This isn't so much a trip report, because the park isn't open to the public yet, and it was more of a "leave your office and ride SR-NOW." The weather here all day has been shaky, storms, then sunny, then windy, then storms. Lucky for me and my co-workers, we got on SR just before a minor thunderstorm swept through the area. Not so lucky for me, a bravely scared girl, as we were sitting on the track about to be launched (too late to turn back) some lighting sparked in the distance--just past the top hat. It wasn't close, but it certainly helped set the mood. You don't really know when it's going to launch you, you just hear some clicking sounds and then all the sudden-POW, you are OFF! It was too good to shut my eyes (which are always firmly shut when on the Comet--that thing scares the white cells out of me). And going up into the sky before straight down into Hersheypark was phenomenal. The whole time over there, we were joking around about how close the tracks are to so many different things, yet the ride is so fast you don't even comprehend the other buildings. It does have the OTSRs (I'm learning a little), but I'm glad. I get on these things to scare myself, not defy the laws of physics. Tomorrow is shaping up to be a clear day, and I'm sure the media coming out will be more than satisfied with what they're getting. Although like I mentioned before, it is short. But get here on an early evening in June when most of the park is empty and you'll be able to ride her all night!

Did the OTSR's cause a problem in any way? Does it bang your head around?

The new Intamins tend to not.

wait.....you told us how the tophat was....what about the rest?!?!?!

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HANNAH MONTANA!!!!!!!!!
TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM!!!!!
"I'm living proof....THAT GIRLS CAN ROCK!!!!!!"

Well, at least she didn't say any bad things about the ride, which I didn't expect to hear in the first place.

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October 30: Toulouse Zenith, France
October 31: Nantes Zenith, France
November 06: MTV European Music Awards, Liverpool, UK
November 11: Good Morning America, ABC

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I am a proud employee at Hersheypark it is a great place to work.

No, your head doesn't move at all as long as you keep it centered and back against the head rest. To be honest, it was so fast I didn't even notice anything about my body in the restraint, which is probably the point.

As for the rest of the ride, I didn't even realize I was upside down when we did the loop, and the corkscrews were awesome because it looked like we were going to fly right into the (ok, brain fart here, what are those things called that hold the whole ride up??? You know, the legs or whatever filled with sand...you get the point...coffee hasn't kicked in yet). And then, before you know it, it's over. Sorry if this isn't enough, but I'm sure you'll be getting an earful (eyeful?) later today after Press Peek.

Oh, and I don't know about the employee parties, I'm sure it'll be open for at least one of them, I would think.

Great trip report for a newbie. The things that hold it up are collumns or supports. Hangout here long enough and you'll start to sound like a coaster geek in no time. Just think, HersheyGirl was the first person on Thrillnetwork to ride Storm Runner...sorry BryanWood The lightning off in the distance as you launched...that part gave me the chills. That can really make the ride much more exciting. A little free theming from the man upstairs.

How was the pull-out out of the barrel rolls?

Did it look like you might lose your head (head chopper) while going under the monorail near Trailblazer?

What about the last hill before the brakes. was there alot of airtime (floating out of your seat)?

I'm sure Bryan will be giving us a trip report soon, as he is there today for the media blitz. It sure was nice to have a trip report from someone that had the lucky ride of a lifetime. Almost everyone here would have died to be in your shoes yesterday.

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Get off your ass and go ride some coasters!

I'm definatly riding it when I go this summer with friends (Not sure when yet!) I will probably have twice as many digital pictures (156 from last year) and again, I'm just so so so so EXCITED, I'm glad you posted a mini TR or RR (Ride Report!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't keep your head back on the S-curve, you could get a nice head whip. The OTSR's were actually very roomy, as long as you have the lapbar portion of the restraint down.

Ride Review and pictures come tomorrow! What a great day and Hersheypark were great hosts as usual.

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Bryan Wood Thrillnetwork Database Admin and review writer extraordinare

I don't know about Intamin's OTSR's but when I rode V:TBC last year that thing kicked my a$$ as far as head banging was concerned! & it never did that before.

Most folks complain about the vekoma SLC's/invertigo's being too rough & headbangy due to the OTSR design but my last lap on ME was better than on V:TBC that's for sure.

The OTSR's on Storm Runner are softer than Volcano's...and if you keep your head back on Volcano, you get no headbanging. You have to be a defensive rider on forceful rides.

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Bryan Wood Thrillnetwork Database Admin and review writer extraordinare

I can't see Intamin's having any headbanging...They're just known for so smooth rides and even if this was the first hydraulic launch with inversions, I can't see it being any rougher than any of the other Intamins. I'm not surprised for it having no headbanging either.

The only headbanging on Storm Runner is on the S-curve if you don't see it coming. The trains go so fast through that area that it produces a nice whip effect...so I don't really consider it headbanging.

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Bryan Wood Thrillnetwork Database Admin and review writer extraordinare

Byran, I read your article and opening day looked awesome. The restraints look odd in a way since they are new, but they look comfortable. I'm not surpised there's not really any headbaning...We have yet another awesome product from Intamin.