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----    THE LATEST BUZZ    ----
    (5/16/12) Keystone Thrills has posted another SkyRush construction update this week.
    (5/7/12) New videos of SkyRush testing have been posted to All American Thrills this weekend.
    (5/4/12) Amusement Today has posted their own look at the new trains for SooperDooperLooper being loaded onto the track this week. (MORE...)
    (5/3/12) SkyRush began testing at last earlier today, which was caught on video from a few different angles. Check out this first (MORE...)

General Resort News - (5/4/12) Amusement Today has posted their own look at the new trains for SooperDooperLooper being loaded onto the track this week.
    (5/3/12) Hersheypark fans may like to take a first look at the new trains for SooperDooperLooper, as seen on the Gerstlauer website.
    (4/26/12) Hersheypark reports that registration for the second annual Tour de Chocolate Town Bike Tour is now open. The unique ride through a large portion of Hersheypark and the local countryside will take place on Sunday, June 3rd. Click here for details.
    (4/18/12) The latest pictures from Hersheypark come from All America Thrills this week as the park puts the first SkyRush train on the tracks. Looks like we can expect to see testing begin in the next couple of weeks.
    More pictures of SkyRush can also be found on this Facebook photo gallery and if you scroll down far enough, you’ll get your first peek at the new Hersheypark Fast Track Pass system. This is essentially a punch-card you pay for in advance that will offer pre-set windows of time of when y ou can cut to the front of the line on various attractions throughout your day in the park.
    From the look of the tickets, only the following rides are part of the system at the moment: Storm Runner, Sidewinder, Wildcat, Wild Mouse, Lightning Racer, Comet, Great Bear and Trailblazer.
    (1/23/12) It’s nearly that time of year again… Chocolate-Covered February at Hershey is a couple of weeks away. Hershey has lots of fun offers to try and warm things up for you in the off-season. Chocolate Spa Treatments, Chocolate Dinner events, Chocolate Martini Mixology Classes, Chocolate Afternoon Tea Time, and much more. There are also many special overnight packages allowing you to stay at the Hershey Lodge or Hotel Hershey that include admission to certain events and other little bonuses. A perfect Valentine’s getaway package for couples looking for some time alone, now if only they could get someone to watch the kids for Mom and Dad for the weekend…
    (11/18/11) Hersheypark will bring new trains to the park’s Sooper Dooper Looper from Gerstlauer in 2012, that will remain true to the originals and feature only a lap bar restraint.
    (5/30/11) In a bit of a surprise, it seems Hersheypark struck a deal with Six Flags Magic Mountain to buy up the parks old Monorail Trains, which are said to be quiet similar to the one in use at Hersheypark. According to the report from TheCoasterGuy, the park will likely rehab two of the old trains for use at Hersheypark, and gut the third one for spare parts, which will give the park four complete trains to run for the future. Could an expansion of the monorail also be in the works down the line? You never know…

2012 - Skyrush - (5/16/12) Keystone Thrills has posted another SkyRush construction update this week.
    (5/9/12) A new update featuring SkyRush testing has been posted to Keystone Thrills.
    (5/7/12) New videos of SkyRush testing have been posted to All American Thrills this weekend.
    (5/3/12) SkyRush began testing at last earlier today, which was caught on video from a few different angles. Check out this first clip posted to AllAmericanThrills and then go check out this odd clip posted to CoasterFusion.
    In the second clip, you can see some unknown object falling from the sky as the train passes over the first airtime hill. Now, this could have possibly been a leaf from a nearby tree I suppose, but if you keep watching about 15 seconds later as the train makes another pass near the camera, you can distinctly hear the sound of something metallic making an impact.
    (4/25/12) All American Thrills is back with an all new look at SkyRush this week, as the crews work to finish the pull-through and they get a better look at the train’s seats and restraints.
    (4/23/12) A video shot by one of the local Iron Workers working on SkyRush shows off the crew giving the test car a shove down on of the hills for a little roll test on a track segment. Check it out over at All American Thrills.
    (4/20/12) Construction updates for SkyRush and the rest of Hersheypark have been posted to All American Thrills and Keystone Thrills this week. Other items of interest include testing on Great Bear, magnetic brake placement on Sooper Dooper Looper, SkyRush pull through and more.
    (4/16/12) KeyStone thrills has posted a couple of new updates showing off a great look at SkyRush from last week and then another from over the weekend where they look at the latest progress and see just how close SkyRush comes to the Comet.
    (4/10/12) All American Thrills visited Hersheypark and posted a t on of new SkyRush pictures as seen from within the theme park. They have also reported on the details for Hersheypark’s new “Fast Track Pass” system: how much, how it works, and how often you can use it. Meanwhile one of our own readers was kind enough to send in a few SkyRush photos of their own to share too.
    (4/2/12) All American Thrills checked in at Hersheypark on Friday and caught footage of several of the park’s coasters and rides making test runs, in addition to another look at the progress on SkyRush.
    (3/26/12) The track for SkyRush is now complete. You can see coverage the last piece being put into place over at All American Thrills, and then another look around the entire coaster over at Keystone Thrills. It’s starting to look very twisted and should be a fantastic ride.
    (3/23/12) The latest SkyRush construction update has been posted to All American Thrills this week.
    (3/14/12) Keystone Thrills has posted a new SkyRush update this week as they near completion of the track installation, with only a handful of track segments left to place.
    (3/13/12) New SkyRush construction updates have been posted to All American Thrills as well as a nice collection on Facebook posted to the Front Seat Coasters page.
    (3/9/12) A new SkyRush construction update has been posted to All American Thrills this week.
    (3/2/12) All American Thrills has a new SkyRush update this week, showing the crews still hard at work on the coaster, a clearance envelope cart on the track and even a shot of an uncovered seat and restraint at the end.
    (2/27/12) Keystone Thrills has posted a new construction update from Hersheypark, showing off the impressive SkyRush.
    (2/24/12) A few new SkyRush pictures have been posted to All American Thrills this week.
    (2/22/12) A new SkyRush construction update has been posted to All American Thrills this week.
    (2/17/12) Local news station WGAL has posted a nice on-site video showing off the progress on SkyRush this week as well as a link to a photo slideshow. Meanwhile one of our own local area readers was kind enough to send in a couple of great shots a well showing off some of Skyrush’s more exciting looking track sections.
    Still want more? A few more videos shot on-site by the iron workers building Skyrush have been posted to All American Thrills this week.
    (2/15/12) Keystone Thrills takes a new look at SkyRush this week.
    (2/13/12) All American Thrills is back with some amazing new coverage from SkyRush… this time a video clip taken from the tip top of the ride’s lift hill by one of the construction workers. Wow… what a view!
    (2/10/12) Keystone Thrills has a couple of fun updates today, one showing off the latest Skyrush progress of course, while the other takes time to look around the rest of the park all covered in snow.
    (2/7/12) You can find new Skyrush construction updates posted this week over at All American Thrills and Keystone Thrills.
    (1/31/12) All American Thrills has posted a new update featuring the placement of SkyRush’s top arch, topping the ride out. Check out this page and the one that follows for the best pictures.
    (1/30/12) The latest SkyRush construction site pictures can be found at All American Thrills. They have also posted some unique videos shot back in September on site (boots in the floodwaters!) when the park experienced severe flooding.
    Speaking of SkyRush, the group is also holding a meet-up on February 5th to celebrate Chocolate-Covered February and will walk over along the public access path to check out SkyRush’s progress in person. Info on the unofficial meet-up can be found here.
    (1/26/12) Some interesting close up pictures of SkyRush have been posted to Keystone Thrills today, giving us a better view of the lift hill mechanics and how the track pieces are being hooked onto those yellow backbone pieces that form the lift hill and drop.
    (1/25/12) Hersheypark has started a great new contest that will appeal to all you NoLimits coaster builders out there. Hersheypark realized very quickly that many fan-made creations of SkyRush that popped up on the ‘net following the announcement of the ride were far better looking than their own artwork. Now they’re going to give you all a chance to really show off your talent.
    They’ve issued an official “toolkit” that contains the approved logos, ride specs and more that you can use to help make your own animation of SkyRush in action. The winner will get a season pass and have their video featured at the park and on the website. For all the official rules and details, click here.
    (1/24/12) The latest SkyRush update posted to All American Thrills shows off the park landscape covered in snow. If you scroll past all the still pictures, there are also three SkyRush videos that were shot on site by one of the construction workers it seems, giving off a new view of the ride’s progress as seen from down on the muddy ground by the footers.
    (1/23/12) The latest SkyRush construction update has been posted to Keystone Thrills over the weekend. More lift hill and first drop pieces have been set in place, but the peak “arch” piece has yet to go up, but should be next. Of course unlike with a normal coaster, these heavy duty pieces going up to form the lift and arch appear to just be a “spine” of sorts, so I guess the track sections will have to be mounted to it afterwards.
    (1/19/12) The latest views of SkyRush can be found over at Keystone Thrills as everyone awaits to see the top of the lift hill get installed within the next few days hopefully.
    (1/16/12) A new SkyRush construction update has been posted to All American Thrills.
    (1/13/12) Keystone Thrills has posted a new SkyRush update, estimating that the lift may be over 150 feet high already, and still has quite a ways to go. And steep… this is one steep looking lift hill.
    (1/11/12) A new SkyRush construction update has been added to All American Thrills.
    (1/9/12) A new batch of SkyRush construction updates have been posted to All American Thrills. Just scroll down to find the last photo update near the bottom of the page.
    (1/6/12) A new SkyRush construction update has been posted to All American Thrills.
    (1/3/12) Two new SkyRush construction updates comes to us this week from All American Thrills and Keystone Thrills. Enjoy!
    (12/27/11) Keystone Thrills has posted a new construction update for SkyRush where a lot of bright yellow track is now flying through the skyline. Check it out.
    (12/22/11) A new set of SkyRush construction photos have been posted to Theme Park Review.
    (12/19/11) A Screamscape reader sent in a new rendering showing off what we can expect the SkyRush train to look like. If the concept art holds true… we may be seeing a new lap-bar only restraint system from Intamin this year. Meanwhile the latest construction update for SkyRush can be seen over at ThemeParkReview.
    (12/15/11) A new SkyRush construction update has been posted to Keystone Thrills this week, where you can see all the progress made over the past week. Hersheypark has also set up a webcam so you can check in on the action anytime.
    (12/9/11) Theme Park Review has posted a new construction update for SkyRush this week, showing off the pieces of SkyRush track set in very close to the ground.
    (12/1/11) KeystoneThrills has posted a new SkyRush construction update this week.
    (11/22/11) The first pieces of SkyRush have gone vertical this week. Check out the latest construction pictures posted to Keystone Thrills.
    (11/14/11) The latest SkyRush construction update posted to Keystone Thrills has spotted a new 250 foot tall crane being set up at the park to put up the huge pieces of steel.
    (11/3/11) Hersheypark released a couple of awesome graphic renderings showing off how SkyRush is going to change the park’s skyline. Check it out!
    (11/2/11) KeystoneThrills has posted a new Skyrush construction update this week.
    (10/21/11) A new Skyrush construction update has been postd to Keystone Thrills this week.
    (9/27/11) Keystone Thrills has posted a new SkyRush construction update.
    (9/19/11) A new SkyRush construction update has been posted by KeystoneThrills.
    (8/25/11) You can take an even better look at the SkyRush track on site outside Hersheypark over at PACoasterNews this week.
    (8/16/11) The first pieces of yellow track for SkyRush have now arrived at Hersheypark. Check out the first picture sent in today by a reader. A few more pictures have also been posted to Keystone Thrills and CoasterForum.
    (8/5/11) A new Skyrush construction update can be found at CoasterFusion this week.
    (8/3/11)  The wait is over and Skyrush is now official. It’s quite an odd looking beast, sort of a mix of things we’ve seen in the market the past couple of years. It has a 200 foot tall lift hill that looks like a mini version of Intimidator 305 that rises at a steep 50º incline. This is followed by an 85º plunge to the ground followed by a layout featuring five airtime hills and four high-speed / high-banked curves, so it will have lots of “twisty” moments for sure.Your top speed is 75mph along nearly 3,600 feet of yellow track with light blue supports.
    The real unique item here will be the 32 seat trains… as they feature both floored and floorless seats in a four-across slightly staggered configuration. The best way to describe it would be to take B&M’s current Hypercoaster trains, but remove the floor under the outer two seats of each row. I don’t believe the exact restraint system was mentioned, but I’d guess we’ll see this either use the same style as on Storm Runner & Fahrenheit or perhaps go with the belt style used on Intimidator 305.

    (7/12/11) An eagle eyed reader has uncovered the likely name for Hersheypark’s new 2012 coaster this week, after a new filing was submitted to the Trademark database by Hershey Entertainment on July 5th for “SKYRUSH”.  Of course, this could just be one of a few possible names in development… things are always subject to change between now and 2012, and ride names are no exception. (ahem… Cheetaka anyone?).
    But until then… we’ve got a name… and SKYRUSH is it for now. Meanwhile, I haven’t had a chance to go through all my e-mail from the past week just yet, but apparently there are a ton of light blue coaster supports located just behind the Roller Soaker.
    (6/16/11) What appears to be light blue Intamin coaster supports are now on site at Hersheypark, apparently laid out on the ground somewhere by Lightning Racer. You can see a few of them over at Keystone Thrills.
    (6/9/11) What appears to be a stack of powder blue steel supports have arrived on site at Hersheypark, which appears to be of Intamin design. You can see pictures posted to PACoasterNews.

Site Expansion Plans - (6/17/11) We’ve talked about this before on Screamscape, where a proposed moving of Park Blvd. behind the park would open up a huge section (31 acres) of land to allow for a massive expansion to Hersheypark over the next decade or more. Now Keystone Thrills has posted their own write up about it, followed by the local news doing their own write up about it as well.
    (5/3/10) I’m glad to report that we were contacted by someone who claims to have worked on the plans for the rerouting of the roads behind Hersheypark who tells us that the Hersheypark Monorail was taken into consideration and the plans for the new roads were designed to go around it, so it will not be removed.
    (5/2/10) I believe some of this may have been mentioned before but this article from March outlines some proposed road changes, relocations and an intersection removal all around the area of Hersheypark where the back section of the Monorail route goes, which is sure to have some kind of effect on the park. Specifically the bit about realigning the way Cocoa Ave. and Park. Ave connect, which you can see in the map would make the easiest way to do this to run the new road right down the same path that the monorail beam takes.
    Previous rumors from last fall also mentioned a possible plan to move the western side of Park Blvd. so that it would travel through the golf course site instead, opening up that property for the next 100 years of happy expansion possibilities. Unfortunately the only really solid way to access this section of the park would be right through the current main entrance area, requiring a new main entrance area to be built elsewhere. The most likely idea could be to just simply move it over slightly to take up the location of the current backstage road and building(s) between the current entrance and the Arena, allowing them to keep on using most of the existing gift shops and amenities now in place in Tudor Square. 
    Keep in mind this is all very long term planning being rumored here… stuff that would probably take most of the next decade to see realized… if they opt to go that way. I was just thinking that perhaps some of this was a related trade-off… a bit of Quid Pro Quo if you will.
    (9/11/09) Screamscape sources tell us that Hersheypark is looking into plans that would relocate Park Blvd on the south side of the park to take a new path through the old Country Club site. The old road will be removed allowing for Hersheypark to expand into the remainder of the property there over the years as needed.