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Storm Runner at Hershey

Hersheypark: Ruth Honor takes a look at Hersheypark's newest thrill ride.

From Ruth Honor
Posted August 15, 2004 at 3:44 PM
The new hydraulic launch coaster Storm Runner brought us to Hershey Park. We arrived Sunday morning August 8th about an hour after opening. We headed through the maze of rides straight to the beast. We were told upon entering the line the wait was an hour. The line moved quickly and were buckled in within forty minutes. The launch is 0-72mph in 2 seconds flat straight up 18 stories over the tophat and straight down then into a loop and twists which spin you like a top. The launch is a pure adrenaline rush and it just gets better from here. There is tons of airtime including while you are twisting upside down! This is the most exhilerating ride I've even been on. There may be higher and faster launches at cedar point and out west but I haven't had the opportunity to experince them yet. If you live in the northeast this is a must ride!

We spend the rest of the day enjoying the other coasters and some flat rides this amusement park has to offer. This park boasts 60+ rides. There are 20 kiddie rides, 10 coasters and many family, flat, and traditional amusement rides. The coasters include Storm Runner; The Great Bear, and inverted steel coaster; Sidewinder, a boomerang coaster; The Sooperdooperlooper, Roller Soaker, an interactive water coaster; Trailblazer and Wild Mouse,family coasters; and three wooden coasters, Comet, Wildcat and Lighting Racer. The Comet is a traditional out and back white wooden coaster. The wildcat is a fast, long wooden coaster with many hairpin turns. Lighting Racer is a wooden dueling coaster which is just a lot of fun.

The next day we arrived before opening and headed straight for you guessed it and only find that it was being serviced. We decided to wait until it opened. The security guard began yelling at us to move along. He said that the coaster was broken and he had no idea when it would be opening. Security made us break up the line. So we grabbed a seat on the closest bench. After sitting an hour with no word in regards when it would open open we opted for lighting racer. Just as luck would have it as we were going up the lift hill the cars for Storm Runner became running. By the time we made it back we had an hours wait. We managed to ride two more times anyways.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Jeff Arons
Posted August 15, 2004 at 4:14 PM
Storm Runner is next on my list. After riding ROTM at USH yesterday, getting on Tomb Raider: The Ride today at PCW (I had enough Frequent Flyer Miles for the entire trip), and then I'll be riding ROTM at USF, I'll have to head out to Hershey, PA when I get enough money from my poker home games. From what I heard, it kicks ass, and has rollbacks, but considerably less than TTD.

From Jason Herrera
Posted August 15, 2004 at 5:33 PM
Mr Arons, you rode Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Hollywood yesterday? How did you like it? Furthermore, how long have you been in California?

Hope you're having a fun time here.

From Jeff Arons
Posted August 15, 2004 at 5:53 PM
It was great. It all happens so fast that it's kind of tough to give a walkthrough, because you get distracted by the scenery and such. However, the effects are great! At the point where you nearly crash into the wall, and start going backwards is very thrilling.

I flew in very early on Saturday, and took a late flight to Canada for Carowinds. I'll be flying back tomorrow afternoon. (Luckily, I had enough Frequent Flyer Miles for the entire trip.)

Getting back on topic, the lines are pretty long! I had about 90 minutes, which is long for USH. That day, I'd gotten JPRA with a 20 minute wait.

From Jason Herrera
Posted August 15, 2004 at 6:22 PM
You know what's funny Mr. Arons? The fact that your IP address is the same one you use when posting from home. Even the ISP is the same.

....odd


From Jeff Arons
Posted August 15, 2004 at 6:24 PM
I don't really have an answer for that sarcasm. So what if the IP address is the same? I've been in different locations and had the IP address be the same. Beats me.

From christina modesto
Posted August 16, 2004 at 2:07 PM
i love storm runner just tried it on the front seat loved it i love hershey park only park i gpo to storm runner number1

From Russell Meyer
Posted August 16, 2004 at 3:49 PM
A trick with Storm Runner is that if you don't want to wait for the front row, but still want a similar experience, sit in the second row. The Intamin trains seat riders in "stadium-style" seating, where the second row of each car is mounted slightly higher than the first. So if you want to save about 15-20 minutes, go for the second row, and unless you're vertically challenged, you'll be able to see very clearly over the front row, and have a comperable experience.

I have not heard anything about rollbacks on Storm Runner, and as far as I know, they only had minor problems with the safety braking system over the July 4th weekend. This 3rd rocket coaster has been running extremely reliably.

From Ruth Honor
Posted August 16, 2004 at 10:11 PM
Russell I agree with you totally. We were able to get the second seat everytime and the view was fab. I could see everything and yes I am vertically challenged.

From Chase Harrison
Posted August 17, 2004 at 9:14 AM
Hey jeff did you know carowinds is in the U.S. not canada thats canada's wonderland i think they should change the name of that park

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