Santa and his reindeer climb a wooden lift hill every winter, glowing in lights while the coaster takes a holiday break. The rest of the year, that same coaster is busy lifting riders right off their seats.
It climbs 96 feet and hits 50 miles per hour on a track built from wood. When it opened, nothing in the United States was bigger.
I like how this ride has stuck around for 80 years in a park packed with giant steel coasters. I believe that kind of staying power says a lot about a ride’s personality.
It sits in central Pennsylvania, and people happily make long drives from all corners of the state just to grab a seat. So what keeps them coming back to an old wooden coaster?
An 80-Year-Old Coaster Still Has The Spark People Chase
Comet has been rolling at Hersheypark since May 1946, which makes 2026 its 80th birthday. That’s older than most grandparents in line, and it still runs like it has somewhere to be.
Milton S. Hershey himself added it to the park.
It turned out to be the last roller coaster the chocolate founder personally brought in.
That detail gives every ride a little extra weight. You’re sitting on a piece of the story that built this whole sweet little corner of Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company built Comet, and company president Herbert P. Schmeck designed it.
Coaster fans know those names well, since the company shaped wooden rides across the country.
When Comet opened, it was the largest roller coaster in the United States. Plenty of bigger rides have arrived since, but the title still makes a great fun fact for the car ride home.
Today the park has 15 roller coasters, many of them steel giants. Comet holds its own anyway, which is impressive for a ride that remembers the 1940s and never traded its wood for steel.
Ninety-Six Feet Of Wood Is Plenty When The Drops Do This
Numbers don’t usually make people giddy, but Comet’s stats are fun to read out loud. The ride climbs 96 feet, reaches speeds of 50 miles per hour, and covers 3,360 feet of track.
The ride lasts about 1 minute and 45 seconds. That’s plenty of time to scream, laugh, and wonder why you thought this was a good idea.
The first big drop descends at a 47-degree angle. It isn’t the steepest drop in the park, but on a wooden track, it feels plenty bold.
Hersheypark classifies Comet as a High Thrill Ride. So, despite its friendly appearance and bright white paint, this isn’t a kiddie coaster.
Comet features a double out-and-back layout. The train heads out, turns around, returns, and then follows another out-and-back section.
A sweeping 180-degree turn adds another highlight. It gives riders a quick look over The Hollow before the next hill grabs their attention.
That second out-and-back section is the sneaky part. Just when your brain thinks the show is over, Comet delivers an encore whether you asked for one or not.
Those Bunny Hills Will Lift You Right Off Your Seat
Airtime is that floaty moment when your body rises off the seat for a split second. Comet is best known for serving up plenty of it.
The ride packs in a series of bunny hills, which are small humps placed one after another. Each one gives you a quick pop of weightlessness, like a car cresting a steep country road.
Wooden coasters handle this feeling in their own way. The track has a classic rumble, and the hills come quickly enough to keep everyone giggling.
Airtime is a big reason wooden coasters have such loyal fans. Comet delivers it without loops or upside-down moments, which keeps the fun approachable.
Want extra float? On most coasters, the rear seats get pulled over the hills faster, so the back row is worth a try on your second lap.
Twisting turns round out the ride after the hills. They keep things lively right up until the brakes bring you back to the station.
Bring nothing loose in your pockets. Phones and sunglasses have no business floating around on a ride this bouncy, so use a zipped pocket or a locker.
After Dark, Thousands Of Lights Turn It Into A Showpiece
Back in 1964, Comet picked up 6,650 individual chaser lights, each one 10 watts. Those lights became part of the coaster’s identity and a big piece of its charm.
Chaser lights blink in a pattern that makes them look like they’re racing along the structure. On a white wooden coaster, the effect looks almost like a carnival marquee.
Those lights have been around for more than 60 years now. That means several generations have spotted the same twinkle from across the park.
Comet got its fresh white paint during the 2012 off-season. The station was redone at the same time, giving the old ride a cleaner, brighter look.
Evening rides feel a little different with all that glow around you. The park stays open into the night on many operating days, so check the hours before you go.
Plan at least one lap after sunset if your schedule allows. Daytime is great for spotting the hills, but nighttime turns the ride into a light show.
Photographers, this one’s for you. A shot of Comet’s lit-up structure makes a great keepsake, and it beats another blurry selfie in a ride queue.
Brand-New Trains Mean A Fresh Ride On Old Wood
For the 2024 season, Comet introduced new trains from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Each train accommodates 24 riders and features individual lap bars.
That’s a welcome update for riders. Individual lap bars give each person their own restraint, making the ride feel more personal than sharing a single bar across a row.
The previous trains were named Mork’s Comet and Halley’s Comet. With the new trains in service, those names became part of the coaster’s history.
The retired cars found new uses, too. One became seating at the Hershey Museum, while another went to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
Comet can operate with two trains, helping the ride keep moving as one train loads while the other runs the track.
The coaster has also received maintenance and upgrades over the years. It was retracked in 2006, received new seat belts in 2008, and had its lift hill straightened in 2014.
That 2014 project corrected a noticeable kink in the lift hill. It’s a reminder that keeping a classic wooden coaster running takes ongoing care, not just a fresh coat of paint.
Coaster Experts Gave It A Landmark Badge, And It Earned It
In 2021, the American Coaster Enthusiasts gave Comet its Preservation Award. The group also named it an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark for its historic importance.
That’s a big deal in the coaster world. The landmark label goes to rides with real history, not just ones with flashy new stats.
Think of it like a gold star from the people who care most about coasters. Not every old ride gets one, so Comet is in special company.
For riders, the honor adds a fun layer to the trip. You aren’t only checking a coaster off your list, you’re riding something experts believe should be protected.
It also helps explain why people from far corners of Pennsylvania make the trip. Wooden coasters from the 1940s that still run every season are a rare treat.
The award also gives credit to Hersheypark for keeping Comet in shape. New track, new trains, and new paint over the years show a park that respects its past.
History lovers can take things further during the visit. Seeing one of the old trains at the Hershey Museum makes a neat follow-up after you ride the real thing.
Head Down Into The Hollow To Find It
Comet lives in The Hollow section of the park, right next to Skyrush. Fun fact, this area was originally called Comet Hollow, so the coaster basically had naming rights first.
The neighborhood makes a great base for coaster fans. Skyrush sits close by, so you can pair an old-school wooden ride with a modern steel thriller in minutes.
Comet’s 180-degree turn swoops riders around with views of The Hollow. It’s a quick peek, so enjoy it before the next hill steals your focus.
Finding your way is easier with the Hersheypark app. It offers a digital map and shows ride wait times, which helps you plan your route.
The park’s address is 100 W. Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, PA 17033.
Plug it into your GPS, then follow the signs toward the main entrance.
Once inside, Hershey’s Chocolatetown greets you near the front. That area opened in 2020, and it’s home to Candymonium, the park’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster.
Walking from the entrance to The Hollow takes you past plenty of other rides. Pace yourself, because there’s a lot of temptation along the way.
Know The Season Before You Plan Your Ride
Timing matters with Comet. The coaster runs during Spring Weekends, summer, and Hersheypark Halloween, so those seasons are your window.
Spring Weekends make a nice early-year option. It’s a fun way to shake off winter and grab your first coaster lap of the year.
Summer is the classic choice, with long days and plenty of time to explore. Bring sunscreen and a refillable bottle, since the park has water refill stations.
Hersheypark Halloween gives Comet a spookier backdrop. Riding a vintage wooden coaster in crisp fall air sounds like a solid way to celebrate the season.
Hours change by day and season, so check the park’s calendar before you leave home. Some days open in the afternoon, while others start earlier.
Download the app ahead of time too. Seeing wait times in real time helps you decide when to circle back to Comet.
Christmas Candylane works differently. Comet takes a break from rides, but it becomes a photo spot with a light display of Santa and his reindeer climbing the lift hill.
That winter scene is pretty adorable. Even with the train parked, Comet still steals the show in Pennsylvania’s coziest season.
A 42-Inch Height Rule Makes It A Great Family Milestone
Riders need to be at least 42 inches tall for Comet. Hersheypark calls that the Reese’s height category, which is a much sweeter name than a measuring stick.
That requirement opens the ride to a lot of younger thrill seekers. Comet is often the very first roller coaster for many parkgoers, which makes it a sweet milestone.
Prepping a nervous first-timer helps. Explain the bunny hills ahead of time, so the floaty feeling comes as a fun surprise instead of a shock.
Keep in mind it’s still rated a High Thrill Ride. Kids who meet the height rule should also feel ready, since the drops and turns move with real energy.
Measure your child before the trip if you can. It saves a lot of disappointment at the ride entrance, which nobody wants on a fun day out.
Accessibility Services sits right inside the front entrance too. Families who need ride accommodations can stop there for help planning the day.
Comet makes a fine family tradition simply because it’s been around so long. A grandparent who rode it decades ago can now cheer from the exit while a grandkid takes a first lap.
Turn One Coaster Ride Into A Full Chocolate-Scented Day
Here’s the bonus of making the drive to Hersheypark for Comet. The rest of the park makes the trip feel even more worth it.
Hersheypark is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. With 15 roller coasters, you can line up Candymonium, Skyrush, Wildcat’s Revenge, and Great Bear after your wooden warm-up.
Your ticket includes the water park too. That’s handy on a hot afternoon when you need a cool break between big rides.
ZooAmerica gives you a calmer break from coasters and noise. It’s a nice change of pace when little legs need a breather.
Hershey’s Chocolate World sits nearby with a free chocolate tour ride. It’s a fun stop before or after the park, and the candy shopping can get dangerous for your wallet.
Planning two days isn’t a crazy idea here. There’s enough to do that one visit can feel rushed if you want to ride everything.
Still, Comet makes a fitting first or last ride of the day. Starting with the classic and ending with its glowing lights feels like the right way to honor an 80-year legend.
