I wanted to leave between 6 and 7. My sister and I went back to The Hollow and rode the Wave Swinger. While riding the swings, the Hollow coasters all re-opened, and we quickly rode the classic wooden Comet. Great Bear trains finally started running while in line for the Comet, so of course we next rushed back to Minetown to ride the great inverted coaster. It was our last ride before we headed back to our car.
The trip to Hersheypark on Memorial Day was one of my best ever. It was an unhurried, relaxed trip with almost no line waiting and minimal crowds. I might make Memorial Day a Hershey tradition--the crowds will probably be even thinner in a year where Hershey doesn't introduce a new coaster. I had a great time, but I can't wait until next month, when my family has a three-day Hershey extravaganza and I introduce my baby daughter to Hersheypark!
My sister (age 12 and in the Jolly Rancher height category for the first time) and I arrived at Hersheypark at 9:00 AM after an uneventful drive (and a stop at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast). I had bought my season pass and my sister's one-day admission ticket online before leaving. One interesting note about the one-day admission purchase--I used the standard $14-off coupon found at Dunkin Donuts and Burger King. While checking out, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade my ticket to a 2 or 3-day flex ticket for a discounted price. Discounts for 2 and 3 day tickets are rare, and this one is definitely not advertised by Hershey, but it looks intriguing. For my June trip, when we will need to get a 2-day ticket for my husband, I am going to try buying a 1-day ticket first and then "upgrading" for the cheaper price. We'll see!
Anyway, I flashed my season pass voucher at the parking attendant to get free parking. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my season pass also lets me park in the preferred parking lot (when available), which is MUCH closer to the park. We were right next to the Hersheypark Arena and Tram Circle, and I've never parked so close before! My parking spot was also close to the season pass office, where I needed to go first to get my picture taken and official pass made up.
After I had my official pass, my sister and I waited in line for the gates to open. There was quite a crowd gathered, but we were pretty close to the front of the line. We hit a minor snag when our bags were checked--you are allowed to bring one water bottle per person into the park, but apparently, you're not allowed to bring FULL bottles of water. This seems pretty ridiculous to me--my sister and I had two generic bottles filled with water, not brand-names like Aquafina or Dasani. Plus, it's not like Hershey makes any money when we fill our bottles at a water fountain. We were told to dump our water before entering the park. I didn't.
At 10:00, the gates opened, and just about everyone (my sister and I included) headed to The Hollow via a new path near the stroller rental building in Rhineland. This is the quickest way to get to Skyrush. But halfway down the path, we were stopped--Skyrush apparently wasn't open yet, and the queue outside the ride entrance was backing up. We waited for about twenty minutes, but by this time, any advantage we'd tried to gain by hitting Skyrush early was gone. With no idea when the new coaster would be opening for the day, I made an executive decision--to head to the Boardwalk for some water rides and come back to Skyrush later. It was a risky move--if the ride opened soon after we left, we could be facing a LONG wait later in the day. But I didn't want to stand around and do nothing, either, so we headed off.
On our way to the Boardwalk, I noticed Storm Runner (the 0 to 75 mph in 2 seconds coaster) was running fairly empty trains. My sister and I decided to take advantage of the short line and hop on Storm Runner. The ride was practically walk-on, and I got to ride in the front seat on this coaster for the first time EVER. It was absolutely thrilling!
We next passed Fahrenheit, the 98-degree drop coaster, and noticed the line wasn't substantial for this, either--not walk-on, but certainly much shorter than usual. We queued up and rode Fahrenheit within twenty minutes. This time, we sat in the very back row for the first time ever, and it definitely added intensity to the already-thrilling ride!
It was finally Boardwalk time. To save money, my sister and I chose not to purchase a locker. I put all my money and valuables in a waterproof pouch around my neck. We used bag drops for all the water rides and coasters throughout the day, and ran into no big problems. Lockers are definitely preferable, but when you care about saving money, Hershey does make it easy to lug a bag around all day. (Not sure how easy it is on your back and shoulders, but that's a different issue.)
In the Boardwalk, we only rode four rides, even though the area was refreshingly not crowded and lines were minimal. We first rode the Whirlwind, a big funnel that is part of the four-slide Coastline Plunge complex. We next headed to the Roller Soaker, the interactive water coaster, but it was down for maintenance. My sister and I instead hit the next-door Intercoastal Waterway lazy river. We floated around three times, keeping an eye on the Roller Soaker each time. After our third trip, we saw the ride was open, so we disembarked and headed to the water coaster.
We hit the shortest line I have ever waited in for the Roller Soaker, which was wonderful, since this line can be very slow-moving. After the Roller Soaker, we headed over to the splash-down ride Tidal Force, which we got on quickly with another record-short line.
It was now time to abandon the water rides--my sister and I were both hungry, and still had Skyrush on our minds. We changed in the rooms near the Ferris Wheel and had lunch at our favorite Midway Munchies. Since they were right there, we then rode the two wooden coasters Lightning Racer and Wildcat with minimal waits (Wildcat was walk-on).
We decided to check on Skyrush's progress. I kept trying to see what was going on using the Hersheypark app I had downloaded onto my Android phone. However, the app never seemed to work right. I couldn't access closed rides or wait times, which is pretty much the whole point of the app for someone who already has a map of the park in their head. We therefore had to hoof it all the way across the park to see if Skyrush was open, but it was worth the walk--the ride was running! Not only that, but the queue was manageable--definitely the longest wait of the day, but I think we only waited about a half hour. For a brand new coaster on its third day of public operation, that wait is NOTHING. I think my sister and I would have waited longer if we hung out in the original line backup at the beginning of the day!
So, how was Skyrush? It was like nothing I have ridden before! I got more air-time on this ride than I have ever gotten on a classic wooden coaster. The lap bars are just that, in your lap instead of over the shoulder, which I have heard some complaints about. However, to me, they were perfect--they held you in comfortably but still made me feel like I'd be thrown from the ride at any second! The ride is also silent--it makes no noise as it zips through the track, which is one reason I had trouble knowing whether it was running or not. Standing in line, I couldn't tell when the train was on the lift hill unless I was looking for it!
I was very impressed with Skyrush. It is definitely the craziest, most thrilling coaster I have ever ridden. The wing seat (which I ride in) definitely made the ride even more exciting. The coaster is a great addition to Hersheypark!
After Skyrush, my sister and I rode the SooperDooperLooper, complete with the new trains and brakes. The new trains are very spiffy, and update a ride that is a classic without taking away any of its charm. The new braking system was impressive, really smoothing out some of the old, awkward brake spots, and made the ride more enjoyable.
After the Looper, my sister and I rode the Coal Cracker flume, then got an Icee at the next door Coal Cracker Pretzel stand. We took a break from the almost-90 degree heat and took our Icees to the nearby Minetown Restaurant, which was air conditioned. While in the restaurant, I noticed the Coal Cracker and Great Bear had closed. Since Great Bear was to be our next ride (and my favorite coaster of all time, by the way ), we were disappointed. It turns out that these rides, plus the Looper, Skyrush and Comet, were all closed because a circus train had come in, and the circus was worried the coasters would scare the departing animals. That made sense and was fine, but I wish Hershey had let us know ahead of time when the ride closures would be occuring.
Luckily, the rides were due to re-open later in the day, so my sister and I instead headed back to Pioneer Frontier, where we rode the pendulum Claw ride and the boomerang Sidewinder coaster. The Sidewinder has new restraints--not sure if this was a new addition this year or last, but they were very comfortable and made that ride more enjoyable, as well. My sister and I also rode the Kissing Tower, where we got to see some elephants getting off the circus train.
The coasters still weren't open yet, and I wasn't sure how much longer to wait--it was about 5:30, and I wanted to leave between 6 and 7. My sister and I went back to The Hollow and rode the Wave Swinger. While riding the swings, the Hollow coasters all re-opened, and we quickly rode the classic wooden Comet. Great Bear trains finally started running while in line for the Comet, so of course we next rushed back to Minetown to ride the great inverted coaster. It was our last ride before we headed back to our car.
The trip to Hersheypark on Memorial Day was one of my best ever. It was an unhurried, relaxed trip with almost no line waiting and minimal crowds. I might make Memorial Day a Hershey tradition--the crowds will probably be even thinner in a year where Hershey doesn't introduce a new coaster. I had a great time, but I can't wait until next month, when my family has a three-day Hershey extravaganza and I introduce my baby daughter to Hersheypark!
Friday, May 25, 2012
The Fact Mill
I was re-reading my posts from 2010, and two stood out to me: "The Rumor Mill: Hershey's New Coaster " and "Knoebels' Coaster Future." They stood out to me because they were both based on conjecture about what was going to happen in the roller coaster future of these two parks. I thought I would write a "Fact Mill" post updating on the rumors that were surfacing a couple years ago. Some good rumors have proved to be true, some bad rumors have proved to be false, and some things...have stayed exactly the same.
Update on "The Rumor Mill: Hershey's New Coaster"
http://nepamusement.blogspot.com/2010/06/rumor-mill-hersheys-new-coaster.html
Two years ago I wrote about some interesting construction markings in Comet Hollow that looked to be markers for a new coaster. I also heard that Hersheypark had gotten a permit to build "something" over 200 feet. Now, Skyrush, Hersheypark's newest, biggest (and maybe baddest) coaster is about to make its debut this Memorial Day weekend!
Skyrush is Hersheypark's twelfth roller coaster, and it's a doozy. It's a hyper coaster, meaning that it has a 200 foot drop, which is bigger than any of Hershey's other coasters. It will go 75 mph (or more...claims Hershey's web site), and has an 85-degree drop, meaning that it's almost vertical. I got a good look at Skyrush when I visited Hershey on my chaperone trip, and it is beautiful--a yellow behemoth that towers over the neighboring Comet.
It's also impressive in that Hershey had VERY limited space to fit in any new coaster, and they managed to easily squeeze a 200-foot drop and almost 3,600 feet of track into an area that, frankly, the ride should not have fit. To compensate for what could have made Comet Hollow a tight squeeze, Hershey completely revamped the area. It is now called just "The Hollow," and Hershey has remodeled it so that the Skyrush track, queue and station look like they have been there for years. The old, outdated queue for the Comet has a completely fresh look now, and game and food stalls have been updated and moved around. The SooperDooperLooper, the classic first looping coaster on the East Coast, has sharp new trains and a new brake system that will debut this weekend. Considering this area was completely underwater after a big flood last September, Hershey's work on The Hollow is extraordinary--to say the least! (It is also good to see that Hersheypark is embracing their old coasters rather than getting rid of them, which was a horrible rumor from two years ago!)
On my chaperoning trip, I also got the extreme pleasure of seeing Skyrush make a couple of test runs with empty trains. Let me tell you that this looks like the smoothest coaster I have ever seen. It was made by Intamin--these are the people that brought us Storm Runner and Fahrenheit; and beyond Hershey, Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure--three of the top roller coasters in the world.
Most exciting about Skyrush is their one-of-a-kind trains--they sit four seats across, and the two outer seats are "winged" seats. This means that they sit off the track. No other coaster has this is in the world! It is an experience that I am greatly looking forward to having this Monday, Memorial Day, when my sister and I travel back to Hershey to ride Skyrush on opening weekend. (I tried to go on Saturday, opening day, but I couldn't get a sitter. Ah, adult life!)
Update on "Knoebels' Coaster Future"
http://nepamusement.blogspot.com/2010/07/knoebels-coaster-future.html
Two years ago, I wrote about Knoebels' two new coasters that were on the horizon--the Black Diamond, a hybrid Wild Mouse/mine train/dark ride coaster; and Flying Turns, a wooden bobsled coaster. I'm happy to report that the Black Diamond opened last summer--not quite on schedule (it opened in October for Knoebels' Halloween event), but apparently, it was worth the wait! All the reviews I've read have praised the ride. Of course, it's not exactly original, coming from Morey's Piers as the old Golden Nugget ride, but Knoebels seems to have once again completed a great relocation project, much like they did with their heralded Phoenix coaster. I have not ridden the ride yet myself (being pregnant last summer), but I plan on going to Knoebels in August, and Black Diamond is first on my "must ride" list!
Then we have Flying Turns.
I don't want to re-hash the whole Flying Turns fiasco, but briefly--Knoebels tried to bring back antiquated, unsafe coaster technology; Knoebels failed. The ride, which construction began on in 2006, is STILL NOT RUNNING. Hopes were high last summer when the park released a point-of-view video of the ride--but today, the ride is still not running. I realized last week that I hadn't heard a peep about Flying Turns in awhile, so I did some research. Knoebels' Wikipedia page says the ride is projected to open in 2012. But I'm not sure where they got their information, because I searched Knoebels' web site high and low, and found no mention of the ride there. Checked their Facebook page--no mention of the ride there, either. The thing is, both the web site and Facebook page used to mention progress on the ride--now there's nothing? I downloaded a PDF of Knoebels' current map, and Flying Turns is still listed on it, but I'm sure that's just because people walking through the park can't miss a giant, un-operating roller coaster. So, what gives, Knoebels? Is this ride ever going to open? I still predict--NO.
So, for the most part, we've had some nice progress proving some of the rumors from 2010 true and false. True--Hersheypark's new coaster and the Black Diamond are in operation! False--the looper and Comet were goners. Who knows what to say about the Flying Turns fiasco? I guess, for now, we should still treat that as a work in progress!
Update on "The Rumor Mill: Hershey's New Coaster"
http://nepamusement.blogspot.com/2010/06/rumor-mill-hersheys-new-coaster.html
Two years ago I wrote about some interesting construction markings in Comet Hollow that looked to be markers for a new coaster. I also heard that Hersheypark had gotten a permit to build "something" over 200 feet. Now, Skyrush, Hersheypark's newest, biggest (and maybe baddest) coaster is about to make its debut this Memorial Day weekend!
Skyrush is Hersheypark's twelfth roller coaster, and it's a doozy. It's a hyper coaster, meaning that it has a 200 foot drop, which is bigger than any of Hershey's other coasters. It will go 75 mph (or more...claims Hershey's web site), and has an 85-degree drop, meaning that it's almost vertical. I got a good look at Skyrush when I visited Hershey on my chaperone trip, and it is beautiful--a yellow behemoth that towers over the neighboring Comet.
It's also impressive in that Hershey had VERY limited space to fit in any new coaster, and they managed to easily squeeze a 200-foot drop and almost 3,600 feet of track into an area that, frankly, the ride should not have fit. To compensate for what could have made Comet Hollow a tight squeeze, Hershey completely revamped the area. It is now called just "The Hollow," and Hershey has remodeled it so that the Skyrush track, queue and station look like they have been there for years. The old, outdated queue for the Comet has a completely fresh look now, and game and food stalls have been updated and moved around. The SooperDooperLooper, the classic first looping coaster on the East Coast, has sharp new trains and a new brake system that will debut this weekend. Considering this area was completely underwater after a big flood last September, Hershey's work on The Hollow is extraordinary--to say the least! (It is also good to see that Hersheypark is embracing their old coasters rather than getting rid of them, which was a horrible rumor from two years ago!)
On my chaperoning trip, I also got the extreme pleasure of seeing Skyrush make a couple of test runs with empty trains. Let me tell you that this looks like the smoothest coaster I have ever seen. It was made by Intamin--these are the people that brought us Storm Runner and Fahrenheit; and beyond Hershey, Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure--three of the top roller coasters in the world.
Most exciting about Skyrush is their one-of-a-kind trains--they sit four seats across, and the two outer seats are "winged" seats. This means that they sit off the track. No other coaster has this is in the world! It is an experience that I am greatly looking forward to having this Monday, Memorial Day, when my sister and I travel back to Hershey to ride Skyrush on opening weekend. (I tried to go on Saturday, opening day, but I couldn't get a sitter. Ah, adult life!)
Update on "Knoebels' Coaster Future"
http://nepamusement.blogspot.com/2010/07/knoebels-coaster-future.html
Two years ago, I wrote about Knoebels' two new coasters that were on the horizon--the Black Diamond, a hybrid Wild Mouse/mine train/dark ride coaster; and Flying Turns, a wooden bobsled coaster. I'm happy to report that the Black Diamond opened last summer--not quite on schedule (it opened in October for Knoebels' Halloween event), but apparently, it was worth the wait! All the reviews I've read have praised the ride. Of course, it's not exactly original, coming from Morey's Piers as the old Golden Nugget ride, but Knoebels seems to have once again completed a great relocation project, much like they did with their heralded Phoenix coaster. I have not ridden the ride yet myself (being pregnant last summer), but I plan on going to Knoebels in August, and Black Diamond is first on my "must ride" list!
Then we have Flying Turns.
I don't want to re-hash the whole Flying Turns fiasco, but briefly--Knoebels tried to bring back antiquated, unsafe coaster technology; Knoebels failed. The ride, which construction began on in 2006, is STILL NOT RUNNING. Hopes were high last summer when the park released a point-of-view video of the ride--but today, the ride is still not running. I realized last week that I hadn't heard a peep about Flying Turns in awhile, so I did some research. Knoebels' Wikipedia page says the ride is projected to open in 2012. But I'm not sure where they got their information, because I searched Knoebels' web site high and low, and found no mention of the ride there. Checked their Facebook page--no mention of the ride there, either. The thing is, both the web site and Facebook page used to mention progress on the ride--now there's nothing? I downloaded a PDF of Knoebels' current map, and Flying Turns is still listed on it, but I'm sure that's just because people walking through the park can't miss a giant, un-operating roller coaster. So, what gives, Knoebels? Is this ride ever going to open? I still predict--NO.
So, for the most part, we've had some nice progress proving some of the rumors from 2010 true and false. True--Hersheypark's new coaster and the Black Diamond are in operation! False--the looper and Comet were goners. Who knows what to say about the Flying Turns fiasco? I guess, for now, we should still treat that as a work in progress!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Chaperone
Last week, on Thursday, May 17, I went to Hersheypark. This was the first visit in my 23rd consecutive year of visiting the park, but it was a completely new experience for me. You may ask, "How can someone who has been to Hersheypark at least fifty times (or probably more) have any type of new experience without a new attraction?" (And no, Hershey's soon-to-be 12th coaster Skyrush isn't open yet--more on that in my next post). No, my new Hershey experience happened when I became a chaperone for the first time, chaperoning my 12 year-old sister's class trip to the park to experience Science Day. Here is a recap of how it went:
My sister and I arrived at her middle school at 6:45 AM and met up with our group--which, it turned out, consisted of only one other person (who I will refer to as M). M was my sister's friend, and it turned out she had very little amusement park experience. Therefore, she was wary about riding big coasters. My sister and I both inwardly groaned, as we are both coaster warriors, but my mind immediately raced, thinking of how we could build our day around a non-coaster rider.
The sixth grade boarded charter buses, and by 7:00 AM, we were on the road. The trip down was uneventful, and we arrived at Hersheypark by 9:00. After a quick chaperone meeting, I grabbed my sister and M and we hit the park. Before we could go on any rides, though, my sister and M had to do some Science Day activities. The first thing we did (after a quick bathroom break--no one is a fan of those bus bathrooms) was sit on a bench and fill out some Hershey-related math and science activities in a packet the girls' teachers had given them. They had to work on this for at least 45 minutes.
When they had done all they could stand with Hersheypark alive around them, we decided to finally hit some rides. We decided to first head to the Pioneer Frontier section of the park to go on the Trailblazer, Hershey's mildest coaster--apparently, M had ridden it before and liked it. After a fun ride (and barely any line--the longest line we waited in all day was only about 15 minutes), we headed up the hill past Storm Runner (Hershey's 0 to 75 mph coaster), and over to the Dry Gulch Railroad, which the girls had seen from the Trailblazer and wanted to ride next. Unfortunately, it wasn't open to the public yet. We instead convinced a slightly-nervous M to ride the next-door Pirate ship pendulum ride (sitting near the middle instead of the back as to not go so high--a compromise my sister generously made for her friend).
At this point, it was after 11:00 AM. We were required to go to one of the Franklin Institutes's Science Day shows in the Amphitheater, and my sister and M decided they wanted to go to the first one, at 11:30. So we headed over to Minetown, where the Amphitheater is located. We had a little time to kill, so we all rode in our own sports cars on the Sunoco Speedway first (which is only a hop, skip and jump away from the Amphitheater).
We attended the 11:30 Franklin Institute show, and to be honest, it was a pretty lame event. Two "science athletes" were competing to win the audience's favor for their own experiments while a "referee" commented on the action. Now, a disclaimer--science isn't something I'm very interested in. However, I've found in my life that if a show (or movie, or book) is well-done, it really doesn't matter what the topic is--it will draw you in no matter what. This show was about a half hour long, and had us checking our watches the entire time. The show's main premise was the referee "randomly" picking science topics out of a hat, the science athletes performing experiments (that mainly consisted of blowing things up), and the science athletes and referee taunting each other. The three actors onstage kept talking over each other throughout the whole performance, so it was hard to get anything out of the program--it seemed very laid-back and unrehearsed. My sister, M and I were all very glad when the show was over.
It was time for lunch then, so we headed back up to the Storm Runner food court, which had a lot of food choices. We all ended up eating at the Whistle Stop Restaurant--my sister and I got burgers while M tried the chicken strips. All the food tasted very good (although, of course, it was pricey).
After lunch, it was about 12:30, and we headed to Midway America at the back of the park and rode (in very quick succession), the Wild Mouse (which we were happy M decided to try), the Whip, Music Express, the Ferris Wheel and the Merry Derry Dip Fun Slides. All of these were walk-on except for the Wild Mouse, which had about a five minute wait.
We headed back to Pioneer Frontier to see if the Dry Gulch Railroad was open yet, and it was! We had a fun time on the train, and met a Hershey's Chocolate Syrup character afterward. M then made a very brave decision--to try and ride the Comet, Hershey's classic old wooden coaster. We eagerly headed down to Comet Hollow (which is actually just The Hollow now--Hershey has completely remodeled the area for Skyrush. Again, more on that in my next post). Unfortunately, the Comet wasn't running! But people were still in line, and the ride was running empty trains, so we took a quick detour to the Wave Swinger ride, which is right across from the Comet, and rode that first. By the time we got off the Wave Swinger, the Comet was back in operation!
We waited in our longest line of the day (which was only 15 minutes) and rode the Comet. M loved the ride, and I think she was sad we didn't ride it earlier in the day. Maybe if she had, she could have worked up the nerve to ride one of Hershey's wilder coasters.
After the Comet, we headed back to Music Box Way, where we rode the Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge and Fender Bender bumper car ride. We then walked to Founder's Circle at the front of the park, riding the Carousel, the Scrambler and the Tilt-a-Whirl.
At this point, it was about 3:45. Amazingly, we had ridden thirteen rides in three hours! Not riding any crazy coasters (which generally have the longest wait times) and no long lines for the rides we did ride certainly helped with that, but I'd like to think prior knowledge of the park had a hand in it, as well. :)
The girls wanted to do some shopping, so we shopped in a couple stores on the way out. My sister then suggested, since we still had a half hour before the buses were to leave, that we stop off at Chocolate World (Hershey's visitors center) on the way out. The building, located right outside the park gates, was near where the buses were parked, so it was easy to go to Chocolate World, ride the factory tour ride, and do some additional shopping.
We were back on the bus and on our way home by 4:30, arriving at the middle school at 6:45. I consider the trip very successful--we got almost every flat and family ride in the park ridden in about four total hours. My sister, who has never shown fear at the wildest of coasters, was very courteous to her friend, not pressuring her to ride anything she was uncomfortable with. And I had a great time chaperoning my first trip--not just to Hersheypark, but anywhere. It's a good prep for when my daughter (now four months old) goes on her first field trip someday!
My sister and I arrived at her middle school at 6:45 AM and met up with our group--which, it turned out, consisted of only one other person (who I will refer to as M). M was my sister's friend, and it turned out she had very little amusement park experience. Therefore, she was wary about riding big coasters. My sister and I both inwardly groaned, as we are both coaster warriors, but my mind immediately raced, thinking of how we could build our day around a non-coaster rider.
The sixth grade boarded charter buses, and by 7:00 AM, we were on the road. The trip down was uneventful, and we arrived at Hersheypark by 9:00. After a quick chaperone meeting, I grabbed my sister and M and we hit the park. Before we could go on any rides, though, my sister and M had to do some Science Day activities. The first thing we did (after a quick bathroom break--no one is a fan of those bus bathrooms) was sit on a bench and fill out some Hershey-related math and science activities in a packet the girls' teachers had given them. They had to work on this for at least 45 minutes.
When they had done all they could stand with Hersheypark alive around them, we decided to finally hit some rides. We decided to first head to the Pioneer Frontier section of the park to go on the Trailblazer, Hershey's mildest coaster--apparently, M had ridden it before and liked it. After a fun ride (and barely any line--the longest line we waited in all day was only about 15 minutes), we headed up the hill past Storm Runner (Hershey's 0 to 75 mph coaster), and over to the Dry Gulch Railroad, which the girls had seen from the Trailblazer and wanted to ride next. Unfortunately, it wasn't open to the public yet. We instead convinced a slightly-nervous M to ride the next-door Pirate ship pendulum ride (sitting near the middle instead of the back as to not go so high--a compromise my sister generously made for her friend).
At this point, it was after 11:00 AM. We were required to go to one of the Franklin Institutes's Science Day shows in the Amphitheater, and my sister and M decided they wanted to go to the first one, at 11:30. So we headed over to Minetown, where the Amphitheater is located. We had a little time to kill, so we all rode in our own sports cars on the Sunoco Speedway first (which is only a hop, skip and jump away from the Amphitheater).
We attended the 11:30 Franklin Institute show, and to be honest, it was a pretty lame event. Two "science athletes" were competing to win the audience's favor for their own experiments while a "referee" commented on the action. Now, a disclaimer--science isn't something I'm very interested in. However, I've found in my life that if a show (or movie, or book) is well-done, it really doesn't matter what the topic is--it will draw you in no matter what. This show was about a half hour long, and had us checking our watches the entire time. The show's main premise was the referee "randomly" picking science topics out of a hat, the science athletes performing experiments (that mainly consisted of blowing things up), and the science athletes and referee taunting each other. The three actors onstage kept talking over each other throughout the whole performance, so it was hard to get anything out of the program--it seemed very laid-back and unrehearsed. My sister, M and I were all very glad when the show was over.
It was time for lunch then, so we headed back up to the Storm Runner food court, which had a lot of food choices. We all ended up eating at the Whistle Stop Restaurant--my sister and I got burgers while M tried the chicken strips. All the food tasted very good (although, of course, it was pricey).
After lunch, it was about 12:30, and we headed to Midway America at the back of the park and rode (in very quick succession), the Wild Mouse (which we were happy M decided to try), the Whip, Music Express, the Ferris Wheel and the Merry Derry Dip Fun Slides. All of these were walk-on except for the Wild Mouse, which had about a five minute wait.
We headed back to Pioneer Frontier to see if the Dry Gulch Railroad was open yet, and it was! We had a fun time on the train, and met a Hershey's Chocolate Syrup character afterward. M then made a very brave decision--to try and ride the Comet, Hershey's classic old wooden coaster. We eagerly headed down to Comet Hollow (which is actually just The Hollow now--Hershey has completely remodeled the area for Skyrush. Again, more on that in my next post). Unfortunately, the Comet wasn't running! But people were still in line, and the ride was running empty trains, so we took a quick detour to the Wave Swinger ride, which is right across from the Comet, and rode that first. By the time we got off the Wave Swinger, the Comet was back in operation!
We waited in our longest line of the day (which was only 15 minutes) and rode the Comet. M loved the ride, and I think she was sad we didn't ride it earlier in the day. Maybe if she had, she could have worked up the nerve to ride one of Hershey's wilder coasters.
After the Comet, we headed back to Music Box Way, where we rode the Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge and Fender Bender bumper car ride. We then walked to Founder's Circle at the front of the park, riding the Carousel, the Scrambler and the Tilt-a-Whirl.
At this point, it was about 3:45. Amazingly, we had ridden thirteen rides in three hours! Not riding any crazy coasters (which generally have the longest wait times) and no long lines for the rides we did ride certainly helped with that, but I'd like to think prior knowledge of the park had a hand in it, as well. :)
The girls wanted to do some shopping, so we shopped in a couple stores on the way out. My sister then suggested, since we still had a half hour before the buses were to leave, that we stop off at Chocolate World (Hershey's visitors center) on the way out. The building, located right outside the park gates, was near where the buses were parked, so it was easy to go to Chocolate World, ride the factory tour ride, and do some additional shopping.
We were back on the bus and on our way home by 4:30, arriving at the middle school at 6:45. I consider the trip very successful--we got almost every flat and family ride in the park ridden in about four total hours. My sister, who has never shown fear at the wildest of coasters, was very courteous to her friend, not pressuring her to ride anything she was uncomfortable with. And I had a great time chaperoning my first trip--not just to Hersheypark, but anywhere. It's a good prep for when my daughter (now four months old) goes on her first field trip someday!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Crunching the Numbers
I was in my first trimester of pregnancy last summer, which meant that most days, I was too ill to want get out of bed. I was miserable thinking about my favorite season slipping away, and all the wonderful amusement park days that were being wasted. Now, after delivering a healthy baby girl this past January, I know those days were worth it--but the amusement park aficionado inside me is MORE than raring to go!
I have started to plan my summer amusement park schedule--trips to Camelbeach and Knoebels Amusement Resort are definitely on deck for later in the year, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom is always on the horizon, but over the next two months, I am planning on going to Hersheypark several times. Why Hershey? Well, tomorrow I embark as a chaperon on my 12 year-old sister's school field trip to Hersheypark. This will be a first for me, and I am VERY excited. (Expect to see a post on that soon!) Me and my sister will also be jaunting back to Hershey on Memorial Day (weather permitting) to try out their new coaster Skyrush (which won't be open yet tomorrow). Finally, at the end of June, my husband and I plan on taking our then-5 month old daughter to Hershey for a couple days to introduce her to the park that I have been going to since I was four years old.
With all these trips to Hersheypark on the horizon, I started to think about cost. The field trip is already paid for with a group rate, so I didn't need to worry about admission for that. But the Memorial Day and June trips will be three park days for me overall. That adds up to:
Three days of admission: Now, I could buy my admission tickets the amateur way, with a single-day ticket for Memorial Day (current cost--$56.95, minus $14 from a coupon you can get at Dunkin Donuts and probably other fast food restaurants), and a two-day ticket for June ($75, no discount available). That adds up to $131.95 - $14 = $117.95. Ouch! A smarter thing for me to do is to buy one three-day ticket at $105. But still...ouch.
Three days of parking: $12 a day, even on consecutive days. That's $36...ouch.
Three days of food. For Hersheypark, you should really budget about $10 per meal, per person. You can save money by eating a meal (like dinner) outside the park. But say you eat at least lunch and dinner at Hershey for three days? That's around $60...for one person. This could be more if you count in extras like ice cream. Ouch.
Three days of merchandise: Okay, so obviously I won't be buying oodles of merchandise every time I go to Hersheypark. But let's be honest...I know I'm going to need a Skyrush t-shirt in its inaugural year. (More on Skyrush in a future post.) If my husband decides to ride Skyrush or one of the other coasters he's been thinking about trying (like Storm Runner or Great Bear), he will probably want a shirt to commemorate the event. And you think I'm not going to buy that new baby some Hershey souvenirs? Realistically, let's budget $60 for merchandise. Ouch.
With the three-day ticket option, that comes out to $261. And that's not counting admission and food for my sister and husband (my daughter gets in free until she is 3). That's also not counting gas or hotel (for the June trip). In the grand scheme of vacations, no, it's not the most expensive trip imaginable. But for an amusement-obsessed new mom and her family, it doesn't come cheap.
I started thinking of ways to cut costs. Eating dinner outside the park is a great one, and of course, merchandise is always negotiable. But then, a great possibility came over me...could I save money with a season pass for myself? Let's crunch the numbers if I (and only I) have a season pass for all these trips.
Three days of admission: Your basic season pass for Hershey is $145. Ouch. But you pay it once, and then you feel like you're walking into Hersheypark for free (every day of the season if you want). This also covers admission for Hersheypark in the Dark (their Halloween event), Christmas Candylane and Springtime in the Park. I usually go to at least one of these events every year, so that $145 could actually end up being much cheaper than paying admission each time in the long run.
Three days of parking: With the season pass? $0. Parking is FREE. That's a big band-aid on the season pass initial cost!
Three days of food and merchandise: Season pass holders get a 15% discount off food and merchandise (not counting free-standing vendors, but the bulk of Hershey's food and souvenirs are in buildings). If I budget $60 for my own food and $60 for souvenirs, the total cost ($120) comes down to $102. That's $18, folks, which is nothing to sneeze at. And even though the season pass is only mine, I can still use it to get discounts for my husband and sister's food and merchandise.
So, even with the initial more-expensive purchase of the season pass, the total comes to $247. Is it a vastly less-expensive amount? No, of course not. But is IS cheaper, and may prove to show it's worth even more as the summer goes on. I know with a season pass, you also receive a booklet of coupons and discounts. The last time I got a season pass (in 2004), less-than half-price admission ticket coupons were included in that booklet, which could prove beneficial for my sister and husband. And the real kicker? FREE PARKING. I can't say this enough. FREE PARKING. (Let's face it...$12 to park my car? Ridiculous.)
So, while the initial cost of the season pass may turn some people off, in the long run, it can actually save you money I am pretty sure this is the route I am going to take when it comes to my own admission for these Hershey trips. Will it prove to be worth the risk, or will I regret my decision? We'll see at the end of the summer!
I have started to plan my summer amusement park schedule--trips to Camelbeach and Knoebels Amusement Resort are definitely on deck for later in the year, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom is always on the horizon, but over the next two months, I am planning on going to Hersheypark several times. Why Hershey? Well, tomorrow I embark as a chaperon on my 12 year-old sister's school field trip to Hersheypark. This will be a first for me, and I am VERY excited. (Expect to see a post on that soon!) Me and my sister will also be jaunting back to Hershey on Memorial Day (weather permitting) to try out their new coaster Skyrush (which won't be open yet tomorrow). Finally, at the end of June, my husband and I plan on taking our then-5 month old daughter to Hershey for a couple days to introduce her to the park that I have been going to since I was four years old.
With all these trips to Hersheypark on the horizon, I started to think about cost. The field trip is already paid for with a group rate, so I didn't need to worry about admission for that. But the Memorial Day and June trips will be three park days for me overall. That adds up to:
Three days of admission: Now, I could buy my admission tickets the amateur way, with a single-day ticket for Memorial Day (current cost--$56.95, minus $14 from a coupon you can get at Dunkin Donuts and probably other fast food restaurants), and a two-day ticket for June ($75, no discount available). That adds up to $131.95 - $14 = $117.95. Ouch! A smarter thing for me to do is to buy one three-day ticket at $105. But still...ouch.
Three days of parking: $12 a day, even on consecutive days. That's $36...ouch.
Three days of food. For Hersheypark, you should really budget about $10 per meal, per person. You can save money by eating a meal (like dinner) outside the park. But say you eat at least lunch and dinner at Hershey for three days? That's around $60...for one person. This could be more if you count in extras like ice cream. Ouch.
Three days of merchandise: Okay, so obviously I won't be buying oodles of merchandise every time I go to Hersheypark. But let's be honest...I know I'm going to need a Skyrush t-shirt in its inaugural year. (More on Skyrush in a future post.) If my husband decides to ride Skyrush or one of the other coasters he's been thinking about trying (like Storm Runner or Great Bear), he will probably want a shirt to commemorate the event. And you think I'm not going to buy that new baby some Hershey souvenirs? Realistically, let's budget $60 for merchandise. Ouch.
With the three-day ticket option, that comes out to $261. And that's not counting admission and food for my sister and husband (my daughter gets in free until she is 3). That's also not counting gas or hotel (for the June trip). In the grand scheme of vacations, no, it's not the most expensive trip imaginable. But for an amusement-obsessed new mom and her family, it doesn't come cheap.
I started thinking of ways to cut costs. Eating dinner outside the park is a great one, and of course, merchandise is always negotiable. But then, a great possibility came over me...could I save money with a season pass for myself? Let's crunch the numbers if I (and only I) have a season pass for all these trips.
Three days of admission: Your basic season pass for Hershey is $145. Ouch. But you pay it once, and then you feel like you're walking into Hersheypark for free (every day of the season if you want). This also covers admission for Hersheypark in the Dark (their Halloween event), Christmas Candylane and Springtime in the Park. I usually go to at least one of these events every year, so that $145 could actually end up being much cheaper than paying admission each time in the long run.
Three days of parking: With the season pass? $0. Parking is FREE. That's a big band-aid on the season pass initial cost!
Three days of food and merchandise: Season pass holders get a 15% discount off food and merchandise (not counting free-standing vendors, but the bulk of Hershey's food and souvenirs are in buildings). If I budget $60 for my own food and $60 for souvenirs, the total cost ($120) comes down to $102. That's $18, folks, which is nothing to sneeze at. And even though the season pass is only mine, I can still use it to get discounts for my husband and sister's food and merchandise.
So, even with the initial more-expensive purchase of the season pass, the total comes to $247. Is it a vastly less-expensive amount? No, of course not. But is IS cheaper, and may prove to show it's worth even more as the summer goes on. I know with a season pass, you also receive a booklet of coupons and discounts. The last time I got a season pass (in 2004), less-than half-price admission ticket coupons were included in that booklet, which could prove beneficial for my sister and husband. And the real kicker? FREE PARKING. I can't say this enough. FREE PARKING. (Let's face it...$12 to park my car? Ridiculous.)
So, while the initial cost of the season pass may turn some people off, in the long run, it can actually save you money I am pretty sure this is the route I am going to take when it comes to my own admission for these Hershey trips. Will it prove to be worth the risk, or will I regret my decision? We'll see at the end of the summer!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I'm Back, Baby!
What's that??? THE BLOG IS BACK!!!!!
So what happened? Mainly, I had a baby, and my amusement park attendance rate dropped quite a bit last summer. But I intend on making that up drastically this summer! Not sure how regularly I'll be able to write with an almost 4 month old to keep an eye on, but I will do my best to write as often as possible.
But what brought me back? An intriguing topic that crossed my mind as I planned my summer amusement schedule--season passes vs. multi-day tickets. I hope to post a full article about this within the next couple days. In the meantime, check out https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/NEPA-musement/128983117138149, read some older posts, and prepare for a summer full of fun!
So what happened? Mainly, I had a baby, and my amusement park attendance rate dropped quite a bit last summer. But I intend on making that up drastically this summer! Not sure how regularly I'll be able to write with an almost 4 month old to keep an eye on, but I will do my best to write as often as possible.
But what brought me back? An intriguing topic that crossed my mind as I planned my summer amusement schedule--season passes vs. multi-day tickets. I hope to post a full article about this within the next couple days. In the meantime, check out https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/NEPA-musement/128983117138149, read some older posts, and prepare for a summer full of fun!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Water Park Mania
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!
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!
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!
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