Skyrush was part of the reason I wanted to go to Hershey Park. The other part was they have a chocolate factory and zoo to tour and I thought the kids would really enjoy it, and they did. But for me it was Skyrush, and to a lesser degree Wildcat’s Revenge.
The day got off to an interesting start. We got up there a little bit before the park’s opening time which was not adhered to at all as the park was full functional when we got to the gate. I’m used to Busch Gardens saying they open at 10:00 but not opening certain sections until 11:00. Not a park saying they open at 10:00 but having everything running at 9:30.
We started with the World of Chocolate because it is placed in such a way as the best time to do it is when first arriving or leaving, and we hit it on the way in. After that we headed in and rode the merry-go-round. The kids were in heaven at this point and we even promised to get them the Pokemon chocolate when we left.
It is at this point that things divebombed south. We separated and I learned that Virginia’s tolerance for long lines and Pennsylvania’s are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Also that Hershey Park overestimates wait times and Busch Garden’s underestimates them.
As I mentioned yesterday I did not buy the Fast Trak and wasn’t expecting super long lines. The first ride I got into line for, a B&M hyper coaster like Apollo’s Chariot called Candymonium, had an estimated wait time of 90 minutes. I was here and I was here to ride rides, and so I waited.
After riding a ride that was not Apollo’s Chariot but was close enough that I was very confused by the scenery when riding it I headed to the locker to retrieve my phone and learned the kids were hungry. I had planned on riding Skyrush at this point but was expecting a line of 30 to 40 minutes, not the hour that claimed to be 90 minutes that I waited in.
It was at this point I corrected my mistake of not purchasing the Fast Trak and bought one. With three kids it was necessary, but still we would fail. More on that shortly. Either way I met up with my family and we headed to lunch. The kids were already worn out and I blame the season passes to Busch Gardens where we can go for a couple hours and head home. On a mid-week day we’re normally able to do everything we want and make a loop of the park in three hours. However this was not a mid-week day and we were not in our home park. We were on unfamiliar ground.
We eventually found dining and had a fun experience getting everyone what they wanted. After lunch we went to the trucks the kids wanted to ride and the mini-drop tower. Windsor wanted the mini-drop tower and the other two the trucks, but at one point Roland demanded Windsor ride with him and the ride operator made it happen.
It was at this point I attempted to use the Fast Trak for the first time on the regular drop tower. I did get right to the front of the line, but it was starting to rain, and not lightly. As soon as I was strapped in for the ride the skies opened up, and the ride was closed.
We sheltered in the entrance to Zoo America and when the rains stopped we headed in. It was the average zoo experience except I was losing the battle with my patience. Whenever my patience are tested, I fail. The kids already were asking to go home, and my wife wanted to leave early enough to get dinner with her family. We were in a race against time, and losing.
After zoo America my patience boiled over and shattered when I told my wife I wouldn’t mind riding the Great Bear on the way to finding the Ferris Wheel and she didn’t understand what I meant when I said there were no lockers. I meant she’d have to hold my stuff and if they left it would be bad.
We got it figured out and she held onto my loose articles as I rode, and when I got off the ride I was surprised to see them. Then it was a good run of family fun. Riding the Kissing Tower and the old fashioned cars, before heading further into the park.
Then disaster struck and would cause us to miss half the park. I wanted to ride Storm Chaser and it also had no locker. I handed my wife my phone, keys, and wallet and got on the ride. The Fast Trak was helping to cut down the wait time and I was on the ride in 10 to 15 minutes. When I got off no one was waiting or appeared to be in the general area. I looked around, walked a little bit further up the path, turned around and walked back. Still no family. So I headed to the Ferris Wheel as that was the thing we mentioned heading to.
I made it and found no family. I looked around for a shop of some sort to see if I could borrow a cellphone and found none. So I asked a random park guest and they offered to call me wife. She didn’t answer. I then asked if they would text her and tell her I was at the Ferris Wheel. After ten more minutes of waiting I decided to look for them but not go too far.
Just as I was about to give up I found them. I decided at this point to keep my phone with me and take the risk of putting it in the baskets in the ride areas. Abby immediately wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel with daddy while the boys rode a couple of the other rides in the area.
After Abby and I were done our ride we made a plan. The kids were really tired at this point and ready to go. Lara decided to take them to the train and ride it, and I could ride the rides I had remaining. The two I really came for.
We separated once again and I headed on toward The Wildcat’s Revenge. I was distracted by a ride called Laff Trak and decided with my Fast Trak I could ride it, and I did, and it was the best ride I rode that day. It was a spinning coaster and one of the more unique rides I have riding. I also have a thing for indoor roller coasters.
After this I did make it to The Wildcat’s Revenge and it wasn’t my favorite. It was a little intense. There was a moment on the ride where an airtime hill went directly into a corkscrew and I didn’t like the feeling of hanging by my ankles. It was the closest I felt to dying on a ride, and I don’t like feeling like I am about to die. I would ride it again, but after riding it I kind of get why Busch Gardens Williamsburg is struggling to add an RMC. It doesn’t fit in with the cleanest park in America image. It is a bit of a dirty ride and all the rides at Busch Gardens are smooth and polished.
Now it was finally time for Skyrush and I don’t have much to say about it. I can see why people talk about it. It is funny but a little rough or a ride. It bounced me around and I ended up with someone’s hair flying into my face. It is a ride that people are either going to love or do without. I need to ride it a few more times to really decided, but right now it wouldn’t be the first ride I go to.
After that we met up at the entrance and headed back into the World of Chocolate to get our treats, and head to dinner. Overall it was an excellent day and tons of family fun.
David Huzzard Writes 