1978: ZooAmerica opens. Several rides are added to the park: Coal Shaker, Fender Bender, Flying Bobs, Mini Skooters, and Rodeo (then called Trabant). This is the final season of operation for Mini-Comet. Dry Gulch Theater is renamed Music Box Theater.
1979: The Arcade at the entrance to Carrousel Circle is themed Starlight Arcade and includes hand prints of famous acts that perform in the Arena or Stadium. Two kiddie rides are added: Livery Stables (then called Antique Kiddie Carrousel) and Pony Parade (then called Pony Carts). This is the final season of operation for Tip-Top.
1980: For the first time since establishing a boundary, Hersheypark expands that boundary by pushing the park across where Derry Road used to be. This was a 1.8 acre expansion. Dry Gulch Railroad station is moved and the track reconfigured to accommodate a new midway to connect to the new area. The rides added were Pirat and Cyclops. This is the final season of operation for Animal Gardens. Creatures of the Night is held for the first time at ZooAmerica, on October 31. HERCO, Inc., is renamed Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company.
1981: Animal Gardens is converted into a new theme area: Kids Stuff. This is the final season of operation for The Bug and Flying Bobs.
1982: Several contemporary areas of the park are given names: Odyssey Alley, Spring Creek Hollow, and Trailblazer. Odyssey Alley name comes from the addition of CinemaVision just beyond Cyclops at the edge of the park. With the removal of The Bug, Wave Swinger was installed, as well as Paddleboats. This area of the park was named Spring Creek Hollow. The old Auto Skooters building was converted into Paddleboat Cafe. The octagonal food building was also torn down. A miniature golf course was added. A kiddie ride, Balloon Flite, was added to Carrousel Circle in place of the Flying Bobs. This is the final season of operation for Monster.
1983: With Monster having been removed from Carrousel Circle, Tilt-a-Whirl was installed in its place. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane opens for the first time. Odyssey Alley name is dropped from use at the end of the season.
1984: Hersheypark expands once again, this time with a new themed area planned. For this season, it was called Old West. This theme was proposed in the R. Duell plan. Two new rides were added: Conestoga and Timber Rattler. Dry Gulch Railroad track is changed from a figure-8 to a full oval. This is the final season of operation for OutBoard Motor Boats.
1985: The second phase of the Old West expansion is completed. The area is named Pioneer Frontier. A food court is constructed inside Dry Gulch Railroad’s course, and two kiddie rides are placed in buildings at the far end of the food court. A kiddie ride, Swing Thing is installed in the park. Dizzy Drums is relocated next to Earthmovers, while Whipperoo is relocated to Pioneer Frontier Food Court and renamed Wells Cargo. Antique Kiddie Carrousel is the second kiddie ride moved to the food court and is renamed Livery Stables. The OutBoard Motor Boats are converted into Granny Bugs. This is the final season of operation for Kids Stuff. Spring Creek Hollow name is removed from use.
1986: CinemaVision is converted into Frontier Meeting House. Trabant was relocated to Pioneer Frontier Food Court, and renamed Rodeo. Kids Stuff is converted into a new theme area – Kaptain Kids Kove.
< 1971-1977: The R. Duell Plan, Modified
1987-1995: The Water Ride Boom in the Frontier >