Back in March I met up with Chance, the Cheapthusiast, along with Aaron and Matt for the first time at Six Flags America (SFA). That meet up was a year in the making as our original plans to meet at Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) in 2020 was nixed because of rain. I guess it’s kind of fitting that our first meet up together at Hersheypark was also nixed a few weeks ago for the same reason. Thankfully, we were able to reschedule quickly. It turned out to be a great day too – 83 degrees with a slight breeze. And this time along, Matt’s girlfriend, Madison joined us.
Skyrush Walkway Re-Opened
Even with all the amazing coasters at Hersheypark, there was something else I was looking forward to for this visit, especially with the beautiful weather. Just one day after the Season Pass Holder Preview Night, the park re-opened the walkway running alongside Skyrush for the first time. It had been closed since the Chocolatetown and Candymonium construction began. I was looking forward to spending some time in this area and getting in some photos of my favorite coaster at the park.
Chance and his crew arrived at the park about 15 minutes before I did. I told him to go ahead in and I’d catch up with them. When I parked he said they were getting in line for Skyrush. That was perfect. I entered and made my way right to the walkway. I shot a few pictures of Skyrush and even managed to grab a few photos of Comet.
I didn’t spend a bunch of time along the walkway though and ended up timing things just right. As I made my way over to the exit area of Skyrush, Chance, Aaron, Matt, and Madison all made their way down the steps. Chance introduced Madison and I to one another since this was our first time meeting. When then took a minute to figure out just where we wanted to go to try to get in every coaster before the end of the day. Our conclusion, head back toward Laff Trakk and do that end of the park first and work our way back up.
Riding Almost All the Coasters
One of our goals for the day was to try to get in as many of the coasters as possible for Matt. Aaron and Madison also needed a coaster or two to complete the park, and Chance oddly enough, needed Wild Mouse. We came close to our goal, with a couple of exceptions. Storm Runner is still down and Fahrenheit closed around lunchtime, never re-opening for the rest of the day – according to the park app. That didn’t stop us from banging out the rest of the coaster, minus Cocoa Cruiser. I did suggest getting Matt on it, however.
Here is a look at a few of the more memorable rides from the day:
Lightning Racer - Thunder
Lightning Racer was not operating during my first two visits of 2021. It very well could have been running during the Pass Holder Night, but since the park was so crowded, and we only had two hours once making our way through the logjam at the entrance, we never ventured back that far. I have been looking forward to getting rides on Lightning Racer again. And yesterday, we got in a ride on the Thunder side.
While in line, I did notice that Lightning Racer was running one train on both sides. While this is normal, I also noticed that Lightning’s second train was not in the service bay. Thunder’s second train was, so maybe it’s being serviced elsewhere?
Also while we were in line, Chance and Aaron talked about how Aaron has never been on a losing train on Lightning Racer. I teased that this ride would be the day. And guess what? We won! He’s still undefeated. All the man does is win!
Comet
A few days prior to our trip, Hersheypark made a few posts on their social media accounts about Comet celebrating its 75th anniversary. As many of you know, this coaster was my first “big coaster” and is one for I have a ton of nostalgia. I’m glad to see it still running and that Hersheypark gives it a ton of attention with upkeep. There are a bunch of places where you can see some recent re-tracking. Those spots are so smooth, but the rest of the ride runs really well without it. This ride is a true gem and one I hope to ride on it’s 100th anniversary too.
Last year I was able to get in a bunch of rides on Comet, but there were visits where we didn’t ride it at all – usually due to long lines. So far this year, I’ve been making an effort to try to ride it at least once per visit, if not twice. Oh, and the park is back to seating every row on the woodies again. It makes the lines move so much quicker.
Candymonium
Candymonium, when I arrived, was not running. I’m not sure why, but all the trains were stacked on the final brake run. I wouldn’t have suggested riding it first anyhow since everyone runs straight to it when the park gates open. I’ve seen the line stretch all the way back to the bridge leading to the ride early in the day. Pro tip: Wait. We waited to ride Candymonium until 5 p.m. and we got two back to back rides, both with 15 minute or less waits.
Madison had yet to ride Candymonium and was looking forward to riding it all day. She’s from the area, but had yet to visit the park since the coaster was added. When I told her about how floaty the ride was, she so was eager to give it a ride. On our second ride, we nabbed the back seat, and got that extra yank over the hills. I really wish this ride had an eighth row, or even a ninth, like Nitro.
For our back row ride, Matt took my advice and sat on first seat upon entering the loading area. I told him it would put him closest to the hand chopper element. All I can say is I heard him shout, “Woah!” when Candymonium made that abrupt tilt to the support pole, all while Madison was emoting on every single airtime moment. It was a great ride and the first trim brake wasn’t even hitting much for a change either.
Final Ride Counts
Candymonium (2)
Comet (1)
Great Bear (1)
Laff Trakk (1)
Lightning Racer – Thunder (1)
Sidewinder (1)
Skyrush (1)
SooperDooperLooper (1)
Trailblazer (1)
Wild Mouse (1)
Wildcat (1)
* Chance, Aaron, Matt, & Madison also rode Skyrush & Coal Cracker while I was taking photos.
Ice Cream, Shopping, & Saying Goodbye
After our second ride on Candymonium, it was time to go to Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor. I had told the group about the different offerings and pulled up some photos on my phone. They were all sold on giving it a try and that’s what we were all going to do. Well, until I got out of line and went to the Sweeterie instead. Those colorful Laff Trakk cakes were still calling my name from the last visit to the park and I just had to have one. It was really good and I can’t wait to try some of the other offerings on display at the Sweeterie. As for everyone else, they loved the ice cream. These two additions to the park sure lived up to the promise.
With our bellies full of sweets, Chance grabbed himself a new magnet. You may recall, Chance was featured in the first installment of my Coaster Collectibles series – Coaster Collectibles – Chance Knight: Magnets. He found a few he liked and I honestly can’t even remember which one he picked up.
I also picked up a brand new 75th anniversary Comet shirt. If they had made a 75th anniversary pin, I would have been in heaven. There’s still hope! Please Hersheypark… Please?
From there, it was time to head home after a great day at the park. I’m glad Chance invited me to come along and spend time with him and his friends. It’s a great group of people and I hope to hit up a few more parks with them at some point.
Be sure to visit Chance, the Cheapthusiast at the following:
Hersheypark Photo Gallery - May 2, 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
