Here is your Hersheypark Update for September 26, 2017. With The Boardwalk now closed for the remainder of the year, construction has begun for the new 2018 attractions in the waterpark.
The Boardwalk: Racer Corner
Hersheypark posted some photos on their Facebook page of some of the parts of slides that have been delivered to the park.
The picture on the left appears to be parts of Whitecap Racer. The picture on the right appears to be parts of Breakers Edge Water Coaster. Below is a closer look at each. The photos were posted on September 15, 2017.
A couple of days later, Hersheypark posted a few more photos, all which appear to be parts of slides from Whitecap Racer.
And here’s a closer look. These photos were posted on September 21, 2017.
These parts are currently being stored in the parking lot next to Wildcat, which has been a typical storage spot for Boardwalk attractions while they were under construction.
Construction
Construction also has been underway. You can see work going on next to Dry Gulch Railroad for Whitecap Racer, and you can also see wood fencing that has been installed around the project area. Photos below are courtesy of Matthew Meckley, from September 16, 2017.
History
There have been three previous phases of construction for The Boardwalk at Hersheypark:
- 2007: The original Boardwalk opened, including four slides on Coastline Plunge.
- 2009: The Boardwalk SeaQuel opened, which replaced Canyon River Rapids.
- 2013: The third phase opened, which included finishing Coastline Plunge and adding Shoreline Sprayground.
2018 will mark the fourth phase of Boardwalk construction. If you want to see videos of what Whitecap Racer and Breakers Edge Water Coaster will look like, click here.
Out Front
With Park Boulevard being rerouted in 2016, a segment of old Park Boulevard was abandoned that is adjacent the main entrance of Hersheypark. Since then, a large area of this land has been fenced off, and survey markers have appeared all over the vicinity – from the old pool area along old Park Boulevard all the way into Founders Way by Carrousel Circle.
Maps of markers in Hersheypark
More work has been done at the front of the park since August. Surveyors have been seen working on weekends in mid-September, and there have been new markers placed by companies including UGI. Some bushes and short trees have also been marked.
What this means for this area of what now is directly part of Hersheypark’s property remains unknown for the time being.
Take a look at the map below to see pictures provided by Matthew Meckley in the Disney Lovers at Hersheypark group on Facebook. One photo was also provided by W Geoffrey Miller who was at Hersheypark on July 10. It is a photo of surveyors doing sampling work.
Other news of interest
Hersheypark officially announced that Sidewinder will be open for Christmas Candylane for the first time this year. This brings the total number of roller coasters operating during Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane to six. A new holiday show will also be introduced this year.
This article is part of a series of Hersheypark Update articles which will be added when necessary. The updates to this area are pretty historically significant given that Hershey Park Pool, Starlight Ballroom, and Hershey Creamery used to be in this area. However, with the construction going on in The Boardwalk, in the area where Roller Soaker used to stand, I will also have updates on that area as necessary. Keep checking back for more!
