List of defunct Hersheypark attractions

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Like all amusement parks, Hersheypark has removed a number of rides and attractions over the years.

Contents

[edit] Past characters

As a part of the adding a gate and one-price admission to Hersheypark, costume characters were now a part of the park's entertainment program. While walk-around Hershey candy bars have always been a part of this, Hersheypark had its own mascot characters in the late 70s and 80s. These included the Furry Tales, which were three brightly-colored animals - a skunk, a bear, and a chipmunk.[1] These characters were featured in promotional materials, daily shows[2], and even had their own shop selling plush toys in Rhineland. To this day, the shop continues to sell toys. Other discontinued characters include Pistol Pete and the rare character Kaptain Kid.

[edit] Past roller coasters

Ride Opened Closed Description
Mini Comet/Little Comet 1960s 1978-79? A steel kiddie roller coaster built by Carl Miler.
Turbulence Cancelled Turbulence was cancelled in 2005 before ever being built.
Twin Toboggans 1972[3] 1977 A Chance Rides Toboggan coaster, this was an extremely compact steel coaster that went through a vertical lift hill. This ride was actually two Chance Toboggan coasters right next to each other, which were located where the Mini Himalaya is now.
Wild Cat June 16, 1923 September 1945 Hersheypark's first rollercoaster jointly owned between Hershey and Philadelphia Tobaggan Company.

[edit] Past Rides

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Name Closed Opened Description
Western Chute-Out 2007 1988 Originally named "Frontier Chute Out", this ride contained a pair of winding water-tubes (known as "Winding Rivers") and a pair of straight water-slides (known as "Straight Shooters"). However, the "Straight Shooters" were converted into straight water-tubes upon the name-change. For both the "Winding Rivers" and the "Straight Shooters", there were "light" and "dark" tubes; in the dark tubes it was at times impossible, especially on the Winding Rivers, to know which way you were going. Guests on the Winding Rivers tended to get much wetter than the Straight Shooters because of the sharp, fast turns. As of December 2007, the ride has been disassembled to make way for the new coaster, Fahrenheit (roller coaster), slated to open in 2008.
Paddleboats 2006 1973 An Additional Charge ride where riders paddeled along Spring Creek. It has not been replaced by another ride or attraction.
Chaos 2005 1999 A Chance Chaos in Midway America. Replaced with Coastline Plunge in 2007.
Giant Wheel 2004 1973 An Intamin AG ride replaced with the relocations of Balloon Flight and Starship America.
Wells Cargo 2003 1964 Kiddie Whip ride, replaced by a food stand in Pioneer Frontier. Moved to Dutch Wonderland.
Conestoga 2002 1984 A Huss Rainbow, replaced by Pioneer Frontier Virtual Theater. Is currently operating at Lake Winnepesaukah.
Cyclops 2002 1980[3] A Huss Enterprise, replaced by The Claw. The ride currently operates in Canada.
Earthmovers 2002 1975 Originated as "Tiny Tanks" before being refurbished into a bull dozer ride in 1980.[3] Replaced by the Mini Pirate. Moved to Dutch Wonderland.
Rotor 1995 1969[3] Rotor, replaced in its location by the Tilt-A-Whirl
Auto Skooters 1994 1978[3] Kiddie bumper cars. Replaced with Rolling Rovers when it moved under the Fender Bender.
Sky Ride 1992 1974 Transported riders on 30 cars between Rhineland and Minetown, with over 1,268 feet between each station.[4] The Rhineland station is now used for PA's Kosher Mart, and the Great Bear's station now exists where the Minetown station once stood.
Coal Shaker 1990  ??? "Cuddle up" ride with coal-themed cars. Stood where the Convoy, Red Baron, and Frog Hopper are today.
Himalaya 1989 1975 A Mack Feria Swing. Originally located beside what is now Paddleboat Cafe, where the Twin Ferris Wheels were. The ride was moved later to where the Flying Falcon is now, to make room for the SooperDooperLooper.
Cinemavision 1989 1983 A theater attraction which was a geodesic-domed theater showing panoramic films on a floor-to-ceiling screen.[3] Converted into "Frontier Meeting House" (a magic room attraction) in 1986, then the "Double R-cade" in 1990. The building is now known as the "Playdome Arcade."
Timber Rattler 1988 1984 A Schwarzkopf Polyp ride. Replaced by the relocation of the Rodeo.
Monster 1983[3] 1972 A spinning flat ride. Replaced by Tilt-a-Whirl, where Tiny Tracks stands today.
Round Up A stand-up, circular spinning ride, placed where Music Box Theater is today.
The Flying Bobs 1982 1978 Replaced the Twin Toboggans. Replaced by Balloon Flite.[3]
The Bug 1981[3] 1932 Existed where Wave Swinger is today.
Paratrooper 1980[2] 1967 A paratrooper ride, where the Hersheypark Amphitheater stands today.
Tip Top 1980[2]  ??? A sit-down spinning ride, placed where Music Box Theater is today.
Twin Ferris Wheels 1975[3] 1950 Twin Eli Bridge Company ferris wheels. Replaced by Himalaya.
The Pretzel 1973[3] 1931 An indoor dark ride, converted into the "Golden Nugget" in 1964. replaced with Fender Bender. Scenery from the ride can still be seen today on the Dry Gulch Railroad.
Miniature Railroad 1973 1910 A narrow-gauge railway that was designed by Ernest H. Miller, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[3]
Aerial Joy Ride 1954 1940 Bought from the New York's World Fair after it closed. It costs $25,000 (which would be over $330,000 in 2006, adjusted for inflation). Was located where the Music Box Theater is today.[3]
Mill Chute 1972 1929[3] Early dark ride with a water splashdown. In 1963, this ride was re-themed by Bill Tracy, and became the Lost River, and was later destroyed by Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. The park's Coal Cracker ride was designed with some similarities to the Mill Chute.
Carousel (Dentzel) 1944 1912 Built by William Dentzel. The Carousel had 52 animals and 2 chariots. In 1929, the carousel was moved into a new pavilion by Spring Creek. After it was removed, it operated at Knott's Berry Farm.[3]
Unknown year removed from park
Death Valley Funhouse  ??? 1938 This funhouse was converted to "Laugh Land" in 1940.[3] The "Lauging Sal" figure can be seen today at the Allen Theatre in Annville, Pennsylvania.
The Whipperoo  ??? 1937[3] A Mangels whip. Located where the Tilt-a-Whirl stands today.
Custer Car Ride  ??? 1936 Gas-powered car ride. Built near the current Aquatheater.[3]
The Flying Coaster  ??? 1964 A Norman Bartlett-designed ride. The last known operating model is at Kennywood.
Notes:

1. ^  During 1998, Western Chute-Out removed its original slides from New Wave Rides. New slides, from Proslide, were installed in their place.

[edit] Other past attractions

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Name Closed Opened Description
Frontier Virtual Theatre 2007 2003 A virtual reality game, it had three rows of seats where people sat and stomped with their feet, etc. Replaced Conestoga; being replaced by a Wisdom Tornado called Howler.
Little Red Caboose 2005 1969[3] An antique Reading Railroad caboose, which was originally used for birthday parties, before the park began using it as the "Lost Children's Caboose" in the 70's. While vacant today, the caboose itself is in the park behind the Music Box Theater.
Blacksmith's Shop 2004  ??? Located next to Whistle Stop in Pioneer Frontier. Is currently a face-painting booth.
Haunted Harvest 2004 2004 A Halloween walk-through attraction which featured live actors. Existed in the Tidal Force and Canyon River Rapids catering areas.
Nightlights 2004 2001 A laser light show that took place in Midway America. There were several shows that ran throughout the years, including Halloween (Frightlights) and Christmas (Brightlights) versions. Due to the powerful lasers used in the performance, the park had to get an FAA clearance before every show. Removed to make way for The Boardwalk, and due to causing much later hours for many employees.
Starlight Arcade 2004 1973 A plaza with celebrity hand-prints in cement, including the Harlem Globetrotters, Mickey Mouse, and Santa Clause. Located where the Milton S. Hershey statue is today. The Osmond family was the first to be honored with their hand-prints in cement.[3] There is one remaining cement hand-print saved from the attraction, next to the operator's booth at the Flying Falcon.
Sweetest Parade on Earth 2004 1993 A daily parade of Hershey's characters and musicians throughout the park.
Encyclopedia Britanica Booth 1998 1984 This started out as a park information booth, and over the years became an advertisement. Located where Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge is today.
Mini Golf 1997  ??? A small mini golf course next to the SooperDooperLooper. Removed to make way for Great Bear.
Dogpatch Dawgs 1993 1986[2] An audio-animatronic band of five dogs that appeared in a gazebo in Pioneer Frontier. Currently, the gazebo, in front of the Sidewinder is used for various entertainment acts.[5]
Kid's Stuff 1991 1981 This "land" opened as a playground and activities for kids before being renamed Kaptian Kid's Kove in 1986.[3] A pirate-themed show was added during the transformation. Located where Trailblazer Catering is today.
Der Deitsch Platz 1991 1973 A showcase for local Pennsylvania Dutch artisans, including blacksmith, glassblower, weaver, spinner, and leather worker.[3] Located in and around the Craft Barn.
Petting Zoo 1980 1972 When closed, it was converted into Trailblazer Catering.[3]
Dancing Waters 1979 1974 A light show and water pageant, performed on Spring Creek across from the Comet. During the show, jets would propel water from 15 to 150 feet in the air. The official name of the attraction was "Harold Steinman's Dancing Waters", though this was only used the first year.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hersheypark's 100 Years of Happy
  2. ^ a b c d Sweetness of Success, Charles J. Jacques, Jr., Amusement Park Journal, 1997
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Hershey Community Archives Chronology Database
  4. ^ a b Hershey's Guidebook, Western Publishing Company, 1974.
  5. ^ Hersheypark Park Map and Handy Guide, Promotional Materials, 1992.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also