A legendary Sweetest Place on Earth tradition is coming to a final, splashing halt.
Hersheypark officially announced today that Tidal Force, its iconic shoot-the-chutes water ride, will be permanently retired at the end of the summer season. After 32 years of drenching millions of parkgoers, the ride will make its final voyage on September 7, 2026, marking the end of the park’s Labor Day weekend.
The park shared the news via social media with a nostalgic tribute to the attraction: “When a vessel takes its last voyage, we believe it deserves a proper send-off. After 32 years of making the biggest splashes #Hersheypark has seen, we’ll dock the boats permanently after Sept. 7.”
When Tidal Force first opened its queue lines in 1994, it was billed as the world’s tallest splashdown ride. For over three decades, it served as a unique middle ground for thrill-seekers: a towering, slow-climbing boat ride that culminated in a massive plunge, generating a wall of water so large it regularly soaked spectators watching from the nearby exit bridge.
Unlike standard water slides or standard coasters, Tidal Force became a generational milestone for families visiting the central Pennsylvania park.
Hersheypark did not give a specific reason for the closure, framing the announcement simply as a well-earned retirement for a beloved classic. However, theme park enthusiasts and industry observers note that water rides of this scale require immense upkeep, massive water usage, and costly mechanical maintenance as they cross the three-decade mark.
No official plans have been announced for what will replace the ride’s sizable footprint, though rumors among park fans suggest a possible expansion of The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water region.
