Hercules (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hercules |
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|---|---|
| Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | |
| Location | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 40°34′52″N 75°31′56″W / 40.58111°N 75.53222°W |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | May 6, 1989 |
| Closing date | September 1, 2003 |
| Cost | US$6,000,000 |
| Replaced by | Hydra the Revenge |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Dinn Corporation |
| Designer | Curtis D. Summers |
| Model | Terrain |
| Track layout | Double out-and-back |
| Height | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Drop | 151 ft (46 m) |
| Length | 4,000 ft (1,200 m) |
| Speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:15 |
| Max vertical angle | 47° |
| G-force | 2.9 |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Hercules at RCDB | |
Hercules was a famous wooden roller coaster at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was built by a company called Dinn Corporation.
When it first opened, Hercules was known for being the tallest wooden roller coaster in the world. However, it only operated for a few years, from 1989 to 2003. The ride's track was even changed by Martin & Vleminckx during its time. It was later replaced by a different roller coaster called Hydra the Revenge in 2005.
The Hercules Roller Coaster
A Giant Among Coasters
When Hercules first opened on May 6, 1989, it was a really big deal! It stood 95 feet tall, and its biggest drop was an amazing 151 feet. This made it the tallest wooden roller coaster in the entire world at that time. Riders would zoom along 4,000 feet of track at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. The ride lasted about 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
The Ride Experience
Many people who rode Hercules said it was a very rough ride. They especially noticed this during the sharp turn at the bottom of the main drop. Because of how bumpy it was, some riders even gave it the nickname, "Hurt's your knees." This rough ride experience likely meant that not as many people wanted to ride it.
Why Hercules Closed
The rough ride experience was probably a big reason why Hercules was closed and taken apart in 2003. Even though it was once the tallest wooden roller coaster, its design made it uncomfortable for many. After Hercules was removed, a new roller coaster called Hydra the Revenge was built in its place in 2005, offering a different kind of thrill to park visitors.
