Hershey Park, a beloved amusement destination, occasionally faces ride closures due to various factors. These include seasonal maintenance schedules, staffing challenges, and operational changes. The park’s commitment to safety and quality experiences sometimes necessitates temporary closures. Understanding these reasons can help visitors plan their trips more effectively and set realistic expectations for their Hershey Park adventure.
Why Does Hershey Park Close Rides for Maintenance?
Hershey Park prioritizes guest safety and ride quality through rigorous maintenance schedules. The park undergoes extensive maintenance during the off-season, typically from January to March. This period is crucial for ensuring the safety and integrity of its attractions.
Key aspects of the maintenance schedule include:
- Over 200 full-time staff members, including electricians, mechanics, welders, carpenters, and painters, work on ride maintenance.
- The maintenance team disassembles, inspects, repaints, and reassembles more than 70 attractions.
- Iconic rides like the 105-year-old Carrousel and coasters such as Trailblazer and Comet receive special attention.
For example, the Comet roller coaster is receiving a new three-tone blue color scheme and glittering metal flake treatment this year, showcasing the park’s commitment to both safety and aesthetics.
How Does Staffing Affect Ride Availability at Hershey Park?
Staffing levels play a crucial role in the operational capacity of Hershey Park. While specific data on current staffing shortages is not available, the park takes proactive measures to ensure adequate staffing:
- Hershey Park requires a significant number of staff to operate all attractions safely and efficiently.
- The park is actively hiring for the 2024 season, with scheduled hiring events to maintain optimal staffing levels.
- These efforts suggest that the park is working to mitigate any potential staffing-related closures.
What Operational Changes Impact Ride Closures?
Recent operational changes at Hershey Park have not been directly linked to increased ride closures. However, certain factors can affect the guest experience:
- Fast Track System: This optional service reduces wait times for an additional fee but doesn’t directly cause ride closures.
- Special Events: Halloween’s Dark Nights and Christmas Candylane may involve selective ride operation but typically don’t increase closures during the regular season.
When Does Hershey Park Conduct Seasonal Maintenance?
Hershey Park’s maintenance timeline is structured to minimize impact on visitors while ensuring ride safety:
- Duration: January to the end of March
- 2024 Season Opening: March 29 (earliest opening ever)
- Maintenance Activities:
- Disassembly
- Inspection
- Repainting
- Reassembly
| Ride | Maintenance Activity |
|---|---|
| Comet | New color scheme |
| Trailblazer | Refurbishment |
| Wild Mouse | Refurbishment |
How Do Visitor Numbers Affect Ride Availability?
Understanding crowd levels can help visitors plan their trips and set expectations for ride availability:
- Busiest Months: April, May, and October
- Lighter Crowds: June, July, and August
- Peak Days: Weekends, especially Saturdays
Average wait times vary significantly between rides. For instance, Candymonium and Reese’s Cupfusion often have some of the longest wait times in the park.
What Can Visitors Do to Maximize Their Hershey Park Experience?
To make the most of your visit despite potential closures:
- Check the park’s website or app for real-time ride status updates.
- Visit during off-peak times for shorter lines and potentially fewer closures.
- Consider purchasing a Fast Track pass to reduce wait times on popular rides.
- Be flexible with your ride choices and explore less crowded attractions.
- Arrive early to maximize your time in the park.
By understanding the reasons behind ride closures at Hershey Park and planning accordingly, visitors can still enjoy a memorable and exciting experience at this iconic amusement park.
References:
1. Hersheypark 2024 Off-Season Maintenance
2. Hersheypark Wait Time Statistics
3. Hersheypark Wait Times, Park Hours, Best Days to Visit