Hersheypark June 1993 (Part 1 of 4)

Today we're at the "Sweetest Place On Earth", Hersheypark in 1993! Founded by Milton Hershey in 1905 as a recreational park for employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company to spend some time away from the factory with their friends and families, Hersheypark is bigger and better than ever today and has become one of the nation's best amusement parks. 

First up today, 3 year old me just measures up to a Hershey Kiss size for attractions! For as long as I can remember, these signs have been just outside the main gates to the park and are a favorite picture spot for friends and families, especially those with young children. Each year that my family went back to Hershey I remember having to stand on the square in front of these candy bar shaped rectangles, measuring up, and smiling for a picture.

As you can see below, each successive bar has a slightly higher height restriction that the child (or small adult!) may fall into. Each attraction then had/has a sign posted outside of its queue line that says which candy bar sized riders can ride that ride. Most roller coasters, based on the picture below, would fall in the Twizzler to BarNone product lines, where as the kiddie rides would be marked for Hershey's Kisses. 

This was (and still is!) a convenient, clever, and easy way for families to know what rides and attractions they can and can't experience. It also made it quite the achievement to bump up to the next candy size on the following visit!

In later years BarNone was replaced by Cookies'n'Cream and today is Jolly Rancher. BarNone was introduced in 1986 and retired in 1997, Cookies'n'Cream introduced in 1994, and Jolly Rancher purchased by Hershey in 1996. 

One other difference between the measurement bars of yesteryear and those today is the huge "You Can Ride" lists underneath each height marker. While they are neat addition, they must have been a pain to maintain as rides went down for maintenance and repair.

Today the height restrictions are:

Hershey's Miniatures: 0''-36''

Hershey's Kisses: 36''-42''

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup: 42''-48''

Hershey's Milk Chocolate: 48''-54''

Twizzlers: 54''-60''

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy: 60'' and up

There are a few more posts to complete this Hersheypark set so be sure to come back tomorrow for a special guest in the pictures, former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and son of "The King", Kyle Petty!

I hope you have been enjoying what you have found on the Amusement Blog so far, there is a lot more to come!