Hersheypark: 2011 Season Thread

Hersheypark dug a hole!

Just a guess but I really think this is probably just for water or something. I give it about a 2% chance its anything important.

I dont think that it is anything important either. Next year we will go there and forget all about it.

500 foot tall Intamin Aquatrax. lol

It was a joke I was waiting to say, but jokes aside, its more than likely nothing to get concerned about.

Hey, it is a construction though.

It's most likely for utilities. It looks like they are replacing something of some sort, probably piping.

I don't know, it's easy to fit a Strata in there.

The Coal Cracker is being taken apart again to be repaired.
Here are the pictures.

There were pieces taken apart when I was there back on Nov 14th, but I don't remember that whole section apart. Looks like they are going section by section, per off-season. I'm guessing the ride will almost be like brand new when this is all complete.

What is the construction for along the roadway between Chocolate World and the Hersheypark entrance? I assume it's just utilities, but I don't know.

You maybe right, although I never did see it in person. I guess I'll have to check it out when I go up in February.

It looks like they have the wheel assemblies off of Great Bear's trains as well. At this rate, they should have all the throughs replaced in several years.
They did the drop 2 years ago, the second lift last year, and the section between the second lift and drop this year.

The Amphitheatre stage has been taken apart and will be redone for next season with (most likely) a new show.

Maybe that's the new show that Ccron10 mentioned.

I took this picture about a week ago from the Monorailand did not notice that the background has been taken apart on the Aquatheatre until I looked through the pictures on my computer. So, it looks like The Great Candy Caper is going to be changed too.

I now beginning to wonder if this season is going to be "entertainment" focused since they seem to be taking a break from new rides. Not that it isn't a good thing, at least it's something new.

Thats what Im thinking. Since there will be no rides, they will be on improving small things in the park. Changing the entertainment in the park is their main focus.

From these clues about entertainment shakeups, I'm looking forward to learning more about what they have planned. I love that Hersheypark maintains its entertainment at such a high level. I don't know of many other parks with as many diverse high quality shows. It's one of the things that separates Hersheypark from other traditional amusement parks and other large regional parks like Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks.

I agree, that Hershey tops all those other parks in the entertainment spectacle. They even have a variety of strolling entertainment acts roaming the midways. The Boardwalkers were a great addition and I hope they continue to stay at the park. Having the Hershey characters interact with the guests during the Soda Pops show was also a great addition. Even the Chocolate Parade in February over at Chocolate World is well put together. We enjoy going to that event every year....helps kill off the boring winter months (anticipation up the event itself). I'd say they are close to Disney as far as show standards goes. I know other parks do the same thing where they take a year off and do other updates and shows, etc. It would be nice to see some new shows and entertainment in the park as it was getting old seeing some of the same shows for two or three years in a row. I can't remember what you said about the Milkmen....will that be returning? I hope so. I caught two different performances of that show (one during its first year out in Midway and the second last summer).

Busch Gardens has a lot of diversed high quality entertainment too.

HPCrazy wrote:I know other parks do the same thing where they take a year off and do other updates and shows, etc. It would be nice to see some new shows and entertainment in the park as it was getting old seeing some of the same shows for two or three years in a row. I can't remember what you said about the Milkmen....will that be returning? I hope so.

I agree that it is a bit repetitive to see the same shows year after year, but at least the shows were changed up a bit each year. Did you notice that every year a segment of shows like Ultimate Road Trip or The Milkmen were dropped and a new segment added? They did this for each show every year when they started keeping the same shows for three year contracts. Still, it's about time for some completely new shows.

Yes, The Milkmen will be returning as will The Boardwalkers and Wild Country. I know Ultimate Road Trip is out, and from what I can gather Lightning Strike, Beyond the Garden Gate, and The Great Candy Caper are likely out as well.

It used to be every year the shows were changed. I got used to that and I get easily tired of seing the same show more than one year.

I feel that some of the shows can be remained untouched (Milkmen, Sea Lions, Boardwalkers, etc) but then the Amphitheatre, Country Grill, Music Box Theatre, etc should be changed every year. I remember the Amphitheatre show utilizing the phrase "Dance, Dance, Dance" and changing the rest of the show name. This stopped around 2001/02 if I can remember correctly.

Its almost the off-season and changes have begun.

The Ferris Wheel is gone!
My guess is that they are rehabbing it this off-season. The old Pinwheel symbol may be removed and the ride may get a new paint job.











The Coal Cracker is once again being worked on.



Full Candylane PTR coming soon

I'm thinking we may be finally getting those LED's on the Ferris Wheel, similar to Reithohoffer's...if you look at it on my Youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO7xI_DJSGU

I started to think this when Chris said he saw it was taken apart when he went by the park this past weekend. I'm hoping the pinwheel is salvaged, that still makes me upset that they wanted to phase that out.

To my knowledge, the pinwheel is staying. I don't think we'll be seeing LEDs.

Glad to hear about the pinwheel. I don't know why they can't invest in LED's, they're alot prettier. They seem to be doing it for CCL. I've gotten to like Reithoffer's ferris wheel alot with the new lights. They put on quite a show. Click my Youtube link to see it if you already haven't.

HPCrazy wrote:Glad to hear about the pinwheel. I don't know why they can't invest in LED's, they're alot prettier. They seem to be doing it for CCL. I've gotten to like Reithoffer's ferris wheel alot with the new lights. They put on quite a show. Click my Youtube link to see it if you already haven't.

They are investing in LEDs. They've put them on a few rides already. I can think of Flying Falcon and Helicopters as two off the top of my head. They aren't an inexpensive investment, from my understanding.

Flying Falcon has LED's? I can't believe I didn't notice that one, especially at HPITD. I remember Stormwinder (or someone else...can't remember) mentioning about Convoy having LED's installed and I know CCL has also been receiving them throughout the park within the last year. That's great to hear, perhaps it will look alot prettier come nighttime this season.

HPCrazy wrote:Flying Falcon has LED's? I can't believe I didn't notice that one, especially at HPITD. I remember Stormwinder (or someone else...can't remember) mentioning about Convoy having LED's installed and I know CCL has also been receiving them throughout the park within the last year. That's great to hear, perhaps it will look alot prettier come nighttime this season.

Yes, Flying Falcon has LEDs. I don't know about Convoy though, I didn't notice that. All the lights that are used for Candylane are moving to LEDs. I would expect to see a lot more next year, too.

Yes Some of Flying Falcon has LED's and you can barely see them. Convoy does have them and they look good. Maybe they dont show up as well on higher rides. I hope that the Ferris Wheel does not get a LED replacement.

I like LEDs on certain things, as they are an energy and $ saver, and look pretty good!
Flying Falcon is one of the rides that could use a light upgrade but if you said that they are barely visible than they probably need some more..
I recently switched over to LEDs for most of my Christmas display, but putting them on everything and especially large things can look tacky, since they take a little bit of getting used to.
So I wouldn't want to see the Ferris Wheel with LEDs, but I would have to see it first to tell if I like it or not.

Now I am hearing that the Ferris Wheel will just be geting a motor replacement.

From Screamscape:

(12/27/10) Local sources tell us that the Hersheypark wheel has been taken apart for off-season maintenance to replace the motor. So sorry, no new impressive lighting package.

I'd say that's a hell of a lot of work for a motor replacement, but I guess if the motor is at the center of the hub, it makes sense. I guess an LED lighting package wouldn't save them much money then.

I can't see them taking over half that thing down just for a motor replacement. But then I don't know if those motors were ever replaced before...were they? As far as lighting goes, I guess we'll see come the new season.

I thought this may be a good topic to discuss what our thoughts would be regarding changes/additions for the upcoming 2011 season instead of talking about it in the 2012 thread. Here are my thoughts:

-Attraction 2012 announcement August 2nd, 2011.
-Major 2012 construction in Comet Hollow and around the Comet.
-Tilt-A-Whirl possibly being relocated to another area.
-Rodeo/Twister possibly returning if HERCO has full ownership of the ride and wants it back because of DW sale.
-Ferris Wheel motor replacement/possibly LED light installation (still questioning the second one though)
-Minor additions upgrades.
-Spring Creek Smokehouse (formerly Freeman's Texas BBQ).

Any ideas/thoughts that you may have regarding this topic, feel free to discuss about them here.

I wonder what Comet Hollow would look like when the ride is built and some re-locating is done. It's already a unique (and sort of crowded!) area of the park and it would be nice to see HP theming and planning at its full potential.

A new lighting package would sure look great in the park - HP needs it. But I can imagine the expenses and work it would take to set it all up. It would look really nice once they do it. Even though they haven't done it yet, I'm sure it isn't too far off in the future.
(Would have been nice to see it for Christmas time!)

Lake Compounce has the same make of Ferris Wheel. They had to disassemble it entirely last year to inspect the hub. The general manager said it has to be done every so many years per the manufacturer's instructions. LC took advantage of the opportunity to repaint the ride at that time. A similar kind of inspection could be part of the reason HP is disassembling their Ferris Wheel even if its in conjunction with other manintenance.

The Summer Admission Prices Have been posted:
One Day:

Regular (ages 9-54) $53.95
Junior (ages 3- $32.95
Senior (ages 55-69) $32.95
Senior Plus (70+) $21.95
Children (ages 2 and under) FREE

Two Day Flex:

Regular (ages 9-54) $71.50
Junior (ages 3- $53.50
Senior (ages 55+) $53.50
Children (ages 2 and under) FREE

Works out to be $35.75 for each day for Regular Admission.

Three Day Flex:

Regular (ages 9-54) $100.50
Junior (ages 3- $78.50
Senior (ages 55+) $78.50
Children (ages 2 and under) FREE

Works out to be $33.50 for each day for Regular Admission. (For those who plan on visiting the park more than once next season, this would be the best price.

I'd probably stick with the 3-day flex. I tend to get the most out of it anyway. I'm thinking of trying that deal where you can go the night before and get something off for the next day (not sure what it is called). A season pass might work for this year.

If all of those changes happen, Hersheypark could look very different by 2013 It still has some catching up to do with standards that are being shaped by CF and SF parks. However, it still remains risky because it is so close to civilization, especially by the Roller Soaker and Racer. It may not be a lame park at all. It's possible; Great Adventure was totally different ten years ago. That was when Nitro was new, and there was no Superman, Kingdom Ka, or El Toro (or Dark Knight ). The major thrill rides were Nitro, GASM, Batman, the Chiller, Medusa, and Viper. Now, the major thrill rides are KK, ET, Nitro, Batman, S:UF, Bizarro, and the Green Lantern.

I like HP the way it is in terms of its layout. It makes it a unique park, and every visit is a different one. One of the things I always say about HP that is great is the theming. When I go to other parks, like any Six Flags park or local park, sure they have awesome rides, but it's like they were just placed there to be there. HP designs the themed areas to have their own feel, and I like that. It's not just, "lets put a giant coaster here to be the top park', but to me they seem to have a method to it all.

Fanatic wrote:I like HP the way it is in terms of its layout. It makes it a unique park, and every visit is a different one. One of the things I always say about HP that is great is the theming. When I go to other parks, like any Six Flags park or local park, sure they have awesome rides, but it's like they were just placed there to be there. HP designs the themed areas to have their own feel, and I like that. It's not just, "lets put a giant coaster here to be the top park', but to me they seem to have a method to it all.

Have you seen Great Adventure's Golden Kingdom or Plaza Del Carnaval section? The theming in those areas was incredible compared to what's at Hersheypark now (comes almost as close as to what's in the Boardwalk). The buildings had an adventure outpost theme with bamboo trees surrounding Kingda Ka and Mexican buildings around El Toro selling Churros. At Hersheypark, I do have to say that I can't bash the Boardwalk becuase, like I said, it ranks up there, but Pioneer Frontier is becoming more generic with none of the small touches that makes the area say that you're in the wild-west. Minetown is worse with the only Mine theme being the arcade building and no mining artifacts and whatnot. Comet Hollow, what theming? Tudor Square comes in 2nd for best because the buildings do have a tudor theme, but unfortunately having the song, "I want Candy" being played over the loudspeakers doesn't give mye the Medieval feeling that you're supposed to recieve. Midway America thankfully still plays the music that's supposed to be played, but the feel of the area was taken away when the Boardwalk was added. Music Box Way is pretty much the same as Comet Hollow, no theme and just a buffer area between Founder's Circle (2nd best area in the park for actually going with a theme) and Pioneer Frontier and Minetown.

If Hershey paid a little bit more attention to detail and added those fine touches that you can find at Great Adventure in those two areas, then I would then say they are better at theming. Not that I'm trying to say that Great Adventure is as great as Disneyland because outside those two areas it's pretty much like Hersheypark's theming ability: theme the rides with a fancy name for the area, dress the building up to go with the theme, then leave out the theming and details such as displays, trees, and artifacts that make you say that you feel that you are actually there.

That's just my $0.02.

^ During my last visit to Great Adventure I did walk through those areas, but: Most of the other places I walked through were just stalls and games and more stalls. Plus, the atmosphere is just not what I'm used to. I guess I'm used to the family atmosphere a little more than the groups of teenagers atmosphere.
HP has been the park of my childhood, not Great Adventure. i have some bias to it I guess.
I like Great Adventure, but I wasn't used to it. The thrills from the rides there top most experiences, but it was like going through the motions to me. Just go the park and go on rides to say I did. But HP feels like an experience to me, with one reason probably being because I spend an entire week devoted to vacationing there. But that's because it offers more to me than just an amusement park.

HP has been up and down in theming areas to me recently. The material things aren't as good as they can be, like you said with the music continually playing and some really empty spots (like Comet Hollow, which I agree 100% with you on! ). But when I consider theming, I don't just mean a wagon in a western-themed area. It's just a feeling I get from being there. It's a feeling that comes with having a fun time on vacation.

I bet if I go to Great Adventure again it will be different. I did go for just one day last time, so I didn't experience nearly everything I could have.
Another thing is the location. I really do enjoy being away from home, yet Great Adventure seemed like a 10 minute drive back home when I was there.

So it's not just the music and rides that make a theme, but the experience from it all. I get a better experience from Hershey, and that's why I enjoy it there.
Theming probably isn't the best word for it all, since I'm really going on personal feeling here as you can tell. But theming plays in, nonetheless.

So looking at the material things, Great Adventure does have some good theming. I remember the bamboo and other little things around Kingda Ka. They have great things like that, with some sculptures and such, which I liked. But I kind of make a cross over of this and the feeling I get from being there, which is where HP beats out Great Adventure, for me.

Disneyland, well - they top all with their theming. But the good feeling I get from being is sort of like what I was trying to say about Hershey. They make you feel at home and not like you're in a concrete land with metal rides and decorations. (Not that Great Adventure is like this). Some parks do it better than others, but each does it the best for their purpose.

How do you think the new attraction will be announced? I remember that the Boardwalk (or maybe it was Fahrenheit) had that whole "cool down...heat up" advertising going for it. What would the new coaster have? Maybe it would have hints placed around the park, like the banners we saw a few years ago.
Also, what would the brochure / map look like this year since there isn't a major development in the park? Last years I believe had Fahrenheit on the cover, but since there isn't a major ride this coming year, what would be on the cover?
Just something to talk about!

Hersheypark has relatively little theming. What it had in the 70s and 80s started disappearing in the 90s. Comet Hollow used to have all mostly white rides, Minetown had the coal mining themed rides (the last one remaining - Coal Cracker), Pioneer had the western feel. At least Rhineland and Tudor Square still have some feeling to it. Midway America maintains the music theming. The Boardwalk is easily the best in terms of theming. Founders Circle is fairly well themed though.

That doesn't really compare to what Great Adventure does - Six Flags is largely about theming (and sponsorships as a side product).

I agree that the atmosphere of Hersheypark surpasses most traditional amusement and theme parks including other national chains. Hersheypark has a welcoming family feel that most other major parks simply don't have. It's evident in the cleanliness, the landscaping, the emphasis on the overall experience over "thrills," the abundance of high quality live entertainment, and the presence of adjacent attractions such as Chocolate World, ZooAmerica, Hershey Gardens, and the new Hershey Story Museum. Theming may not be the right word for the atmospehere that I'm describing, but whatever you call it, that atmosphere is what keeps my family returning year after year. It's one of the few parks (BGW being another) that appeals to my entire family of varied ages and interests, but even BGW has declined in the live entertainment department lately. Hersheypark, while not inexpensive, also treats its customers right and makes me feel welcome with its policies and service while other chains leave me feeling ripped off at times with nickel and diming and poor service.

So what are everyone's thoughts on what we're going to see this season? We know the Tilt-A-Whirl probably will be moving for sure. What else do you think will happen?

HPCrazy wrote:So what are everyone's thoughts on what we're going to see this season? We know the Tilt-A-Whirl probably will be moving for sure. What else do you think will happen?

No we don't. It's all rumor and speculation as far as right now. The only way we will know it's "for sure" is when the park reports it.

-Chris "I've been hearing that Tilt-A-Whirl is moving so many times that I'm starting to think that people are forgetting that it's just a rumor" Cronrath