The Patriot-News featured a special section on May 7, 1972, all about the grand opening of the new Hersheypark. The park had just been renamed a year early in 1971. This day was the first chance for the public to see how the park was progressing.
The front page of the special section featured something significant. It showcased one of the first prominent appearances of the Hersheypark pinwheel logo.
…A HAPPY EXPERIENCE.
When the park opened, there was a ceremony in which dignitaries and invited guests were in attendance. The ceremony was held in Carrousel Circle, the most prominent of the three new themed regions added to the park. The guests were paraded from the entrance of the park.
During the 1972 season, the entrance was located at the northern end of the park. It was next to the Dry Gulch Railroad station and the main lobby (Lobby 1) of Hersheypark Arena. They were paraded to the edge of Carrousel Circle in Der Deitschplatz, another of the new themed areas. The third themed area added was the Animal Garden.
After the ceremony, normal operations began for the day. New rides to open included the Twin Towers Toboggans, Scrambler and Monster. This marked the start of the last month and a half of operations for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company water toboggan ride, The Lost River. This ride would be destroyed in the flood of June 1972.
This would also be the last year of operations for the last funhouse, Funland. It was also the last year for the Aeroaffiliates ride Flying Coaster and the Magic Carpet Giant Slide.
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