Kissing Tower is a gyro tower at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The tower tops out at 330 ft, making it the tallest attraction in the park. Riders reach 250 feet, surpassing Candymonium which tops out at 210 feet.[2] Kissing Tower is one of Hersheypark's most famous attractions.[3]
Kissing Tower | |
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![]() Gondola at the top of Kissing Tower | |
Hersheypark | |
Area | Kissing Tower Hill |
Coordinates | 40°17′14″N 76°39′12″W / 40.28722°N 76.65333°W |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | May 18, 1975 |
Ride statistics | |
Attraction type | Gyro tower |
Manufacturer | Intamin |
Height | 330 ft (100 m) |
Vehicles | 1 |
Website | Official website |
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History
editThe tower, named after Hershey's Kisses, opened in 1975 and features windows shaped like the candy. In 2014, the tower's region was renamed from "Minetown" to "Kissing Tower Hill" after the attraction.[4][unreliable source?] In 2020, one of the windows was damaged by wind and had to be replaced.[5]
Ride experience
editThe queue line is themed around kissing. Riders board an enclosed gondola and sit on benches that encircle the cabin. The gondola revolves as it gently ascends to 250 feet, and information about the history of Hershey is played from speakers.[6] Riders experience a panoramic view of the park and the town of Hershey through the kiss-shaped windows as the cabin completes three revolutions during its ascent and descent.[2]
In culture
editKissing Tower appears in Roller Coaster Tycoon 3: Soaked! as a buildable attraction.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "RIDER SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE" (PDF). Hersheypark. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ a b James Wesser. "Hersheypark: 47 years of incredible views on Kissing Tower". ABC 27 News. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Jana Benscoter. "Hersheypark's Kissing Tower damaged by winds: report". Penn Live. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Harry Michelson. "The History of the Thrills on the Hill". The Amusement Parkives. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Drew Weidman (11 April 2020). "Hersheypark Kissing Tower Damaged By Wind". The Sun. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Two Popular Hersheypark Rides Mark Anniversaries in May 2020". Hershey PA. Retrieved 18 July 2023.