The History of Coasters at Hersheypark

Nothing screams summer quite like getting your fill of sweet thrills on a coaster. Lucky for Hersheypark guests, our 121-acre amusement park is home to 14 of them ranging from mild to wild. As we gear up to announce our 15th coaster, take a ride back in time and learn about our other 14 coasters that have delighted generations of guests at Hersheypark over the years.

1946 - Comet

When first constructed, Comet was originally painted green. Milton S. Hershey preferred his rides this color to blend into the scenery and atmosphere of the Park. It was eventually painted white and given lights to allow riders to see the next turn. Comet was the last coaster Mr. Hershey himself purchased, but he never got to see its opening.

1974 - Trailblazer

At its opening, Trailblazer was the first major coaster to be added to Hersheypark in 18 years. Kicking off the Park's expansion of Pioneer Frontier, it was the first attraction at Hersheypark to be completely themed. Trailblazer is the second-oldest running coaster in the Park and reaches speeds of up to 45 mph!

1977 - sooperdooperLooper

This coaster was the first looping coaster on the East Coast and only the second of its kind in the United States. The famous “I Survived the sooperdooperLooper” phrase was coined in 1977, after one of the first riders on opening day came off the ride feeling as though he really had survived the ride. It remains one of the most ridden attractions in the Park.

1991 - Sidewinder

Sidewinder is a boomerang coaster that gets its name from the North American Sidewinder Rattlesnake due to its movement in a sidewise looping motion with only two points touching the ground at any one time. Because of its shape, Sidewinder is the only major coaster in Hersheypark to only use one train. 

1996 - Wildcat

Wildcat is a wooden roller coaster named after the 1920's coaster of the same name. The original Wildcat was the first roller coaster at Hersheypark, which operated from 1923-1945. Wildcat takes its riders on a circuit of eleven turns and reaches speeds of 45 mph!

1998 - Great Bear

Great Bear is the only inverted roller coaster at Hersheypark. This coaster lifts its riders 90 feet off the ground before taking them through loops at up to 61 mph! The roaring bear noise heard throughout the Park is made from the wheels' vibration resonating against the hollow track beams.

1999 - Wild Mouse

Wild Mouse is the only roller coaster at Hersheypark to never stop! It includes six 180-degree hairpin switchback turns, giving its riders the illusion they are about to fall off the track.

2000 - Lightning Racer

Lightning Racer is the first wooden racing and dueling roller coaster in the United States! Though you see lightning before you hear thunder, the winner of Lightning Racer is primarily based on the weight of each train.

2004 - Storm Runner

Storm Runner hydraulically launches riders from 0 to 72 mph in only two seconds, lifting them 18 stories straight up and then down. The coaster exerts more than 8,000 horsepower - quicker than the world’s fastest vehicle. Storm Runner is the first coaster to have a dual-loading station with switch tracks, allowing for quicker transitions between rides.

2008 - Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit has a 97-degree negative drop following a 90-degree, 121-foot ascent, making it the steepest coaster in Hersheypark. The maximum speed on Fahrenheit is 58 mph, which is faster than a lion!

2012 - Skyrush

Riders of Skyrush experience 4 high speed turns and 5 zero-G airtime hills. Supports to hold the force of Skyrush down were drilled up to 120 feet into the ground - the same height as the tallest drop on Fahrenheit.

2014 - Cocoa Cruiser

Cocoa Cruiser is a family roller coaster at Hersheypark that allows our youngest guests to experience a coaster thrill for the first time! 

2015 - Laff Trakk

Themed after the traditional American funhouses, Laff Trakk is the first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the United States.

2018 - Breakers Edge

Breakers Edge Water Coaster is located inside The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park. It is the first HydroMAGNETIC coaster at Hersheypark. Riders accelerate on rafts through thrilling splash-filled hills and intense open-air FlyingSAUCER℠ turns.

Take a Coaster Ride

Which coaster are you most excited to ride during your next visit to Hersheypark? Purchase your Hersheypark tickets online before July 31, 2019 to save 20% and enjoy unlimited thrills on our 14 coasters!