22
February
2023
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09:00 AM
America/New_York

Four Hersheypark Rides Mark Milestone Anniversaries in 2023

2023 Family Ride and Roller Coaster Anniversaries

Hersheypark amusement park opens for the 2023 operating year on April 1. The 117th season at Hersheypark features more public operating days than ever, highlighted by the summer debut of Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid coaster. 2023 also marks significant family-friendly ride and roller coaster anniversaries worth recognizing. Let's take a look below at the four popular Hersheypark rides celebrating key milestones this year.

15 Years of Fahrenheit 

97 degrees and falling fast! Fahrenheit opened on May 24, 2008, in the Pioneer Frontier region of Hersheypark. The signature orange and blue coaster received a fresh paint job in 2019 and is still looking sharp for its 15th anniversary.

Riders of Twizzlers height category (54-60") and above climb the steep, 121-foot lift hill before plummeting down a 97-degree drop. The high-thrill coaster ride continues with a memorable course of loops, corkscrews, dives and plenty of airtime along 2,700 feet of track. Fahrenheit reaches a maximum speed of 58 MPH during the 1 minute and 25 seconds of ride time.

Fahrenheit is open during spring weekends, daily summer operations and Hersheypark Halloween

25 Years of Great Bear

Feel the roar of Great Bear! The inverted steel roller coaster opened on May 23, 1998, in the Kissing Tower Hill region of Hersheypark. It has grown into a guest-favorite ride over the past 25 years. 

Great Bear is known for its classic “roar” sound as it lifts riders with their feet dangling 90 feet off the ground and launches into a thrilling yet graceful course of drops, loops, corkscrews, and a zero-g roll while reaching a maximum speed of 61 MPH.  Riders of Twizzlers height category (54-60") and above get a scenic view of sooperdooperLooper, Spring Creek, Skyview and more during the 2-minute and 15-second ride along 2,800 feet of track.

Great Bear is open during spring weekends, daily summer operations and Hersheypark Halloween. During Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, the maintenance team starts overhauling the ride in preparation for the following spring.

40 Years of Tilt-A-Whirl

Tilt-A-Whirl is a classic family ride that opened in 1983 in the Founder's Way region of Hersheypark. Riders of all height categories whirl in a series of spins and twirls over small but thrilling hills.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Tilt-A-Whirl, guests can enjoy lunch or dinner from a signature Tilt-A-Whirl booth at The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio in Hershey's Chocolatetown. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Tilt-A-Whirl is open during all four distinct seasons at Hersheypark, including Christmas Candylane.

50 Years of Coal Cracker

The iconic Coal Cracker flume ride opened on June 9, 1973, in the Kissing Tower Hill region of Hersheypark. In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2023, the Hersheypark team recently spotlighted the off-season maintenance work on the family-friendly water ride.

During the summer season, riders of Kisses height category (36-42") and above experience a wet ride full of splashes through water canals, over small hills and down one big plunge! 

Plan a visit to Hersheypark this summer to take a ride on these attractions during their anniversary year. Hersheypark tickets are currently on sale at the Best Price Of The Year when purchased on Hersheypark.com. Tickets purchased during the offer are valid through Jan. 1, 2024.