Skyrush and Comet Hollow Renovation - Official discussion thread

There is a new Q&A session on Hersheypark's Facebook and they somewhat explain the loading platform. Somehow your going to load and unload on the same side . I honestly can't see this running very smoothly with people running into each other and such but we'll see. Please watch the video becuase I don't completly understand when he talks about the station platform.

Sounds like Millennium Force's station set-up to me. You would load, ride through the course and then when you would return to the station, the unloading area would be right before the loading area. Almost sounds like how Comet's station was also set up. The old exit is still there but hasn't been used since 1994. If this is the case, it makes me wonder if they may return it to the old set-up again.

Ok makes scence now since you referenced MF. Do you think that area is long enough though for that? You need a pretty long station to fit two 32 row trains.

I have some great pictures from today. How do I upload them?

Also...I heard from sources that it does appear that Tilt will be moving out towards Midway America near Racer with that extended que line of theirs and that there is still talk of them doing something with Monorail though that seems to be less backed up.

warhawk911 wrote:I have some great pictures from today. How do I upload them?

Also...I heard from sources that it does appear that Tilt will be moving out towards Midway America near Racer with that extended que line of theirs and that there is still talk of them doing something with Monorail though that seems to be less backed up.

You can upload pictures by clicking this in the bar above the message body.

I got a few pictures along the creek and I'll be posting them shortly, too....which you can check out here: https://keystonethrills.forumotion.com/t325-skyrush-the-flood#5562

warhawk911 wrote:I have some great pictures from today. How do I upload them?

Also...I heard from sources that it does appear that Tilt will be moving out towards Midway America near Racer with that extended que line of theirs and that there is still talk of them doing something with Monorail though that seems to be less backed up.

If they're pouring all that money into Comet Hollow for next year, then I doubt we'll see an expanded monorail next year. I'd say in the next few years that will happen. They have two of SFMM's trains to fix up before they can even put them back into service. That's the first time I've heard about Tilt being moved out to Midway in awhile since all this talk about it returning to Founder's Circle has been circulating around recently.

Oh and I must applaud gb980109 for another fantastic update!

Thanks! Glad you liked the update!

I think the a monorail expansion is largely dependent on how the park does financially. Even though an expanded Monorail would be great, with the money spent for Comet Hollow, combined with most any other rides having greater importance than a monorail expansion, I think that would get shelved in favor of a new coaster should the park see a decline in revenue.

I can't imagine it cost a whole lot to buy these trains. So at least having them on hand for a potential expansion is better than not having them at all.

EDIT:
Tilt...I haven't heard anything in a long while about that. Last I had heard it was still going back to Founder's Circle. I find that Tilt going there would probably be the cheaper option than going in Racer's extended queue. With that, they've got to raze the building, build a queue and what not. With the Tiny Tracks location, they've got to remove the tracks, signage and whatever plants they planted after Tilt was moved from that location. The existing queue could easily be used for Tilt and part of the Tiny Tracks platform fenced in as the exit.

gb980109 wrote:

warhawk911 wrote:I have some great pictures from today. How do I upload them?

Also...I heard from sources that it does appear that Tilt will be moving out towards Midway America near Racer with that extended que line of theirs and that there is still talk of them doing something with Monorail though that seems to be less backed up.

You can upload pictures by clicking this in the bar above the message body.

I got a few pictures along the creek and I'll be posting them shortly, too....which you can check out here: https://keystonethrills.forumotion.com/t325-skyrush-the-flood#5562

Thanks but I have to wait 7 days and those days aren't up yet. I posted them in the facebook group however.

This was taken by printersdevil78 over on TPR:

This caboose billboard apparently was located in front of the park for quite some time. They're talking about refurbishing it and putting it back there.

Ccron10 wrote:This was taken by printersdevil78 over on TPR:

This caboose billboard apparently was located in front of the park for quite some time. They're talking aboud refurbishing it and putting it back there.

Where would they put it? It certainly can't go back where it was - it'd block Exit Road if it did. But I would love to see it somewhere.

I was told by friend who is a park employee that the bag drops will swivel so it rotates each time a train leaves and comes. He also said there would be chaos as of right now for whoever wants the edge seats cause people will be fighting over them unless they change the plans in time.

technocolor wrote:I was told by friend who is a park employee that the bag drops will swivel so it rotates each time a train leaves and comes. He also said there would be chaos as of right now for whoever wants the edge seats cause people will be fighting over them unless they change the plans in time.

I don't think there's going to be much fighting but I hope security is there in strength the first day

Ccron10 wrote:This was taken by printersdevil78 over on TPR:

This caboose billboard apparently was located in front of the park for quite some time. They're talking about refurbishing it and putting it back there.

So that's where it ended up after the old museum closed. Perhaps they'll place it at the turn-off off of Park Blvd into the main parking lot. That would be the most logical place for it other than maybe where the main exit is located.

I totally remember the old parking entrance clearly in my head. Who couldn't forget the old train sign? I remember they used to decorate it up for Christmas as well.

Here's a photo of it inside the Hershey Museum in 2007:

Maybe it could go right in front of the new sign or in the new Sunken Garden? I'm really liking what I'm seeing with them trying to bring back things that were taken out in the past and re-make them.

It would be smart for them to put it in between the exit light and the employee lot to direct first timers to the actual parking lot. Many people put in 100 W Hersheypark Dr on their GPSes and are directed to the employee lot. Happens allllll the time.

That's pretty much what I was referring to if they were to put it by the main parking exit. They could place it where they put that huge Sweetlights sign during Christmas and have the engine pointing to the left facing HP Drive. They could have something on there thanking everyone for visiting and maybe a sign or two of other nearby attractions.

I agree with Chris' post in how they are reviving old areas and either re-making or refreshing them. Midway America brings the 1920's/30's...heck they're almost doing the same thing with Comet Hollow next year, just in a more modern form.

I definitely cannot wait to see how the New Hollow is going to look. Based on everything I'm hearing, it is going to be grand. Can't wait for STITP or Opening weekend next year.

Yes. I caint wait to see what the Hollow is going to look like next year. Lots of remodeling is going to happen then.

Just posted to the Project 2012 group on Facebook:


Looks like track is beginning to arrive my friends. I'm heading up on Saturday to renew my pass for next year. I won't be going to the park but I may do a quick update for the site.

HURRAY!!!! I like the color

285 days till its opening

Another pic has been uploaded to the Project 2012 Facebook group:



(Photo courtesy of Kirk Sponaugle)

I'm going to have to check this out more when I go up to renew my season pass on Saturday.

ALL THESE PHOTOS COURTESY OF CODY RISKO.

Already saw them over at the 2012 FB group but they are getting me hyped up! I do agree with others over there who have mentioned that the pieces look a bit wider than I-305. Other than that, it's pretty much identical.

HPCrazy wrote:Already saw them over at the 2012 FB group but they are getting me hyped up! I do agree with others over there who have mentioned that the pieces look a bit wider than I-305. Other than that, it's pretty much identical.

Well, Fahrenheit and Storm Runner's track are different widths, so I'm not surprised that I-305's and Skyrush's would be.

LOVE the color! I was really hesitant with yellow and really wanted green. But I've changed my mind. That yellow will stand out so well down there in the Hollow. It will be a wonderful splash of color.

I'm going on Thursday. Can't wait to show a new person all the cool stuff that's going to happen for next year! Now I have track pieces to show her instead of just dirt and footers.

Thanks for all the pictures!

does anyone know when they will start to put the supports in place? also, which ones will be put in first, the larger or smaller ones?

http://leviathan.canadaswonderland.com/

I wish Hersheypark would have put the effort and money into their new ride's information page and renderings. This new ride looks amazing.

Brand-new Construction Update in out Blog!
http://keystonethrills.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/hersheypark-skyrush-update-39-9211/
One of the lift hill footers is currently being made. I'll be getting a photo update from Park Blvd. sometime this week.

Taken today by me.(9/5/2011)

http://keystonethrills.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/hersheypark-skyrush-construction-update-41-91411/
A new construction update has been posted to the blog showing off the track.

Chris posted a NEW Skyrush update!!!

http://keystonethrills.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/hersheypark-skyrush-update-42-92611/

these updates are great. thanks!

Alright guys, when I went past the park this morning there's wasn't much new from Monday, but this makes up for it. When driving by they had some new track sitting next to that strange blue thing. This track had no spine and looked similar to the station and brake pieces, but here's the catch... it had anti-rollbacks on them!
This may be a hypothesis, but I'm thinking that the yellow I-beams might be the lift hill and instead of going with a one-piece support/track lift hill like I-305, they may be going with a multiple piece system.
This should be interesting to see.

Some of the Lift/Station track is here. Check out Update #44 on the blog at http://keystonethrills.com

The top and bottom for the lift is here!
http://keystonethrills.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/hersheypark-skyrush-update-45-46-10-10-10-12-11/

Here's my update from 10/16:


I was amazed at how well the park was up and running after the flood. They had three of the entrance gates closed for something, probably flood related.


The Rhineland shops were still closed and being refurbished from the flood.


They had these temp stands set up since the shops were closed.






Looks like they're beginning to work under Comet.










New stakes have shown up behind Scrambler.


Looks like one of the survey markings was repainted.


It's sort of hard to find but if you look over on that concrete slab, there's a new marking there.


The old Comet Hollow Restrooms are now closed.


They have been replaced with the temp restrooms. Looks like O' Connell Plumbing & Drain didn't do the appropriate work on this one since they were also closed.






Looks like they took a section out of Comet to connect the station construction site with the other side.






Concrete, supposingly for the station.


Yes, they're still there, or should I say "half of them" lol.


I see track!


Pure Intamin goodness!


Such a beautiful sight!


Lightning Racer's overflow is still blocked off and appears the same as it did earlier in the season.


These new recycling machines are now appearing in the park. This was the only one I saw.


Now's the time to get your last rides in. New trains coming next season - praying no OTSR's"!


See you at Christmas!

And if you haven't yet, be sure to check out my Comet Hollow: A Photo Documentary for a look at the area prior to construction: https://keystonethrills.forumotion.com/t321-special-feature-comet-hollow-a-photo-documentary

when do you think vertical construction will begin? it seems like just about every new roller coaster has started vertical construction except skyrush!!

billybobjoebob wrote:when do you think vertical construction will begin? it seems like just about every new roller coaster has started vertical construction except skyrush!!

I agree Billybobjoebob. I was thinking the same thing. most new rollercoasters all reasy have there lift hill and station done. Levithian already has there lift brakes and station done.

X-flight at SFGAm is scheduled to open memorial day weekend (same as Skyrush) and they have not even started to dig a single footer yet.

and i think that that is falling behind too!

billybobjoebob wrote:and i think that that is falling behind too!

I really don't think Skyrush is "Behind" They lost a few weeks from two floods. I don't consider Skyrush to be "Behind schedule" Not one bit.

I just wish they would pick up the pace

anywho, so when do you think vertical construction will begin?

billybobjoebob wrote:I just wish they would pick up the pace

anywho, so when do you think vertical construction will begin?

Whenever they bring over the supports, which nobody but the park knows.



Here's Update #47 on the construction of Skyrush from the Keystone Thrills blog:
http://keystonethrills.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/hersheypark-skyrush-update-47-10-16-10-20-11/

Enjoy!

Is it me or have the restrooms been finally torn down (in the last photo)? What day did you take that pic?

Great photos! A good amount of work has been done in the past few weeks!

I especially like the new recycling machines.
I never thought recycling bins and machines they would be of much use in some parks, but after using as many water bottles as I did on my last trip, I actually found myself searching for them.

nice update, it looks like vertical construction will begin soon ! and i don't have a single clue what that new foundation is for

The new foundation is for electrical equipment.

CoasterBGW wrote:The new foundation is for electrical equipment.

Motor Control Center enclosure I assume. Looks like they're moving it up from the original location so it won't be in the flood plain.

Why wouldn't they put it on the other bank? That seems more logical to me.

It is likely easier to bring in power from the utilities just outside the park than to run new utilities through the park.