Hey there! Have you ever dreamt that you were upside down on a roller coaster? The sooper dooper looper is exactly that. It’s a thrilling amusement at Hersheypark that gives chills to the nerves and creates grins on the faces. If you like articles of this kind, you can read more at SooperWrite.com, your comfortable place for fantastic stories and good vibrations!
What Is sooper dooper looper?
Visualize a massive metal track that goes around in different directions. SooperDooperLooper is a steel roller coaster in Hersheypark. It is an area called Hollow, where trees and mountains make you feel like you are on an expedition. You get in a car for fun, and off you go, laughing and yelling.
This ride is special because it has a huge loop. You go upside down, but it feels safe and exciting. Many families pick it as their first big coaster.
Quick Ride Basics
You need to be 42 inches tall to ride. That’s not too high, so lots of kids can join. The top speed is 45 miles per hour, like a fast car on a road. The whole track is 2,614 feet long, and the ride lasts about 1 minute and 45 seconds.
It has two trains, each with room for 24 people. In busy times, lines move quickly. Right now, in 2025, it’s open Fridays to Sundays until early November.
History of the Loop King
Way back in 1977, roller coasters didn’t flip much. Then came the SooperDooperLooper. It opened on May 8 as the first loop ride on the East Coast. People lined up to try it.
The park spent three million dollars to build it. That’s a lot for back then! It changed how folks think about fun rides.
From Idea to Thrills
The plan started in 1975. They wanted a name that sounds super fun. “Merry Derry Dip” was one idea, but SooperDooperLooper won. Werner Stengel designed it, and Anton Schwarzkopf built it.
On opening day, riders yelled with joy. One person said, “I survived!” and that started the famous shirt. Now, it’s the best-selling item at the park.
Imagine being there in 1977. No big phones or videos. Just pure excitement as you flip in the loop.
Updates Over Years
Rides need fixes to stay safe. In 1989, they got new trains from Giovanola. Then, in 2012, Gerstlauer made even smoother ones. In 2020, it closed for pandemic checks but came back strong.
For 2025, there’s talk of adding a third train to make waits shorter. The park does winter work to keep it shiny. Like this year, they’re fixing up classics during the off-season.
These changes keep it fun for new kids. It’s 48 years old but feels fresh.
Ride Experience: Loops & Laughs
You sit down and click the bar. The car climbs slowly, click-clack. Then whoosh! Down you go into the big loop.
The loop is 57 feet tall. You feel light as you flip. After that, a tunnel adds mystery, then bouncy hills make you giggle.
Moment-by-Moment Fun
First, a gentle drop starts the speed. Next, the vertical loop upside down in a flash! It’s smooth, not jerky.
Then zoom through the tunnel. It’s dark and fast. End with helix twists and bunny hops. Your tummy tickles each time.
Think of a kid’s first ride. Eyes wide, then big smiles. That’s the magic.
One family shared how their little one screamed but wanted more. It’s thrilling but not too scary.
Tips for Your Loop Adventure
Ready to ride? Go early in the day. Lines are short then. Wear comfy shoes for walking to the Hollow.
Eat light before. Chocolate can wait! If you’re nervous, breathe deep.
Family Rider Hacks
- Pick the back seat for more whoosh.
- For shy kids, show a video first to see if it’s fun.
- Check height at the gate 42 inches means many can go.
Pair it with easy rides nearby. Like the Comet for more dips. Safety is top no big issues in 48 years.
If it’s hot, bring water. The park has spots to rest after.
How It Stacks Up to Others
Hersheypark has 15 coasters now. SooperDooperLooper is mild compared to some. Skyrush goes 75 mph way faster!
But for families, this one’s perfect. It’s not as wild as Storm Runner’s launches.
Coaster Showdown List
- Vs. Lightning Racer: This loops, that races two tracks.
- Vs. Great Bear: Here you sit normally, there you hang upside.
- Vs. Candymonium: That’s taller at 210 feet, but ours is classic.
Stats show 45 mph beats many family loops. Newbies start here, then try bigger ones.
Picture choosing: Want flips? Pick Looper. Want speed? Go Skyrush.
Cool Facts to Wow Friends
Did you know a 150-foot tunnel was added in 1979? It makes the ride zoomier. And it’s great for Reese’s height.
The loop was second in the US after the Revolution in California. But first on the East Coast!
Fact Bullet Party
- Opened July 4 weekend in 1977 fireworks and flips!
- Shirts say “I Survived” and sell tons every year.
- Schwarzkopf design is still smooth in 2025.
Over 50 million rides since the start. That’s like everyone in a big country trying it.
Tell pals: “It’s the king of loops!”
Why Ride at Hersheypark?
Hersheypark mixes chocolate and thrills. SooperDooperLooper fits right in with sweets and fun. In 2025, new stuff like Twizzlers Twisted Gravity adds more.
It’s near the candy tours. Smell the chocolate as you wait.
Park Pairing Ideas
- Morning: Loop the Looper.
- Afternoon: Try Jolly Rancher Remix for flavors.
- Evening: See it glow like SooperBOOperLooper!
Families build bravery here. Then eat treats to celebrate.
Final Takeaway: Grab your tickets and loop into memories Hersheypark’s Looper waits for your “I Survived” story! What’s your first coaster tale? Share below.
Top FAQs on SooperDooperLooper
How tall to ride SooperDooperLooper?
One has to be at least 42 inches in height to get on this fun looping ride. It is the perfect first ‘big’ event for a bunch of kids. If you think you are on the edge, then there is a check at the park entrance with measuring sticks. As a family product, most people can be part of it after growing a little bit. Safety bars hold everyone tightly during the turn.
Is the SooperDooperLooper Scary?
The SooperDooperLooper is a fright that most people can easily overcome. Only one big loop, where you are upside down and the speed is 45 miles per hour, is what the ride consists of. The ride is done in a smooth and quick way, lasting about 1 minute and 45 seconds. Many kids aged 5 and above, especially sliders and thrill-seekers, really like the ride.
What’s the fastest part of the ride?
The fastest part of the ride is the 57-foot loop, where the speed hits 45 miles per hour. You are able to go down the first hill and turn upside down very fast. It is a thrilling moment, but it ends very quickly before the tunnel and hills. If we compare the speed with other rides, it is not the highest one at Hersheypark, but that makes it perfect for beginners.
When did SooperDooperLooper open?
SooperDooperLooper was the first coaster with a loop on the East Coast, and it opened on May 8, 1977. It was a project of Anton Schwarzkopf and cost three million dollars at that time. The ride’s trains got refurbished for the ride to be smoother, and in 2025, there could be another train. It is still one of the old but good coasters after 48 years of being in the park.
Can you buy SooperDooperLooper shirts?
Definitely, the “I Survived the SooperDooperLooper” T-shirts are the most popular at the park. Just after your ride, take one at the stores next to it. They are available in bright colors and different sizes for kids and adults. It is a great way to keep the memory of your loop experience. A lot of people have them as one of the souvenirs of their Hersheypark trips.
Does Hersheypark Still Have the SooperDooperLooper?
Yes, SooperDooperLooper is still at Hersheypark in 2025! The ride has been operational since 1977 and is the outdoor area of the park where it is located, the Hollow, the area with the ride’s most essential works. SooperDooperLooper is open Fridays to Sundays until the first part of November this year. Season and maintenance work are planned for the ride during the off-season to keep it in great condition. No removal is planned – it’s a fan favorite!
Is the SooperDooperLooper a Family Coaster?
For sure, SooperDooperLooper is a family coaster! If you are 42 inches tall, you can ride SooperDooperLooper. So, many children can get on their parents. The single loop and small hills are thrilling but not at all too hard, which is great for first-time riders. The families rejoice as a step-up coaster before the wild ones like Skyrush are tried by them.
What Is the History of the SooperDooperLooper?
Hersheypark had invested $3 million and introduced the SooperDooperLooper on May 8, 1977, as the first-ever single-looping coaster on the East Coast. It was designed by Werner Stengel and built by Anton Schwarzkopf. The naming contest had “Merry Derry Dip” as one of the competitors, but the ride took the name SooperDooperLooper. The Revolution in California was the first US looper, so SooperDooperLooper became the second. New trains (Giovanola) arrived in 1989, and (Gerstlauer) in 2012 for the rides of the future.
