Hersheypark Spotlights 2026 Off-Season Maintenance

Date: February 21, 2026

The excitement is building as the 2026 Hersheypark operating season is set to kick off in just under two months! While the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania may seem quiet to the average guest during the winter months, work continues behind the scenes during the industry's “off-season.”

This time of year marks the busiest season for the dedicated full-time Hersheypark maintenance team consisting of more than 200 skilled professionals, including carpenters, electricians, laborers, machinists, mechanics, painters, sign artists, plumbers, utility workers and welders. Throughout the winter, these individuals meticulously disassemble, inspect, repaint, and reassemble each of the more than 70 Hersheypark attractions to ensure they are ready to deliver a safe, sweet experience on opening day, April 3, 2026.

We wanted to give you a rare glimpse inside the Hersheypark Service Center, where work is currently underway on fan-favorites, including Jolly Rancher Remix, Coal Cracker and Comet, which celebrates 80 years in 2026.

An Exclusive Look Inside the Hersheypark Service Center

The Hersheypark Service Center serves as the maintenance headquarters, where the majority of the Park's attractions and rides undergo their critical off-season upkeep. This expansive facility is strategically situated on the Hersheypark Entertainment Complex between the iconic Hersheypark Stadium and Hersheypark amusement park.

During the colder months, the Service Center becomes a temporary home for several major roller coasters that do not have dedicated maintenance bays integrated into their stations, such as Comet, sooperdooperLooper and Cocoa Cruiser, as well as beloved kiddie rides, like Minty Bees. This ride, along with Granny Bugs, Dizzy Drums and Traffic Jam, celebrates its 60th year of operation in 2026, a testament to the quality of its consistent maintenance.

The bustling Service Center also houses an array of specialized supporting departments. In the weld shop, the steel chassis of the iconic wooden racing coaster, Lightning Racer, is inspected. Adjacent to this area, carefully cataloged sections of steel top track for wooden coasters are stored. A short distance away, the fiberglass shop is a hub of bodywork for the Coal Cracker flume boats, Wildcat's Revenge seats and other attractions. 

Towards the rear of the Service Center are the sign and paint shops, dedicated to the aesthetic maintenance of Hersheypark. These departments are responsible for producing and restoring all of the Park's signage. Notably, the sign shop is also the designated destination for a fleet of hand-painted carousel horses from the 107-year-old Carrousel and Livery Stables. 

Outside the Service Center, many of the roller coasters have dedicated maintenance bays within their respective operational footprints, including Storm Runner, Wildcat's Revenge, Skyrush and Great Bear. 

Dry Gulch Railroad also benefits from this on-site maintenance structure, with its engine house situated below Jolly Rancher Remix. The steam-powered train is one of the few remaining within theme parks of the United States and operates throughout all Hersheypark seasons, which means its overhaul process does not begin until after the Park closes for Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. Between early January and the beginning of April, a highly specialized team of two individuals disassembles the trains, inspects the boilers, engines and cars, deep cleans the engines and trucks, and completes work on the track as weather permits. This year holds particular significance for the cherished piece of Hersheypark history: the real replica steam-powered railway will be celebrating its 65th anniversary.

Are you interested in more behind-the-scenes ride maintenance? Check out this off-season's Storm Runner spotlight to see what goes into maintaining the East Coast's only remaining hydraulic launch coaster. Don't forget to view the behind-the-scenes content from previous years on Lightning Racer, Wildcat's Revenge, Coal Cracker, Skyrush, Candymonium and Great Bear.

Plan a Visit

Is your family considering a visit to Hersheypark this year? Now is the time to plan and purchase tickets! Guests can save more than 45 percent on 1-day tickets to Hersheypark when buying online with the current Best Price Of Summer offer through March 31. Tickets purchased during the sale are valid on any 2026 public operating day from April 3, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, including during Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, as well as Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

Join the Team

Want to join our sweet team? Hersheypark is hiring for the 2026 season! Apply online, and a member of our Hiring Team can schedule a phone interview with eligible applicants. 

We look forward to seeing you in April for the start of our 120th operating year!