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Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Hydra that this coaster is named after is the Hydra of Lerna from Greek Mythology.  It was a multi headed sea serpent that guarded one of the entrances to the underworld.  So why all of the Greek Mythology  This is the site where the once record breaking Hercules wooden coaster once sat.  Back to the mythology for a bit as Hercules killed the Hydra as one of his legendary "Twelve Labors".  As this coaster replaced Hercules Dorney Park decided to keep with mythology in naming the ride so the Hydra got its revenge on Hercules as this is "Hydra: The Revenge".

Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

This Hydra is not a multi headed serpent.  Instead it is a custom designed floorless looping coaster by the masters at Bolliger and Mabillard.  Hydra starts twisting you all around as soon as the train leaves the station as the first element you encounter is this "JoJo" roll that the train just crawls through making all of your loose items in your pocket fall to the rocks below.  The best thing is to leave your stuff in a storage bin or put it in a zippered pocket so you don't have to go get the ride operators to recover your lost item after the park has closed.

Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Hydra uses the terrain for a slightly longer drop at a hundred and five feet with a ninety-five foot lift hill. 

The Hydra Roller Coaster at Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Following Hydra's initial plunge follows 3,198 feet of track with seven inversions.

The Hydra Roller Coaster at Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

As you can see by all of the empty seats we picked a great day to visit Dorney Park and ride as much as possible as the park was empty.



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Paul B. Drabek