Hersheypark 2018: water coaster & record-breaking mat racer

[malem]

Hersheypark has announced two new water slides on the Boardwalk for 2018:

• Breakers Edge is a new ProSlide hydromagnetic water coaster, integrating a Flying Saucer element (as debuted in North America on Beech Bend's new-for-2017 slide).
• Whitecap Racer is the world's longest mat racer, featuring two tunnels.

http://www.hersheypark.com/2018/

[rhyano]

Looks like a great year for Hersheypark! Overall I'm very pleased with the additions they are getting!

[KIBeast]

Excellent additions! I am just about ready to take my family to experience some new parks and Hershey has been on my radar for some time now.

[silver2005]

Ugh...of course this happens the season I'm going to Hersheypark.  I don't think I could squeeze in 2 days at HP as much as I want to go for a extra half day for their water park.  

C'mon DP and NJFTP, don't let me down!

[AintNutinElse2Do]

And to upset enthusiasts around the country in pure Six Flags fashion....

 

 

[MDMC01]

I saw this too, lol. That's why I watched the video and I was like, oh... it's a water coaster.

In all seriousness, though, are the bowl turns on flying saucer slides just to look cool or do the rafts actually ever do a 360 turn around before proceeding with the rest of the course*?

*EX: What I mean is when the raft hits the turn, does it ever spin around the bowl once and then proceed with the rest of the course or does it always make the turn without spinning in the bowl (Sorry if this sounds confusing)?

[CoastersRZ]

From the way it looks, the bowl is just for show, and the raft does not spin around the bowl.  It just doesn`t look like it adds much other than a cool visual.

The mat racer is going to have a heck of a flight of stairs to get to the top of the platform.

[AintNutinElse2Do]

^Kinda like the top half of all funnel slides.  They do look impressive though.  I'd say there might be some advantage for water control with these saucers,  but yeah I think it's mostly for looks.

[Oldiesmann]

I've been planning on going to Hersheypark on my vacation next year (two full days to get the most out of the park). Looks like I might have to check out their water park while I'm there...

[VekomaRulz]

This was a much needed addition. The Boardwalk only has 6 slides (not counting any in the play structure or kids area) and can get long lines even on slow days and next year will be the first time I visit the water park there in almost 10 years. 

[MDMC01]

Thanks for answering, CoastersRZ and Aintnutinelse2do. I was just curious as it seems weird to have that saucer part and then only use 1/4 of it... oh well, it looks cool anyways!

[Creed Bratton]

Found on a Hershey Park fan page explaining the saucers:

[purdude86]

Thanks always been a bit curious what the point of the saucers were as well aside from just an aesthetic.