I woke up yesterday and was going about my business. I had no plans, but I soon started to grow jealous. Sam had a friend in from out of town and the two of them went down to Kings Dominion for the day. She immediately started to send me photos from Twisted Timbers after the park opened. At that same time, I saw Kaylee on her Instagram account sharing photos from Six Flags America (SFA). How could I let them have all the fun? I knew right the, I was headed to a park too. I hopped into the shower and made my way to Hersheypark.
During my drive, I thought about how, one year ago, I was visiting Hershey for the Candymonium King-Sized Pass Holder Preview Event, and then a few days later with Sam, for the first of many, Summer of Sam trips. Those blogs were some of the first to appear on the site because that same week, We Were Inverted launched. This trip would be the perfect way to celebrate the 1 year anniversary.
Oh Man, it was Hot!
With the heatwave hitting the United States this week, I knew it was going to be a hot one. When I arrived, the temperature was a scorching 101 and sunny. Well, for at least a few hours. The forecast had thunderstorms moving into the region after 6 p.m. I turned off the car and made my way into the park. I hoped a lot of people would be in the waterpark and that did end up being the case. All the coasters were running, minus Fahrenheit (hence the title) and the Lightning side of Lightning Racer.
Over the next four hours, I managed to get in at least one ride on most of the park’s major coasters. I did skip a few smaller coasters in order to take some photos and a break for lunch. Had I arrived earlier, or focused less on pictures, there is no doubt in my mind that I could have squeezed in every single coaster at least once. Here are some of the highlights on the ones I did ride. For the full list of rides on the day, check out the ride count box below.
Skyrush
I couldn’t tell you the last time I visited Hersheypark and didn’t ride Skyrush first. It’s usually a walk on, especially with Candymonium sucking up so many of the parks visitors upon entering. At most, I’ll make my way to the ride to find a row or two of people down on the ground in the bullpen. The majority of the time, however, I find a station wait. That’s what I found yesterday, securing a Row 7, left wing seat for the first ride. When I returned later, I found the same, walking right onto the train for a Row 8, left wing seat.
Both rides on Skyrush hauled! I’m not surprised since it was so hot. I doubt the coaster needed much time to warm up. Plus, by time I arrived, the coaster had been making the rounds for a few hours already.
Storm Runner
Two weeks ago I made another impromptu trip to Hersheypark. My agenda that day was to ride nothing but Storm Runner and shoot a ton of off-ride footage for a vlog. Well, yesterday I wanted to get in at least one more ride on the park’s infamous launch coaster.
Like my last visit, I waited for the front row. During these last two visits, the front row lines have been one, maybe two trains more than all the other lines. The view on this ride makes those extra minutes in line totally worth it. Wait for the front if you visit and find the same to be true. If you want my opinion on the ride, be sure to check out the vlog from two weeks ago on YouTube, titled, “Vlog: Hersheypark – Chasing the Storm (Runner).”
Candymonium
I never ever attempt to ride Candymonium until the evening. I’ve seen the coaster accumulate a line through the entire indoor bullpen region, out the front of the building, and out into the courtyard too many times for the first few hours of operation. The park even keeps some temporary fencing out front of the ride to keep the spill over line in order. No thanks.
By waiting until the evening, I’ve gone up to the ride and found waits to be less than 30 minutes most of the time. I’ve even been lucky enough to have less than 10-15 minute waits, or even just a station wait. Yesterday, I waited maybe 15 minutes and that’s because I wanted the back row. Had I jumped on the first available train, my wait would have been between 5-10 minutes.
Every time I ride Candymonium, I keep hoping that particular ride will be the one that just wows me so much that I have to move it up my rankings. Sadly, I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. I really enjoy the ride and find it to be a great addition to the park. I also love Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hyper coasters, so what I’m about to write feels weird to type. Hersheypark is the only park I’ve been to with a B&M hyper where I don’t feel like I missed out if I don’t ride it. Last year I missed out on it numerous times for weather, maintenance issues, or just not wanting to wait in line. That never happens to me at any other park with a B&M hyper. Canymonium just leaves me wanting more. It always has, and by the looks of it, it always will.
Final Ride Counts
Candymonium (1)
Comet (1)
Great Bear (1)
Lightning Racer: Thunder (1)
Skyrush (2)
SooperDooperLooper (1)
Storm Runner (1)
Wildcat (1)
Last Rides
Earlier in the day, after getting off Storm Runner, I made my way over to Fahrenheit. That’s when I noticed it was down for the day. It would have been nice to ride all three Intamins, but alas, it wasn’t going to happen. That’s when I made the call to head back into middle and front of the park. I knew storms were headed my way and I wanted to make sure I got in a ride on Comet, Candymonium, and my second ride on Skyrush. Those took priority over sticking around that area of the park for Wildcat, Wild Mouse, Lightning Racer, or Laff Trakk.
Well, long story short, I made such good time on Comet, Candy, and Skyrush that I ended up walking myself all the way back to see if I could get in at least Wildcat and Lightning Racer before the skies let loose. Those would be the only two I’d get in too since the skies darkened and the rain began to fall after my ride on Lightning Racer. How fitting?
I would have went for Laff Trakk and Wild Mouse too, but as soon as I walked out of the exit for Lightning Racer, the skies darkened and rain began to fall. From the waterpark, I pointed my camera toward Fahrenheit and as I composed my shot, lightning bolts filled the sky. I wish I had shot my photo about two seconds quicker and captured it.
Lots of Storm Runners
Cutting through the waterpark on my way off of Lightning Racer, I stopped by Dispatch Pizza to take a photo of Fahrenheit with the dark skies. As I was composing the shot, lightning bolts filled the sky. I missed them by two seconds! It would have been such an awesome photo. At that point, I decided to head back toward the front of the park, stopping to take a couple more photos of Fahrenheit up close.
While under Fahrenheit, the skies let loose. People began running, but I’m too old for all that. Plus, the park already has a Storm Runner. Plus, it was kind of funny to see all the wet people from the waterpark getting upset about, well, getting wet. The irony.
After making it back to the front of the park, I decided to call it a day. The park was only open for another 90 minutes. I figured by time the storms cleared, if they even would, there wouldn’t be much time left. I thought about getting a bit to eat at the Chocolatier, but I wasn’t even slightly hungry. I think I’ll wait to do that with some friends on a future visit.
Hersheypark Photo Gallery - June 30, 2021
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): n/a
