SPECIAL FEATURE: HERSHEYPARK IN THE 1980's
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HERSHEYPARK IN THE 1980's

A lot of you probably remember your first experiences at your favorite theme parks. Or you may miss that particular ride that isn't there anymore. No problem...you came to the right place! I am proud to feature a batch of photos showcasing the rides and the atmosphere of Hersheypark in the 1980's. I, myself, experienced the park for the first time in the summer of 1986, with my first ride being the, now removed, Earthmovers kiddie ride, now residing at Dutch Wonderland.

Perhaps you may have a particular memory of the park from your childhood. Or in the 70's when we began to see that sweet little park in Hershey transform into the big theme park we all know and love today. If I get a lot of comments and memories, they'll be posted here on this page along with the photos. I want to make this a unique place on the site for everyone to visit, so if you can help, please do. Just send me a buzz via email.

Also, read more about Hersheypark's old GIANT Wheel ride with our special tribute by clicking here!

Now onto the photos....enjoy!

All photos are courtesy of Tom Brewbaker. Thanks Tom, you have been a big help to the site!  

     

 

The, now removed, Sky Ride showing the station in Rhineland, now home to Central PA's Kosher Mart.

 

Here, you can see the, now removed, Sky Ride and GIANT Wheel as well as the  Skyview and Comet's second turn-around.

 

   
 
In June of 1989, the price of admission was only $12.95! WOW!  

Here's a nice shot of Comet Hollow, taken in 1988. Notice the sooperdooperLooper is still tan and orange and the Skyview gondolas were painted baby blue. To any one who has never been to Hersheypark before 1998, this is what Comet Hollow was like without Great Bear.

     
 
The sooperdooperLooper in its tan and orange paint scheme.  

The old Himalaya ride, that used to sit adjacent to the entrance to ZooAmerica, was removed at the end of the 1989 season to make way for the Flying Falcon. Today, anyone visiting Hersheypark can take a ride on the Himalaya's replacement, The Music Express.

     
 
Another angle of the old Himalaya.  

In 1984, along with the Conestoga, Hersheypark added the Timber Rattler, which was part of the upcoming development of the Pioneer Frontier theme area. THis area now occupies the Rodeo ride.

     
 

The old Conestoga ride in all its glory. The Conestoga used to sit where the Frontier Virtual Theatre is now.

 

In the 1970's/80's Hersheypark used to have junior bumper cars that were located right underneath the Fender Bender bumper cars building. The space now houses the Rolling Rovers, during the summer season, and the Rides Office, during Halloween and Christmas.

     
 

An ariel view of the park in 1986. Note the, now removed, Sky Ride and GIANT Wheel, as well as  the lack of Great Bear in Comet Hollow. Also notice how the Comet's loading station is painted brown. This was prior to it's 1995 renovation when the station was repainted to its current baby blue paint scheme.

 

Another view, taken about the same time as the previous photo. Note the empty fields that now house Midway America and the monorail train in the lower right corner.

     
 

An ariel photo taken in 1988, with the new Frontier Shootout (now Western Shootout) in the upper middle of the photo.

 

The Balloon Flite. This ride is currently in storage. This photo was taken in 1989, the year it was moved to Pioneer Frontier, where it lasted until 2003, when it was removed to make way for Storm Runner. It now resides in part of the area that formally occupied the GIANT Wheel.

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