Hershey Park began with the idea of one man, by the name of
Milton Hershey. He planned to create a more soothing enviroment
for the workers and families of his factory and town of that time.
He then proceeded to survey a spot for the park in 1903. Mr. Hershey's
origanal thought was for an ideal place to have a picnic, or enjoy
boating and canoeing, with a lot of trees for shady places to
relax.
The Origanal main building was a small bandstand and pavilion
to be used for shows. Then in 1908 a Merry-go -round was put in
operation and the park continued to grow from there. In 1923,
the park celebrated its 20th anniversary and constructed a wooden
roller coaster by the name of the Wildcat which was nearly a mile
long. But in 1946 the Wildcat was replaced by the Comet which
is still standing there today.
Hershey Park then became know as the summer resort of Pennsylvania
and one of Americas most popular theme parks. Guest would travel
to Hershey by all forms of transportation. In 1971 the pay as
you ride policy was replaced one-price admission which is still
the way things work today.
In 1977 Hershey unveiled the SooperdooperLooper which was the
first steel looping coaster on the east coast. Then the 80's bought
many new rides to the park and in 1991 the muti-loop steel boomerrang
coater the sidewind opened as the forth roller coaster the park
had owned. In 1994 the worlds tallest water ride was open by the
name of Tidal Force, with the opening of this new ride the park
expanded to 90 acres.
In 1996, Hersheys 90th anniversary was celebrated with the unveiling
of the Wildcat Named after the origanal which ran from 1923 to
1946. The new Wildcat is a twisted which crosses over and under
itself 20 times.
Then in 1998, the debuted of the Great Bear, the first inverted
steel coaster in the state of Pennsylvania. Hershey is now the
home to Six Coasters more then any other park in PA.
Hershey park has been through many changes of the many years of
operation, But still and will always provide fun and entertainment
for the community of Hershey, as well as the entire world for
many years to come. I am sure that Mr. Hershey himself would be
please by the park now and what it has become.
General Information:
OPERATING HOURS: 10am to 10 pm
ADMISSION: Pay-one price under 29$ admission icludes acess to
Zoo america
TOP ATTRACTIONS: Tidal Force, a Phiadephia Toboggan Carousel,
which is the second largest carousel ever made by this company.
COASTERS: Wildcat, Comet, Sidewinder, Sooperdooperlooper,
and the Trailblazer
TIPS: The best way to avoid crowds is to come on a Monday
or Tuesday, this is when the crowds are at there smallest. Do
the Great Bear first thing in the morning this ride packs up pretty
quick.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Literacy day, September creatures of the night.
October; Ballonfest, and the Christmas Candylane from mid Nov.
through December.
EXTRAS: Miniture golf & paddleboats, fee required. Chocolate
World, present a ride through tour of how chocolate is made (free).
