Hersheypark: Sidewinder: New Train and Ferris Wheel: Update

So I thought I would jump on over to the park before it got to cold out and I heard the Sidewinder was up and running as well!
For the first time in my life I actually said, "I wanna ride sidewinder!"

I waited 45 minutes... Yes, that's right. 45!!!! It was crazy crowded today for STITP!



Here's a picture of the new train!



There was foam on the backing as well as the seat which made it alot more comfortable then in the past. The restraint itself was almost like Superman at Six Flags. It was a foamy/rubber padding that was pressed up against your chest with a handle bar around that. You can actually hold your hands up now unlike on the last train.
No more headbanging, I almost forgot I was strapped in. It was pretty cool!
Ride at least once and post your reviews below!!
I give the new train thumbs up!!!

On another note, back in Midway America, Ferris Wheel is slowly coming back to life! I heard its going to be an automatic wheel! Here's a quick shot of it from today!


Happy Easter everyone!!

Holy cow that's a long line! Sounds like it was worth it, though. At least for a first time with the new train. Ferris Wheel just looks so bare the way it is. It'll help having the gondolas back, as well as the circle thing on the side of the axle that says "HersheyparK". I hope the pinwheel's up there, just for nostalgia. And maybe I'm weird, but I swear something looks different with those lights. They look like a bunch of little pricks, like the needle things in Storm Runner's station. I dunno.

Thanks for the pics and review! And well-played with the emoticon haha.

Thanks for the update! Now I'm excited to try that thing out! I don't think I've seen this many people who actually can't wait to ride the thing - lol! From what I saw on Sunday, the new train looked sweet!

By the way as far as the Ferris Wheel goes, I'm praying for LED's this year!

The Storm Runner wrote:Holy cow that's a long line! Sounds like it was worth it, though. At least for a first time with the new train. Ferris Wheel just looks so bare the way it is. It'll help having the gondolas back, as well as the circle thing on the side of the axle that says "HersheyparK". I hope the pinwheel's up there, just for nostalgia. And maybe I'm weird, but I swear something looks different with those lights. They look like a bunch of little pricks, like the needle things in Storm Runner's station. I dunno.

Thanks for the pics and review! And well-played with the emoticon haha.

It's not just you I saw the ferris wheel in person today and feel the lights are different. The sidewinder was so much better with the new train. It was a long wait but it was well worth it.

Here's my review and photos of the ride:
https://keystonethrills.forumotion.com/t205-springtime-in-the-park-2011-thread#3741

I'll have a music video up soon.

Looks like it was a fun day! That is definitely a longer line than usual, at least for me. Then again, I try to avoid crowded days. Now I can see a little better how the restraint system works. I like it!

I Want LED's on the ferris wheel!! And, I AM SOO EXCITED for Sidewinder's new trains. Being a season pass holder, it would spite me that a ride like Sidewinder I just could NOT ride because of the trains and head banging, and the crampy-ness, I would always feel SOO squished and unable to move while riding. VERY excited!!

I got a long look at the lights on the ferris wheel today while my son ate his popcorn chicken. Sorry to say they are not led lights. Maybe next year. Also I rode sidewinder again today and the first ride wasn't a fluke. No head banging and it was very smooth.

Can't wait to ride it next month. Finally, a new credit waiting!

Want a new video of Sidewinder? Of course you do!

Enjoy!

I haven't rode the new trains on Sidewinder yet. But Carolina Cobra was amazing compared to it. Those trains made it into a whole different ride. It's great not to have the constant fear of a head thrashing.

Does anybody know if the Ferris wheel cars/gondolas are back up yet? And the center swirly thing that used to be the Hersheypark logo up until 2006. I might have to drive past tomorrow and take some pics. I still am praying for LED lights. I <3 LED lights!!

^ No they aren't. I don't know if the ferris wheel is going to be open for opening day Friday or not. I have no clue how long it takes to put them back on though.

Well it's surely taking them long enough. You'd think they'd spend the money on LED's while they're at this instead of having to go through another future refurbishment again. The thing has been apart since early November, you'd think the ride would be almost like brand new by now.

HPCrazy wrote:Well it's surely taking them long enough. You'd think they'd spend the money on LED's while they're at this instead of having to go through another future refurbishment again. The thing has been apart since early November, you'd think the ride would be almost like brand new by now.

====== I agree. While they did the work to get it down, they should of just did it then. Doesn't seem all that easy to keep taking down and putting back up. But, I think that ride does need LED's I liked the older look and feel of the old ones, but, LED's would be awesome. Hopefully they at least put in all new lights.

I agree led's would have been a much needed upgrade. Although I wonder if they aren't going with the led's because of the whole midway america theme. It is supposed to look like a classic midway fair. That is honestly the only reason I can think of that they wouldn't do the led package. I know led's would make many people happy for many different reasons. To me they look better but others would be happy to see the new energy efficient lighting.

The ferris wheel is being finished as we speak. I just went past the park and the crane is beside it and only 1 more car needs to go on. So it looks like it will be open for opening day tomorrow.

That's great news! Hope it is open...can't wait to ride it! I'll try to get some pics and post them.

FlyersFan wrote:The ferris wheel is being finished as we speak. I just went past the park and the crane is beside it and only 1 more car needs to go on. So it looks like it will be open for opening day tomorrow.

I plan on going over that way for Subway tonight. I'll stop by to check it out. They'll probably will need to test and approve it, but I doubt that it will take long for that to happen.

If they only have one car to add, it's probably on by now. I'm sure they'll do a majority of that stuff today so they can try to have it up and running by tomorrow. I'll try to get pics when I'm there.

Do any of you know how crowded the park is on the Friday of opening weekend? I am thinking that it won't be very bad since kids are still in school and College is still in session.

I don't know if any of you guys saw Flying Falcon running at night last year, but it didn't look good with all those LED lights that didn't work. If they do end up having LED lights on Ferris Wheel, they could potentially have the same problem, and that would be very unfortunate if Ferris Wheel did.

Maybe they need to hire a better electrician then because there is no reason that led's wouldn't work if hooked up properly.

FlyersFan wrote:The ferris wheel is being finished as we speak. I just went past the park and the crane is beside it and only 1 more car needs to go on. So it looks like it will be open for opening day tomorrow.

I wouldn't get your hopes up. It still needs to be finished being put together and then needs to do all of its preseason testing. I don't see it opening this weekend, maybe next weekend.

FlyersFan wrote:Maybe they need to hire a better electrician then because there is no reason that led's wouldn't work if hooked up properly.

The electricians at the park are very good and know exactly what they are doing. It's not their fault that the ride was built for regular lights and they tried to switch to LEDs without modifying the cars.

^ If the lights were installed correctly there is no reason they wouldn't work properly. It wouldn't matter if they were meant to be different lights considering to install the led's they would take all of the things out that were used with the old lighting. If they are as good as you say then maybe they were rushed. There is no reason some lights would work and some wouldn't unless they got faulty led's which is possible or they weren't hooked up properly. If they were rushed then maybe the park needs to put some more thought and planning into these things. I would rather they do things once and do it right. As for the ferris wheel it isn't a ride I would get my hopes up for but the question was asked a few days ago about the cars. I figured I would update the situation.

Went past and saw it testing. I would think if it wasn't going to open this weekend that they would just put it back together and just let it sit over the weekend instead of testing it.

I agree why test it in the evening if you weren't planning on opening it for the weekend? I think they would just wait until next week to test it if that was the case.

FlyersFan wrote:If they were rushed then maybe the park needs to put some more thought and planning into these things. I would rather they do things once and do it right.

The electricians were working on the Flying Falcon all season long last year to fix it. When they would fix it, a week later it would be a problem again. It wasn't an expected situation, though the electricians anticipated that some of the lights wouldn't work.

LEDs (for rides especially) aren't cheap, and they take years to cover the costs. Pretty much by the time they have covered cost, it's time to replace them. It's not ideal for all rides (kiddie rides are better because they are easily accessible in most cases), and given that Ferris Wheel, a Chance Morgan ride, has Chance programming controlling the lights, LEDs would be more problematic than they're worth at the moment.

gb980109 wrote:

FlyersFan wrote:If they were rushed then maybe the park needs to put some more thought and planning into these things. I would rather they do things once and do it right.

The electricians were working on the Flying Falcon all season long last year to fix it. When they would fix it, a week later it would be a problem again. It wasn't an expected situation, though the electricians anticipated that some of the lights wouldn't work.

LEDs (for rides especially) aren't cheap, and they take years to cover the costs. Pretty much by the time they have covered cost, it's time to replace them. It's not ideal for all rides (kiddie rides are better because they are easily accessible in most cases), and given that Ferris Wheel, a Chance Morgan ride, has Chance programming controlling the lights, LEDs would be more problematic than they're worth at the moment.

Would this explain why it was taken apart during STITP?

Also, glad to hear the Ferris Wheel was testing. Sounds like they are really trying to get it up and running for tomorrow.

Since we're on the topic of LED's for the Ferris Wheel, just to let you know that Reithoffer had replaced all their lights on their portable model. Not only were they different colors and brighter, but the light show they put on was outstanding. IMO, it makes Hershey's look outdated.

HPCrazy wrote:Would this explain why it was taken apart during STITP?

Also, glad to hear the Ferris Wheel was testing. Sounds like they are really trying to get it up and running for tomorrow.

Since we're on the topic of LED's for the Ferris Wheel, just to let you know that Reithoffer had replaced all their lights on their portable model. Not only were they different colors and brighter, but the light show they put on was outstanding. IMO, it makes Hershey's look outdated.

It's certainly likely that's part of what they were doing with Flying Falcon in April.

I've seen the Ferris Wheel that's operating at the carnival in the parking lot of the Harrisburg Mall and I was impressed by how bright and vibrant the lights look. But, with that said, that's something I'm not as concerned about with Hersheypark's Ferris Wheel. Though I do agree that it looks outdated; I think it has since they moved to the new logo in 2007.

I would like to know how intense sidewinder is going backwards??? I dont like going backwards on a rollercoaster.

It's not bad at all. I would definitely recommend that you try it. If it weren't for the new train, I still wouldn't be riding it.

coasteral wrote:I would like to know how intense sidewinder is going backwards??? I dont like going backwards on a rollercoaster.

We're going to drag you on it next time!

By the way, Sidewinder is now sponsored by Outback Steakhouse.

Yes, I saw that when looking at the map better last night. That's something that was never mentioned on their website. Dry Gulch sponsored by Amtrak was listed on the STITP site.

All right all right!!! There is a good chance I will ride it. Depending on where I sit. Ill try it.

I'm headed to the park tomorrow afternoon. Anyone know if the Ferris Wheel is running yet?

FlyersFan wrote:I'm headed to the park tomorrow afternoon. Anyone know if the Ferris Wheel is running yet?

It was running, but it wasn't open. They still need to add the logo covering the axis.

By the way, Sidewinder was closed today.

The Ferris Wheel still isn't open but was testing all day. Should be open next week I would think.

They opened the Ferris Wheel today between 10-11 I think. It closed when it started raining for a little bit, but it might have reopened when I got of my shift.

The family and I went to Red Robin tonight, and I must say the ferris wheel looks pretty sharp at night. It never really caught my eye before, but it definitely seemed a lot brighter than before and definitely caught my attention. Don't know if may be new lights or just the fact that I never paid much attention before.

Awesome! Hope someone gets a pic before I go back next month. You sure they weren't LED's?

I wanted to grab a picture, but couldn't because I was driving. I'll try to grab one Friday when I go down again. They did look like they could very well be LED's. If they aren't, they sure look pretty close to it.

That's a good sign. Can't wait to see it in person!

woozybear wrote:I wanted to grab a picture, but couldn't because I was driving. I'll try to grab one Friday when I go down again. They did look like they could very well be LED's. If they aren't, they sure look pretty close to it.

No problem! I took a picture last night:

The only thing is that they aren't animated, but oh well.

LED'S!!! YAY!!! I think, they look like LED's!!!

Are they eventually going to be animated? Or are they keeping them static?