Roller Soaker
{{Short description|Former ride at Hersheypark}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name=Roller Soaker
|image=HP-Roller_Soaker.jpg
|caption=A car traversing the roller coaster's route
|location=Hersheypark
|section=The Boardwalk
|type=Steel
|type2=Suspended
|type3=
|status=Removed
|opened = {{Start date|2002|05|11}}
|closed = {{End date|2012|09|03}}
|replacement=Sprayground
|manufacturer=Setpoint Inc.
|designer=
|model=Swing Thing
|track=
|lift=Chain lift hill
|height_ft=70
|drop_ft=
|length_ft=1300
|speed_mph=20.5
|duration=
|angle=
|capacity=
|cost=USD$7.5 million – $8 million
|acceleration=
|gforce=
| trains = 9
| carspertrain = 1
| rowspercar = 2
| ridersperrow = 2
|rcdb_number=1497
|coordinates={{coord|40|17|29|N|76|39|11|W|region:US-PA_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title,inline}}
|image_alt=Pictured is one of the Roller Soaker cars traversing the suspended track's layout. Below people observe the track hanging overhead, with a water geyser spraying water at the ride's car. The roller coaster's station is featured in the background.|logo=Roller Soaker, Hersheypark - Logo.webp|logo_alt=A script text of "Roller Soaker" is seen in pink lettering curving from bottom left to top right within a oval frame. The text runs along a blue track, with water being sprayed by two Hershey Chocolate characters, a Hershey kiss and Hershey chocolate bar.|restraint=Lap bar}}
Roller Soaker was a suspended roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. Manufactured by Setpoint Inc., the roller coaster was announced on August 8, 2001, and opened to the public on May 11, 2002. The Roller Soaker was located in the Boardwalk section at the park and cost $7.5 million to $8 million to construct. In December 2012, Hersheypark announced that the Roller Soaker would be removed to make way for new water attractions in 2013. The roller coaster's station was reused by Breakers Edge Water Coaster, a water coaster added in 2018.
The Roller Soaker was the second Swing Thing model to be built by Setpoint Inc., following the Flying Super Saturator at Carowinds. The roller coaster reached a maximum height of {{convert|70|ft}}, with a maximum speed of {{convert|20.5|mph}}, and a total track length of {{Convert|1300|ft}}. The encompassing section of the Roller Soaker featured various interactive water elements, such as water sprayers as well as geysers and fountains. Upon opening, the roller coaster received generally positive reviews.
History
Prior to the construction of what later became the Roller Soaker, Hersheypark had built a wooden roller coaster named Lightning Racer, which began operating in May 2000 as the park's eighth roller coaster.{{Cite news |last=Holahan |first=Jane |date=August 8, 2001 |title=Hershey adds interactive water coaster |pages=4 |work=Lancaster New Era |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108357667/hershey-adds-interactive-water-coaster/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Planning for the new attraction began two and a half years before its opening. The park chose Setpoint's suspended roller coaster model based on a visit by Hershey executives to Carowinds, an amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Flying Super Saturator was located.{{Cite news |last=M. Moore |first=Lyford |date=June 21, 2002 |title=Riders get thrills and splashes |page=14T |work=Courier-Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107716817/riders-get-thrills-and-splashes/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} The park liked the concept of the suspended roller coaster, as it would appeal to a wider guest demographic, instead of trying to entice visitors through constructing taller or faster roller coasters as other theme parks were.{{Cite news |last=Kolus |first=Howard |date=May 12, 2002 |title=Soaking Up The Fun |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108382415/soaking-up-the-fun-2/ 4B] |work=Lebanon Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108296219/soaking-up-the-fun/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} The roller coaster was redesigned eight times throughout its planning process as to navigate around obstacles within the park and existing utilities.
The park announced on August 8, 2001, that it would add a new roller coaster for the 2002 season. The attraction would incorporate elements of a water ride and a suspended roller coaster. The roller coaster would interact with the nearby Canyon River Rapids and park visitors through various water stations. Plans for the attraction were being finalized during the announcement with an expected opening date of May 2002. A contest was held to determine the roller coaster's name.{{Cite news |last=S. Ross |first=Timberly |date=August 9, 2001 |title=Amusement park to add water coaster in 2002 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108349885/amusement-park-to-add-water-coaster-in/ 4] |work=Lebanon Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108321504/amusement-park-to-add-water-coaster-in/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Cronin |first=Jeff |date=August 9, 2001 |title=Water roller coaster coming to Hersheypark |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108350142/water-roller-coaster-coming-to/ A4] |work=The Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108321487/water-roller-coaster-coming-to/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Seven thousand entrants submitted 10,000 names; the park ultimately selected the name "Roller Soaker", which was announced at the roller coaster's groundbreaking ceremony.{{Cite news |date=November 10, 2001 |title=Man who named ride 'Roller Soaker' wins prizes in Hersheypark contest |pages=3 |work=Press Enterprise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108295559/man-who-named-ride-roller-soaker-wins/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Kraft |first=Randy |date=November 11, 2001 |title=Roller Soaker |page=F4 |work=The Morning Call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108295654/roller-soaker/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Construction of the Roller Soaker began in November 2001. The park planned to open the Roller Soaker the day after the majority of water rides opened for the season.{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=April 12, 2002 |title=Ready to roll |pages=2 |work=York Daily Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108295838/ready-to-roll/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=April 25, 2002 |title=Hershey, Sesame welcome summer crowds |pages=8 |work=The Daily Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108320372/hershey-sesame-welcome-summer-crowds/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} A media day was hosted for the Roller Soaker on May 7,{{Cite news |last=Cronin |first=Jeff |date=May 8, 2002 |title=Reporter: Park ride truly wet and wild |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108380600/reporter-park-ride-truly-wet-and-wild-2/ A4] |work=The Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108295993/reporter-park-ride-truly-wet-and-wild/ |access-date=August 26, 2002 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Holahan |first=Jane |date=May 8, 2002 |title=Drenched: Hershey unveils aptly named Roller Soaker |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108381208/drenched-hershey-unveils-aptly-named/ A4] |work=Lancaster New Era |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108295970/drenched-hershey-unveils-aptly-named/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} later opening to the general public on May 11 during the park's 95th operating season.{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Roller Soaker - Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States) |url=https://rcdb.com/1497.htm |access-date=August 26, 2022 |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase}} Along with the roller coaster, the park constructed a gift shop, lockers, and restroom. In addition, the plaza included a children's area.
Rumors of the Roller Soaker's sale began to spread when it was listed on the attraction e-commerce website "Rides4U" in August 2012.{{cite web |last=Gleiter |first=Sue |date=December 20, 2012 |title=Hersheypark will replace Roller Soaker with sprayground |url=https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2012/12/roller_soaker.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417124923/https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2012/12/roller_soaker.html |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |access-date=August 17, 2022 |website=The Patriot-News}}{{Cite web |last=John |date=August 22, 2012 |title=Hersheypark's Roller Soaker For Sale |url=https://www.coaster101.com/2012/08/22/hersheyparks-roller-soaker-for-sale/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |website=Coaster101 |language=en-US}} A park spokesperson later refuted the listing, stating another company inquired about obtaining the roller coaster but the park did not want to sell.{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2012 |title=Website mistakenly reports Hersheypark's Roller Soaker is for sale |url=https://www.dailylocal.com/2012/08/24/website-mistakenly-reports-hersheyparks-roller-soaker-is-for-sale/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827034546/https://www.dailylocal.com/2012/08/24/website-mistakenly-reports-hersheyparks-roller-soaker-is-for-sale/ |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |access-date=August 28, 2022 |website=Daily Local News}} The Roller Soaker closed on September 3. In December, the park announced that the Roller Soaker would be replaced after 10 years of operation.{{Cite web |last=Gleiter |first=Sue |date=December 19, 2012 |title=Hersheypark announces Roller Soaker water ride to be removed |url=https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2012/12/hersheypark_announces_roller_s.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827030823/https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2012/12/hersheypark_announces_roller_s.html |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |website=The Patriot-News}} In the same month, Aycock Construction began demolishing the Roller Soaker, replacing it with a {{Convert|5,000|sqft|sqm|abbr=|adj=on}} sprayground for the 2013 season.{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Larry |date=December 20, 2012 |title=Hershey: Roller Soaker out, more water attractions in its place |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108389826/hershey-roller-soaker-out-more-water/ B2] |work=Sunday News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108297107/hershey-roller-soaker-out-more-water/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} The Breakers Edge Water Coaster, which opened in May 2018, reuses the Roller Soaker's station.{{Cite journal |last=Shaw |first=B. Derek |date=July 2018 |title=The Boardwalk at Hersheypark adds mat racer, water coaster |url=https://amusementtoday.com/backissues/AT-JULY-2018-LowRes.pdf |journal=Amusement Today |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=23}}
Characteristics
The roller coaster was located in the northwest region of the park in the Boardwalk section, near Lightning Racer and Canyon River Rapids. The Roller Soaker and accompanying water features covered {{Convert|2|acre|ha|abbr=none}}. The station of the roller coaster was designed by local architect Nathan Fry, and crafted with materials already at the park.{{Cite news |last=Wolf |first=Susan |date=November 11, 2001 |title=All wet about his latest project |page=15A |work=Lebanon Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108295622/all-wet-about-his-lastest-project/ |access-date=August 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Along the roller coaster's layout were several water effects that would interact with riders. On the roller coaster were three water curtains, with automatic geysers and fountains that would shoot from the ground. Guests could use various colored water sprayers, 16 of which to aim towards riders.
The Roller Soaker was a custom designed Swing Thing model manufactured by Setpoint Inc.{{cite magazine |last=Ruben |first=Paul |date=September 2002 |title=A Ride on the Wet Side |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BdEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30 |publisher=Hearst Magazines |page=30 |issn=0032-4558 |magazine=Popular Mechanics}} The Roller Soaker was the second Swing Thing model to be built after the Flying Super Saturator.{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Flying Super Saturator - Carowinds (Charlotte, North Carolina, United States) |url=https://rcdb.com/598.htm |access-date=August 27, 2022 |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase}} The suspended roller coaster's steel, tubular track had a length of {{Convert|1300|ft}}. The roller coaster reached a maximum height of {{convert|70|ft}} and reached a maximum speed of {{convert|20.5|mph}}. The Roller Soaker navigated through several wide turns, taking about a minute and a half to complete. The track was colored a light blue with the supports a sandy yellow.{{Cite news |last=Kraft |first=Randy |date=June 2, 2002 |title=Larks in the parks |pages=63, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107716919/hershey/ 65] |work=The Morning Call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107716844/larks-in-the-parks/ |access-date=August 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} The Roller Soaker was the park's first attraction to feature characters that depicted Hershey products. It cost around $7.5 to $8 million and was the ninth roller coaster in operation at the park.
To conserve water, the park used its own well water and reused around 75 to 85 percent of drained water.{{Cite journal |date=2006 |title=Environment |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVksAQAAMAAJ |journal=Funworld Magazine |volume=22 |issue=1–6 |pages=58}} Recycled water and rain water would be filtered before being reused. An underground storage tank could contain {{convert|9000|USgal|L}} of water for the attraction. The roller coaster operated with 9 cars that navigated the route. There were four riders per car that were arranged in two rows with two seats across each. The two rows were configured back-to-back with two facing forward and two backwards. Each car featured a lap bar restraint system and with each car being able to swivel. Each rider was given {{convert|4|USgal|L}} of water, totaling {{convert|16|USgal|L}} of water for each car. The water could be dropped from the car on park visitors with a lever pull.
Reception
Upon opening at the park, the Roller Soaker received generally positive reviews from guests and critics. Lyford M. Moore, writer for the Courier-Post, recorded visitors' reactions to the Roller Soaker, with some visitors enjoying the roller coaster's water features, and some noting how much they got soaked. Moore also compared the timing of pulling the ride's water lever to a "fighter pilot lining up a target", as landing water on guests was challenging. Jeff Cronin, a reporter for The Sentinel, detailed the frequent water features along the course of the roller coaster that gave "a good dose of water every few seconds" which would soak riders. Cronin also observed the prominent views the ride gave of nearby attractions and the park. Jane Holahand, a writer for the Lancaster New Era, described the roller coaster ride experience as a mild form of the nearby inverted roller coaster, Great Bear, highlighting the Roller Soaker's first drop and seemingly fast-paced turns. Holahand further described the water portion of the experience similar to a "car wash with the top down", with ponchos being of little help, expecting visitors to get drenched. Randy Kraft, a writer for The Morning Call, remarked about the simple layout that will get riders wet. Kraft also pointed out the backwards ride experience being more of a thrill while getting less soaked and the forward experience for its first drop.
See also
- Canopy Flyer, another Setpoint Swing Thing model roller coaster
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325171721/http://www.hersheypark.com/rides/detail.php?q=yes&id=75|name=Roller Soaker (archived website)}}
{{Hersheypark}}
Category:Former roller coasters in Pennsylvania