Hersheypark: Attraction 2012 Rumor and News Discussion

QueerRudie wrote:The end of the line could also refer to the last of the clues- Just a guess; not necessarily something that IS the 'last of the clues' but an idea.

As for the johns, I'm starting to think we might have been given a clue that's telling us to stop looking THERE- as in: Everyone's been talking about restrooms (myself included) but could it also be a reference point to "No, it's NOT the bathrooms, but I'll place a clue HERE" sort of thing.

Mabye our 'mystery' artitsts are telling us that we're going up the wrong path?

Perhaps it means both. It's widely understood the station will be where the Comet Hollow bathrooms are. Which means that it's the "end of the line" where the queue and the ride circuit begins and ends. It certainly be the final clue, given that the announcement is a little over two weeks away.

I don't think we're going down the wrong path, because what's the relevance to the bathrooms? That they're being replaced by new ones (hence the involvement of the O'Connell business...they better be really nice bathrooms and rather elegant, lol!), whether it's incorporated into the ride's station or in a different spot. I think that's all that's being hinted to in that regard (the other being to go to the park on July 18).

PiperArcher wrote:

Maybe the FALLINGwashroom means that the first drop will fall into/over water.

I actually think it's a reference to fallingwater, especially because it mentions Frank Lloyd Wright at O'Connell Plumbing -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallingwater

Just a thought--what would happen if this project got unexpectedly pushed back to 2013? I mean besides the obvious angry rants by us---you think it could happen?

Knowit4000 wrote:Just a thought--what would happen if this project got unexpectedly pushed back to 2013? I mean besides the obvious angry rants by us---you think it could happen?

It would be a nothing short of a PR disaster. It's been well promoted that's something's coming in 2012. And if it weren't the coaster, that'd be a bad gaffe by Hersheypark.

Knowit4000 wrote:Just a thought--what would happen if this project got unexpectedly pushed back to 2013? I mean besides the obvious angry rants by us---you think it could happen?

In the 30 plus years I've been following parks and coasters, I can only think of a -very- small handful of parks which have had a 'postponed' till the next year or later project. As in: Less than three- the long-running Knoebel's FT debacle, and the Joyland Greezed Lightning issues- all of which can happen anywhere.

When it comes to the 'Big Boys' they've been planning this for quite a while- and technology has really pushed forward enough to allow for it. HP is the best at this- with rides opening on the day they say it will- and has since the opening of the Sidewinder in 1991 (Yes, I was there for that, too).

May 2012: HP opens up their next ride... for which we're in this thread... for which we're following this game- and I'll be there for that, too.

i was over at the park yesterday and took some new photos of the construction site. progress is really coming along as there are quite a few more cement columns poured. additionally, they have dug out a trench at least 10 feet deep where the bottom of the initial hill will be. there are small metal plates sticking out of the ground throughout the trench. they've also poured a concrete wall along the left side of the trench and there are the same metal pieces sticking out of that. lastly, there are two very large and deep holes dug out. i have no idea what they are for, but it's interesting. i hope everyone enjoys the pics!

Lets be honest. We really don't know exactly know what the announcement will be. I'm not saying this attraction wont open in 2012, but what if this project is actually part of a bigger expansion plan. Something just seems off to me. Had a conversation with someone, whom I trust and has alot of insight concerning what is going on in the park right now. Unless, of course he is just having his way with my mind

Here's my latest update from today (7/16/11):








Looks like there are stakes over on that hillside. It appears they could possibly moving to this area once they're finished behind the Hospitality Services building.






















Not sure what this marking is all about.


Aerial view of construction site from Kissing Tower.


O' Connell Plumbing & Drain stickers:


Minetown Restrooms


Comet Hollow Restrooms


Music Box Restrooms (by the Claw)

I also stopped by Midway restrooms but forgot to look at the fountain there.


2012 Coaster Supports:







These will be going away pretty soon.


The bench and area on which something will be occuring on 7/18/11.

Here is another shot of Comet before this view changes forever:



Also met up with Walter White and Chris and hung out with them for awhile. I will have more updates from the Project 2012 meet-up next Sunday at the park.

Knowit - Although you have much better sources than I do, I still have to doubt the coaster won't come in next year. With the amount of obvious work going on and the hype building around an opening next year, management must know that changing that date (well, not really changing, but that's what it would seem to the public) so late in the game (pardon the pun) would be a PR disaster. I feel like the park would have made an announcement by now to correct people, in order to avoid the backlash of "pushing it back" now.

As for the bigger, general expansion, I think that we have discussed at some length the possibility of an expansion into the old golf course with the rerouting of Park Blvd. That is (probably) a longer term project, and one that is not expected to happen next year. But again, I think that is separate from Attraction 2012.

I agree it will be a pr disaster and I realize that the expansion may be longer term project. I initially brought the idea up in the original thread that got locked. My problem is I have someone who is injecting some doubt into the whole scenario. It may all be part of the plan of the marketing department over there (People I know have friends strewn throughout the organization) . I'm just saying-----What I am saying is I am prepared to be totally shocked by the official announcement. I think this may be bigger than we are all led to believe. BUT I could be wrong. They are putting WAY more resources from marketing than Fahrenheit.

Knowit4000 wrote:I agree it will be a pr disaster and I realize that the expansion may be longer term project. I initially brought the idea up in the original thread that got locked. My problem is I have someone who is injecting some doubt into the whole scenario. It may all be part of the plan of the marketing department over there (People I know have friends strewn throughout the organization) . I'm just saying-----What I am saying is I am prepared to be totally shocked by the official announcement. I think this may be bigger than we are all led to believe. BUT I could be wrong. They are putting WAY more resources from marketing than Fahrenheit.

If HP had played the game the same way they did Nantimi again, the puzzle would have been solved- and the game would be over long ago. Part of this marketing blitz is to ensure that everyone gets together and plays the game- not just a handful of locals. I'm in F'ing ARIZONA and playing the game, so they are getting their money worth.

In Marketing, there is a critical operative known as dollars per head: As in: How many dollars does it cost us vs. how many people will see and participate in an advertisement. So far, HP has gained notoriety locally- as well as nationally- for the cost of a website, some -GREAT- T-shirts, some bumperstickers, and some magnets. In all, I'd expect they didn't outlay the same way as say, Cheetoh Hunt has been in Tampa- and the coverage is being distributed by word of mouth- and that's something marketing dolllars can never buy.

Knowit4000 wrote:They are putting WAY more resources from marketing than Fahrenheit.

Everything about Fahrenheit was a rush job. The only fair comparison between the Fahrenheit project and the 2012 project is what they did between the Nantimi game and the RIT game. Beyond that, everything else is different.

Michael Donan posted this to his Facebook wall today:

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000977998976

Had the strangest interview with a company called CTP or something of the sort. They seemed more interested in my life experiences (and telling me about theirs) rather than my digital chops. Oddly enough, I think that it went well!

So, right now, there are 2 people at the park right now, very good! And I think Walter is going this after noon, but, 2 people are in line at the gates right now, and we will find out soon what will be at this bench.

Amy Bosserman Melhorn and Kirk Sponaugle from the FB Project 2012 group scanned over this code on the back of the bench:



and both received this code:

http://rideinstitute.com/xii/01qwe.php

Don't know what it means though.

They also found this on the back of the bench:



Anyone know what it may mean?

Something else interesting...they were told by the park to leave it on the bench. Just goes to show that they are indeed watching us through all of this.

Is it an envelope with something inside of it or does it just say comet 1?

Another thing is, is I wonder why it is so dirty, might have a clue from the construction site on it.

(MOD EDIT: I merged your two posts together for you. Try to remember not to double post next time. Thanks! - Matt)

Walt and Amy just found another code at Fahrenheit when scanned it reads "11.e". Could it be Fahrenheit's number in the coaster line-up being at 11 and the one at the bench being 01 referring to Comet being the oldest coaster to operate there.

HPCrazy wrote:Walt and Amy just found another code at Fahrenheit when scanned it reads "11.e". Could it be Fahrenheit's number in the coaster line-up being at 11 and the one at the bench being 01 referring to Comet being the oldest coaster to operate there.

I'm thinking that yes. They need 2 find all the codes by the coasters prob.

Rocky LaMarcus just posted a new tweet:

https://twitter.com/#!/RockyLaMarcus/status/92975476376735744

beautiful day to walk through a park.

Rocky posted again,

NOTE: Different then Matts post just a sec ago, Rocky posted again.





https://twitter.com/#!/RockyLaMarcus/status/92980874953490432

I'm not surprised this game is more involoved than Nantimi. That was 4 years ago and their first attempt at a viral marketing campaign. I would hope that the PR department had refined their development of Nantimi and gone step(s) further with it.

Also, this is a pretty major ride and area we are talking about. Now don't read that wrong...FH is a major coaster as well and deserves all the respect and admiration that it gets. I won't knock it or the work put into promoting, designing or building it. But Attraction 2012 is in a historic part of the park. A part that hasn't seen a new attraction in almost three decades. There hasn't been a ride relocated there since Tilt-a-Whirl took over the Rotor spot in almost 20 years (gosh that makes me feel OLD!). Also, a good bit of work is going on right now, in season where everyone can see it. Therefore, it calls for an elaborate game.

I've loved every minute of this campaign (regardless if I was quick witted enough to figure it all out or not). I hope Hershey continues this practice for future additions, improving their technique and presentation along the way. It makes me feel like I have a stake in or a am a part of the construction and ownership of this coaster. This goes so far beyond just being a guest in line waiting her turn to ride it. Plus I hope to have made some lifelong friends from participating in this wild goose chase

Here's Rocky's other tweet:

"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." - Henry David Thoreau

HPfangirl4life wrote:Plus I hope to have made some lifelong friends from participating in this wild goose chase

I agree with you. I know that Chris and I have met so many people through this game (including you). I don't know how many new friends I've made after the News 8 segment had aired, as well as when the Patriot articles were published. Plus it's also free publicity for Hershey at the same time....a win-win situation.

we have "riDEthEedGe" from all the clues put together so maybe a wingrider???

I think a wing rider is very possible, is there anything in those trenches? If you go to the initamin website, http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/RollerCoasters/WingRide+Coaster/tabid/138/ProductNumber/WingRide+Coaster/language/de-DE/Default.aspx
and play the movie you can see that a wingrider would need those trenches to make the turns close to the ground, why would a mega coaster need a trench anyway?

I'll have to check into that again when I go back on Sunday.

Rocky just re-tweeted to me this message:

wish i could be in hershey today but i'm halfway across the world. LaMarcus Bros. is now global. happy hunting!

The 11 barcode on the existing rides spelled out riDEthEedGe. Entering that at Http://rideinstitute.com/xii/12vbn.php leads you to the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1e1KIyzuFQ from Coaster Test Pilot Solutions.

ok so I told some people over at rctlounge.com about the ridetheedge thing and they said this:

No, it won't be a wingrider. By "ride the edge," they mean the location of the ride, which is on the river's edge (creek or whatever they call it). Remember, Hersheypark is legally not allowed to put anything in the water, hence Great Bear's wacky supports.

No, it won't be a wingrider. By "ride the edge," they mean the location of the ride, which is on the river's edge (creek or whatever they call it). Remember, Hersheypark is legally not allowed to put anything in the water, hence Great Bear's wacky supports.

What an idiotic comment.

Clearly whoever said that has paid no attention to the approval process. There are going to be 32 supports in and around the water. That's been known for a number of months - let alone the photos of footers already in the creek bed. Besides, what does any of this have to do with the train configuration of this ride?

I would agree that "ride the edge" doesn't necessarily mean wingrider, but it certainly doesn't eliminate the possibility.

technocolor wrote:ok so I told some people over at rctlounge.com about the ridetheedge thing and they said this:

No, it won't be a wingrider. By "ride the edge," they mean the location of the ride, which is on the river's edge (creek or whatever they call it). Remember, Hersheypark is legally not allowed to put anything in the water, hence Great Bear's wacky supports.

Yeah, in 1997, not 2011. There are supports for this ride already standing in the creek.

In my opinion, the station does not look wide enough for a wing rider.

CoasterBGW wrote:In my opinion, the station does not look wide enough for a wing rider.

I don't think the layout of the ride would fit a wing rider. There are too many tight spaces based on the layout of the land, especially the first drop.

Anyone else see the viral marketing taking a turn towards SKYRUSH being an appropriate name for the coaster?

CoasterBGW wrote:Anyone else see the viral marketing taking a turn towards SKYRUSH being an appropriate name for the coaster?

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I'm sorry, nope. I'm still not convinced.

I've talked to too many people who have seen the leaked blueprints and have mentioned that from the looks of how the station appears on there that it would be something like Millennium Force's with separate load and unload areas. To me, that would make the most sense considering how tight they are for space down there.

I also agree with gb980109 regarding on how the first drop is set up. I just think that this will be way too close to Comet for a Wingrider design to be possible. Even if we're getting a Mega-lite for this coaster, it would still be a "first" for not just the northeast, but the entire U.S. since one has yet to be built here in the states. I'm just pointing that out that I just think that would be the most likely choice for them.

HPfangirl4life wrote:Also, this is a pretty major ride and area we are talking about. Now don't read that wrong...FH is a major coaster as well and deserves all the respect and admiration that it gets. I won't knock it or the work put into promoting, designing or building it. But Attraction 2012 is in a historic part of the park. A part that hasn't seen a new attraction in almost three decades. There hasn't been a ride relocated there since Tilt-a-Whirl took over the Rotor spot in almost 20 years (gosh that makes me feel OLD!). Also, a good bit of work is going on right now, in season where everyone can see it. Therefore, it calls for an elaborate game.

I don't really agree with this part of what you're saying. A big part of the reason why they're able to do what they're doing now is because of the advancement of social networking. I don't think the game would be nearly as possible without the current structure of Facebook Groups. Beyond that, QR codes only became big in the past year or so. More simply put, a game of this level wasn't possible on a large, public scale in 2008, and impossible in 2004.

So, I don't think 2012's location dictates any bigger a campaign than if it were in Pioneer. Had Storm Runner been built now, I have no doubt it would be a big deal. As it stands, yes, Comet Hollow is historic, but there is only one historic ride still standing, if you don't consider Skyview historic ( I don't). I also view Great Bear as having a by far greater impact, as it halved the midway in Comet Hollow and eliminated a lot of the natural theming (the weeping trees, etc).

But you are certainly right...it's been a long 13 years since Great Bear, 15 years (maybe add a year or two) since Tilt was added. Comet Hollow needs a good face lift. Hopefully this new ride will really help with that. With it being the biggest coaster the park will have (in height) it calls for a big campaign.

I have a few things to say about the CTP video. Well first off I think we found the last website. I haven't found it yet but I believe it will be up soon. Another thing is that in the beginning and ending fadeout, there is a hidden image in there that looks like a down facing black arrow in a white box. There are also some words that I found interesting......"ride that WAVE", "we get LAUNCHED", "push you to the EDGE" and "HANG in there". I'm loving the idea of coaster test pilots since I fly.

PiperArcher wrote:I have a few things to say about the CTP video. Well first off I think we found the last website. I haven't found it yet but I believe it will be up soon. Another thing is that in the beginning and ending fadeout, there is a hidden image in there that looks like a down facing black arrow in a white box. There are also some words that I found interesting......"ride that WAVE", "we get LAUNCHED", "push you to the EDGE" and "HANG in there". I'm loving the idea of coaster test pilots since I fly.

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What's the address of the site u found? Not of the video, but of the site?

He hasn't found it yet, he says right in his post:

Well first off I think we found the last website. I haven't found it yet but I believe it will be up soon.

CoasterBGW wrote:He hasn't found it yet, he says right in his post:

Well first off I think we found the last website. I haven't found it yet but I believe it will be up soon.

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I know, he made it sound like he found a URL, then he didn't make it sound like that, so, I just wanted 2 make sure.

Jan Van Der Velde just added his company's website to his facebook profile: Awsome Fun World (http://awesomefunworld.com/)

Google Analytics checks out -- it follows the same pattern as the other three sites.

Now we finally know what AFW stands for!

Is it just me or does "Awesome Fun World" sound like something a kid would name their RCT park?

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