Hersheypark

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Hersheypark
Image:Hersheypark.png
Location	Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States Image:Flag of the United States.svg
Website	http:www.hersheypa.com /attractions/hersheypark
Owner	Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Opened	April 24, 1907
Operating season	April (Springtime), May-September (Regular), October (Halloween), November-December (Candylane)
Area	110 Acres
Rides	over 60 total 11 roller coasters 10 water rides
Slogan	"The Sweetest Place on Earth"
Image:Roller Coaster Icon.svg Amusement Parks Portal

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 is 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 free admission.

Contents 1 History 2 Fahrenheit - new for 2008 3 Rides 4 Safety & Security 5 Dining 6 Corporate 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

In 1903, Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, surveyed a site along Spring Creek that would be suitable for his park. Hershey Park opened on April 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 William 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^[1].

A penny arcade, a fun house called The Bug, 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 is 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 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.

One roller coaster was added to Hersheypark at the end of the 20th Century with three more following early into the 21st Century – Lightning Racer (2000), Roller Soaker (2002), Storm Runner (2004), and Farenheit (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.^[2]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.

[edit] Fahrenheit - new for 2008

On September 27 2007, Hershey announced a 12.1 million dollar roller coaster named Fahrenheit! The new ride will be located where Western Chute-Out used to sit. The ride is expected to open for Memorial Day 2008. This coaster will feature the deepest drop in the U.S. at 97 degrees. Fahrenheit will feature 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 will reach a maximum speed of 58 mph, and will be 2,700 feet long. The ride will have 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 will also add a Wisdom Tornado named Howler, replacing a virtual reality game. It will go in the spot where the ride Conestoga stood before the 2003 season.

[edit] Rides

See List of Hersheypark Rides for complete list

See also: Defunct Hersheypark Attractions

Hersheypark features over 60 rides and attractions, including 10 roller coasters. In 2008, Hersheypark will open it's 11th roller coaster, Fahrenheit. Fahrenheit is a new vertical coaster with inversions and will be built for May 2008. (see above for info)

v • d • e Roller coasters at Hersheypark
Current:	Comet - Great Bear - Lightning Racer - Roller Soaker - SooperDooperLooper - Sidewinder - Storm Runner - Trailblazer - Wild Mouse - Wildcat
Past:	Mini Comet/Little Comet - Twin Toboggans - Wild Cat
For 2008:	Fahrenheit
Cancelled:	Turbulence

[edit] Safety & Security

Hersheypark is known as having a very good safety record, as well as excellent security services^{[citation needed]}. Ride inspections occcur twice a day (mininum) on all rides by maintence personal. 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 includes ban extends to police officers, who must surrender their weapons to security staff prior to entering Hersheypark.

[edit] Dining

In Hersheypark there are many dining options.^[3][4] 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 have 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.

[edit] Corporate

Main article: Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company

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.

[edit] See also

• Milton S. Hershey
• Hershey Bears
• Hersheypark Arena
• Incidents at Independent parks
• The Hershey Company

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Hershey Trip Planning Unofficial Forum

• Hersheypark official site
• Hersheypark is at coordinates 40°17′35″N 76°39′17″W / 40.292911, -76.65475Coordinates: 40°17′35″N 76°39′17″W / 40.292911, -76.65475fr:Hersheypark

pl:Hersheypark