Thanks so much for making this. I grew up in Allentown, my house was within walking distance to Dorney. I was 11 when Hercules opened and had been eagerly watching it's construction from my front yard. My Dad woke me up early one morning and we rode it for the first time in the front row on a test ride. I'm still a coaster enthusiast to this day and have passed that on to my son (we recently took a trip to Georgia to ride Airie Force One). Hercules is the reason I love coaster's.
I rode Hercules during the 2003 season just a couple of months before it closed. It was ROUGH. That massive drop into the turnaround was insane but the rest of the ride had serious pacing issues so it was a pretty forgetable coaster after the modified double up. It's too bad because if they had kept the layout down by the water, it could have been a lot better. I think CCI could have done a much better job designing and building Hercules if Dorney had waited for them to come along. Or if they hired them to modify the layout. Hydra is a fine replacement but it isn't my favorite B&M. I always wondered what would be come of Hydra and a heavily modified Hercules coexisting together in the same plot of land. Granted, that would have been a huge investment.
I worked at Dorney Hercules' opening year, and had a season pass (you still had to pay for them then as an employee). I rode Hercules over 50 times its opening year, and even as it got rougher over the years, that opening year Hercules was, and still is one of my all time favorite wooden coasters. It was a one of a kind experience. I wish it lasted long enough for RMC. Imagine hydra the revenges JoJo role coming out of the station on RMC track on Hercules frame. I'm confident the turn over the lake would have been awesome.
This was well put together 👍 Although I was always under the impression the triple up was lowered after media day but before opening to the public. I wasn't aware the ride was ever operational with the original triple up.
@@KingdakevTo clarify, the triple up was lowered to a double up only after the speed of the ride was reduced through the addition of trim brakes on the first drop which was several years after the ride opened ('93/'94ish.) However this hill was also lowered right after construction was complete. During testing the train was not always successful at making it over this hill. I'm almost certain the hill was lowered after media day but before opening to the public. So overall this triple up hill was lowered at least twice during the coasters lifetime.
@@Kingdakev I hope so it was my favorite. But if you are looking for another Great Adventure recommendation the Great American Scream Machine is also another good one too. Also the series is awesome 👏🏽
@@THEPOWERSLAM hahaha great American scream machine was one of my favorites at the park for years so it will for sure show up on the channel eventually
I know it’s not your home park, but a Psyclone video would be really awesome. I grew up riding it and had many rides from opening summer until about 2005. It was really out of control experience, but the Northridge quake of 94 really changed it permanently for the worse. You do a great job on these videos, keep up the great work!
This coaster more than any other would have benefited from being RMC’d. Dorney spent so much time and effort trying to fix and care for the coaster and at the end of the day it still has so many problems.
Worst part of the ride was the turn and not from lateral forces. The cars jackhammered (bounced) through that turn. I had never experience that before.
I was on it near the beginning and near the end of the coaster At the beginning it was great then it may have waned and wingle and wine out as it slowed down near the lake big circle , it was awful near the end I don't like the hydra it seems outdated now
Hercules was an amazing coaster for its time. I just don't think the company knew how to construct or maintain a ride of that size. I say that mainly for 2 reasons. The first being Dorney Park hasn't built a ground up WOODEN coaster since Hercules. The second is that both Hercules and Texas Giant are either no longer in existence or not the original coaster.
I road it maybe twice. I remember it being rough tho.
Wow this is great. Would love a video of the Lazer as well?
Thank you! I’ll add it to my list! :)
Nice video, thank you for the credit. Keep up the excellent work!
Thank you!!!!
Thanks so much for making this. I grew up in Allentown, my house was within walking distance to Dorney. I was 11 when Hercules opened and had been eagerly watching it's construction from my front yard. My Dad woke me up early one morning and we rode it for the first time in the front row on a test ride. I'm still a coaster enthusiast to this day and have passed that on to my son (we recently took a trip to Georgia to ride Airie Force One). Hercules is the reason I love coaster's.
Aw thank you for sharing such a great story! I’m glad you passed this down to your son.
I rode Hercules during the 2003 season just a couple of months before it closed. It was ROUGH. That massive drop into the turnaround was insane but the rest of the ride had serious pacing issues so it was a pretty forgetable coaster after the modified double up. It's too bad because if they had kept the layout down by the water, it could have been a lot better. I think CCI could have done a much better job designing and building Hercules if Dorney had waited for them to come along. Or if they hired them to modify the layout. Hydra is a fine replacement but it isn't my favorite B&M. I always wondered what would be come of Hydra and a heavily modified Hercules coexisting together in the same plot of land. Granted, that would have been a huge investment.
It really would be a massive investment that I couldn’t see cedar fair giving former. It is a cool thought though!
It's unfortunate that this ride didn't last long enough to get the RMC or Titan Track treatment like it's siblings.
right! rmc hercules would had been AMAZING!
I worked at Dorney Hercules' opening year, and had a season pass (you still had to pay for them then as an employee). I rode Hercules over 50 times its opening year, and even as it got rougher over the years, that opening year Hercules was, and still is one of my all time favorite wooden coasters. It was a one of a kind experience. I wish it lasted long enough for RMC. Imagine hydra the revenges JoJo role coming out of the station on RMC track on Hercules frame. I'm confident the turn over the lake would have been awesome.
That would have been an amazing experience!
I loved Hercules and still
miss it. Yeah it was rough but it was fun. The under station flyby was awesome, particularly at night.
I always wanted to ride it! Sadly my first visit to Dorney was in 2015.
They should build a 270 ft tall giga coaster that's called the Hercules 2 and use those footings from the old Hercules and turn it into a Walk way
As awesome as that would have been I don’t think Dorney will ever get a giga.
Should have turned it into a hybrid. I miss Hercules
Hercules is what you get if ACME built a roller coaster.
I wish I could have rode it!
This was well put together 👍 Although I was always under the impression the triple up was lowered after media day but before opening to the public. I wasn't aware the ride was ever operational with the original triple up.
Thank you! And yes it did operate like that for a few seasons! :)
@@KingdakevTo clarify, the triple up was lowered to a double up only after the speed of the ride was reduced through the addition of trim brakes on the first drop which was several years after the ride opened ('93/'94ish.) However this hill was also lowered right after construction was complete. During testing the train was not always successful at making it over this hill. I'm almost certain the hill was lowered after media day but before opening to the public. So overall this triple up hill was lowered at least twice during the coasters lifetime.
@@mofodante89 yes that is correct
"At a cost of $6 Billion..." I think you might want to check that one haha.
Hahaha I said million. I was just really sick and congested when i did the voice over. I hear how it sounds like it though haha
Do Batman & Robin THE CHILLER at Six Flags Great Adventure!!
I was really debating doing it next!
@@Kingdakev I hope so it was my favorite. But if you are looking for another Great Adventure recommendation the Great American Scream Machine is also another good one too. Also the series is awesome 👏🏽
@@THEPOWERSLAM hahaha great American scream machine was one of my favorites at the park for years so it will for sure show up on the channel eventually
I wonder if they could have done an RMC conversion if that were an option back then.
I’m sure the ride could have and it would have been awesome! I just don’t know if Cedar Fair would have done it.
Glad I rode it even if it was rough
so jealous!
I know it’s not your home park, but a Psyclone video would be really awesome. I grew up riding it and had many rides from opening summer until about 2005. It was really out of control experience, but the Northridge quake of 94 really changed it permanently for the worse.
You do a great job on these videos, keep up the great work!
Thank you so much! Haha I loved psyclone! I was lucky enough to ride it back in 2002! I never understood the hate for it. I’ll add it to my list!
Hurt-your-knees
Nah, no RMC.
Sadly, that seems to be the answer for every older wooden coaster in this day and age, instead of taking the time to care for them
This coaster more than any other would have benefited from being RMC’d. Dorney spent so much time and effort trying to fix and care for the coaster and at the end of the day it still has so many problems.
Worst part of the ride was the turn and not from lateral forces. The cars jackhammered (bounced) through that turn. I had never experience that before.
Most likely lack of supports creating mini pot holes.
Thunderhawk is uncomfortable and rough
I haven’t been on it in almost 10 years but I remember it being not the best but also not the worst.
I rode it . yes it was very rough , and I found it was very underwhelming.
Sad to hear
I was on it near the beginning and near the end of the coaster
At the beginning it was great then it may have waned and wingle and wine out as it slowed down near the lake big circle , it was awful near the end
I don't like the hydra it seems outdated now
Hydra has always just been cute to me. It’s a small unique floorless but it just doesn’t do a whole lot.
Because it sucked. That turn was HORRIBLE
I still wish I could have rode it :( haha I don’t mind a rough wooden coaster
Hercules was an amazing coaster for its time. I just don't think the company knew how to construct or maintain a ride of that size. I say that mainly for 2 reasons. The first being Dorney Park hasn't built a ground up WOODEN coaster since Hercules. The second is that both Hercules and Texas Giant are either no longer in existence or not the original coaster.