Hersheypark: Official Ride Status Thread

This is a continuation of HPCrazy's thread on http://z8.invisionfree.com/Hersheypark_Crazy/index.php?showtopic=81&st=0
This topic will keep members up to date on what rides are open and closed.

Ride Status as of August 9, 2009
Flying Falcon- Closed
Mini-Himalaya- Closed
Around 5:30 there was a stormthat lasted for a little over a half hour, all rides were closed at this time.

I'm happy you revived this topic.

Also http://www.hersheypark.com/mobile/ride_info/closures.php will let you know what ride(s) are currently closed.

I was in Mechanicsburg yesterday when that storm hit. We were up at Wegmen's with some friends and all of a sudden, it blew like crazy. I guess it was heading towards Hershey, in that direction.

^ And then it hit me.

Lot's of rain and flooding, local parks shut down also. I'm surprised they didn't have any trouble re-opening since most of them are in low-lying areas.

Ride Status on Friday August 21, 2009
Miniature Train - Closed
Merry Derry Dip - Closed
Bayside Pier - Closed
East Coast Waterworks - Closed
Once again big crowd with LR and Wildcat middle rows closed.

Big crowd on a Saturday, doesn't surprise me at all.

I guess people are fitting in a last minute trip before summer ends. I would do the same, just I always heard that the last two weeks don't have big crowds, unless it's a weekend.

Usually Saturdays are always busier than Sundays, unless it's Memorial or Labor Day weekends.

Do you know how busy Great Adventure will be this Thursday? I'm heading out and I've never been there this time in the season, so I wanted to know if you knew how the crowds were.

It should be crowded. I was there two Mondays ago and it was packed. Hershey was packed yesterday too. Any park that you go to during the summer will be busy.

In a way I figured that, despite the claims of, "oh,no one will be there because it's the last week of summer" etc.. But thanks for the heads up.

A co-worker at my job told me that a few of his friends went to Hershey yesterday and he said they told him that the place was packed. That's unusal for a Monday but then alot of schools start today, tomorrow, and the rest of the week, plus next week. This is according to around York County, I don't know how it is in other counties as far as school goes. I'm guessing alot of people were getting their "end-of-the-season" trips in this past weekend.

So maybe since I'm going towards the end of the week kids will be starting school. I don't know about New Jersey, bu they're basically the same time frame I would guess.

I was referring to around here, where I live. I know a bunch more schools have started around here today. I'm not sure how New Jersey handles it though.

I think, not 100% sure, they go back the day after labor day.

I actually couldn't tell on my trip. I would assume High School starts when Stormwinder mentioned - for NJ, and the little kids may have gone back. But like I said, I couldn't even tell in part because there are always a lot of teenagers there. The park was relatively not crowded, but I wouldn't say empty.

Hersheypark ride status as of today (8/30):

East Coast Waterworks - closed
Mini Himalaya - closed towards the end of the day
Monorail - one train operation all day
DGRR - one train operation all day (unusual as it always seems to run two)

The Ride status on August 30, 2009
Closed List
Mini Himalaya
Dinosaur Go Round
Helicopters
Twin Turnpike: Speedway
Bizzy Bees
Tiny Timbers
Livery Stables
Merry Derry Dip
Miniature Train
East Coast Waterworks

Closed Part Of The Day, But Reopend List
Wave Swinger
Skyview
Mini Pirate

I should have just named the rides that were open.
Matt, were you there on Sunday? If so, we should have met up.

Ride Status on Tuesday September 1, 2009
Closed
Bayside Pier
East Coast Waterworks

I posted something here (a thread about it to be exact) a few days before Sunday but you never said anything, so I figured you had other plans. Hopefully Alex and I will be able to work with you to meet up for HP in the Dark on a Sunday (supposed to be the meet up for this site).

When was Mini Pirate and Skyview shut down? I don't remember seeing either closed. I did forget Miniature Train though. I do remember seeing that closed when we were out there. I also remember the Speedway being shut down around the morning because we were back there getting our Great Bear and Coal Cracker rides in. Later on I did see them running though. I also did see Dinosaurs not running (lights were on and working but no riders or anything) but didn't see look at the sign to see a notice. This was about 7-7:30ish, right before we left.

PM me or post in the "Keystone Thrills HP in the Dark Meet-up" thread and we'll have to work something out for that event to meet up (wheither you're the only one that will be there or not besides us ).

I have no idea how I missed it, but I did, sorry.

Ride Status On Sunday, September 6, 2009
Bayside Pier- Closed

Extra Fact: This was the most crowded day out of the whole season. Yes, more people than the fourth of july and Mermoral Day weekend.

^ Wow at the fact. Actually, I can expect it considering the holiday. Some places that aren't normally crowded where I am were today.

It's because of Labor Day actually being late this year. Alot of schools have already started and are rocking and rolling. People are just sticking it close to home this year which can explain the more intense crowds.

By the way, how crowded was it in terms of lines and maneuvering around?

Right, it did fall late. I heard a lot of people are taking it easy this weekend, though.

The lines were long. Fahrenheits line was around an hour long at 10:00. Something I noticed; out of the millions and millions of people that have been to Hershey in its 102 years, there are still A LOT of people who were lost and had no clue where they were or where they wanted to go. Sunday was the day that I got the most directions asked. Also I did not realize how hard it was to describe to someone using the map how to get to Twin Turnpike from Midway America.

Wow, I can believe it. And I would assume that was hard, though I never got asked for directions in HP..

My mom's co-worker just told her that they only got about six rides in all day on Sunday. She said they probably won't go back for a long time. I thought "why go late in the season when you can go around May/June?" (when Alex and I normally go). The first Sunday in June is usually dead. They also never took my advice on the complientary ice water at the food stalls thus paying an arm and a leg more for food as if they would not purchase a drink and just get the ice water.

Makes sense for the place to be packed this past Sunday with people staying local for Labor Day this year. The week prior was busy (waits were managable except SDL with one train going for part of the day) but not like I've heard from you and my mom's co-worker from this week.

People getting lost doesn't surprise me. I know my mom admitted that she would still get lost if I wouldn't be there - lol. She's not like we are and know where we're going without having to use a map.

By the way Stormwinder, did you ever get my PM? I didn't hear anything back from you yet so I was wondering if you've received it.

I know I'd most likely never get lost in HP, I've been there so many times, but, you never know.

I would have figured that late in the season because of people and kids going to school and work, they stay at home, but I guess a lot like to get last minute vacations in, especially on labor day weekend. I personally hate Labor Day weekend because everything is so slow and there's that feeling in the air that summer is finally over.

Now that I know early June isn't crowded, maybe it will apply to other places, too.

HPCrazy wrote:They also never took my advice on the complientary ice water at the food stalls thus paying an arm and a leg more for food as if they would not purchase a drink and just get the ice water.

I know what you mean, I almost feel bad selling someone water for $3 when they can get a cup of it for free.

It's pretty much the same thing too, just without the brand name.

Ride Status on Sunday September 13, 2009
Skyview- Closed

That's unusual. It's almost always running when I'm there.

Any reason why? (It was closed)

I'm sure it's not much of a big deal.

Most likely not after this time.

The park is probably packed because of the RV show going on at the same time (it wouldn't suprise me if it's not parked full out to the Giant Center or farther). I think the Kissing Tower is running, but not sure since I was only seen it from Rt. 322.

And of course you forgot to mention that it's also a Saturday which means that the park will definitely be packed.

HERSHEYPARK IS CLOSED TODAY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER!!!
Therefore our ride status is: No Rides are Open.

Great, that means the weather is coming to me next.

Wow, this is kind of suprising since the park never really closes because of rain. I guess with the combination of rain, cold and wind, they decided to cancel the first day (which isn't such a bad idea).

I'm kind of expecting this tomorrow too, if not on Sunday as well. I think it's not just the rain, but the chilling "non-seasonal, feeling like CCL weather" upper 30's/lower 40's temps. Mixing them both into the current raw conditions makes for an unpleasent experience doing anything outdoors.

Because of this, Alex and I have decided to postpone our trip until next Sunday, the 25th. I know we made the right decision. I also invited my other friend to join us so wheither or not he's coming, I won't know until sometime after Sunday. Hopefully some of you will also be there that day that we'll be able to meet up or say hi.

According to a news report here, parts of PA are getting cold weather and even snow. Not looking good for HP to be open.

Remember when we said hat some rides might not open under that 40 degree mark? The park updated their ride page:
http://www.halloweeninhershey.com/rides.php
These rides don't open under this temperature mark:

Ichabod's Coaster Train (Comet)
sooperBOOperLooper (SooperDooperLooper)
Raven Haven (Flying Falcon)
Great Scare (Great Bear)
Bats in the Belfry (Kissing Tower)**
Mummyrail (Capital BlueCross Monorail)**
FEARenheit (Fahrenheit)
Scare-winder (Sidewinder)
Ghost Runner (Storm Runner)
Wicked Racer (Lightning Racer)
Mouse Stew (Wild Mouse)
Scaredy Cat (Wildcat)

The biggest suprise for me on this one is Kissing Tower since that one is usually open during the Christmas Event. This also explains why Flying Falcon is usually out of that event as well.

^ andit also shows that Trailblazer and Howler aren't included so it must be possible for them to open during CCL. Maybe in the next coming years.

I was just gonna mention that lol. Sometimes, the tower doesn't run during CCL either due to chilly temps or staffing situations. I've found this out in the few times that it wasn't running for the event when I went in previous years.

Perhaps they'll consider opening at least the Howler up for Christmas. That's something I never could figure out.

Just saw that they will be open in a modified version today, I'm guessing to try to get some money in. Here's what will be running only today and probably tomorrow:

Balloon Flite
Carrousel
Space Age
Starship America
Tiny Tracks
Traffic Jam
Wave Swinger
Dizzy Drums
Fender Bender
Monorail
Reese's Xtreme Cup
The Claw
Dry Gulch Railroad
Frontier Flyers
Livery Stables
Convoy
Kissing Tower
Twin Turnpike/Antique Cars
Treatville

That's almost the amount of attractions that runs for Candylane. Note that none of the coasters (including Trailblazer) are on there. Glad Alex and I are waiting until the 25th. I'm praying it will be nicer then and everything will be open.

Is Midway America closed?

From the looks of it, yes. Especially the rides. They'll probably operate the same way today since it's still really cold outside. I'm just glad that I decided not to go today.

I wish I could make decisions like that lol, being so much closer to the park, it would be like going to the bowling alley for me.

Well it's not raining at the moment, but it's still way too chilly outside. I'm sitting here shivering as I type this lol. The forecast still calls for light rain today, at least it did awhile ago.

Same here, except with the rain.

Fahrenheit is closed. I guess today may have been a good fay to go. Sigh.