1931: The Skooter was removed and replaced by a new dark ride called The Pretzel. The bumper cars wouldn’t be replaced until 1938. Custer Specialty Company’s Bike Boats were placed on Spring Creek. And, brought back by popular demand, the Giant Toboggan Slide was built in the pool area, next to the ballroom. It was located on the other side of Spring Creek from the Hershey Park swimming pool.
1932: Hersheypark’s first themed area is opened: Sunken Garden. This is named such because it used to be under water until the old dam was replaced a couple years before – hence the gardens used to be sunk below water. The Electric Fountain, manufactured by General Electric at a cost of $75,000, debuts in the Sunken Garden.
1933: The Bug and Speedboat are added to the park as part of the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the town. The rides debuted in August, with the 20th anniversary celebrated over the first weekend of September. The Bug previously operated at the 1932-1933 Century of Progress in Chicago. The Speedboat was named Miss Marguerite and was the only ride to operate on Swatara Creek. It was located at the Hershey Boat House.
1934: Hershey Park Zoo is expanded.
1935: A kiddie ride, Automobiles, is installed near the Kiddie Ferris Wheel (1926) and the Airplane Swing.
1936: Custer Car Ride, manufactured by Custer Specialty Company, is installed in the park. The track is laid out next to Funhouse and the midway down towards Spring Creek where Comet’s station and course would largely be built (except for the dog leg).
1937: Hersheypark installs Whip, manufactured by W.F. Mangels.
1938: A new bumper cars ride, the Auto Skooters are placed in the hollow next to the Whip. Several rooms in the back of Hershey Park Theatre are converted into a new funhouse called Death Valley Fun House. The park’s first funhouse is renovated and converted into Whoops.
1939: No significant changes. This is the final season of operation for Death Valley Fun House.
1940: Death Valley Fun House is converted into Laugh Land (also spelled Laughland).
1941: Aerial Joy Ride is installed in Hersheypark. It previously operated at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. This reused the original name for The Wild Cat roller coaster. Hersheypark contacted Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) and wanted to install a Flying Turns roller coaster in the hollow area in between the area of The Bug and Mill Chute station and the Custer Car Ride. Planned to be installed in 1942, this was canceled upon the United States entry into World War II after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7. This is the final season of operation for Bike Boats on Spring Creek, Giant Toboggan Slide at the pool, and Speedboat which ran on Swatara Creek.
1942: Hershey Park Zoo closes due to World War II. All rides in Hersheypark remain in the park since Hersheypark is unable to add new rides due to the war effort.
1943: Gasoline shortages causes the United States government to ban “pleasure driving” across the country. This meant that you could only drive if you had a legitimate reason, such as work. You were free to travel by any other means, as long as it didn’t use gasoline. Hersheypark remained open through the pleasure driving ban. Hershey Park Golf Course closed, and there were only a few shows at the Ballroom. The Hershey Bears considered relocating to Philadelphia, but decided to stay in Hershey and bear it out. (Note: The pun is intended.)
1944: Hersheypark acquires a PTC carousel (#47), and lists the Dentzel Carrousel for sale in a few July issues of Billboard Magazine.
1945: Carrousel, PTC #47, debuted. The Wild Cat runs its final ride on September 9. Also, Whoops is closed to make way for the roller coaster to replace Wild Cat. On October 14, Milton S. Hershey passes away.
