Industry Announcements: Hersheypark announces Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge

Posted at 2:41 PM EDT (1841 GMT)

Oct. 25th, 2005 -- Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge, the world’s first interactive dark ride to pit car against car in multi-sensory laser competition, will open for the 2006 season at Hersheypark. The new ride is the result of collaboration between Hersheypark and The Hershey Company, maker of Reese’s peanut butter cups, one of the best-known and best-loved brands in the world.

Two competing teams – chocolate and peanut butter – simultaneously travel through a series of exciting competition zones that feature Reese’s-branded extreme sports events complete with targets. The riders, equipped with customized laser blasters, take aim at the targets and accumulate as many points as possible for their team. At the conclusion of the ride, a winning car (chocolate or peanut butter) is declared . . . but all competitors are rewarded with a sweet sample of Reese’s products.

Manufactured by Sally Corporation of Jacksonville, FL, Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge features animated show elements, animatronic sports commentators, multi-sensory components, and a team score updated during the “Take 5 Halftime Report.”

Sally Corporation has been creating magic for amusement parks, attractions, retail centers, and museums since 1977. The company offers custom design services and provides concepts, designs, soundtracks, animatronic characters and props, and a wide array of special effects designed to dazzle all ages.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading snack food company and the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products. With revenues of over $4 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company makes such well-known brands as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat, Almond Joy, Mounds, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and Mauna Loa, as well as innovative new products such as Take 5 and Hershey’s Cookies. Visit them at http://www.hersheys.com.

Hersheypark will open for its 99th Season on May 5, 2006. For more information and updates on Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge, scheduled to open during May 2006, visit HersheyPA.com or call 1-800-HERSHEY.

Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge Fact Sheet

Ride Manufacturer: Sally Corporation, Jacksonville, FL
Ride System Supplier: EOS Rides, Italy
Ride Description:
Competing teams score points shooting targets throughout the ride to determine the answer to the age-old question, "Is it the chocolate or peanut butter that makes REESE'S so irresistible?”

Features:
- Two linked vehicles per train with eight passengers per train
- Vehicles rotate independently
- Onboard laser blaster system with individual score panels
- Ride pre-show
- Team score updates at Take 5 Halftime Reports

Interactive Sports Events:
- 8 competition zones or interactive scenes
- Some zones include more than one sport

Sports Represented:
- BMX biking
- Drag racing
- Ice hockey
- In-line skating
- Mountain climbing
- Skateboarding
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Spelunking
- Surfing

REESE'S Brands Represented:
- 6, including REESE'S Peanut Butter Cup and REESE'S Pieces

Elements:
- 158 targets
- 80 animated show elements
- 8 animatronic figures
- Special effects
- Sensory elements

Theoretical Capacity: 800 riders per hour
Approximate Ride Time: 2 minutes, 45 seconds