Can you hear the thrilling screams of coaster riders everywhere? Today, August 16th, is National Roller Coaster Day, and there is no sweeter place for thrill seekers to celebrate than Hersheypark! They have an iconic lineup of 15 mild to wild coasters totaling over 25 minutes of ride time on 38,928 feet of track. Read on for my complete Hersheypark Coaster Guide.
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Mild to Wild - A Hersheypark Coaster Guide
Here's my rundown of Hersheypark coasters, from mild to wild (maybe your opinion of the order will differ, so please don't berate me in the comments!). I tried to order them based on thrills, not speed. And keep in mind that not all coasters are open every season, and coasters are always subject to closure for various reasons (use the Hersheypark app for more info and details while you are visiting). Stats below were gathered via the Hersheypark website. Photos via Hersheypark.
Cocoa Cruiser
Ride Height: 14 feet, Ride Length: 279 feet, Ride Time: 2 minutes
Known for: this is a kiddie coaster, great for little ones who want a lil' thrill. Very mild and great for little kids who want to try their 'first coaster' experience.
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| Cocoa Cruiser - photo via Hersheypark |
Trailblazer
Max Speed: 45 mph, Ride Height: 52 ft, Ride Length: 1,600 ft, Ride Time: 1 min, 15 sec
Known for: its 'pioneer' theme and a helix that circles a total of 4 times. I also appreciate the wafting scent of barbecue that floats over from Spring Creek Smokehouse! Ha!
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| Trailblazer - photo via Hersheypark |
Wild Mouse
Max Speed: 28 mph, Ride Height: 45 ft, Ride Length: 1213 ft, Ride Time: 1 min, 58 sec
Known for: its wild illusion of falling off the edge of the track. I can't ride this without screaming. I've tried.
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| Wild Mouse - photo via Hersheypark |
Laff Trakk
Max Speed: 40 mph, Ride Height: 51 ft, Ride Length: 1400 ft, Ride Time: 1 min, 10 sec
Known for: being the first indoor glowing and spinning coaster. It's dark and cool inside, which is great on a hot summer day.
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| Laff Trakk - photo via Hersheypark |
Comet
Max Speed: 50 mph, Ride Height: 96 ft, Ride Length: 3360 ft, Ride Time: 1 min, 45 sec
Known for: being the oldest operating coaster at Hersheypark at 78-years-old. It's a classic wooden coaster with several airtime-producing bunny hills.
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| Comet - photo via Hersheypark |
Lightning Racer
Max Speed 50 mph, Ride Height 90 ft, Ride Length 6800 ft (3400 ft each side), Ride Time: 1 min, 20 sec
Known for: being a racing and dueling coaster. Like a roller coaster race!
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| Lightning Racer - photo via Hersheypark |
Sooper Dooper Looper
Max Speed 45 mph, Ride Height: 57 ft, Ride Length: 2614 ft, Ride Time:
1 min, 45 sec
Known for: being the first ever looping coaster on the east coast. Don't forget to buy your classic 'I Survived the Sooper Dooper Looper' shirt!
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| Sooper Dooper Looper - photo via Hersheypark |
Jolly Rancher Remix
Max Speed: 47 mph, Ride Height:105 ft, Ride Length: 875 ft, Ride Time:
1 min, 45 sec
Known for: having 5 different, randomized rides with a a scent/flavor tunnel, different music and lights each time. If you don't ride it, you can actually stand outside the tunnel nearby to catch a whiff of the scents.
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| Jolly Rancher Remix - photo via Hersheypark |
Farenheit
Max Speed: 58mph, Ride Height: 121 ft, Ride Length: 2700 ft, Ride Time: 1 min, 25 sec
Known for: it's signature 97 degree drop!
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| Farenheit - photo via Hersheypark |
Wildcat's Revenge
Max Speed: 62 mph, Ride Height:140 ft, Ride Length: 3510 ft, Ride Time: 2 min, 36 sec
Known for: working alongside Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), they added an all-new steel track to the existing wooden framework to enhance the ride experience, length, and number of thrills, making it an extreme 'hybrid' coaster.
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| Wildcat's Revenge - photo via Hersheypark |
Great Bear
Max Speed: 61 mph, Ride Height:124 ft, Ride Length: 2800 ft, Ride Time: 2 min, 15 sec
Known for: being an inverted steel coaster that leaves your feet dangling as it lifts 90 ft off the ground. It's one of the "signature sounds" of Hersheypark, if you ask me (it has a distinct sound- I can't even describe it). The sound alone is thrilling as it passes above you!
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| Great Bear - photo via Hersheypark |
Storm Runner
Max Speed: 72 mph, Ride Height:180 ft, Ride Length: 2600 feet, Ride Time: 1 min
Known for: launching from 0-72mph in 2 seconds flat. Scares me even from afar. lol
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| Storm Runner - photo via Hersheypark |
Skyrush
Max Speed: 75 mph, Ride Height: 200 ft, Ride Length: 3,600 ft, Ride Time: 1 min, 3 sec
Known for: being one of the most intense coasters in the country. It was recently voted as one of the top 10 coasters in the United States by USA TODAY 10 Best.
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| Skyrush - photo via Hersheypark |
Candymonium
Max Speed: 76 mph, Ride Height: 210 ft, Ride Length: 4636 ft, Ride Time: 2 min, 26 sec
Known for: being the tallest and fastest coaster. Tip: if you're not riding but want to catch a picture of someone who is, stand near the Kisses fountain and wait. They will pass pretty close by you and you can actually wave to them as they go.
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| Candymonium - photo via Hersheypark |
*Breaker's Edge (water coaster)
Max Speed: 20 ft per second, Ride Length: 941.91 ft, Ride Height: 37 ft, Ride Time: 1 min 18 sec
Known for: being a water thrill ride with intense open-air FlyingSAUCER℠ turns, high-speed tunnels and more.
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| Boardwalk photo via Hersheypark |
Hersheypark Coaster Facts
2024 marks the anniversaries of popular attractions, including the 50th anniversary of the family-friendly Trailblazer coaster and the 25th anniversary of the Wild Mouse at Hersheypark. The newest roller coaster at Hersheypark is the 2023 Golden Ticket-winning Wildcat’s Revenge. It is the first hybrid coaster at Hersheypark and the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. The oldest operating coaster at Hersheypark is the 78-year-old Comet, a classic wooden coaster best known for several airtime-producing bunny hills.
What's New for 2024
Coaster conquerors can enjoy new ride experiences on two iconic coasters, Skyrush and Comet. Skyrush upgraded its flight to first class with all-new seats and restraints. Passengers now board the high-thrill coaster from a reimagined station platform featuring an all-new paint scheme, lighting effects and custom soundscape. Comet, the oldest continuously operating coaster at Hersheypark, features a new out-of-this-world train design and new seats for the next generation of riders.
Fast Track
People often ask me if Fast Track is worth it. If you are a coaster fan and want to ride all of these amazing rides during your visit, then I highly recommend investing in Fast Track, especially if you're visiting on a busy summer weekend. Some ride wait times can top one hour, so Fast Track will help you bypass the line (different passes are available for purchase so check the Hersheypark website for full details and how to use Fast Track and which rides you can use it on). Fast Track doesn't allow you to bypass the line of every single ride, but it can definitely help you avoid some of the longest lines.
Ticket Offer for Coaster Fans
Guests can purchase 1-day summer tickets for $49.99 plus taxes and fees on Hersheypark.com with the current Last Splash of Summer Sale. The tickets are valid through September 8, 2024, and include three parks in one with more than 70 rides, The Boardwalk water park (open daily through September 2nd) and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park.
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| aerial photo via Hersheypark |
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