Just got back from a 3 hour ride home from Hersheypark, and all I can say is that SkyRush is definitely one amazing attraction!
Although we had to wait a little under two hours to get on it (we ran to the line right when we got through the gates, and where we started was by the last airtime hill next to Comet), I'd say that for being opening day for the coaster and my brother's 13th birthday, it was definitely worth the wait. The line, although seemingly endless, moved at a steady pace and we were on the stairs in what felt like a few hours, but in reality was only about one and a half. Once on the stairs, the line picked up, and next thing we knew we were in row 4 and I was sitting in a wing seat...
The seats are extremely comfortable, and the lap bar is interesting and quite cool. However, the attendant on the ride pressed my restraint down even more than I had anticipated, so I was a little squished from the get-go. But, I did like the overall design on everything in the station, aside from the one-sided load/unload.
The lift is so fast you really have no idea when you're at the top until you're already going down the first drop. Airtime? Meet SkyRush.
The first drop is everything you'd expect, and at the bottom I was seeing a few stars. The first hill is taken so fast you're throw right up and out, and before you can really comprehend how intense the airtime is you're thrown into another high speed turn. This one I didn't see stars on, but it was definitely fast and intense. The second airtime hill is better than the first, as this one throws you out even more than the other one did.
The high speed turn following the second airtime hill is fun, and the Stengel Dive I surprisingly saw stars on (I was in the left wing seat). Coming out of the Stengel Dive I also got a good pop of airtime, as well as some going into the final turnaround over Spring Creek. The twisty over the water was great, and it essentially throws your body up out and off to the side, offering some really unique airtime. The final, albeit tiny, airtime hill offers the most intense and high-flying airtime I have ever experienced, and it really felt like I was being thrown into the trees or Comet in the distance.
The final turn is pretty smooth and the rest is what you'd expect, but overall I was really pleased. I wasn't too sure about the winged seating arrangement, but it was fun, even though I never really focused on the wing aspect as much as I did the track and the ride itself. The wing seats also got a little more rattle and vibration than the standard seats did, but that seems to be the norm on a winged coaster.
Also, the trims on the ride really have no impact on the ride experience, as the airtime was phenomenal and the speed was never-ending. By the time I was sitting on the brake run, I was stuck in my seat with the lap bar squishing my thighs to the point that they almost lost circulation
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Overall, it's a great addition to Hersheypark, and I'm happy to say I rode it on opening day. While I wish I got the opportunity to ride the standard seat too, I'm still happy with just riding SkyRush in general. While some say there is 5 moments of airtime, I got 7, and it was all like this
...perfect! It was one of the best coasters I have been on in a long time, and I will post pictures attached to this post tomorrow!
Get to Hershey and Ride the Edge!
