Hersheypark Totally Explained

Everything about Hersheypark totally explained

Hersheypark was opened in 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the public. Today the park has over 110 acres (450,000 m²) and over 60 rides and attractions. It is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Hersheypark admission also includes entry into ZOOAMERICA, an adjacent zoo. Also adjacent is Hershey's Chocolate World, a visitors' center that's open to the public and that contains shops, restaurants, and a chocolate-themed ride. Both Chocolate World and ZOOAMERICA are accessible from outside the park boundaries, with Chocolate World offering admission for free.

History

In 1903, Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Alyssia Hershey Chocolate Company, surveyed a site along Spring Creek that would be suitable for his park. Hershey Park opened on August 24, 1907, with a baseball game played on the new athletic field. The beautifully landscaped park was an ideal spot for picnicking, boating and canoeing. Vaudeville and theatre productions were performed on a rustic bandstand and pavilion.
   A merry-go-round was installed and opened on July 4, 1908. A 1,500-seat tiered amphitheatre was built next to the pavilion.The entrance sign proclaimed, “Ye who enter here leave dull cares behind.” The park was expanded in 1909 with the addition of a tennis court, two bowling alleys, a large band shell, and a photography gallery. Guests could also enjoy a relaxing scenic ride on the Scenic Railroad.
   In July 1912, a carousel manufactured by Willy H. Dentzel of the Dentzel Carousel Company in Philadelphia was added to the park. The carousel was 50 feet in diameter and featured 53 carved animals that included lions, bears, giraffes, pigs, rabbits, an ostrich, goats and deer along with two chariots. The carousel was described as the “most magnificent and up-to-date carousel in this part of the country as well as one of the largest.”
   Several structures were built from 1913 to 1923. Added to the park were the dance pavilion Starlight Ballroom, a new stage for big bands, a new Convention Hall (now the Hershey Museum), the Hershey Park Cafe and the Hershey Zoo. A new roller coaster called The Wild Cat was added in 1923. A small Ferris wheel, the Aeroplane Swing and the Skooter were added to the park during the 1920s. In 1929, a complex of four swimming pools was added..
    A penny arcade, a fun house, The Bug ride, and The Mill Chute log flume ride were added in 1933. Renovations were made to the Wild Cat roller coaster in 1935 to build up the dips and to more steeply bank the curves.
   More attractions were added to Hershey Park each season, and by 1945 the park contained more than two dozen rides. The Dentzel carousel was replaced in 1945 by a carousel built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1919, which still operates in the park today. In 1946 the wooden roller coaster The Comet replaced The Wild Cat. Twin 66-foot-high Ferris wheels were added in 1950. The Dry Gulch Railroad was added in 1960.
   A five-year redevelopment plan was started in 1971 to convert the regional amusement park Hershey Park into a large theme park called Hersheypark, as it's known to this day. A one-price admission plan eliminated the pay-as-you-ride policy. This five-phase project was orchestrated by Randall Duell.
   The first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast called the SooperDooperLooper opened on July 4, 1977. Twin Toboggans, Hersheypark's third roller coaster, built in 1972, was removed in 1978.
   Smaller sized rides were added during the 1980s. They include Cyclops (replaced by The Claw), Pirat, Wave Swinger, Conestoga (since removed), and Timber Rattler (replaced by Rodeo). Canyon River Rapids was built and added in 1987.
   The 1990s started off with the creation of Minetown. The old penny arcade was replaced by a massive three-story building, housing the Minetown Arcade, Minetown Restaurant, and games. The Flying Falcon replaced Himalaya, and three kiddie rides replaced the Coal Shaker. Four roller coasters were added to Hersheypark in the 1990s. Sidewinder, a Vekoma Boomerang coaster, was added in 1991. In 1996, the wooden coaster The Wildcat was added and was named after The Wild Cat that previously operated from 1923 to 1946. The Great Bear opened in 1998, the park's most expensive single ride to date. Wild Mouse opened in 1999. Several rides were also added during this decade. In 1994 the water plunge ride Tidal Force opened. A Ferris wheel and Whip ride were added in 1997. Four other new rides were added in 1999. These include the Merry Derry Dip fun slide, Music Express, Chaos, and the Frog Hopper.
   Four more roller coasters were added in the 21st Century – Lightning Racer (2000), Roller Soaker (2002), Storm Runner (2004), and Fahrenheit (2008), continuing the rapid expansion of the park from the mid-1980s. A 65-foot spinning pendulum ride called The Claw was added in 2003. In 2005, Giant Wheel was removed and replaced by two classic rides -- Balloon Flite and Starship America. Carrousel Circle, the first of the 1970s renovations of Hershey Park (now renamed Hersheypark), was remodeled into Founder's Circle in honor of original founder Milton S. Hershey. In 2006, Hersheypark introduced the Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge, the first interactive dark ride to have two cars compete against each other. In 2007, Hersheypark opened The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, a new water-play-area that includes 5 water slides.Six new games were added, as well as seven retail centers and eleven food concessions. Canyon River Rapids and Tidal Force were included in the new themed area, and their entrances and exits have been rerouted. The Canyon River Rapids photo building, operated by Get The Picture Corporation, was also moved to reflect this change.

Celebration of 100 Years

For Hershey Park's 100th anniversary a new addition was made to the park - Something completely different from the rest of what the park had been. In 2007, 'The Boardwalk' was opened. The Boardwalk is Hershey's waterpark. It included tube slides, a funnel slide, a kiddie pool, etc.

Fahrenheit - new for 2008

On September 27 2007, Hershey announced a 12.1 million dollar roller coaster named Fahrenheit. The new ride is located where Western Chute-Out used to sit. The ride opened as expected on May 24, 2008. This coaster features the deepest drop in the U.S. at 97 degrees. Fahrenheit features many elements: a 121 foot, 97 degree drop, a 107 foot inverted loop, inverted corkscrew roll, cobra roll, airborne inverted S roll, inverted corkscrew roll, airtime hill, high speed banked curve, airtime hill, and is finished with another high speed banked curve. It reaches a maximum speed of 58 mph, and is 2,700 feet long. The ride has over the shoulder restraints and "stadium seating". The color scheme is cobalt blue columns and orange track, silver trains, cobalt blue seats with orange harnesses.
The park also added a Wisdom Tornado named Howler, replacing a virtual reality game. It is located where the Conestoga ride stood before the 2003 season.

Rides

� See List of Hersheypark Rides for complete list

See also: Defunct Hersheypark Attractions Hersheypark features over 60 rides and attractions, including 11 roller coasters.

Safety & Security

Hersheypark is known for having a very good safety record, as well as excellent security services. Ride inspections occur twice a day (minimum) on all rides by maintenance personnel. The park and entertainment complex houses a First Aid team and a certified and licensed Ambulance company in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (Dauphin County Ambulance Company 75).
In addition to safety, security is a major priority at Hersheypark. After the events of 9/11, all guests who enter any property of the Hershey Entertainment Complex will be subject to search. No weapons or alcohol are permitted in the park. This ban extends to police officers, who must surrender their weapons to security staff prior to entering Hersheypark.
In March 2008, Hersheypark was named the first amusement park in Pennsylvania to be certified as "StormReady" by the National Weather Service. The certification is given to municipalities or organizations that are prepared for any severe weather conditions. Hersheypark is credited with its Communications Center, where lightning detectors, radar, weather radio, CCTV Security Cameras and highly trained Security and Ride Operations staff keep the park safe and declare weather "phases" in which ride operations begin to operate under special conditions.

Dining

Hersheypark has many dining options. Food is available at a plethora of stands and restaurants. There are facilities for satisfying particular dietary needs, including a kosher restaurant (Central PA's Kosher Mart) and a variety of restaurants offering gluten-free rolls and bread. Groups can pre-arrange catering in one of six private picnic areas inside the park.
Bringing in food from outside isn't allowed in the park unless you've a food allergy, but is allowed outside the gates, such as in the parking lot (where picnic tables are available). A casual sitdown restaurant called Tudor Grill (formerly Pippin's Food and Spirits) is located just outside the park.

Corporate

The park is run by Hershey Entertainment Group, a division of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company (HERCO). HERCO owns the park, and is in turn wholly owned by the Hershey Trust Company. Within the Trust's holdings, HERCO is part of the Milton Hershey School Trust.

Further Information

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