Hersheypark: Attraction 2012 Rumor and News Discussion

hpinsane wrote: They've already dammed the creek near Comet, where that silver pipe connects to those pumps. They will redirect the creek using the well discussed plastic piping.

And that B&M picture is a great example. How deep do you think the support goes into the concrete? Not the 40/50 feet that length of the plastic piping at Creekside Catering is.

So, they've bypassed the creek with the silver pipeline, only to redirect the creek with the black tubing? Seems a little redundant to me, unless the silver pipe and pumps is temporary and will be shutting down at some point, once the black tubing is installed. I don't know, I'm no expert on damming and dredging. I would imagine they don't want the pump running 24/7 for several months. I guess once this black stuff is installed, they can shut it off.

But let's not pretend those plastic tubes can't hold wet concrete in place until it cures. They could, especially while supported by the surrounding earth. I haven't seen those black tubes in person, but they don't look to be 40-50 feet from the photo, more like half of that. Those Batman footers may go 20 feet into the ground. I''m sure there will be footers for Attraction 2012 that run that deep, especially in the water.

My thought process was that since the pond was already bypassed by the silver pipeline, that footers would begin to be placed in the water area soon, as to not have the pond drained for longer than it needed to be, perhaps even to be filled with water again by the time the park opened.

Additionally, I thought that perhaps since the footers would be in the water, that their casings would be plastic as to not rust, while 'water-proofing' the concrete. I'm certainly no insider here. This was all speculation on my part.

I guess time will tell. If the black tubing is indeed for bypassing the creek, then it seems they plan on having it bypassed for an extended period of time - longer than I had originally thought.

Magnum PA wrote:So, they've bypassed the creek with the silver pipeline, only to redirect the creek with the black tubing? Seems a little redundant to me, unless the silver pipe and pumps is temporary and will be shutting down at some point, once the black tubing is installed. I don't know, I'm no expert on damming and dredging. I would imagine they don't want the pump running 24/7 for several months. I guess once this black stuff is installed, they can shut it off.

That silver pipe isn't pumping water to bypass the creek. If this were the case, that pipe would be much bigger, and they would have more than two pumps pumping water out.

Either way, the plastic piping is going to be used to temporarily redirect the creek. But that process is going to take the next month or two, with footer pouring a month or two after that.

They've surveyed the dry land for where the ride's supports will go. But don't forget, they still have to survey the creek bed. They can't do that until they redirect the creek.

So I'm 95% sure it'll be Intamin based on the footers, size available, and information from Screamscape. What do you guys think the height restriction will be? I believe all of the B&Ms have 54" minimums (Twizzlers or Jolly Ranchers only). Storm Runner and Fahrenheit have the same, but will the hypers be the same? The S:RoS rides have 54" mins. and 76" max. limits, but Millennium Force (which is a giga, but with the same trains) allows 48-78 riders, which would include Milk Chocolate Bars at Hershey.

I think if the coaster doesn't go upside down, then HERSHEY'S would be able to ride. If it does, then the height restriction would be TWIZZLER'S.

If the Jollyrancher/Twizzler policy is for inverting rides only, then why do the B&M hypers have 54" minimums. Also, Sidewinder allows chocolate bars to ride despite its six inversions, as does the Sooperdooperlooper (which even allows Reese's if they are accompanied by a taller rider). However, those are Vekoma and Schwarzkopf, which we know will not be building Attraction 2012.

I'm not saying it's the rule for all inversions. I'm just saying that is what I think.

Lets hope were not getting a Vekoma or Schwarzkopf, that could be a disastor. The only company I wouldn't complain about would be Mack, Blue Fire looks amazing.

*Well company other then B&M or Intamin that is

As of now, the WGAL news segment featuring Chris and I is scheduled to be aired this Friday between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. and probably between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. If this would happen to change, we'll keep you informed.

I'd say the height restrictions will be Twizzler and Jolly Rancher. Even without inversions, it's better not to "risk" (quotes because it really isn't that big of an issue) it with a height that's borderline - the Hershey Bar one. It'll be classified as a thrill ride most likely, so they would probably make it the same as Stormrunner, Fahrenheit, etc. as said.

^ Is there any way one of you (or anyone else) can cap that? Or will it be featured on their site possibly? I also think it would make a great addition to the other site. (If you cannot, no problem whatsoever)

BTW, the reason I go off-topic is not to aggravate you guys; it's to keep all of us occupied while we are waiting for updates, but I have a question about Hersheypark:

Is it possible to get there on Public Transportation? If so, how?

I know there is a spot for that employees use on the CAT and COLT buses. The spot lets off behind the service center where the employees park. It's a short walk then to the front gate. I don't see a problem with a non-employee using that but stop.

hpinsane wrote:They've surveyed the dry land for where the ride's supports will go. But don't forget, they still have to survey the creek bed. They can't do that until they redirect the creek.

I think everyone here appreciates your imput. I don't know anything about you, but you seem like the closest thing to an inside source. I'll look forward to reading what you have to say from here on out.

But did anyone else notice? We're talking about the ride and its construction, and it's so much more interesting than talking about clues.

If Hersheypark would just announce the ride, I think it would create much more discussion and more of a buzz than RIT ever could.

Were you part of the coaster when Natami was big? I thought is was tons of fun to follow and got very intense at some points. You can only talk about construction so much and they still have to occuppy us for how much longer. You have to remember there probably won't be vertical construction untill October or November. Also if you wern't part of the Natami campeign when it was going on it gets much better then what the RIT is doing now. Right now they are just building up suspence and will get more creative eventually.

Has the clue campaign gone more public recently? (I know the TV interview counts towards this) Or is basically centered around the online and local enthusiasts?

I'm almost positive it is geared tword us. Pretty much all the games and such you have to have knowledge of the coaster community. Duiring Natami there was a small picture of Intimin track shown as a clue. If this was the general public they could've seen nothing noticable at all or just a picture of Storm Runner.

^ That's pretty much what I figured. It does seem like it's all centered around the enthusiasts right now - good points.
On another note, does anyone have any ideas of what the as campaign in / around the park will be once we get closer to an announcement date? Sort of like how Fahrenheit was all over the pamphlets and brochures with the "Heat up....Cool Down..." campaign.

^It could be something like "go back in time" because it's in comet hollow. Yes it sounds dumb but when you throw in the word history people usually come.

That brings up another point....We don't exactly know what this coaster will be themed after. Any ideas?
(I'd say something that has to do with flight, which is a stretch but I'm really just basing that off of the RIT logo)

Also, I just did a tiny bit of looking around and the RIT logo sort of looks like a picture of Aquila, the constellation, that I found. I was just thinking along the lines of the universe/outer space for names, especially since we have Great Bear and Comet in the same area, which are obviously space-themed (well, named).

I could see another space object name, like The Big Dipper, especially if its an airtime filled hyper.

2012 wrote:I could see another space object name, like The Big Dipper, especially if its an airtime filled hyper.

They wouldn't use The Big Dipper since they reference that with the Great Bear, but I'm sure they could use another constellation to draw a name from, sure.

This should really have an outer-space theme, I don't know of very many roller coasters that do. While it won't be as thematic as Space Mountain at the Disney Parks, the queue and station could be decorated to look like a spaceport, and it could also have on-board audio and special space-theme effects throughout the ride like on Bizarro. Hershey doesn't really have any themed rides, although Storm Runner has a light Western theme. A rocketship theme would also go well with the fact that airtime hills make you feel as if you're in outer space. If there was a different theme, it should be an "epic adventure" ride, especially if it's a very long roller coaster. The only thing I wouldn't like about having a theme would be if it detracted from the ride itself. The Dark Knight Roller coasters at Six Flags near Philadelphia and Milwaukee are like toned-down versions of Space Mountain (monotonous wild mouse coasters), which only make you feel like you're in Gotham City when you ride for the first time. It also has a lame 5-minute movie which you must see before boarding. But seriously, those rides are more about immersion, and if Attraction 2012 is a great ride, then Comet Hollow will be a much more important section of the park.

They could make it a space theme (similar to Great Bear) but I definitely would count out having on-board audio installed. I just don't see that happening (along with any kind of pre-show, even if it's lame) with this coaster.

I wasn't counting on it, I just thought it would be fun to have. And why wouldn't there likely be one?

While I think the on-board audio idea is nice, I just don't see Hershey investing that much into a new coaster.

I expect they'll probably spend about $17 million on this roller coaster. S:RoS at Six Flags America was $12 million in 2000, but this I bet will also have more airtime hills, needing more steel. Does that cost seem right to you guys?

rascalflatts wrote:I expect they'll probably spend about $17 million on this roller coaster. S:RoS at Six Flags America was $12 million in 2000, but this I bet will also have more airtime hills, needing more steel. Does that cost seem right to you guys?

You should base your pricing off Intimidator 305 in Kings Dominion. But, 17-22 million is a good price range. I wouldn't expect there to be a lot of theming for the ride specifically. There's not a whole lot of room for it. I wouldn't be surprised if Comet Hollow got a new name and theme though.

Do you honestly think Hershey will spend $25 million on this new rollercoaster? Intimidator 300 is a lot bigger than what this is allowed to be, so wouldn't it cost less?

Here is the News 8 interview with Chris and I:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttviAe1213A

http://www.wgal.com/video/27237082/detail.html

Unfortunately, they had the video code disabled so I was unable to embed the video right here for you to see. Looks like they had the blueprints out on that exact day that we were there. According to what was shown, those blueprints must have indicated where all the utilities were located (probably has the PA One Call flags marked as well).

The strangest thing is that I remember looking over at that guy holding those blueprints and wondering if they had anything to do with this ride? Looks like it did and it also confirms that the ride will somehow go through Comet Hollow. At least at this point we know that one thing is confirmed in the marketing game.

Those blueprints were definitely interesting. Very likely it will somehow snake its way through Comet Hollow, I would say too. Informative interview you guys had.

I don't remember seeing that guy holding the blueprints so I'm glad Chris pointed that out. That was all-new to me when I first watched the story. He seemed to be looking around those game buildings. It's looking more and more likely that the station will be somewhere around where Tilt-A-Whirl is currently located. The same goes for those game buildings facing the wrecking ball.

Hey so I'm new to the forum, but I've been following for quite some time now and just want to throw a few things in. My source works for a company and right now they are doing some of the work up there. They were also in charge of some work for Storm Runner, Fahrenheit, and The Seaquel and my source just told me some facts of the new coaster. IT'S BIG! they said total in all it will take 1 and 1/2 years to construct this thing. He said it will not only run down by the creek and Founder's Circle, but it will zig zag around the park and even weave in and out of Storm Runner and the monorail and go by the ZooAmerica bridge entrance too. He said he has no idea who the manufacturer is, but it sound like it would have to be from a company who is used to constructing huge coasters and my bet is Intamin. He said about 2-4 flat rides are also getting re-arranged to accomodate though he couldn't remember which ones.

^ Hello and welcome! I think that might be a little TOO big but you bring up some good points. Instead of wrapping around the creek twice.. whats to say that it wont go out towards Storm Runner and Zoo America?

The Sea Lion/Dolphin show has to be on its last legs. Even though it's not what we are currently led to believe.. why not have the station there and the lift go over Comet Hollow.. Drop down into the creek area, turn around at the catering, run back up towards/over the Comet, and go back up towards Storm Runner/Zoo before coming back into the station?

I like it!

First off, welcome to the forums nmyers18!

Secondly, I think that layout would be a little too large. I think as much as we try to envision the station at other places (including myself at one point), I still think it's safe to say that it's going in Tilt-A-Whirl's spot. There is just enough room there for a transfer track section alongside Comet, if they remove those games buildings. As what HPinsane said before, I don't think there are any markers beyond the current area where we've been discussing (except for the mark or two that Chris found back in September). I just can't see them moving four or five rides around to create something that massive in the park.

Seriously! That would be so cool if it were that long, airtime galore! But keep in mind it cannot be more than 212 feet tall. Will a drop like that give it enough force to make it through a circuit like that. I guess it could be like Bizarro at SFNE where you go straight into a shallow tunnel at the bottom of the drop to make it longer than the lift.

Well I thinking about what my source said and when I thought about and if it is Intamin, then they could use the double spine trakc like on Intimidator 305 and they would be able to add more track with less supports and less money. I know right now they look to be using the double spine track now because I305 has such extreme forces, but they can also use it to span greater distances with less supports. They could just have a bunch of hills after the first by using top hat hills like Storm Runner's first hill and then there virtually wont hardly be any supports so they are able to to get more for their money and making such a large coaster more plausible.

Nmyers, i live in mech, what company does he work for?

Post Deleted

nmyers18 wrote:Deleted.

I don't mean to be rude, or to discourage you from contributing here and sharing what you know. But may I suggest either deleting or editing your posts so that :

1) Your "source" doesn't lose his job for talking about sensitive material with non-employees (you)

or

2) Your "source's" company doesn't lose out on a job opportunity and/or future job opportunities with Hersheypark and/or other jobs because the confidential information given to them makes its way to internet message boards, especially a board that Hersheypark has made themselves involved with.

Perhaps you should remove your "source's" company's name, and change any references to him to "a source". Just a thought...

nmyers18 wrote:my source just told me some facts of the new coaster. IT'S BIG! they said total in all it will take 1 and 1/2 years to construct this thing. He said it will not only run down by the creek and Founder's Circle, but it will zig zag around the park and even weave in and out of Storm Runner and the monorail and go by the ZooAmerica bridge entrance too. He said he has no idea who the manufacturer is, but it sound like it would have to be from a company who is used to constructing huge coasters and my bet is Intamin. He said about 2-4 flat rides are also getting re-arranged to accomodate though he couldn't remember which ones.

The coaster can't take a year and a half to build because it will be opening in a year and six weeks from now (give or take a week or two) unless circumstances occur which prevent construction (bad storms, a work accident).

Your informant (I'll go with that) is right about a couple of rides getting shuffled, which has been mentioned before - Tilt-A-Whirl moving to Founder's Circle. However, this ride is staying within the area that was shown on Screamscape a couple of weeks ago. Although I believe the lift path shown on that map is wrong (especially the mention of a lift house...lift houses are at the bottom of the lift, not underneath the top), the area of coverage of the ride and the placement of the station is accurate. It's going to be a big ride, but fairly contained to that specific area, except for it's run between Founder's Circle and Comet, and it's run down Comet Hollow back into the station.

Just wanted to give you guys a heads up. I drove past the park today and they have started digging in the creek. It's completely drained and being rerouted by 3 pumps. When you guys get a chance you should do another update.

Thanks for the tips about posting guys don't want him getting in trouble. ^But that sounds great. If I lived closer to Hershey, I would go by and get some pics, but I don't so it's up to you guys.

Thanks for the info, pushingbuttons. Do you have a camera? You're welcome to take pics and post them so Chris can add them to the Attraction 2012 page. Our second meet-up at Springtime in the Park is less than a month away. If they have begun digging now, imagine what that area will be like by that time. I'm assuming that the rest of the creek has been filled since they were damming and messing with it when we were there to shoot the interview. Were any of those black pipes still laying down there or were they all installed for temporary rerouting of the creek?

I also agree with Magnum PA about doing some editing to those posts. Hershey has been getting involved here with the Ride Institute of Technology game, so I'm sure we don't want to see anyone lose their job(s) for releasing sensative information.

^ I do have a camera, but I live an hour away from Hershey and between work and school I just don't have the time to stop by. I also think I am just going to stop posting info about the ride unless the park approves of it.

I was driving by and I didn't have time to stop and take pictures this time, but the next time I go up I'll be sure to get some pictures. I do have a picture of the dam with the 3 pumps. But I can't figure out how to upload a picture here. Someone help, please.

I have no idea how to upload the pics. So any ideas on the paint job on this thing? I was thinking something bright sort of like Talon at Dorney.

Got it! I don't know if you can see it clearly. There is 3 pumps two of which are running down the creek where that random thing in the creek was (now thats gone). The third pump is just pumping right back into the creek into a little screening area (checking to make sure the pump works correctly and no contaminates go into the creek). There is also a new dam right before the rocks that they used to dam up the creek. From what I saw yesterday it looks like now all 3 pumps are going down creek. The creek is still being diverted by the metal pipes no the black ones.

Very interesting. I really can't wait for STITP to see this up close. Though I am still puzzled if this thing is as big as I think then how is there only 32 supports?

When are you going to STITP? You ought to consider joining us for our get-together.

The pic looks pretty similar to what we saw during the day when we were there for the interview. Did Creekside look any different? The 32 supports are for the man-made pond at least according to the Derry Township zoning board meeting. That was mentioned since they normally can't build in the creek because of zoning regulations.

Oh wow, sorry adrenalinejunkie, completely forgot about Hershey reading this.