Hersheypark Expansion 2015

[ECG]

Not exactly new info, but I thought I go ahead a post this so discussion can begin about what people think the announcement this summer will include.
Hersheypark will expand by some 31 acres (over 150,000 square yards) in 2015 with the approved realignment of Park Boulevard. The new area adjacent to Hersheypark and Chocolate World can be seen in the photo below (new Park Boulevard in red). Speculation is that the area will be used for a new major coaster, other attractions and could even include a new park entrance.

Even as the 2014 season in Hersheypark is about to open, there are hints about things to come in 2015.
"We have not made that public yet. We will be making an announcement later this summer," said Kathy Burrows, Hersheypark spokeswoman.
Relocation of Park Boulevard, expected to get under way next year, will allow the park’s borders to expand for the first time in more than a decade. About 31 acres of the former Parkview Golf Course, closed in 2005, will be absorbed into the park, according to plans unveiled last year.
Hershey Entertainment & Resort Company’s engineers have made application to the Dauphin County Conservation District for a stormwater permit associated with construction activities for a project at 100 West Hersheypark Drive for Attraction 2015. It's not clear exactly what construction is involved with that permit.
Derry Township has not received land development plans for a 2015 ride project, said a spokeswoman in the community development department.
Usually such plans are filed when Hersheypark makes its announcement regarding a new ride, said James Negley, Derry Township manager.
Meanwhile, the current Park Boulevard relocation project continues. Preliminary engineering and environmental clearance is expected to be completed by July, and final design by December, Negley said.
The project will go out for bid in January 2015, and construction would be completed by October 2015-January 2016.
The estimated $21 million project will be paid for with about $12 million in state and federal funds, and the rest from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, which is donating the land for the new roadway, worth an estimated $9 million.
For the 2014 season, Hersheypark is adding three new family-oriented rides. They include Cocoa Cruiser in Music Box Way, a gravity coaster designed to introduce younger riders to coasters; and Tea Cups and Sweet Swing in the Hollow area. A Chickie’s and Pete’s eatery will also open in Midway America, and a new ticket booth in Tram Circle.
Hersheypark added Shoreline Sprayground in 2013, and in 2012, Skyrush, billed as the park's tallest and fastest coaster.

Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/05/hersheypark_adding_3_new_rides.html

 

[bmac]

Heard the rumors about this for a while. I don't think it should be done right this second since there's still some space to use over by Lightning Racer and Wildcat. I'm not a fan of a new entrance either because the park already is uneven with the placement of the current entrance and the rest of the park (huge front-back of park bias), if they expand without a new entrance then it'd at least realign the entrance more towards the 'center' of the park.

 

[CPSFMMCW]

Glad theres an expansion coming. This park needs it, since they're boxed in on all four sides. Now they won't be! That means more room for everything. That solves the size problem for finding a place for a new roller coaster!

 

[Snoo]

Interesting. Gives off an "I305" feel to how it branches off of where the park is now.

 

[Intricks]

Ive heard some stirrings as well, but I think nothing major ride wise will come for next season (aka, nothing Rush size). This road work is supposed to end sometime between October of 2015 and January of 2016 though, so the new land won't be of use til after 2016. Also, the land they are gaining is all flood land, so Im not too certain just what all is happening beyond the road work.

A friend of mine told me that the Tent/slide thing back near Wildcat is coming down supposedly.

 

[bmac]

A friend of mine told me that the Tent/slide thing back near Wildcat is coming down supposedly.

Heard rumblings about that, too. Always thought their next project would try and bring more traffic towards the back of the park since Lightning Racer isn't getting much foot traffic as of my visits over the last 3 years.

 

[_koppen]

The water park part now seems even more wrongfully placed.

 

[ECG]

^I agree that the new area looks much better suited for a water park, but that clearly isn't going to happen.

 

[Hyde]

What can I say - the unevenness of the park makes for great, short lines at initial opening. I hope this unbalanced trend continues.

 

[CPSFMMCW]

I for one am not a big fan of Hershey's layout at all. Its very random. The only section I like is that strip that runs from skyrush and comet to over by sooperdooperlooper and great bear. Other than that, things are just placed in areas that just don't make any sense. Even the entrance is in a weird spot. Its a very unbalanced, one sided park. Now that being said, I still love this park to death! I'm looking forward to the expansion! Maybe they could use it to put in a much needed drop tower.