SooperDooperLooper
Encyclopedia
The SooperDooperLooper is a ride at Hersheypark
, and the first looping coaster on the East Coast. It was designed as a terrain coaster
by Werner Stengel
, and built by Anton Schwarzkopf
.
In October, when Hersheypark is decorated in a Halloween theme (Hersheypark in the Dark), the SooperDooperLooper is dubbed the SooperBOOperLooper.
Hersheypark
Hersheypark is an amusement park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, near the Hershey Chocolate Factory.Hersheypark was opened on April 24, 1907 as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, an American confectionery company. Later, the company decided to open the park to the...
, and the first looping coaster on the East Coast. It was designed as a terrain coaster
Terrain roller coaster
Terrain roller coasters are roller coasters which, as their name suggests, take advantage of the natural undulations of the land upon which they are built. Such rides may often weave through forests, and some may even dive down cliffs...
by Werner Stengel
Werner Stengel
Werner Stengel is a German roller coaster designer and engineer. Stengel is the founder of Stengel Engineering, also known as Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH ....
, and built by Anton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs....
.
Rider Experience
The train first goes up a hill, takes a small drop of about 5 feet, turns left, climbs it again by force, not by chain, and then descends and enters a loop. It then makes a sweeping left turn that travels through the middle of the loop and enters a tunnel. The ride concludes with a series of bunny hills and helixes. The trains on the SooperDooperLooper use a single lap bar to hold riders in the seat. This design works because the forces from the loop (and helix) press riders in their seats, and are a common feature with looping coasters. The tunnel that occurs part-way through the ride used to house a mechanical spider prop that would drop down towards the train. The ride opened with three trains. It now currently runs with twoAdditional Information
The ride is often considered a "walk-on" by enthusiasts due to lines normally not exceeding 2-3 minutes.In October, when Hersheypark is decorated in a Halloween theme (Hersheypark in the Dark), the SooperDooperLooper is dubbed the SooperBOOperLooper.