SooperDooperLooper | |
---|---|
Hersheypark | |
Location | Hersheypark |
Park section | The Hollow |
Coordinates | 40°17′11″N76°39′13″W / 40.28639°N 76.65361°W |
Status | Operating |
Soft opening date | May 6, 1977 |
Opening date | May 8, 1977 |
Cost | $3 million |
Replaced | Giant Wheel Alpine Flyer |
General statistics | |
Type | Steel |
Manufacturer | Anton Schwarzkopf |
Model | Looping Racer |
Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
Height | 70 ft (21 m) |
Drop | 75 ft (23 m) |
Length | 2,614 ft (797 m) |
Speed | 45 mph (72 km/h) |
Inversions | 1 |
Duration | 1:45 |
Restraint Style | Lap bar |
SooperDooperLooper at RCDB |
SooperDooperLooper (stylized as sooperdooperLooper) [1] is a steel roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. Designed and manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf, the roller coaster opened to the public on May 8, 1977. SooperDooperLooper is located in The Hollow section of the park and cost more than $3 million to construct and build. The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 70 feet (21 meters), with a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), and a total track length of 2,614 feet (797 meters).
The SooperDooperLooper is a Schwarzkopf Looper Racer model, similar to The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The roller coaster features a 57-foot (17-meter) vertical loop as its signature element. A 150-foot (46-meter) tunnel was added after two seasons of operation. The SooperDooperLooper has seen several variations in color schemes and trains. When the roller coaster opened it received generally positive reviews from critics and guests.
Planning for the roller coaster, to be known as the SooperDooperLooper, began in 1975. [2] During the roller coaster's planning stages, Hershey shortlisted a group of names to "merry Derry dip" and "sooperdooperLooper". An executive of Hershey preferred the former "merry Derry dip" as it referenced the Derry Township, the area where Hershey, Pennsylvania, was located. However, the latter was ultimately chosen when the executive was outvoted by his wife and children. [1] [2] The roller coaster was bought in Zürich, Switzerland, in February 1976. [2]
Hersheypark announced its intentions to add a new looping roller coaster for the 1977 season in April 1976. The new roller coaster would include a vertical loop and would be located near the park's amphitheater and log flume. The attraction would be similar to the Great American Revolution at Magic Mountain, an amusement park in Valencia, California. [3] Work began on the project site on October 29, 1976. [4] The name of the roller coaster was presented in December 1976 to the media as the "SooperDooperLooper" along with illustrations. Parts of the roller coaster arrived from its European manufacturer, with foundation work beginning in the early weeks of December. The attraction was said to be the park's "most structurally involved" project to date, at the time. [5] [6] [7]
Construction of the SooperDooperLooper continued into the winter months, causing minor problems when mechanical equipment broke down. Preparation on the roller coaster's vertical loop and station were conducted in February 1977. In the same month, 80 percent of the 8,300,000 pounds (3,800,000 kg) of concrete for the foundation work was complete. [8] The roller coaster's vertical loop was finished in March. [4] [9] Construction on the roller coaster was completed in early May. [10] A preview ceremony for the roller coaster was hosted by the park on May 6, where 250 visitors were in attendance. [2] [11] The SooperDooperLooper was officially opened to the public alongside the park's season on May 8. The park touted the looping roller coaster as the longest to open in the East Coast region. [12] A 150-foot (46-meter) tunnel featuring lights and sounds was added to the roller coaster for the 1979 season. [13] [14]
The train leaves the station and makes a slight right turn before proceeding up the 28-degree incline lift hill. [15] At the top of the lift hill, the train makes a left turn with a small dip and descends a long 75-foot (23-meter) drop, where the train reaches its maximum speed of 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), then enters the 57-foot (17-meter) vertical loop. Exiting the loop, the train makes a long, ascending sweeping left turn that travels through the middle of the loop. The train traverses a gentle right curve which includes a short tunnel. Out of the tunnel, the track travels along the terrain through various turns. The train goes down a drop then up another hill into a downward spiraling helix, before hitting the final brake run. This is followed by a right turn back to the station. [16] [17] One cycle of the SooperDooperLooper takes around a minute and forty-five seconds to complete. [17]
The SooperDooperLooper was designed and manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf in West Germany. [2] [18] [19] The SooperDooperLooper is a Looping Racer model. [20] [21] Werner Stengel was one of the architects to assist in designing the roller coaster. [21] The design of the roller coaster was also assisted by R. Duell Associates, with General Manufacturer and Equipment Company implementing sensor equipment. [22] [23] Intamin acted on behalf of Schwarzkopf as the business facilitator for the attraction and aided in various roles during its construction. [2] [19] [20]
The roller coaster cost more than $3 million to plan and build. [1] Upon opening, the roller coaster was situated between the Comet wooden roller coaster and Coal Cracker log flume. [2] The SooperDooperLooper is located in "The Hollow" section of the park along with roller coasters Skyrush and the Comet. [24] [25] The roller coaster replaced the Giant Wheel as well as the Alpine Flyer attraction. The station platform is located on the second-story of its queue building. [2] The station was refurbished during the 2012 season. [26] The roller coaster needed around 500 tons of steel for its construction. [8] [27]
The SooperDooperLooper debuted with white track and orange trains. The roller coaster was repainted in 1989 to feature a black track and blue supports. During the 2021 season, the track retained the black and blue color scheme, with the vertical loop painted white. [1] The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 70 feet (21 meters). [15] [28] The tunnel section used to contain an animatronic spider that would drop down towards the train and scare riders. [1] The track reaches a total length of 2,614 feet (797 meters) and is considered a terrain roller coaster as it utilizes the landscape in its layout. [17] [29]
Originally, the SooperDooperLooper operated with three trains that sat 24 riders a train, but now runs with only two. [12] [15] [17] The two trains operate with six cars a train, each car arranged two-seats across in two rows allowing for a maximum capacity of twenty four riders a train. [17] Each train features a lap bar restraint. [15] [28] The original Schwarzkopf trains were replaced with trains manufactured by Giovanola in 1989. For the 2012 season, the Giovanola trains were replaced with trains manufactured by Gerstlauer, with an orange color scheme. The control system was also updated with magnetic brakes. One Giovanola train was donated to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives. [26]
A 16-year-old worker from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, died after being hit by a moving train in the station's loading area while performing maintenance on August 25, 1977. [30] [31] [32] A second maintenance worker was reportedly slightly injured in the accident. [33] The roller coaster remained closed during an investigation of the accident, [34] and would reopen on September 1, with the park claiming the 16-year-old's actions caused the train to set in motion. [34] [35] An initial investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) differed from the park's investigation. [36] [37] The park would later reverse course, stating the accident victim was not at fault and placed fault with the media for the divergence of facts regarding the accident. [38] [39] OSHA fined Hersheypark the maximum penalty of $2,000 in September for two violations in safety protocol regarding the possibility of hazards. [40] [41] The family of the 16-year-old later sued Schwarzkopf and Intamin for damages. [19] [42]
A 22-year-old park visitor was seriously injured after falling from the roller coaster while riding on May 1, 1988. [43] [44] [45] The roller coaster was closed pending investigations from the park and Pennsylvania's Bureau of Amusement Rides and Attractions. [45] Mechanical fault was ruled out, with preliminary reports stating the visitor had stood up while the roller coaster was in motion. [46] [47] State investigators cleared the park of wrongdoing on May 6, faulting the rider for their conduct in opening their lap bar restraint. [48] The roller coaster reopened the next day, May 7. [49]
Upon opening, the SooperDooperLooper received generally positive reviews from critics and guests. Dean R. Wise, a reporter for the York Daily Record , recorded guests’ reactions to the roller coaster, with most riders exclaiming various praise. [2] Wise personally commented that the roller coaster was quick, and ended his commentary stating it was "positively insane". [2] Charles Shaw, a staff member for the Intelligencer Journal , highlighted the steep incline of the lift hill as well as the excitement of the vertical loop, calling it "rather fun" after fully grasping the experience. [15] Shaw further described the remainder of the ride as "a little anti-climatic" as it contained elements seen on other roller coasters. [15] Sue Smith, an editor for Lancaster New Era , commented that though she had her eyes closed during the ride, the sensation of the roller coaster was "a little scary and a lot thrilling", emphasizing the vertical loop. [28] Lorrie Brown, a reporter for the Public Opinion , remarked that though the physical appearance of the loop was smaller than first anticipated, she concluded "the sooperdooperLooper delivers". [11] Brown additionally stated the roller coaster produced "a whirlwind of motion", and was similarly scared by the end helix as with the vertical loop. [11]
Attendance at Hersheypark increased from 1.4 million to 1.7 million visitors during the 1977 season, ranking among the top three United States amusement parks. The increase in visitors was partially attributed to the opening of the SooperDooperLooper. [50] [51] The SooperDooperLooper was the first inverting roller coaster at the park. [52] After five years of operation, over 200,000 t-shirts with the slogan "I survived the sooperdooperLooper" were sold, prompting the park to celebrate the roller coaster with a t-shirt day for the end of the 1981 season. [53] [54]
Hersheypark is a family theme park in the eastern United States in Hershey, Pennsylvania, about fifteen miles (25 km) east of Harrisburg, and 95 miles (155 km) west of Philadelphia. The park was founded in 1906, by Milton S. Hershey as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. It is wholly and privately owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. Hersheypark has won several awards, including the Applause Award.
Great Bear is an inverted roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. Designed and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, with additional design from Werner Stengel, the roller coaster opened on May 23, 1998, in the Minetown section of the park. Great Bear was the first inverted looping coaster in Pennsylvania and cost $13 million, the largest project Hersheypark undertook at the time. The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 90 feet (27 m), a maximum speed of 58 miles per hour (93 km/h) to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), and has a total track length of 2,800 feet (850 m).
Loch Ness Monster is a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. Manufactured by Arrow Development and designed by Ron Toomer, it was the first roller coaster in the world to feature interlocking loops. The roller coaster was opened within the park's Scottish hamlet, Heatherdowns, on June 2, 1978, and relates to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 130 ft (40 m), with a maximum speed of 60 mph (97 km/h), and a total track length of 3,240 ft (990 m).
Comet is a wooden roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Hollow section of Hersheypark, next to Skyrush. Built in 1946 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the coaster features a double out and back track layout. When built it was jointly owned by Hershey Park and PTC. The maximum speed is 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).
Storm Runner is a launched roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manufactured by Intamin and situated in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park, the Accelerator Coaster opened to the public on May 8, 2004. It reaches a height of 150 feet (46 m) and catapults riders from 0 to 72 mph (116 km/h) in two seconds. Storm Runner features a top hat element, three inversions, a dual loading station, and a magnetic braking system. In addition, it was designed to interact with three other Hersheypark rides: Dry Gulch Railroad, the Monorail, and Trailblazer.
Lightning Racer is a wooden dueling roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Built by Great Coasters International (GCI) and designed by Mike Boodley of GCI, the ride was completed in 2000 within the Midway America section of the park. Lightning Racer was GCI's second roller coaster at Hersheypark.
Wildcat's Revenge is a hybrid roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. The ride originally opened in 1996 as Wildcat, a wooden coaster manufactured by Great Coasters International (GCI). The wooden coaster was the first from GCI and served as the anchor attraction of the Midway America section of the park. It cost $5.6 million to construct and was built on a 2-acre (0.81 ha) plot of land that had previously been used for parking. The ride traversed a 90-foot lift hill and twelve banked turns, subjecting riders to forces of up to 3.5 Gs. From 1998 to 2009, Wildcat ranked among the top 50 wooden roller coasters in the annual Golden Ticket Awards publication from Amusement Today. Wildcat initially received critical acclaim, but it gained a negative reputation for its increasing roughness.
The Wild Cat, originally named The Joy Ride, was a wooden roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The roller coaster was constructed in 1923 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC). Under an agreement between Hersheypark and PTC, Hersheypark leased the land the coaster occupied, while PTC owned and operated the coaster. The agreement was for 15 years, at which point they had the option to extend the contract. The contract was ultimately extended to 1945. The roller coaster operated from June 16, 1923, through September 1945. PTC and Hershey Park elected to close The Wild Cat and construct a new roller coaster in 1946.
Jolly Rancher Remix is a steel shuttle roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. A Boomerang model manufactured by Vekoma and designed by Peter Clerx, the roller coaster originally opened as the Sidewinder on May 11, 1991. The roller coaster debuted in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park and cost $4.2 million. The Sidewinder was the first roller coaster installed in the park in 14 years since the SooperDooperLooper in 1977 and the fourth roller coaster in operation to be built. The roller coaster has a maximum height of 116.5 ft (35.5 m), with a maximum speed of 47 mph (76 km/h), and a track length of 935 ft (285 m).
Roller Soaker was a suspended roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. Manufactured by Setpoint Inc., the roller coaster was announced on August 8, 2001, and opened to the public on May 11, 2002. The Roller Soaker was located in the Boardwalk section at the park and cost $7.5 million to $8 million to construct. In December 2012, Hersheypark announced that the Roller Soaker would be removed to make way for new water attractions in 2013. The roller coaster's station was reused by Breakers Edge Water Coaster, a water coaster added in 2018.
Coal Cracker is a classic log flume ride located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The ride was installed by Arrow Development in 1973, making it the oldest water ride at Hersheypark still in daily operation. It has a unique layout, due to the terrain features of this part of the park.
The National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of historic roller coasters and amusement park artifacts and memorabilia.
Fahrenheit is a steel roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. Located in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park, the roller coaster was manufactured by Intamin and opened on May 24, 2008. It features six inversions and became the steepest roller coaster in the world when it opened with its first drop of 97 degrees. Fahrenheit briefly held the record until Steel Hawg at Indiana Beach, which featured a 111-degree drop, opened several weeks later on July 5. Fahrenheit is also one of the only coasters in the world to feature a Norwegian Loop.
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Terrain roller coasters are roller coasters which take advantage of the usually-natural undulations of the land upon which they are built. Such rides may often weave through forests, and some may even dive down cliffs. Because they tend to stay close to the ground, they require fewer supports and thus are usually cheaper than the same coaster on flat ground.
Skyrush is an Intamin prototype Wing Coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. It opened to the general public on May 26, 2012, as Hersheypark's 12th roller coaster and the park's third coaster made by Intamin. Skyrush features a 200 ft (61 m) cable lift that raises the train at 26 ft/s (480 m/min). The roller coaster is located in the Hollow section of Hersheypark, next to the Comet wooden coaster; Skyrush itself is mainly set above Spring Creek.
The history of Hersheypark begins with the founding of the town of Hershey in 1903. Milton Hershey, The owner of the Hershey Chocolate Company surveyed a nearby area of land, which was to become a leisure park for the employees of his chocolate company. People began visiting the grounds of the future park in 1904 and 1905, while the park's first pavilion was built in the fall of 1905. The park was formally opened on May 30, 1906, when it opened as Hershey Park. The park slowly added rides until 1923, when the first roller coaster, the Wild Cat, was built. From then on, rides were regularly added, except during World War II. The park was redeveloped into Hersheypark in 1970, through a multi-phase project. Since then, it has added ten roller coasters, expanded to over 110 acres, and features many other attractions including shows with sea lions, well-known acts including Weird Al Yankovic and Duff Goldman from Charm City Cakes in the Hersheypark Amphitheater, and a short-lived laser light show.
Candymonium is a steel roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride was announced in 2019 and opened on July 3, 2020. It is the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster at Hersheypark. It was introduced with a newly-themed section of the park called Hershey's Chocolatetown, adjacent to Hershey's Chocolate World.