Sidewinder (Hersheypark)
Encyclopedia
Sidewinder is a steel
roller coaster
located at Hersheypark
in Hershey, Pennsylvania
. While the coaster itself is a standard Vekoma
Boomerang
, this installation is notable because it was the first Vekoma Boomarang to use Vekoma trains (previous Boomarangs used Arrow
trains). For the 2011 season, the Sidewinder's trains were replaced with Vekoma's modern trains, similar to the train on Carowinds' Carolina Cobra
. This ride was also the first coaster installed in the park in 14 years since the SooperDooperLooper
in 1977.
With a total of 3 loops in the ride's structure, and the fact that the ride operates in both directions, a single ride involves riders being turned upside down 6 times.
In October, when Hersheypark is decorated in a Halloween theme (Hersheypark in the Dark), Sidewinder is dubbed Scarewinder.
. The train
goes up a second lift hill and, when it reaches the top, the lift disengages, and the train falls backwards through the inversions, pressing about 5 G's of force on riders (especially in the loop) before it returns to the station.
It can be noted that due to the wear of the ride, riders will experience a very rough time as the train passes through the cobra roll forwards and backwards. The over-the-head restraints have been designed with special padding on the sides to prevent any injury to the neck, however it is inevitable that riders will slam their necks into the restraints during the ride.
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
located at Hersheypark
Hersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, near the Hershey Chocolate Factory.Hersheypark was opened on April 24, 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the...
in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
. While the coaster itself is a standard Vekoma
Vekoma
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
Boomerang
Boomerang (roller coaster)
Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians...
, this installation is notable because it was the first Vekoma Boomarang to use Vekoma trains (previous Boomarangs used Arrow
Arrow Dynamics
Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of...
trains). For the 2011 season, the Sidewinder's trains were replaced with Vekoma's modern trains, similar to the train on Carowinds' Carolina Cobra
Carolina Cobra
Carolina Cobra is a steel Vekoma boomerang roller coaster located at Carowinds. Standing and reaching , , it is the third tallest coaster in the park. It is the first roller coaster addition to Carowinds since the park's purchase by Cedar Fair from Paramount Parks.-History:Originally named Head...
. This ride was also the first coaster installed in the park in 14 years since the SooperDooperLooper
SooperDooperLooper
The SooperDooperLooper is a ride at Hersheypark, and the first looping coaster on the East Coast. It was designed as a terrain coaster by Werner Stengel, and built by Anton Schwarzkopf.-Rider Experience:...
in 1977.
With a total of 3 loops in the ride's structure, and the fact that the ride operates in both directions, a single ride involves riders being turned upside down 6 times.
In October, when Hersheypark is decorated in a Halloween theme (Hersheypark in the Dark), Sidewinder is dubbed Scarewinder.
History
Sidewinder was built on a former catering area. This moved to the area that at the time was occupied by Kaptain Kid's Kove, and became Trailblazer's catering pavilion.Ride Experience
The ride begins with riders being pulled backwards out of the station up a hill by a cable winch. At the top of the hill, the train is released, and speeds through the station and goes through the ride's three inversions, including a cobra roll and a vertical loopLoop (roller coaster)
The generic roller coaster vertical loop is the most basic of roller coaster inversions. Specifically, the loop refers to a continuously upward-sloping section of track that eventually results in a complete 360 degree circle. At the top-most piece of the loop, riders are completely inverted.-...
. The train
Train (roller coaster)
A roller coaster train or car describes the vehicle which transports passengers around a roller coaster's circuit. More specifically, a roller coaster train is made up of two or more "cars" which are connected by some sort of specialized joint. It is called a "train" because the cars follow one...
goes up a second lift hill and, when it reaches the top, the lift disengages, and the train falls backwards through the inversions, pressing about 5 G's of force on riders (especially in the loop) before it returns to the station.
It can be noted that due to the wear of the ride, riders will experience a very rough time as the train passes through the cobra roll forwards and backwards. The over-the-head restraints have been designed with special padding on the sides to prevent any injury to the neck, however it is inevitable that riders will slam their necks into the restraints during the ride.