In April I was invited to spend a weekend in Hershey, PA, checking out all of the amazing attractions and building a list a mile long of all the things I want to do with the kids this summer. At the top of that list was a visit to Hersheypark to get on their newest roller coaster, Laff Trakk. Laff Trakk is the 13 coaster in the park and it was still under construction when I was there last month so I didn’t see too much, but now? Now it’s DONE.
I got the email inviting my family to the special media preview event that included a ride on Laff Trakk and I was like, “Look, I know the kids have soccer practice but we ARE RIDING THAT ROLLER COASTER. GET YOUR SHOES ON!!!!” There were zero objections and I am SO excited to give you a little preview of Laff Trakk. (I LOVED it!!)
Laff Trakk is the first indoor spinning glow-coaster in the United States. It’s unlike any coaster I’ve ever ridden and it is SO much fun! First, it’s completely inside which is awesome because it won’t stop when the rain starts like other rides might need to.
The outdoor queue is covered to protect riders from rain and sun (thank you for the shade, Hersheypark!) and everything about this ride is fun house-themed, including the queue.
Lily and Leo really enjoyed this! Although if you take a close look at Leo he seems a little unsure about his red-headed character. Lily is a darling baby in stripes. 😀
More in-line fun here, posing for pictures! This is a fun way to keep the kids occupied while waiting which I love. Mine aren’t the world’s best waiters!
The iconic Laffin’ Sal character that you might remember from the fun houses of yesteryear is found near the ride entrance. I got a kick of her but the kids we’re like WHOA. ha!
When you get closer to the ride the indoor queue continues the fun house theme with some awesome silly mirrors and circus music. As soon as you get through this area you are pretty much on the ride. When you get on the ride, you load up in a car and off you go. You really can’t see anything about what you’re riding until you’re already on the ride. There’s a wall between those waiting to board and the actual attraction. So it’s immediately awesome when your car takes off down the track to see what’s inside!
This is what the cars look like from one side. The cars each seat 4 people, two in the front and 2 in the back. Yup, you sit back-to-back and the cars spin. They don’t spin wildly though so don’t worry about that. Just enough to be fun! I love that this ride is designed for families to enjoy together. We all went on (twice!) and my youngest, Leo, is 6 years-old. The height requirement is 42″ so he was plenty big enough to ride.
And he loved it! I was a little unsure how he’d do but he is the one that asked to go on the second time. Is it scary? No, I wouldn’t say that. It’s a roller coaster so it’s a thrill ride, but it’s not insanely high (can’t be – it’s inside!), no upside down stuff. There are some drops and corners and spins but it’s not what I’d call scary. It is a dark ride but you’re not in total blackness and unable to see. There is black light throughout the ride and tons of colorful fluorescent features throughout the ride.
I snapped this shot from the ferris wheel. When you get to Hersheypark take a close look at the images on the building. They’re a a good clue as to what you’ll find on the ride!
Hersheypark opens full-time for the season on Saturday May 23 and has some great new features this year.
Hersheypark is expanding its many culinary offerings with the addition of Moe’s Southwest Grill, a burrito joint featuring fresh, customizable southwestern food, and the restaurant’s first location inside an amusement park. It’s SO good. The salsas – I could live on them.
Park guests with food allergies will find an array of mouth-watering choices at The Outpost, the new allergen-friendly food restaurant located in the Pioneer Frontier section of the Park serving gluten, nut and dairy-free items as well as vegetarian options. I love their hummus with veggies to dip!
My favorite new addition? Makin’ Whoopie Pies is da bomb.
Located near the front of the Park, the possibilities are endless and guests can choose from a variety of tempting cake-like shells and sweet whipped filling. Chocolate and peanut butter. You cannot go wrong. Just sayin’. 😉
Also opening for Memorial Day weekend is the Boardwalk! The Boardwalk at Hersheypark features 6 thrilling tube slides, relaxing lazy river, 23,000 square foot wave pool, East Coast Water Works and more. This is THE place to spend those hot summer days.
I’d LOVE to hear what you think of Laff Trakk if you get the chance to ride this summer. We completely loved it!
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Mary says
Look like lots of fun! My family really needs to get over to HersheyPark!
Carrie says
Hershey Park looks like so much fun! I have enjoyed seeing all your posts about it. 🙂 I think the family and I may have to plan a trip there ourselves soon. The new coaster sounds like something we would all love, and I am LOVING that whoopie pie bar!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Oh, our kids would love this!! We’re planning a trip to Pennsylvania for either this Fall or next Spring and will definitely need to check out Hershey Park, thanks!