Pennsylvania’s theme park, Hersheypark is finally open to the public, for the 2020 summer season. The theme park has been closed for over 3 months now, due to the spread of COVID-19. Upon its reopening, guests were treated to a brand-new attraction, the park’s tallest rollercoaster, ‘Candymonium.’
The long-awaited new addition to the chocolate-themed amusement park was opened on July 3rd. The ride was originally set to open at the start of the 2020 summer season, along with the new ‘Chocolatetown’ expansion at the entrance to the park. The coronavirus pandemic, however, put a stop to the opening of the park, as a state-wide shutdown of all non-essential businesses prematurely ended the springtime opening.
The new hyper-coaster, measuring 210 feet tall, is the second tallest ride in Pennsylvania, second only to the ‘Steel Curtain’ at Kennywood Park. A press release from the park reads, “Our one-of-a-kind hyper coaster features heart-pounding thrills, maximum speeds of 76 MPH, and a distinctive Hershey’s candy theme that we can’t wait for you to experience.” The ride’s first test runs took place in early May, with the media preview taking place June 30th.
‘Chocolatetown’ is inspired by the legacy of Milton S Hershey, and is set across 23 acres, representing the largest investment in the park’s history. The reimagined arrival experience houses the historic Carrousel, a Starbucks café, and Hyperdeck, an immersive virtual reality experience. There is also a flagship retail experience themed around the popular chocolate brand.
The new coaster and ‘Chocolatetown’ attractions aren’t the only new additions to the park. Guests will need to adhere to new strict health and safety measures, established to prevent the further spread of the virus. Guests will be expected to follow the safety measures, that include wearing masks and social distancing.
