1987-1995 | The Water Ride Boom in the Frontier

1987: Canyon River Rapids is installed in Pioneer Frontier. Mini-Himalaya is installed in Carrousel Circle. Balloon Flite is relocated next to Fender Bender where Rodeo (named Trabant) had been between 1978 and 1985. This is the final season of operation for Timber Rattler.

1988: Frontier Chute-Out, 2 pairs of 2 water slides, is installed across from Canyon River Rapids. Rolling Rovers, a kiddie ride, is added on the opposite side of the bridge where the Aquatheater is. Rodeo is relocated from the food court to just down the midway across from Conestoga.

1989: A third water ride is added, this time a kiddie log flume: Tiny Timbers. This was placed next to Fender Bender and Balloon Flite was relocated to Pioneer Food Court. This is the final season of operation for Coal Shaker, Frontier Meeting House and Himalaya. The Penny Arcade was torn down after the end of the season. Plans for Midway America were drawn up and proposed as a long term plan to be enacted several years from then.

1990: A new themed area is introduced: Minetown. This was another themed area proposed in the R. Duell plan. The Flying Falcon was installed, replacing Himalaya. Three new kiddie rides were added: Convoy, Dinosaur-Go-Round and Red Baron. The Penny Arcade was replaced by a much larger building called Minetown Arcade (now called Overlook Arcade). Minetown Vittles (now called Overlook Restaurant) was incorporated into the new building on the lower level. Der Deitschplatz is combined with Carrousel Circle and is no longer a theme area. Tower Plaza and the Contemporary area (the area surrounding the former Himalaya and Coal Shaker)  is merged with the new Minetown. Comet Hollow is officially named. The area by Fender Bender and Music Box Theater is named Music Box Way. This is the final season of operation for Kaptain Kids Kove. The theme area is replaced by Trailblazer Catering the following season.

1991: The first coaster since sooperdooperLooper is added: Sidewinder opens in Pioneer Frontier across from Pioneer Food Court. Sky Ride is retired at the end of the summer season.

1992: No new rides are added.

1993: No new rides are added. The Sweetest Parade on Earth debuts. Hersheypark begins using candy branded height categories.

1994: The final piece of Pioneer Frontier is installed:  Tidal Force opens as the world’s tallest splashdown ride (with two identical models opening in Japan later in the year). Rotor is retired at the end of the summer season.

1995: With the removal of Rotor, Tilt-A-Whirl is relocated to Comet Hollow. To fill the hole in Comet Hollow, the park adds a new kiddie ride: Tiny Tracks. This is the final season of operation for the Mini-Skooters.

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< 1978-1986: Searching for a New Identity

1996-2002: The Midway Expansion >

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