What Could Have Been | Hersheypark in 1974

In mid-1973, Hersheypark was facing two issues – the 1973 Oil Crisis and cost overruns from the first two phases of renovations. While the 1973 season would become the first season Hersheypark saw over 1 million visitors, the economic crisis and cost overruns forced park management to reconsider the plans R. Duell and Associates (RDA) had provided to the park.

When Hersheypark officially modified the RDA plan in the fall of 1973, it resulted in the postponement or cancellation of nine rides scheduled for installation in 1974. Hersheypark postponed three of those rides: Twin Turnpike Antiques, Twin Turnpike Sports, and the Kissing Tower. However, Kissing Tower was already under construction in Europe and was delivered to Hershey in 1974. The ride then remained in storage for nearly a year before they constructed it for the 1975 season.

The six rides cancelled were Rhine Land Express, Rhine River Boat, Minetown Tram, a Tree House Slide, a Windmill ride, and a Speedramp.

Rhine Land Express (#2202) and Rhine River Boat (#2203) were transport rides that connected Rhineland to two areas of the park. The Rhine Land Express was a re-installation of the Miniature Railroad, which had operated in the park from 1910-1971. Rhine River Boat was a boat ride originally intended to be installed in 1971. Both rides would have had a station in Rhineland, with the river boat taking you to a landing in the Hollow (what was to be themed as New England Coastal Village), and the Express taking you to Minetown.

Minetown was the area surrounding Coal Cracker, and the plan was to place the Twin Turnpike (#5202 & #5203) in that area, with the Kissing Tower (#5205) going in Tower Plaza, where the Penny Arcade was. The planned Sky Ride station (#5119) for Minetown opened for the 1974 season. A tram ride (#5204) and a tree house slide (#5113) were also planned for Minetown.

The Animal Garden area saw the planned construction of Trailblazer (#5206), which opened for the 1974 season. It was initially planned as part of an Indian Village themed area. In the end, Trailblazer ended up not being part of any theme area until 1985. The park planned a windmill kiddie ride (#5606), a kind of kiddie Ferris wheel, for the area. Hersheypark was set to purchase a Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Speedramp (#5207). This would connect the Animal Garden to the area containing Cuddle Up and Whip, as well as the proposed Tower Plaza.

The RDA plan intended to build a variety of structures. The Penny Arcade was to be kept and renovated (logged as #5124) to fit the Kissing Tower and Tower Plaza themes. The intent of the theming changes included a wholly updated restaurant, with a waterfall built underneath the restaurant and arcade. The plans also included an ice cream parlor (#5302), a juice bar (#2303), and a grill (#5305). The proposed renovations for the Penny Arcade exceeded a cost of $1.1 million.

The plans included an Animal Amphitheater in the Animal Garden. This new structure would host animal-themed shows.

Management modifies the RDA plan in 1973

The indefinite postponement of the Minetown and New England Coastal Village theme areas followed the modification of the RDA plan.
Minetown was eventually incorporated into the park in 1990. The park has never revived the New England Coastal Village concept, largely because it did not believe such a region would relate to the park’s guests. Tower Plaza was added to the park in 1975. Rhineland’s sole ride was the Sky Ride. Following its removal after the 1991 season, Rhineland never had any other attractions installed and consequently had no rides.

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