If your late-summer travel plans include a trip to Central Pennsylvania for a mix of chocolate and roller coasters, make sure you carve out a few minutes for one very specific, very sentimental stop.
Hersheypark recently dropped news that sent a wave of nostalgia through theme park lovers everywhere: Tidal Force, the massive 100-foot-tall splash-down flume ride that has been soaking parkgoers since May 1994, is officially making its final voyage on Monday, September 7, 2026. That means fans have just a few weeks left to experience the classic attraction before it docks permanently.
“When a vessel takes its last voyage, we believe it deserves a proper send-off,” Hersheypark shared in its official announcement. “After 32 years of making the biggest splashes Hersheypark has seen, the final tide goes out on Tidal Force at the end of the 2026 summer season. We invite you to spend the entire summer making tidal waves before we dock the boats permanently on September 7.”
For over three decades, the $4 million attraction was the ultimate way to cool off during peak July and August heat. Riders were hauled up a steep 100-foot incline before plunging downhill at speeds topping 50 miles per hour into a lake, creating a towering, wall-of-water wave that drenched riders and bystanders alike.
Across social media, theme park enthusiasts and Central Pennsylvania locals have been sharing emotional tributes and fond memories of the legendary attraction—and the reaction proves just how deeply this ride will be missed.
Related: Popular Disney Attraction Officially Shutting Down After 27 Years
“I Still Have My Commemorative Towel”
View this post on InstagramFor locals who grew up in the shadow of the park, Tidal Force wasn’t just a ride—it was a childhood milestone.
One Hershey native shared a touching video on Instagram featuring a rainbow stretching over the ride’s structure, reflecting on three decades of memories: “I’ve lived in Hershey my whole life, and I was one of the first people to ever ride Tidal Force when it opened in May of 1994. They handed out commemorative towels that day. I still have mine.”
Others recalled the sheer power of the ride’s famous splash zone on the exit bridge. In the ride’s early years, bystanders stood completely exposed to the elements until the wave was so intense that the park eventually added protective glass.
Another fan shared vintage footage standing in the splash zone, captioning it: “This video was back when you could stand on the bridge—and question all your life choices in 3 seconds flat.”
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A Dying Breed of Classic Water Rides
View this post on InstagramTheme park enthusiasts are also lamenting the closure of what many consider one of the last great classic “shoot-the-chutes” splash boats in the country.
“It’s crazy because it’s one flume ride that lives up to its name,” one commenter noted on Instagram. “I remember the first time I saw the splash it made, I was thoroughly impressed!” Another fan echoed the sentiment, writing, “We need more of these splash boat rides!”
While Hersheypark officials haven’t revealed what will eventually replace Tidal Force on its prime piece of real estate, public relations manager Amanda Polyak noted that the park is “always planning and exploring ways to enhance the guest experience” and will share future plans when appropriate.
With Labor Day around the corner, time is quickly running out. If you want to catch one last tidal wave—or stand on the bridge to get soaked one final time—make sure to head to Hersheypark before September 7 marks the end of an era.
Related: 120-Year-Old Theme Park Once Called One of the Best Parks in the Country Might Remain Closed for Summer Season
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