Hersheypark (HP) Discussion Thread

[IanKgtrDonkeys give me orgiastic scream!]

Thanks for the update- fantastic as always! Can't wait to see the lift track tower over Comet and the hollow.

Speaking of Comet, has the park said anything about the relocation of its queue? It usually draws quite a crowd in the summer, and wherever the queue is going to be relocated, it should be pretty sizable.

[_koppenA donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

That support is bigger than i expected!

[PennStaterWhich came first the turtle or the donkey?]

I LOVE the color combination of the track & supports!!

^^ I too was wondering about Comet's queue and where it will be relocated.

[Ed FarmerThe only thing better than a naked woman is a naked donkey!]

I get the feeling that the pull-out for this ride will make it's first drop one of my favorites around. When it comes to the first drop on a hypercoaster, B&M's are the only ones that really do anything for me- probably because of their trains (and in the case of Raging Bull and Apollo, the pre-drop as well). This one looks like it may change that.

[Bryce232Donkeys are my way of life!]

Looks like I gotta beg my dad to take me to Hershey next summer!

Seriously, that drop is beautiful .

[SynshineI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

Speaking of Comet, has the park said anything about the relocation of its queue? It usually draws quite a crowd in the summer, and wherever the queue is going to be relocated, it should be pretty sizable.

I don't believe they have said a thing about it, even though the placement of the footers on the plot makes it inevitable. That said, without concession and games stands flanking the space, there should be plenty of room to run it further down the perimeter of the Comet.

[djw44Does Jeff Johnson count this donkey as a credit?]

I wouldn't mind if they ran the entrance through the exit area. It would tuck the line away and into a much more scenic area. I always thought that queue line could have been placed better. I never noticed until the summer how pretty the view is on the exit path. It would have nice views of Skyrush too.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

Hersheypark has sent us a press release regarding the election of a new Chairman of the Board as well as the announcement of the CEO succession plan effective January 1st, 2012 when Ted J. Kleisner retires.

The Board of Directors of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company (HE&R) announced today that Ted J. Kleisner, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board, has been elected Chairman of the Board. The position is effective January 1, 2012.

The Board also approved Kleisner’s succession plan, which outlines his planned retirement on December 31, 2012. Upon retirement next year, Kleisner will stand for re-election to the HE&R Board as an independent, non-executive Board member. Kleisner has been a member of the HE&R Board since 1996, and he and his wife plan to continue to reside in Hershey.

The succession plan identifies William F. Simpson, Jr., currently the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, as the successor to the position of Chief Executive Officer upon Kleisner’s retirement. In a related Board action, Simpson was elected to the HE&R Board, effective immediately.

“I am so pleased that the Board has embraced Bill as the right person to succeed me as CEO of the company. It’s without question that Bill has all the right skills and intangible qualities to excel as the next Chief Executive Officer of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts,” Kleisner said. “We’d be hard pressed to find anyone who could match the depth and breadth of Bill’s experience in our industries. His comprehensive understanding of the businesses in which we operate will position us well for success.”

“I am honored and humbled by the faith that Ted and the rest of the Board have placed in me,” Simpson said. “My goal will always be for our company to keep our focus on our primary mission of employee and guest service, and to ensure our ongoing devotion to the legacy of our founder, Milton S. Hershey, as well as our mission to support the Milton Hershey School.”

Simpson has extensive resort experience and also spent eight years running HE&R’s entertainment operations. He began his career with HE&R in 1996 as the General Manager of the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center (now Hershey Lodge). He oversaw the extensive expansion of the Lodge in 1998 and guided that property to record years during his tenure.

He became Vice President of the Entertainment Group in April 2002 and oversaw the operation of the Hersheypark Entertainment Complex. During his tenure with the Entertainment Group, he guided the Park to achieve all-time records in its performance categories, while also achieving new levels of guest-satisfaction scores.

In April 2010 Simpson was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, then to the role of President in November 2010.

“Bill has both a history of success and a true enthusiasm for encouraging people to develop to their fullest potential,” Kleisner said. “He understands the significance of strong leadership and leadership development and the importance of putting the guest and the employee experience at the forefront of every decision.”

Prior to joining Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Simpson was General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Houston, Texas. Other key leadership positions were with the Williamsburg Inn, The Opryland Hotel and Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Simpson has been an active member of hospitality and tourism trade organizations, including the Small and Independent Hotel Committee of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA). He also has been a member of the Certification Commission of AH&LA’s Education Institute, and he earned the degree of Certified Hotel Administrator and Certified Rooms Division Executive from AH&LA.

Simpson graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Hotel and Restaurant Management. He, his wife and their two children reside in Hershey.

[SynshineI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

I wouldn't mind if they ran the entrance through the exit area. It would tuck the line away and into a much more scenic area. I always thought that queue line could have been placed better. I never noticed until the summer how pretty the view is on the exit path. It would have nice views of Skyrush too.

I think that's a fabulous idea, but I can see why they didn't handle it like that when they moved the unloading area and exit path to that side of the station. I think has to do with the platform being narrower on that side, since originally you boarded and unloaded on the outer side of the station there was no reason make the inside belt of the station any wider than to accommodate ride attendants safely. There just isn't enough room for stalls and air gates over there without a major overhaul of the station. It would also put the entrance behind the buildings in Founder's Circle in a not-so-visible spot.

[djw44Does Jeff Johnson count this donkey as a credit?]

I think they could make it really fit in with the founders circle theme there, maybe put in those faux roof things with big clear bulbs on them, maybe some lattice work like on the Racer at Kennywood. They could rework the station a little bit. I think it would make it seem more classic.