When it comes to both Memorial Day and Labor Day, I’ve come to avoid parks like the plague. So why was I at Hersheypark this year on Memorial Day? Well you see, Hersheypark decided to kick off its three-day long King-Sized Pass Holder Preview event on Monday, May 29. May 29 was Memorial Day and that meant I was braving whatever crowds would be at the park to ride Wildcat’s Revenge.
Originally Sam and I entertained the idea of going to Wildwood, N.J. to hit up Morey’s Piers, but when we received the email telling us we could reserve times to be among the first to ride Wildcat’s Revenge, our plans immediately changed.
As Memorial Day drew near, our friend Eric reached out to tell us that he’d be at the park that day as well. His 1:30 p.m. ride reservation time was the same as mine. I had some issues upgrading my pass and was unable to reserve for 11:30 a.m. with Sam. Oh well, it all ended up working out and we had a day better than we ever expected.
Not So Busy After All
Needless to say, between the Memorial Day crowd and pass holders event, we expected the park to be mobbed. We hoped we could land a few rides on our favorite in addition to our lone ride on Wildcat’s Revenge. What we didn’t expect, however, was to get in more than 10 rides. We could have had even more, but we stopped for some desserts and filmed some segments for the first impressions video. You can find below if you haven’t yet watched it.
Here are some highlights from our rides.
Wildcat's Revenge
I am not going to go into a ton of detail here since I recently published my review for Wildcat’s Revenge. Still, I want to make sure everyone checking out this trip report is well-aware of how amazing this coaster truly is. I titled my review, “Wildcat’s Revenge Review – This Kitty Has Claws,” for a reason. From start to finish, this coaster rips through its course and flings you every which way imaginable. I expected the ride to be good, but it’s so much more than that.
You all know how much Sam loves Skyrush and how much the two of us have ridden it since the site launched in 2020. Well, after our rides on Wildcat’s Revenge on Memorial Day as well as the Media Day Preview a few days later, Sam might have herself a new number one coaster. It’s a 1A and 1B thing for her right now. I think what she’s struggling with is all the awesome memories she has on Skyrush. That sentimental aspect makes moving a new coaster into its place a difficult decision. I also struggle with that myself sometimes.
Skyrush
Speaking of Skyrush, we were able to grab three rides throughout the day on this polarizing coaster. One of them came during Sweet Start and the final two came toward the end of the night. All three gave us the insane drop, airtime, and pinched thighs that we’ve come to love. I think I end up riding this coaster at least twice every visit, even on the busier days. Thankfully even here on Memorial Day, we didn’t wait more than two trains for any of our rides.
Storm Runner
One ride I expected to have a long wait was Storm Runner. When we walked over toward Jolly Rancher Remix, so Eric could ride it in its rethemed form, we saw there was little to no line. We jumped on and things moved quickly since both sides of the station were loading. My last few visits that was not the case.
I’ve always loved Storm Runner, but I find it odd how much more I’ve come to love it the last few years. I don’t know if I grew to miss it during it’s extended downtime throughout 2020 and the start of 2021, or if I’m just being more analytical in my old age. I just know that the launch, top hat, and the flying snake dive are some of my favorite elements in the park.
Since I have to revisit my coaster rankings soon for Wildcat’s Revenge, I think I’ll have to reconsider where I have Storm Runner. It will probably be launching up a bit. See what I did there? Launching? Up? Okay, I’ll stop. Now get ready…
Cocoa Cruiser
I just want to document here that in order to officially complete all the credits at Hersheypark, not only did Eric have to ride Wildcat’s Revenge, but he also had to ride Cocoa Cruiser. Did he do it? You bet’cha! And yes, he looked so happy getting experiencing all those laterals. It might be his new number one at the park since we’re talking number ones.
Final Ride Counts
Candymonium (1)
Coal Cracker (1)
Cocoa Cruiser (1: Eric)
Comet (1)
Fahrenheit (1)
Great Bear (1)
Jolly Rancher Remix (1)
Lightning Racer: Lightning (1)
Skyrush (3)
Storm Runner (1)
Wildcat’s Revenge (1)
Back for Media Day
After our one ride on Wildcat’s Revenge I was certainly looking forward to more. Thankfully We Were Inverted was invited to attend the Media Day Preview event as well. So just three days after riding Wildcat’s Revenge for the first time, Sam and I would be heading back for more. The invite said that everyone would be allowed one ride, but we ended up getting more.
I was also able to test out my brand new Sony A7 IV camera, so you’ll want to check out that upcoming trip report for lots of amazing photos. I spent some time walking around the park shooting some of the other rides as well.
I thank you for your patience in getting these trip reports and ride review onto the site. With my return just over a month ago to my old job, I haven’t had a ton of free time to sit down and write. The Media Day trip report along with a DarKoaster review, POV, and trip report for my most recent trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) are still yet to come.
Hersheypark Photo Gallery - May 29, 2023
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or 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): Wildcat's Revenge
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): Wildcat's Revenge
