ShawnMarie

 
Skyrush…. opens Memorial Day weekend

So, for most years I would tell you - hey, yeah, sure, go ahead to Hersheypark on Memorial Day Monday.  The crowds will be light.  I’m not saying that for 2012.  Why?

See that yellow track over there on the right?  That’s Skyrush – the new winged mega coaster. Know what?  It opens Memorial Day Weekend.  Which means…. My prediction is Hersheypark will see crowded conditions ALL weekend, including Monday.  I do still think Monday will be the least crowded day of the three, with Saturday being the most crowded BUT I’m not sure you will see walk-on ride conditions like you normally would.  Then again, well, maybe the only line you will see will be for Skyrush.  Only time will tell – and if you go, please leave a comment to tell us too.
 

Hersheypark's Kissing Tower with 100th anniversary sign in 2007

Basic Ride Information

  • Ride Name: Kissing Tower
  • Ride Rating: 2 – Mild Thrill Ride (see more info here on the ride rating system)
  • Candy Brand Key: Everyone.  (see more info here on the Candy Brand Key)
  • Number of riders per hour? 560
  • Amusement Park Mom’s Comments: This ride used to be the very first thing you’d see from a distance when traveling to Hersheypark – now it is Skyrush.  The air-conditioned cabin holds 55 riders and makes 3 full rotations while at the top of its 250 foot tower. Since I’ve never ridden this one, I’d love to have some folks opinions on it in the comments.  Thanks!
  • Handheld infants?  Yes.
  • Any water involved? No.
  • Any flashing lights? No.
  • Any loud noises? No.
  • Does it go up in the air? Yes, 250 feet.
  • Does it go around? Yes, slowly.
  • Does it have sudden stops or changes in motion? No.

Handicapped Information

  • Handicapped individuals must have registered for the Ride Accessibility Program (see more here) prior to riding this ride to determine eligibility to ride.
  • Non-ambulatory riders and up to three guests may enter through the exit.

History of the ride:

  • Year installed: 1975
  • Manufacturer: Intamin

Have anything to share about this ride? Please leave a comment.  Thanks!

 

Hersheypark's Frog Hopper - middle seat is parent friendly

Basic Ride Information

  • Ride Name: Frog Hopper
  • Ride Rating: 1 – Children’s Ride (see more info here on the ride rating system)
  • Candy Brand Key: Kisses through Twizzlers, one Jolly Rancher seat on each ride.  (see more info here on the Candy Brand Key)
  • Number of riders per hour? 275 (They have two of these)
  • Amusement Park Mom’s Comments: This ride is a lot of fun for some children and a nightmare for others.  Since it is a slow loader your kids will have a chance to watch what it does.  Also just because your child is tall enough to ride doesn’t mean they are strong enough to ride.  They must be able to hold their head up through the series of drops.  One adult may sit in the center seat, but if you MUST ride with your child (as in they won’t ride without you or you wont’ let them ride without you) be prepared to have to wait a few turns to get that to happen.  This ride is very jerky and can really make some kids sick – adults too. The tower is 20 feet high.  You are supposed to “Ribbit” when riding it for the full effect.
  • Handheld infants?  No.
  • Any water involved? No.
  • Any flashing lights? No.
  • Any loud noises? No.
  • Does it go up in the air? Yes, 20 feet.
  • Does it go around? No.
  • Does it have sudden stops or changes in motion? Yes, the whole ride is a series of bounces.

Handicapped Information

  • Handicapped individuals must have registered for the Ride Accessibility Program (see more here) prior to riding this ride to determine eligibility to ride.
  • Non-ambulatory riders and up to three guests may enter through the exit.

History of the ride:

  • Year installed: 1999
  • Manufacturer: S&S Sports Power
 

Hersheypark's Red Baron

Basic Ride Information

  • Ride Name: Red Baron
  • Ride Rating: 1 Children’s Ride (see more info here on the ride rating system)
  • Candy Brand Key: Kisses through Hershey’s.  (see more info here on the Candy Brand Key)
  • Number of riders per hour? 160
  • Amusement Park Mom’s Comments: With 6 planes and only 3 riders per plane this is a slow loader.  It also takes forever to get the kids buckled in and out so please help the attendant when you can.  The children do control the up and down motion of the plane but at one point in the ride ALL the planes will go up.  Something else to note is that there are machine guns on the planes in the front seat.  Some families may not approve of that.  Also note, the miniature height category can’t ride this ride.
  • Handheld infants?  No.
  • Any water involved? No.
  • Any flashing lights? No.
  • Any loud noises?  Yes.  Riders can make gun sounds by pushing a button.
  • Does it go up in the air? Yes.  The rider controls the height but at certain points ALL planes will go up.
  • Does it go around? Yes.
  • Does it have sudden stops or changes in motion? Yes if child moves plane up and down quickly.

Handicapped Information

  • Handicapped individuals must have registered for the Ride Accessibility Program (see more here) prior to riding this ride to determine eligibility to ride.
  • Non-ambulatory riders and up to three guests may enter through the exit.

History of the ride:

  • Year installed: 1990
  • Manufacturer: Zamperla
 

Hersheypark's Twin Turnpike Sportscars - in purple

Basic Ride Information

  • Ride Name: Sunoco Twin Turnpike Speedway
  • Ride Rating: 2 – Mild Thrill Ride (see more info here on the ride rating system)
  • Candy Brand Key: Everyone but handheld infants.  (see more info here on the Candy Brand Key)
  • Number of riders per hour? 400
  • Amusement Park Mom’s Comments: Doesn’t every child want to drive when they are young?  Yep. Most do.  They have two options at Hersheypark to get behind the wheel – the Classic Cars and the Speedway racers.  Don’t be concerned, there is a rail in the center that keeps you on track, but I do have a suggestion for first time drivers – choose the Classic Cars over the Speedway.  My experience is that the gas pedal on the classic car is much easier for small children to push down.  It is also alot easier to get your foot in there to help out if necessary.  I still remember with an ache in my leg the first time my daughter, then 10 and not at all small, couldn’t keep pushing the pedal on her sportscar.  I had to get my left leg over there and push down in the most awkward position for the remainder of the ride.  I’m short and it was tough, I can’t imagine what it’d be like if you were over 5 feet 5 inches.  Also the sportscars are even slower loading than the classic cars since they only seat two.  There are 13 of them.  Maximum speed on the sports cars is slightly faster, around 7 mph, if your kid can keep it going.
  • Handheld infants?  No.
  • Any water involved? No.
  • Any flashing lights? No.
  • Any loud noises? No.
  • Does it go up in the air? No.
  • Does it go around? Not really.
  • Does it have sudden stops or changes in motion? Yes if your child is not good with the brakes.

Handicapped Information

  • Handicapped individuals must have registered for the Ride Accessibility Program (see more here) prior to riding this ride to determine eligibility to ride.
  • Non-ambulatory riders and up to three guests may enter through the handicapped accessible gate to the right of the ride entrance.  Look for signs.

History of the ride:

  • Year installed: 1975
  • Manufacturer: Arrow Development
© 2012 Amusement Park Mom Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha