Want it delivered? Subscribe to the RSS feed and my latest posts immediately.Subscribe Via Email
Subscribe Via RSS
-
Storm Runner @ Hersheypark | Coaster Reviews
Hershey’s Launch Coaster, Short but Memorable
As a big steel coaster fan, I was curious to see how good Storm Runner really was. Since it wasn’t there the last time I went to the park I figured a 2 hour trip to re-visit Hersheypark wouldn’t be a bad idea.On this Intamin Accelerator Coaster, riders are launched from 0 to 72 mph in 2 seconds. The launch has a great viewing area where onlookers can wave at their friends and families aboard the ride. Launch coasters have been a great addition to the theme park landscape. They really bring some wonder and amazement to your average park goers. Immediately after the launch the train is shot up a 150′ (15 stories) hill. It’s shaped like an upside-down “u” and is known as a top hat. It’s purpose is to give riders a brief pop of airtime as they crest the hill.
The launch was fun, but not as amazing as advertised by others in the coaster enthusiasts community. I’ve probably been talking to too many Pennsylvanians. I prefer Volcano’s launch as it seems so raw and powerful. And I didn’t get any air in the back of the train on the top hat hill, but it was cool having a few seconds to look around. The steep drop on the other side was great. Thanks to a ravine below you drop down 180′ feet and then you enter the first of the three inversions (loops).
The first is a large looping maneuver known as an Immelmann. I like these inversions on B&M
coasters, but this one was just so-so. Storm Runner really redeems itself with the next few elements. After the Immelmann the train climbs back up to about 100′ in the air where you perform an awesome zero-g roll. Aside from a brief feeling of weightlessness, you can see how high you are as the ground is far below. The roll is followed immediately by Storm Runner’s coup de grace. A unique inversion Intamin has dubbed the flying snake dive. It’s tough to describe and the feeling it gives is pretty disorienting. In a good way. It’s easily the highlight of the ride.After it, you fly over a stream, go through a funky banked section and then hit the station
brakes. So you’ve got a coaster with an exciting if not spectacular launch, a great drop, so-so inversion, great barrel roll, and a sick new inversion. I know Hershey is strapped for space, but at least a nice long helix or some bunny hills towards then end would really help balance out the ride. Lastly, it’s a great coaster for phot
o ops and has a unique layout. It’s not a bad ride by any means, but for me it’s not quite in the upper echelon. If I right away think of what could have made it better, I can’t give it a 9 or 10. Final Rating – 8.5 (Great-Approaching Excellent) Check out this video of Hersheypark’s Storm Runner:
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Storm Runner? Leave a comment below.
Related Posts:
16 Comments
Leave a Comment
- JaMeS on Black Mamba | Most Wanted Roller Coasters
- Quil on Sky Rocket Construction Photos & Kennywood in the Snow
- Quil on Black Mamba | Most Wanted Roller Coasters
- Quil on Gravity Group’s Timberliner Trains Could Be a Game Changer
- Aric on Texas Giant Goes Steel: Abomination or Giant Improvement?
- Quil on Texas Giant Goes Steel: Abomination or Giant Improvement?
- Prof. BAM on Sky Rocket Construction Photos & Kennywood in the Snow
- Prof. BAM on Black Mamba | Most Wanted Roller Coasters
- Prof. BAM on Black Mamba | Most Wanted Roller Coasters
- sphantom on Texas Giant Goes Steel: Abomination or Giant Improvement?
- Texas Giant Goes Steel: Abomination or Giant Improvement?
- Sky Rocket Construction Photos & Kennywood in the Snow
- Black Mamba | Most Wanted Roller Coasters
- Stuff Coaster Enthusiasts Like | Theme Park Website Spotlight
- Gravity Group’s Timberliner Trains Could Be a Game Changer
- Kings Dominion’s Intimidator 305 Construction
- Crystal Wings | Most Wanted Roller Coasters
- Presenting The Roller Coaster Wiki
- Nara Dreamland | Abandoned Amusement Parks
- Top Ten List-O-Rama!
- Defunct Roller Coasters (13)
- Editorials & Rants (27)
- Exclusive Features! (29)
- Interviews (5)
- Memorable Coaster Moments (7)
- Most Wanted Roller Coasters (2)
- Roller Coaster News (92)
- Roller Coaster Reviews (71)
- Roller Coaster Showdowns (6)
- Theme Park News (149)
- Theme Park Reviews (9)
- Theme Park Tips (8)
- Theme Park Website Spotlights (7)
- Top 3 Thursdays (30)
- Trip Reports (22)
is storm runner for people who liked Great Bear but thought the Sooper Dooper Lopper was a rip off because it only had 1 loop?
What were you doing in 1977? That’s when Sooper Dooper Looper was built. Back then even one loop was a big deal, so it’s not really fair to call it a rip off. Look at it as a piece of history, my friend.
Anyway, while I love Stormrunner’s loops I think its main attraction is the launch. So I would say Hershey installed Great Bear because they needed a large steel coaster and didn’t have an inverted coaster, SRunner for its launch and now Fahreheit for its beyond 90 degree drop.
Thanks for stopping by.
hey coaster critic, is that snake dive the same thing as a dive loop. I think they look really alike. Well actally it kind looks like a dive loop but a corkscrew before it
I hate the last part of this ride when you are approaching the brakes, that weird curve. It’s rough and annoying. But the launch is really fun. I can’t wait to ride Volcano: The Blast Coaster on Monday.
Man the inversions on this ride are so cool, I mean most of the launch coasters only have a couple of inversions, this one has such unique ones. The snake dive looks really cool.
CC, could you review lightning racer?
I’ll get to it this Spring Quil. There’s a ton to write about, but I’ll keep it in my list of next coasters to review.
I know, it`s just the only top ten coaster that you haven`t reviewed.
April 25th my goal is to get on Stormrunner (if it’s up and running!!!) last year it wasnt
When I was in Hersheypark in ‘06, I didn’t have the time to ride it. I regret my mistake greatfully at not planning ahead. The Flying Snake Dive would have been awesome to go through. Other members of my party rode it several times, but I was too busy riding Lightning Racer all day. What a fool I was now that I look back on that day. I stayed at the hotel across the street from the Midway America section of the park, and every so often, I viewed Storm Runner cresting its top hat. My heart had sunk down. I haven’t forgotten that mistake.
u gotta make it back one day and do it! an interesting question i have is what are the various reasons rides break down and can you find out ahead of time if a ride is not going to be operating when you are going? Last time I was there it wasn’t running. I have no idea why? I went last April and am going basically the same weekend as last year. The park is closed to the public so I’m nervous maybe that’s why it wasn’t running and it won’t be running again ?
errr… all of the question marks confuse me. i can`t tell if you mean what you mean or the opposite, both of which haven`t been identified.
ok let me put it this way. Why do rides break down? Can you find out ahead of time if a ride will be operating on the day you visit the park? I didn’t know why StormRunner was not in operation on 4/26/2009. The park was closed to the public that day. Can a roller coaster be inoperable because the park hasn’t official opened to the public? I’m worried when I visit the park again StormRunner will not be operational?
Hope that clears it up for you
thanks, i was just a little confused.
I have season passes to Hershey and only live about 90 miles away from it. We go up about 10 times a year. Don’t worry, their rides, especially StormRunner are very rarely broken. And if they are, the fix them FAST. They have the chocolate Hershey money that repairs all the rides. It’s a multi billion dollar business. They keep the park super clean and the rides are WELL mantained. Milton Hershey was smart when he founded the park 103 years ago. Come back and enjoy! You’ll be glad u did!
Thanks RCD! I plan on going back 4/25 this year. I live about 2 hours away and last year was my first time there. Stormrunner never got back up and running when I was there so that’s why I am worried about that. Hopefully it was just something on that day last year. I’m not as stressed as before tho, thanks!