Great Bear (roller coaster)

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Great Bear

Location Hersheypark
Type Steel - Inverted
Status Open
Opened May 23, 1998
Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard
Designer Werner Stengel
Model Inverted roller coaster
Lift/launch system Chain lift hill
Height 90 ft (27 m)
Drop 124 ft (38 m)
Length 2,800 ft (850 m)
Max speed 64 mph (103 km/h)
Inversions 4
Duration 2:15
Capacity 1300 riders per hour
Cost $13,000,000 USD
Great Bear at RCDB
Pictures of Great Bear at RCDB

Great Bear is a roller coaster located at Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was built by Bolliger & Mabillard during the winter of 1997 and opened for the 1998 season. Because of the coaster's unique custom design, as well as other factors including the terrain, Spring Creek, and proximity of noted attractions such as the SooperDooperLooper, the coaster was one of B&M's most difficult installations.


[edit] Ride Experience

Riders exit the station and climb a 90-foot hill. Unique to Great Bear, there is a helix immediately after the lift, swinging riders around into the 124-foot drop into Comet Hollow. After the drop, train enters a loop, followed immediately by an Immelmann loop, and then going into a zero-g roll. Riders continue through Comet Hollow over midway areas, making a sharp turn over Spring Creek. After a short straightaway, the train goes into a corkscrew, and then up a hill with two wide turns. Riders are then photographed by the on-ride cameras directly before the brake run. After the brake-run, rider's return to the station.

Great Bear's full layout

Great Bear's pre-drop helix

Great Bear's first drop

Great Bear's first drop, loop, and Immelmann

Great Bear's loop.

Great Bear's Immelmann

Great Bear's zero-g roll

Great Bear's straight segment before its corkscrew


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Roller coasters at Hersheypark
Current:
Past:
Cancelled: