List of former Hersheypark attractions

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

Contents

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.

Past roller coasters

Ride Opened Closed Description
Mini-Comet 1974 1978-79? A steel kiddie roller coaster built by Carl Miler.
Turbulence Cancelled Turbulence was cancelled in 2004 before ever being built for the 2005 season.
Toboggan 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 roller coaster jointly owned between Hershey and Philadelphia Tobaggan Company. The station was located in Minetown and it's turn around in what is now Trailblazer.

Past Rides

Ride Last season First season Description
Canyon River Rapids 2008 1987 A river rafting ride that soaked guests with waterfalls. For years, Get The Picture Corporation sold videos of the ride for purchase after disembarking. It was the first ride video system in the world. However, in 2005 they switched to a two-picture system (upstream and downstream), and later sold only one photo of each raft. Canyon River Rapids was removed for the 2009 expansion of the Boardwalk, and many of its old boats now are used on the Raging Rapids ride at Kennywood.
Tiny Tracks Presented by Amtrak 2011 1995 A kiddie ride. A miniature train. Closed to make way for a segment on the new sky rush coaster.
Rodeo 2008 1978 Originally named "Trabant". Rodeo was located at the present location of Tiny Timbers. Rodeo was moved to Pioneer Frontier in 1988 after removal of the Timbler Rattler. Moved to Dutch Wonderland. Also spent time at Lake Compounce while that park was owned by the park.
Western Chute-Out 2007 1988 Originally named "Frontier Chute Out", this ride contained a pair of winding water-tubes (known as "Winding Rivers" - originally named "Slidewinder") and a pair of straight water-slides (known as "Straight Shooters" - originally named "Pistol Pete's Plunge"). 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 Fahrenheit (roller coaster), which opened 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.
Crazy Climbers 2003 1999[3] A jungle gym rope climbing ride that used to be inside of the Midway Tent along with Tiger's Tail and Moonwalk which are now only open on the candylane and halloween events.
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 bulldozer ride in 1980.[3] Replaced by the Mini Pirate. Moved to Dutch Wonderland.
Auto Skooters 1999 1978[3] Kiddie bumper cars. Replaced with Rolling Rovers when it moved under the Fender Bender.
Rotor 1995 1969[3] Rotor, replaced in its location by the Tilt-A-Whirl
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 Central PA's Kosher Mart, and the Great Bear's station now exists where the Minetown station once stood. The ride now operates at Dreamworld Park in Thailand and is called Cable Car.
Coal Shaker 1989 1978 "Cuddle up" ride with coal-themed cars. Stood where the Convoy, Red Baron, and Frog Hopper are today. This replaced the original installed in 1947.
Himalaya 1989 1975 A Reverchon Himalaya. Originally located beside what is now Paddleboat Cafe, where the Twin Ferris Wheels were. The ride was moved in 1976 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 1987 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.
The Flying Bobs 1982 1978 Replaced the Twin Toboggans. Replaced by Balloon Flite.[3]
The Bug 1981[3] 1932 A larger version of the still present Lady Bugs. 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.
Golden Nugget Shooting Gallery 1978[3] 1973 Converted from a dark ride into a shooting gallery, the scenery from can still be seen today on the Dry Gulch Railroad. The building was demolished and replaced by the Fender Bender.
Twin Ferris Wheels 1975[3] 1950 Two side-by-side Eli Bridge Company Ferris wheels. Replaced by Himalaya.
The Whipperoo 1975 1937[3] A Mangels whip. Located where the Tilt-a-Whirl stands today. Moved to area where Flying Falcon is. Replaced by Himalaya in 1976.
The Pretzel / Golden Nugget 1973[3] 1931 An indoor dark ride, converted into the "Golden Nugget" in 1964. It was converted into a shooting gallery.
The Mill Chute / The Lost River 1972 1929[3] Early dark ride with a water splashdown, located alongside Spring Creek near the area of the Wave Swinger. 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.
Death Valley Funhouse / Laugh Land / Funland 1972 [3] 1938 This funhouse was converted to "Laugh Land" in 1940, and Funland sometime before closing after 1972. It was replaced by the Whipperoo, followed by Himalaya and Flying Falcon.
The Flying Coaster 1972 1964 A Norman Bartlett-designed ride. The last known operating model is at Kennywood.
Miniature Railroad 1971 1910 A narrow-gauge railway that was designed by Ernest H. Miller, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[3] The ride was nearly apart of Phase III of the park's renovations, however the trains were found to be in too bad shape to be used. The track was removed. [3]
Aerial Joy Ride 1962 1940 Bought from the New York's World Fair after it closed. It cost $25,000 (equal to $391,548 today). Replaced by Klaus AeroJets (now Starship America) in 1962. (Was located where a milk can game is today.[3]
Carousel (Dentzel) 1944 1912 Built by William Dentzel. The Carousel had 52 animals and 2 chariots. The ride first opened on a platform overlooking Comet Hollow. In 1929, the carousel was moved into a new pavilion in Comet Hollow next to Spring Creek. After it was removed, it operated at Knott's Berry Farm.[3]
Notes:

1. ^ During 1998, Western Chute-Out removed its original slides from New Wave Rides. New slides, from Proslide, were installed in their place.
Unknown year removed from park
Ride Last season First season Description
Custer Car Ride  ??? 1936 Gas-powered car ride. Built near the current Aquatheater.[3]
Round Up  ???  ??? A stand-up, circular spinning ride, placed where Music Box Theater is today.

Other past attractions

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 Claus. 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.
Encyclopædia Britannica 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 (a.k.a. Animal Garden) 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]

Planned but never built

See also

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 x y z 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.

External links