Hersheypark instituted the R. Duell & Associates Hersheypark Renovation Plan (RDA Plan) in 1971. Phase I, due for the 1972 season, called for a temporary entrance for Hersheypark while the new main entrance was under construction for Phase II, due to open in 1973.
This was a park in transition – developing from an open park to a closed park, from a regional amusement park to a major regional player. This entrance, which was not an afterthought by any means, shows how awkward the transition started, with three new regions of the park being added that were outside the core ride area in this season.
It also shows how temporary this gate truly was, because not only lacking any significant theming, but it was so lacking in significance that very few people took the time to take pictures of the entrance of the park that season.
After years of collecting images, a fuller picture has been able to be put together to get a better understanding of how this entrance worked in 1972.
How did people enter the park in 1972, then?
Entering Hersheypark
In 1972, visitors to Hersheypark would park in the lot next to the Hersheypark Arena and the Parkview Apartments. The initial entrance to the park was located beside Lobby 1 of the Arena, situated across from the Dry Gulch Railroad and the Monorail.
The entry sequence began with a queue defined by two white columns and red railings. Following this queue, guests would descend steps to a split in the path. At this juncture, a choice was presented: Hersheypark was to the right, and the Monorail ride was to the left.
Choosing the left path led guests through an open gate, overseen by an employee. This path continued to a queue for the Ticketing Services structure. After purchasing their park tickets, visitors would then enter the park proper through a second queue, which featured a turnstile. This turnstile was positioned between the Round Up and Aero Jets rides, granting access to the entirety of the park.
Pictures of the 1972 Entrance
Above is the only picture depicting the entrance of Hersheypark at Lobby 1 of Hersheypark Arena. The fancy columns installed at this location was the only kind of theming the park incorporated into this temporary entrance. It is a call out to columns which were in the entrance area of Hersheypark at Park Avenue and Park Boulevard.
At the corner of the Arena is a sign welcoming guests to Hershey Park Arena. The sign was informing guests of upcoming events. To the right of that, in the middle of the image, are two columns which were installed in 1972. This is the start of the entrance of the new Hersheypark.
A closer look at the entrance sign for Hershey Park Arena. A similar sign was at the intersection of Park Avenue and Park Boulevard. Here they added Arena to the sign since it was next to the Arena.
From inside the park, you can also see the entrance columns. In this image, they are right behind one of the cars of the Dry Gulch Railroad.
Gate 5, Hersheypark
Guests would then follow the pathway alongside the park fence down underneath the Monorail. Guests reached the end of the path and had two options – go left to go into Hersheypark or go right to go on the Monorail. During the 1971 and 1972 seasons, management had difficulties with this set up because many people would try to ride Monorail instead of going into Hersheypark. They increased signage and frills along the walkway, and at the split point, a barker, to attract people to go to the park.
They would then enter the park at what is now Gate 5 of Hersheypark, adjacent to Swing Thing and the current entrance ramp for Monorail.
At the time, in 1972, the Monorail ramp had not been built (that would come along in 1973). As you can see in the picture above, that area was set up with picnic tables. To the right of the gate, where the guests are entering, that would be where Swing Thing is today.
A closer look at the above image shows a few things. You can see the Round Up and Aero Jets rides (Aero Jets became Starship America in more recent years). Round Up was located where Mini Pirate and Dizzy Drums are located now, while Aero Jets was more or less located where a game and the Nut Hut are.
Hidden behind the green and white umbrella is a large ticket booth that had trees painted on it. This matched the theming of Round Up, which also had trees painted on its base. This was the park’s ticketing services for possibly both the 1971 and 1972 seasons.
Entering the Park, Proper
This image, taken from the Monorail, shows Aero Jets, Round Up, and Tip Top. The Yellow and Orange tent in the background is the Attractions Tent which was set up to promote the RDA Plan. This was replaced by the Magical Spectacular Show by Mark Wilson in 1973. It was replaced by Music Box Theater in 1975.
To the right of Tip Top is a macadam area where people are standing – that was a remnant of a playground which used to be in the park. The corner of a picnic pavilion can be seen adjacent to it.
In the foreground of the image is a queue line. That is a queue for one of the kiddie rides, most likely Whipperoo (which was later known as Wells Cargo).
You can also see blue fencing next to the Ticketing Services structure in front of Aero Jets. There is a queue set up here with a turnstile, along with an exit area from the rides area there.
When guests would purchase their tickets at the Ticketing Services building, they would then enter the queue line to enter the park. They would go through the turnstile to be counted for attendance. That is how guests entered Hersheypark for the 1972 season.
The ticketing services building and the fencing were removed after 1972. Tudor Castle, the new main entrance of the park replaced these services.
