MAKIN' TRACKS

It's summertime and Koaster Kid is officially on the prowl! First stop, Hersheypark, in my own backyard. And oh what a ride... Fahrenheit, the park's brand new, $12.1 million coaster joins the park's 10 other coasters, including Storm Runner, Great Bear and Sidewinder (shown above). More on Fahrenheit in a few.


My first stop was Great Bear - always a smooth, cool ride with plenty of bearlike attitude! Ya gotta love da bear, a looping, inverted steel coaster that reaches speeds of up to 61 miles per hour as it rips down the tracks, through an immelman - a loop that turns you out at the top and then drops you.


Next up was Storm Runner, one of my favorites at the park. Storm Runner is a smaller version of Great Adventure's Kingda Ka and Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragstser, both of which are among the top thrill rides in the nation. Kingda Ka continues to hold the highest, fastest record. Storm Runner is a lot slower, at 72 mph at take off, but it's just as fun and great for younger kids who aren't quite ready for the Top Thrills of this world.


And of course, no visit to Hersheypark would be complete without a ride on the Sidewinder, my sentimental favorite. This steel roller coaster sends you whipping through a series of loops, only to recoil, sending you through the loops backwards! It's like riding an angry snake on speed!!


I've left the best for last. First off, Fahrenheit boasts the steepest drop of any coaster in the country, at 97 degrees. The coolest thing is the ride up. The cars inch their way up the 121 foot hill as you literally lay on your back looking toward the sky.


The coaster was built by IntaRide LLC, the same company that built “Storm Runner,” one of the park’s most popular rides.

As you crest the hill, the sky is replaced by a panoramic view of the park. Then the real thrills begin as you drop into a 107-foot inverted loop at 58 mph. Coming out of the loop, you twist through an inverted corkscrew roll, a cobra, an airborne inverted five roll and a second inverted corkscrew roll.

But it doesn't stop there. Just as you think you're slowing down, there's an airtime hill, a high-speed/banked curve, a second airtime hill and a final high-speed/banked curve before returning to the station.


It's not the biggest coaster in the world, but it offers a unique experience that is different than you'll get at the region's other amusement parks. I would recommend the front or back seats for the most airtime. Nighttime provides a unique experience as the lights of the park spread out as you crest the hill. It's worth the ride!


On a side note, if you like water attractions plan a trip to Hersheypark in 2009. The park announced plans this week to nearly double the capacity of its popular Boardwalk attraction. Plans for The Boardwalk II - The SEAquel include the addition of a wave pool and a lazy river ride attraction. And one admission gets you access to both the water park and the amusement park.

That's all for this post. Until next time, enjoy the ride!