Hersheypark is one of the most popular amusement parks in Pennsylvania. During the winter of 2023, they made some changes to the carts of a couple of coasters. The two rides that they remodeled were Skyrush and Comet, two classic favorites.
The Comet is the oldest coaster in the entire amusement park. Making its debut in 1946, Comet is known for its 47-degree drop from 87 feet in the air. It isn’t as big and intense as the other coasters at the park, such as Stormrunner or Fahrenheit, but it is one of the most popular coasters. The 77-year-old ride originally sported a basic blue cart
with a snaking white stripe going down it with its yellow logo at the very front of the first cart. The new cart design is much more flashy than the previous one. This new design features a much brighter blue color and is reminiscent of a 70’s style. Instead of the basic white stripe, This newer cart has a white star that fades into another shade of blue as it goes down the carts. The star is highlighted by a golden color which is also featured on the steps of the cart. The logo is much more flashy with the yellow being changed to a deep gold.
Skyrush is a beast of a coaster. Reaching up to 200 feet in the air at a speed of 75 miles per hour, it’s safe to say that Skyrush is a fan favorite for many. Skyrush is the fastest non-inverting roller coaster at Hersheypark. The main complaint, however, is the restraints. The ride is extremely fast-paced, and because of that the restraints have to be tight. However, these restraints press tightly into the rider’s thigh, giving the ride the nickname “Thighcrush”. The old seats were in rows of four, with the two seats in the middle of the ride above a platform and up high. The two seats on the outside of the cart are much lower, making your feet dangle. The seats themselves were a shade of blue, matching the yellow track.
The new seats of Skyrush are a bright cyan color, which is a nice contrast to the deep blue bars securing the restraints and such. Other than the color change, there weren’t any changes in the ride.
Hersheypark’s newer cart designs are much more visibly appealing, which some people will say is a great thing but some others will say is not that important or cool. Either way, Hersheypark’s new cart designs will make the rides much more flashy.
