Hersheypark: Attraction 2012 Rumor and News Discussion

hpinsane wrote:

HPCrazy wrote:That's right, forgot about that. I believe that's next weekend, am I correct?

It starts on Wednesday or Thursday, I believe...but trailers have already started coming into town for the event.

Yeah, they are already parking the trailers inside the old airfield.

Lets get back on topic!!!! Has anyone any updates about construction???? Im starting to believe theres not going to be an attraction next year. The annoucment should of come by now!!!!1

I'll be extremely surprised if it is for next year.

There better be an attraction next year, even if it is a new flat or two. Having two seasons with nothing will just annoy me lol.

I concur, extremely unlikely this is a 2011 project. Cheers to another year of speculation

there will be some kind of something, let it be a flat ride or upgrades. Ticket prices for next year went up two or three dollars and they only do that if they add something. Plus they usually dont announce flat rides. You just see them when springtime opens

True, then I'd say we're getting some flats as well as upgrades next season.

underslayer wrote:there will be some kind of something, let it be a flat ride or upgrades. Ticket prices for next year went up two or three dollars and they only do that if they add something. Plus they usually dont announce flat rides. You just see them when springtime opens

So it's going to be $55 or $56 for admission for next year? That's expensive! Where did you find this?

It's times like this where I'm happy to be getting a season pass.

I said it before and I'll say it again, It would not suprise me if we don't get anything next year. IMO there is nothing wrong with what they have already. At least they have more flat rides than Great Adventure. Plus it would be more money saved for the park to put into Attraction 2012.

well i got my season pass renewal in the mail and it went up two dollars were last year it stayed the same. as far as regular tickets going up i think i read that some where.

If we are getting anything big next year, most likely not, we would have heard more about it by now such as hints. If it is flats or someting else smaller, we should know by the time Candylane starts.

Will they make a small annoucment about the attractions or how will we know???

Like I said, major attraction in 2012, minor improvements next year. No one should get their hopes up for a large attraction for next year. Land clearing would have already begun, but they are still in the variance process.

I'm guessing minor improvements can include a flat(s). Nothing too big but to add something new and not make a big deal about it. Also, something like that wouldn't require them to announce something new right now. When Howler opened, all the attention went to FH and Howler was basically just an added bonus. So I'd say enhancements and maybe a new flat(s). Something else they should also invest money into is another sit-down restaurant. I look at Cedar Point and all the sit-down restaurants they have inside the park, as well as with Dorney, Kings Island, etc.

With the limited space Hershey has, I don't foresee them adding a new restaurant, of all things. They'd use that space for a ride. Maybe adapting an existing food place into a sit-down restaurant? That or transforming a catering area. Only ways I could see validation for a sit-down restaurant.

I've always thought that the Minetown Restaurant would be the best place to put in a sit-in restaurant. Obviously that would involve some major renovations.

That said, I wouldn't even expect a new flat next year. We might see things move around to make room for the 2012 project, but that's about it. There are a lot of projects that have been in the works for years, and if we don't get a lot of snow this winter, we might see more of it done.

I would like to see the park get a new flat, but I'm not to hopeful of one coming in.

There's the Loft Catering area above Gourmet Grille. If they add an elevator they could easily make that a restaurant.

Personally (like I said many times) it really wouldn't upset me if they don't add another flat ride in 2011 and I really don't think anyone would be offended if they don't (especially the GP). It's not really going to have anyone stop going to the park any less. Plus they are still riding on the success of the Boardwalk and Fahrenheit and we all know how the crowds have picked up drastically compared to before they were built.

Don't expect something to surely happen, otherwise you would be more upset if it didn't happen.

I forgot about the Loft place. You're idea of that reminds me of Cinderella's Royal Table at WDW. You check in on ground level and take an elevator to the restaurant, which is located on the second floor. When you're up there, there is a wall of windows where you can see out over Fantasyland. That would be ideal, or like you said, remodel Minetown. Although Minetown is more like their Cafeteria-style eatery, while the Loft could possibly accommodate another sit-down venue. Tudor Grill is the only sit-down/table service venue that the park has to offer and it's even outside the gates. Would be nice to have something inside the park as well.

I know this is not happening, at least not next year, but it's always something to discuss and speculate for the future.

The Loft is rather small though. I've been in there a few times. It's not a bad idea though, but I think a better sit-in restaurant would be something more like what Dorney Park has (a sports restaurant) or what Great Adventure has (the sit-in next to their flume ride).

HPCrazy wrote:I don't understand why everyone wants an Intamin mega-lite. I did my homework yesterday and looked up some pics of those rides and while they do look awesome, a B&M hyper would fit the bill much better. I forgot about Raging Bull, thanks for pointing that out! I've seen pics of that one and I believe that was built in a condensed area, similar to what we're currently seeing at HP. Anything could happen but I thought I would bring that up.

Hey, HPCrazy, good point! Something everyone forgets about why if it's a hypercoaster, it should be from B&M instead of Intamin: Intamin is installing SHOULDER HARNESSES on all of their new rides, regardless of inversions. While they are comfortable, they might cause some slight headbanging and ruin the ride. Intamin no longer makes T-Bars due to the accidents that they cause. Meanwhile, the B&M hypers have clamshell-frame lapbars, which barely make you feel restrained. Also, they have much more legroom than Intamins and the floor is far below your feet, giving you the sensation of a floorless coaster without the otsr. I am dying to see more bolliger and mabillard megas, I live in New York and the only one within 250 miles is Nitro. If it was at Hershey and went outside the park, it would be AWESOME! And I also agree that there is little airtime on any coaster at Hershey.

Intamin has a very good relationship with HP. HP wanted a coaster on short notice, they were able to produce Fahrenheit. That's something B&M could not do. The new Intamin OTS restraints are VERY confortable and they can accomodate larger individuals, B&M's are a little tight. The newer trains also have more legroom. I have never really had any headbanging issues with Intamin.

knowit* wrote:Intamin has a very good relationship with HP. HP wanted a coaster on short notice, they were able to produce Fahrenheit. That's something B&M could not do. The new Intamin OTS restraints are VERY confortable and they can accomodate larger individuals, B&M's are a little tight. The newer trains also have more legroom. I have never really had any headbanging issues with Intamin.

j

Well, I have been on Kingda Ka, and that had enough legroom in the first row, but what about the other rows? Also, which rides with the Intamin OTSR have you been on? Maverick? Intimidator 305? Would there be more headbanging on a hyper with more turns? Think about on i305, which needed trims because people blacked out. Also, when you say "B&M's are tight" do you mean their hard otsr on floorless, inverted, standup, sitdown, and divers, or the clamshell bars on hypers?

First, not all new Intamins have OTSRs. None of the Mega-Lites have them (ie: Piraten, Fly over Mediterranean, Kawasemi, and Mega-Lite).

I experienced Intimidator 305 in the back row, and it hurt. All of those quick changes in direction really pelted the restraint into my neck (granted, it was before the restraint change). I was happy the ride was over... not one of my favorites for that reason. Honestly I'd rather ride any S:ROS than i305.

^^Why would Hershey have wanted Fahrenheit on short notice? 2007 was their most well-attended year to date, and I'm sure they were expecting it (even surprised at the high attendance). It's not like "Oh no! This year was awful! Let's quickly build a new gimmick coaster for next year because we need the people!" Idk why they put in Fahrenheit so soon. Sorry, but I don't think it should have been built in 2008. Now with talks of mystical "contracts" with Intamin (2004, 2008, 2012), that seems like the only reason to built it that year. In that case, it was not a quick decision: it had been planned since before 2004.

Well, I have been on Kingda Ka, and that had enough legroom in the first row, but what about the other rows? Also, which rides with the Intamin OTSR have you been on? Maverick? Intimidator 305? Would there be more headbanging on a hyper with more turns? Think about on i305, which needed trims because people blacked out. Also, when you say "B&M's are tight" do you mean their hard otsr on floorless, inverted, standup, sitdown, and divers, or the clamshell bars on hypers?

Well, Stormrunner and Fahrenheit are the 2 intamins that I have been on. The trains on SR have less leg room and stiffer shoulder restraints than Fahrenheit. This new type of train is being used on many new coasters, as well at the OTSR system. Maverick and Fahrenheit have near identical trains.

As Far as B&M, I have been on Batman, Great Bear, Aplengeist, and Apollos Chariot. All are a tight fit for larger individuals, and had more head banging on Aplengeist than any of the others. That has gotten a little rough over the years. I have to say that the lap bar on apollos chariot was nice, but still not as comfy as Fahrenheit

As a person who has rode Kingda Ka, Storm Runner and Fahrenheit, I do have to say that the OTSR's can bruise your neck, but I think it depends on the rider's height, and the coaster's layout. Last month the part that hurt the most on SR was the banked rise section. If i would've known that it was coming, my bruises whould've been worse than what they were. Given that they went away overnight and didn't hurt afterwards, a good solution would be to change over to the OTS straps used on I-305.
FH wasn't a big problem with this since they are made of a more softer rubber.

The B&M clamshell restraints are actually pretty secure and good IMO. While I'm not the fattest person in the world, I didn't have any trouble with the ones on Nitro. Plus I liked the fact that the seats were at a height that you couldn't have your feet on the ground to make it feel like a floorless coaster. They say that the 2nd verson of B&M hyper cars are more open and I am interested to see how they are.

Thanks for pointing out that the Mega-Lites have lapbars, because I didn't know that! However, how are they shaped, and why were they installed if unsafe? The only major Intamin rides I knew about built since 2004 were El Toro and Bizarro at New England (which was built in 2000 and continued having lapbars after the incident, but different ones). Also, they are either 'U' or 'm' bars, not 'T' bars like Millennium Force or Xcelerator. Those were the types that caused accidents. Why would the number of poles supporting a lapbar have any effect on how safe they are?

rascalflatts wrote:Why would the number of poles supporting a lapbar have any effect on how safe they are?

I think of it like lifting a box with one arm compared to lifting a box with two arms. It's just more secure overall. Your arms can be locked in two places, as opposed to one, so if one shoulder would fail, the other would still be there to keep the box up. That's just how I think about it.

ok lets get back on topic!!! Lets change our course of topic a little shall we??? It seems by now that we are not getting a rollercoaster for 2011 right??? lets talk about what we may get for 2011 besides the rollercoaster,[A flat ride,improvments in the park,ect}

The Storm Runner wrote:^^Why would Hershey have wanted Fahrenheit on short notice? 2007 was their most well-attended year to date, and I'm sure they were expecting it (even surprised at the high attendance). It's not like "Oh no! This year was awful! Let's quickly build a new gimmick coaster for next year because we need the people!" Idk why they put in Fahrenheit so soon. Sorry, but I don't think it should have been built in 2008. Now with talks of mystical "contracts" with Intamin (2004, 2008, 2012), that seems like the only reason to built it that year. In that case, it was not a quick decision: it had been planned since before 2004.

I think the 4 year spread between Intamin coasters is a coincidence. I'm positive that the Storm Runner discussion started back in 2002. There's just no way they had any idea they would be making the moves their making now. They make long term plans, but they always end up changing. I once found an article on PennLive.com from 2007 that said that Hersheypark had no intention of building a 200+ foot coaster. Now look at what's they've proposed to the local authorities.

If there was a new flat ride, a screaming swing is what they need, because you can get airtime on it, and it is by far less sprawling and expensive than a hypercoaster.

rascalflatts wrote:If there was a new flat ride, a screaming swing is what they need, because you can get airtime on it, and it is by far less sprawling and expensive than a hypercoaster.

It would be a good addition and I'd be happy with it as long as it's free. Finding a place to put it would be a problem unless they take out the Midway Tent and place it there.

usually those kind of flats would be extra admission. I think they should bring back the paratrooper or the Wipeout.

What screaming swings are extra? The ones I've been on aren't.

coasteral wrote:usually those kind of flats would be extra admission. I think they should bring back the paratrooper or the Wipeout.

2012 is right, just because the swing at Dorney Park is extra doesn't mean that's the norm. The Skyhawk at Cedar Point is free.

I just got back from Hersheypark in the Dark and from the site meet-up with Matt (HPCrazy) and Alex (coasteral). While we were there, something very strange occured.
Like I said in the Meet-Up thread, I said that our group would meet at the Hershey Statue around 2pm. We all got there and started waiting to see if anyone from the site would show up. After waiting 5 minutes we were about to just go and ride, but here's what happened....

3 people in white labcoats (one guy was wearing a berat (french hat) came walking up and wanted us to complete a servey. We were all about to turn them away, but I figured, "why not?"
They asked us 5 or 6 questions:
-What do you think is the right amount of time of freefall on a ride?
-What role do you think water plays in the effect on a ride?
-What are the freefall rides that you've been on?
-What role do you think water should play on a ride?
-and a question on something like if a concrete ride or water ride is better? I didn't really completely understand it though.

So they then thanked us for their time and the gave us a big envolope. Inside were 4 Exit Passes (which were passes where we didn't have to wait in line for a ride), and a smaller letter envolope which had a bunch of different puzzle pieces in it.

We all didn't really know what it was for, but once we thought about it for a second I knew I never heard of the Ride Institute of Technology (RIT) before and planned on googling it.

Once I got home, I got the envolope out, broke out the tape and started putting this thing together. Below are pictures:

Hmm... Could it be???


I was never really good a puzzles, but I have a good feeling about this.


Bingo!!

It says "see u in the spring. game on!".
At the bottom of the page is a website address saying, Rideinstitute.com
Link:
http://www.rideinstitute.com/
Right after those 3 guys in labcoats presented us the envolope, they disappeared. We went back later in the day to check to see if they serveyed anyone else, but nobody was there.

On a sidenote, we had a list of 4 people attending on the facebook invite page that we had, someone with the name of Hershey Park friend requested me and then asked me where we were all meeting. Plus on the back of the Exit Passes was a 4 saying how many were in our group and they didn't to just open up the envolope and plop them into it while they were serveying us. It was preplanned. I have to admit it was really creepy the way this happened, but interesting.

Oh well, I guess let the games begin and bring on Nantimi 2.

Sounds like fun. I am ready for the new game.

The good news is that we kind of already know it's from the park so that eliminates pretty much most of the trouble that the Nantimi one caused before.

Also, thanks for coming to the meet-up. It was nice to meet you!

Here we go!

After looking at the picture two of the pieces are a one and a two, but we obviously know this will be 2012 I just found it interesting.

Sounds like another Nantimi game to me. The park definitely knew what they were doing when that "Hershey Park" person on Facebook wanted to know where we were meeting up at the park yesterday.

We'll have to plan a spring meet-up if possible, I really enjoyed yesterday. I'll have some meet-up videos (including the Reese's X-treme Cup tournement and prize giveway) on our Facebook group, as well as some photos.

EDIT: Got this from the provided link that Chris posted:

Celebrating 100 Years



In April of 1911, as Comet Halley blazed across the night sky, two of the nation's leading research scientists quietly handed in their resignations and founded The Ride Institute of Technology (RIT).



Working from a nondescript laboratory outside Princeton, New Jersey, Dr. Jeffrey Clayton and Dr. David Austin initiated a series of cutting-edge experiments under complete secrecy. These tests were known as Project Alpha, and would forever change the nascent theme park business.



For eight years, Dr. Clayton and Dr. Austin worked on Project Alpha in isolation and obscurity, endlessly rerunning experiments, testing hypotheses, and establishing the standards of an industry they were building from the ground up.



In the fall of 1918, RIT rented the penthouse suite of a downtown New York City hotel. Here, they invited the world's foremost ride engineers, ride operators, and theme park executives for an exclusive look at the results of Project Alpha.



The reception was astounding, and those in attendance recall pandemonium as the presentation concluded. Well-dressed executives stood on chairs shouting, and in their frenzy, offered fantastic sums for exclusive rights to the findings.



RIT turned down every bidder, and Dr. Clayton and Dr. Austin left New York under cover of darkness. They soon rented a new laboratory in a new state, where they began to hire additional scientists, physicists, and engineers.



As RIT expanded, its founders gradually removed themselves from day-to-day operations. In time, a new generation of scientists moved into leadership positions, and in their bid to grow further, they placed RIT firmly in the public eye.



Today, RIT stands as the undisputed leader in the advanced research and testing of theme park rides and attractions. We are the first and largest firm within our industry, and our clients include every iconic theme park in the world.



It's been nearly 12 years since we've released a major new study, but in the spring of 2011, we will unveil our most ambitious undertaking yet. We look forward to sharing our results with the world, and our forthcoming website will explain these findings further.



Thank you for visiting The Ride Institute of Technology.

Now some things to point out:

-They mention "Comet Halley". This would refer to the ride being located in Comet Hollow, thus why we're seeing all these survey markings and stakes.

-Spring 2011, they will unveil their "most ambitious undertaking yet"? Hmmm, sounds like a spring 2011 announcement, may be in the works? Most ambitious - maybe referring to the over 200-ft height mark?

Those are some things I wanted to point out that maybe we should think about.

Interesting line in the css code:

/* PreProj: nAnT_L1v3s */


Possibly stands for Nantimi Lives

Well. This may mean there going to announce it in the spring. Hopfully!!!

I just uploaded our discussion of "The Ride Institute of Technology" at the meet-up to the Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=119236738096285

I will also be uploading some more highlights of the day there as well in the coming days ahead.

I hope they put in the WIPEOUT ride that would be cool

Reading Chris' comment on TPR led me to email them and you get an auto reply...


info@rideinstitute.com to me
show details 5:54 PM (3 hours ago)
Your message has been forwarded to the appropriate RIT Project Manager for further review. Please remember that the confidential nature of our work requires the use of an encryption key for all e-mail communications.

As previously discussed, we anticipate a joint public announcement in the spring of 2011.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

This stuff about the Ride Institute of Tech. is awsome and confusing. First thing is the spring 2011 thing. This could mean opening in 2011 or announcement in 2011. I really hope it opens then because an announcement then would kill all hopes for the hyper. One more thing, would they hint two years in advance about a drop tower? This whole situation seems sapicious. I also think its cool that this site got enough attention by HersheyPark for them to look at it and know there was going to be a meet up.

Unless they open a drop tower in 2011 AND make the announcement of "Attraction 2012". That could most likely be a possibility.

Look at the coat of arms at the top of www.rideinstitute.com and look at the coat of arms of Poland (the White Eagle):



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Poland

Does this mean we have a name? White Eagle?

I'm wondering if they may open a drop tower for 2011 and announce "Project 2012". That's something to think about.

Is this game going to take place in the offseason or start in the spring?

The new ride will be a b and m.
On the ride institute website it said it has been 14 years since we have
Seen one of their creations. If this ride premiers in 2012, that is the 14th year of great bear
at hershey

Never would've noticed that, good work.

Edit- it says twelve years but same idea.