[HPCrazy]

Hey all, just got back with my winter trip to Hershey with my friend and we saw a lot. It was "Community Weekend" which entitles free admission to ZooAmerica, Hershey Museum, Hershey Gardens, and the Antique Auto. Club Museum. We decided to visit the Museum first.

HERSHEY MUSEUM:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/HPC...milyFunexhi.jpg

The "Hersheypark - A Century of Family Fun" exhibit is still there. If you haven't seen this, it's a really cool exhibit with lots of old HP photos, artifacts, old Starlight Arcade handprints, and even a retired Comet roller coaster car!

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The old train sign used at the entrance to the Hersheypark Complex from 1973 - 2002.

HERSHEYPARK CHOCOLATE PARADE:

This was also the start of "Chocolate Covered February" in which we also visited Chocolate World for the "Hersheypark Chocolate Parade", one of the many festivites going on for the month of Feb. The banners were used to promote Fahrenheit and the Boardwalk. The parade is held only on Sat. and Sun. for the month of Feb.

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The Sweetest Hersheypark Band performing some great tunes.

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The banners used to promote Fahrenheit. In the past, they also promoted attractions like the Boardwalk and Reese's Extreme Cup.

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Lots and lots of characters. The Reese's Cup, Hershey Bar, Twizzler's, Rolo, Jolly Rancher, Hershey's Syrup, York Peppermint Patty, Nutrageous, Milk Duds, and PayDay characters all made appearences throughout the parade. If you love character, then this is the parade for you.

GENERAL PARK PICS:

We took our annual winter drive around the park to see what we could find.

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It looks like major rehab work is being done to Coal Cracker. Not only is the second lift stripped, but the final drop appears to have been taken apart as well.

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The Comet in all its glory.

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Part of the new Hershey Transportation Center. This was taken atop one of the new parking garages that are being used for the Houlhen's restaurant on the lower level of the historic Hershey Press Building, as well as overflow for ZooAmerica. Guests may walk across the new bridge and over to the zoo. The structure on the other side of the train tracks is a replica of the historic Hershey Train Station from the by-gone days of the park when trains would bring guests to the park. It's nice to see the town being restored to it's nostolgic feel again.

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And from atop the parking garage, we were able to get some magnificant shots of Great Bear, all quiet for the winter.

FAHRENHEIT CONSTRUCTION

Well this is the moment you all have been waiting for.... the progress of the construction of Fahrenheit! We were able to see some of the supports going up as well as track in the parking lot.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/HPC...trackpieces.jpg

This appears to be track for the station and possibly the brake run....whatever is left of it.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/HPC...rackpieces1.jpg

There seemed to be more supports here than track. Or maybe a majority of the supports are already at the construction site, besides the ones already erected.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/HPC...rackpieces2.jpg

More track.....

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/HPC...rackpieces5.jpg

And more track.....

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The huge crane being used to construct this massive steel giant. It also appears that both Wildcat and Tidal Force Catering Areas are still in tact. Who know what may happen to these areas, if they will survive construction or not.

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If you look closely, you can see some of the blue supports already being erected for the new coaster.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/HPC...uctionsite1.jpg

Another view of the future site of Fahrenheit.

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I leave you with this shot, taken from up on the hill by the Hershey Gardens. If you look closely, you can see what has already been erected.... a majority of supports and some straight track. This may be where the station will be located. It also appears that the old Frontier Virtual Theatre is gone as well, so the Howler should be on its way in very soon.

If my friend and I do make it up again before our summer trip, expect another Photo T/R from me. Otherwise, enjoy the pics!

[Ccron10]

I'm happy to see that vertical construction started. Can't wait to see the finished coaster.

[SRR]

Nice pics! I'm not terribly familiar with the Hershey Gardens, is that final one from the hill by the parking lot?

[CoasterCrazy]

Nice pics. MAn I thought theye'd never getr this ride vertical. Now we just need to see how fast they can get this thing put together. I can't wait to see some test run footage once they complete the track and get the trains. I have a feeling that vertical lift will look kinda wierd with 3 car trains.

[HPCrazy]

The vertical lift and drop will sort of look like Storm Runner from a distance (if you don't look at the rest of the coaster). They would have been better off with a traditional lift hill. I also can't wait and was dissapointed that they only had that much done. I don't know what the heck is taking them so long. I guess they know what they are doing.

The final pic was taken near the Hershey Gardens parking lot (where we parked) and walked out onto the hill. Spectacular view from up there.

[TAK]

Ccron10, on Feb 3 2008, 06:22 PM, said:

I'm happy to see that vertical construction started. Can't wait to see the finished coaster.

See i told you the first hill will be dropping towards wildcat.

[Ccron10]

^Okay, okay. I owe you a dollar. lol
My biggest question is what's the station gonna look like?

[TAK]

Ccron10, on Feb 6 2008, 04:43 PM, said:

^Okay, okay. I owe you a dollar. lol
My biggest question is what's the station gonna look like?

Nah its ok. lol . But that is a good question.
hmmm my guess is maybe a station like xcelerator ?..I don't kno due to limited space concerns.
I really cant answer that.
haha.
But Im so stoked for this ride !!