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Hersheypark was opened in 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of Hershey's, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the public. Today the park has over 110 acres (450,000 m²) and over 60 rides and attractions. It is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Hersheypark features over 60 rides and attractions, including 10 roller coasters. Its latest coaster is Storm Runner, opened in 2004.
HistoryMilton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, surveyed a site along Spring Creek that would be suitable for his park in 1903. Hershey Park opened on April 24, 1907, with a baseball game played on the new athletic field. The beautifully landscaped park was an ideal spot for picnicking, boating and canoeing. Vaudeville and theatre productions were performed on a rustic bandstand and pavilion. A merry-go-round was installed and opened on July 4, 1908. A 1,500-seat tiered amphitheatre was built next to the pavilion. The entrance sign proclaimed, “Ye who enter here leave dull cares behind.” The park was expanded in 1909 with the addition of a tennis court, two bowling alleys, a large band shell, and a photography gallery. Guests could also enjoy a relaxing scenic ride on the Scenic Railroad. In July 1912, a carousel built by William H. Dentzel of Philadelphia was added to the park. The carousel was 50 feet in diameter and featured 53 carved animals that included lions, bears, giraffes, pigs, rabbits, an ostrich, goats and deer along with two chariots. The carousel was described as the “most magnificent and up-to-date carousel in this part of the country as well as one of the largest.”
A penny arcade, a fun house called The Bug, and The Mill Chute log flume ride were added in 1933. Renovations were made to the Wild Cat roller coaster in 1935 to build up the dips and to more steeply bank the curves. More attractions were added to Hershey Park each season, and by 1945 the park contained more than two dozen rides. The Dentzel carousel was replaced in 1945 by a carousel built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1919, which still operates in the park today. In 1946 the wooden roller coaster The Comet replaced The Wild Cat. Twin 66-foot-high Ferris wheels were added in 1950. The Dry Gulch Railroad was added in 1960. Image:HersheyPark15.JPG View over Hershey Park Until the early 1960's African-Americans were not employeed at any of the Hershey enterprises due to a policy set by Milton Hershey himself. A five-year redevelopment plan was started in 1971 to convert the regional amusement park Hershey Park into a large theme park called Hersheypark, which it is known to this day. A one-price admission plan eliminated the pay-as-you-ride policy. This five-phase project was orchestrated by Randall Duell. The first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast called the SooperDooperLooper opened on July 4, 1977. Twin Toboggans, Hersheypark's third roller coaster, built in 1972, was removed in 1978. Smaller sized rides were added during the 1980s. They include Cyclops (replaced by The Claw), Pirate, Wave Swinger, Conestoga (since removed), and Timber Rattler (replaced by Rodeo). Canyon River Rapids was added in 1987. Image:Hersheypark Founders Circle Starship.jpg Starship America The 1990s started off with the creation of Minetown. The old penny arcade was replaced by a massive three-story building, housing the Minetown Arcade, Minetown Restaurant, and games. The Flying Falcon replaced Himalaya, and three kiddie rides replaced the Coal Shaker. Four roller coasters were added to Hersheypark in the 1990s. Sidewinder, a Vekoma boomerang coaster, was added in 1991. In 1996, the wooden coaster The Wildcat was added and was named after The Wild Cat that previously operated from 1923 to 1946. The Great Bear opened in 1998, the park's most expensive single ride to date. Wild Mouse opened in 1999. Several rides were also added during this decade. In 1994 the water plunge ride the Tidal Force opened. A Ferris wheel and Whip ride were added in 1997. Four other new rides were added in 1999. These include the Merry Derry Dip Fun Slide, Music Express, Chaos, and the Frog Hopper. Three coasters were added to Hersheypark – Lightning Racer (2000), Roller Soaker (2002) and Storm Runner (2004), continuing the rapid expansion of the park from the mid-1980s. A 65-foot spinning pendulum ride called The Claw was added in 2003. In 2005, Giant Wheel was removed and replaced by two classic rides -- Balloon Flite and Starship America. Carrousel Circle, the first of the 1970s renovations of Hershey Park (now renamed Hersheypark), was remodeled into Founder's Circle in honor of original founder Milton S. Hershey. In 2006, Hersheypark introduced the Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge, the first interactive dark ride to have two cars compete against each other. In 2007, Hersheypark will open The Boardwalk at Hersheypark. Rides
Changes for the 2007 seasonThe Boardwalk at HersheyparkA new waterpark, it will include 5 water slides.
Six new games will be added, as well as seven retail centers and eleven food concessions. Canyon River Rapids and Tidal Force will be included in the new themed area, and will have their entrances rerouted. The Canyon River Rapids photo building, operated by GTP, will also be moved to reflect this change. Also a renovation will take place in the Hershey Entertainment Complex Parking Lot. New lots will be created to the rear of the Giant Center. The new entry road will wrap behind the old Parkview Golf Course and will house two toll collection stations or plazas featuring extra toll lanes, to expediate traffic flow. DiningIn Hersheypark there are many dining options. Bringing in food from outside isn't allowed in the park, but is allowed outside the gates, such as in the parking lot (where picnic tables are available). A casual sitdown restaurant is located just outside the park called Tudor Grill. (Formely known as Pippin's Food and Spirits.) Food is available inside the park at a plethora of stands and restaurants. Groups (mostly companies) can pre-arrange catering in one of six private picnic areas inside the park. There is a kosher restaurant (Central PA's Kosher Mart) inside the park. In addition, Crustano's Deli offers sandwiches. CorporateMain article: Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. The Park is currently run by Hershey Entertainment, a division of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts (HE&R), which is in turn wholly owned by the Hershey Trust Company. Within the Trust's holdings, HE&R (including the Park), is part of the Milton Hershey School Trust. See also
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