Just got back a few hours ago from a day and a half at Hershey and all I can say is HOLY **** WOW! My new #1 coaster, dethroning El Toro. This thing is just a beast, the airtime is so ridiculous that I swear it took my virginity three times. Imagine feeling that airtime hill El Toro takes over Rolling Thunder every time Skyrush changes elevation. Unreal. It all starts with that first drop from heaven and it just flies into the brakes.
Now about the restraints.... Before my first ride, I was really preparing for the worst in terms of thigh pain but was really pleasantly surprised to find it not painful at all! Sure, they get tight during the ride but I wouldn't say it was painful at all. Only time they bothered me was when the train sat on the brake run, they felt pretty uncomfortable and I could feel some pressure on my legs. Even then though it never classified as "pain" to me. I did see a few people complain while getting off though that their legs hurt. I would say it was about 15-20% of the riders, majority of them being smaller adults and teens. I really did not see any of this "sigh of relief" when trains were rolling in, almost every train came back to the station cheering and clapping. I think it really just depends on your body type as to how they will feel.
I'm going to catch some serious crap for this, but I actually liked these restraints. I loved the free feeling they allowed, they are very minimal in terms of how much of your body they cover. Ironically, this is why people HATE them. I definitely could see why and I understand. With the serious ejector the ride creates, I felt the lapbars let my body feel that airtime very freely while keeping me in at the top of my thighs where I needed to be secure. I don't think simply reducing the angle of the restraint to be abit more flat (a popular suggestion floating around) will help at all for this reason. I really think it will make the ride unsafe as the angle that they're on is what keeps you from flying out.
To those who have done nothing but write huge posts and argue about the pain: I don't get it. What did you expect from a 200 foot coaster that pulls serious G's? Did you seriously think it was going to feel comfortable? The complaining some are doing is hysterical. Go ride Trailblazer if you want to ride a comfortable roller coaster (hell, even that isn't comfortable so actually nevermind). It makes no sense at all! People have LONG wanted an intense ride at Hershey and here it is. As enthusiasts, you want to ride intense coasters, and this is definitely intense. I actually read through this topic, and it's NOT anybody here, it as at other sites who will go without being named. Some of the things I'm seeing are beyond the boundaries of stupidity. I just can't believe that enthusiasts think that it is too intense and that it needs to be tamed.
Now about the capacity. I was timing it while in line, it takes on average 3 minutes between train dispatches. I see alot of blame on the ride ops, but its not their fault at all, they were actually doing really good job once everyone was actually boarded onto the train. It's leading up to that point thats the issue. The same side design kills this ride and the rotating bag drop is a huge factor in this. They are actually in the process of replacing these with regular cubby-like bag drops to try and keep things moving. You also have to add in that the GP is mostly made up of idiots and take their sweet time leaving the ride platform. The whole process is bad, but I give major props to Hershey for really trying to make this work! They are definitely trying their best!
I must say though Snoo, when I opened this thread I expected you to love it almost as much as I did (you have been on way more badass coasters than me, after all), and I'm kinda disappointed that the pain ruined it for you, especially after seeing you say it's like "having sex with the hottest woman in the world". Like I said, it's simply the body type and it's a real shame that its the restraints that stops it from being a top ride for you and others. Hopefully it gets fixed this offseason.
The park confirmed that they will not trim the ride any further, so don't worry about that folks. :--D
All in all, if you haven't ridden Skyrush yet, get to Hershey ASAP! The ride delivers, it's really incredible! Well done Hershey and Intamin!