We woke up at about 8 the next day because the hotel had a continental breakfast. So we ate. My brother, his friend, and my friend all had waffles (they had a waffle maker), while I had toast with jelly (grape).

We then went back to the room and got ready to go back to the park. We arrived at the park, and took the tram to the park gate. But as usual, instead of going into the park, we went to Chocolate World! This was out 5th year in a row going, and it hasn’t changed in all of that time, but this time it sure did! They got rid of some stuff, but they also put stuff in. The biggest notice, the singing cows! They also got rid of some of the displays at the end, and replaced them with panel TVs. Basically, they made it more 21st century.

At the end, we get our picture taken (happens on the ride), and as usual, after getting off, you get a free sample of their candy. Like last year, we got a Take 5 bar. I didn’t eat mine, as it has peanuts and almonds in it, and I hate those. Anyway, we browsed the gift shop for a bit, but we didn’t buy anything. We decided we’d get our souvenirs later.

And with that, it was off to the park! My parents, my brother, and his friend all wanted to get wet, so they went on Canyon River Rapids. You got to love some of the water rides at Hershey - they are GUARANTEED to get you DRENCHED from head to toe. My friend and I didn’t want to get wet, so we waited for them to get off. And I’ll tell you, they were DRENCHED. We then kind of went our separate ways. My brother, his friend, and my friend decided to on the Great Bear, but me and my dad decided to take a much more thrilling approach - Storm Runner!

Storm Runner is this insane roller coaster that launches you out onto the track - 0 - 72 MPH in 2 seconds! The ride itself is very quick. On the page above, it says it’s 60 seconds, but I’ve timed it, and it’s only 45. It doesn’t go all that fast, it’s just a short track. Click here to see an example of the speed of Storm Runner. The vid doesn’t capture it very well, but like I said above and in the vid, 0 - 72 MPH in 2 seconds. Also, it’s A LOT more forceful than it looks.

Well, when we got done, we caught up with my mom to wait for the rest of our little gang. While waiting, I went to this souvenir stand and bought my friend back home a Storm Runner shot glass (he collects shot glasses, but he hates any looping coaster, so it was kind of a gift/harass kind of deal).

Well, after waiting over an hour for those guys to come back, and several attempts to try and contact my friend’s cell phone, my parents sent me to look for them. I didn’t have to walk too far before finding them. After they got back, we then went back to the hotel with lunch (from Arby’s) to do whatever. We tried the pool, but it was freezing. I found that odd because it was at least 95 in that pool room, but then again, that may be partially to blame.

At around 4, we went to dinner at Red Robin, which is near the park, and then went to this Rite-Aid because my mom had to get a few things. After that, it was back to the park.

We had plans to go on The Claw, but it was temporarily shut down (someone probably got sick on it and they had to clean it up). So, with that, we did what I wanted to do - the Lightning Racer!

As I mentioned before, the Lighting Racer involves 2 coasters - the names are Lightning (red coaster) and Thunder (green coaster). The last time, my friend and I chose Thunder, and my brother and his friend chose Lightning. EVERY ride before us, Thunder won. We get on, and we lose to Lightning. Knowing this wouldn’t be settled, my friend and I said we’d go on again for a rematch, and tonight was the match. This time, my friend and I chose Lightning, and my brother and his friend chose Thunder. Just for the record, my brother and his friend chose which coaster they wanted to ride on both times, so me and my friend were left with what they didn’t pick.

Would we win this time around, or would it be another dreadful defeat? Watch the videos to find out!

Well again, we lost. But unlike last time, this time, it was CLOSE! We did, however, hear the end of it, shortly after (thank god!). Well, after that, we found my parents, and us kids went on The Claw. My brother was really concerned that he was going to get sick, but he never did (and we didn’t think he would). It was fun, as we all sat together (there’s 8 sets of 4 seats), and then the true test of courage came - we all went on Storm Runner. It wasn’t really a test of courage for me, because I’d been on it 3 times previously (including earlier that day). But, my friend, my brother, and my brother’s friend had never been on it, so, it was their test of courage. It was a short wait, and we all got on the same train, my brother and his friend sitting in front of me and my friend. As usual, they wouldn’t let a thing on with us that wasn’t secured, and because we didn’t meet up with my parents before going on like we were supposed to (we looked, but couldn’t find them), my friend and I had to take our glasses off. After that, we were rolled out to the launch pad.

It’s really interesting. When you’re being rolled out, you have this stormy wind sound playing. Then this computer guy says something when you’re being rolled out, but can’t really hear it, but what you can hear is the horse’s neigh after he’s done. You sit still for a few seconds, and are rolled back about 2 inches. Then the guy says, “Now get ready. Here we go.” Before he can even finish the sentence (just as he says “go”), you’re sent FLYING full speed down this track where these cameras take your picture, and you’re sent straight up in the air, over a hill, and then straight down. You then go through this loop (it isn’t a full one, about 80% full), through a few twists and turns, through a few corkscrews, and that’s it! Over in about 45 seconds. If you didn’t catch the info about the ride on the first page, here it is again.

We had time for 1 more ride, and we all chose to go on The Claw again. After that, it was time to say goodbye to Hershey Park until next year. As we were on the road, I managed to snap a pic of what the park kind of looks like in the dark:

Note: there IS supposed to be stuff lit up in the center of the ferris wheel, but I must have snapped the pic in the middle of it flashing.

We arrived back at the hotel and played Game Cube until Letterman came on (I ALWAYS try my hardest not to miss that show! P.S., yes, he’s better than Leno, IMO). Afterwards, we watched Roseanne until I fell asleep (not until shortly after 4 AM unfortunately). My friend came in the room once to try and fall asleep because she couldn’t stand my dad snoring, but about an hour and a half later, she went back and stayed there. Shortly after, I FINALLY fell asleep, but not before seeing the final episode of Roseanne, as well as some of the first episode.

© 2009-2010 DanZone