Great Bear • Hersheypark

Inversions Intensity Smoothness

Wow.

Intensity Layout

A cut above as inverts go. Great layout that covers a lot of ground and adds a lot to the experience.

Capacity Inversions Fun

It was okay, it did have a lot of things I liked, I just wish it was faster and taller.

First Drop Fun

Nice B&M invert...my 5th of the summer. They are starting to feel a bit familiar which takes some of the mystery and excitement out of them, but Great Bear was as solid as any and the opening drop sequence was unique/very cool. My daughter loves them so that's a big plus.

Nice surprise! Fun Duration

Great Bear is a very solid B&M floorless by every definition. Long layout, whippy inversions, and smooth as silk. My only gripe is it’s not as forceful as other coasters of its type, but I rode Great Bear in the dark and that delivered some added intensity not seeing the track in front of you. A perfectly good coaster that is made great with a night ride.

Inversions Location Intensity Capacity Dead spots

Great invert, very underrated. The four inversions are all awesome, though the corkscrew can induce some headbanging. The setting is also amazing for this ride. The ending just loses a lot of speed, and the lines for this thing should not be as terrible as they are.

Capacity Duration Headbanging

A solid B&M invert with a somewhat unique layout. It's the first one I've ever ridden that doesn't start with a big first drop but rather a small curve into the much larger one. This is a pretty cool way to introduce the layout and build anticipation. It also felt like a very long duration from the other ones I've ridden. The speed on this one doesn't seem as quick as the Batman's and definitely less whippy. I also experienced a moment of headbanging which I'm not used to on any other B&M invert. Capacity is always outstanding on these though and give very short lines no matter how packed the park is on that day. I would definitely like to ride it again one day. 4/5 stars

Inversions Pace Layout

The Great Bear is a strong B&M invert. Snappy inversions, good helix, and pacing is great. A good roller coaster to start with.

Inversions Location Pace

Loved it. As an Invert Slut this ride does it for me.

Intensity Smoothness

This was the one ride that made me an enthusiast. I have never been more interested into coasters until I rode Great Bear. It is an awesome and disorienting experience. I really just want to go back to Hershey to ride this thing. Can't wait to reride this!

Inversions Fun Hangtime Rattle Headbanging

Great ride. Very intense and the last two inversions are amazing. It does have quite a rattle though.

Inversions Location Intensity Dead spots

A phenomenal invert. It may have less inversions than most others but it makes them count. The way it weaves through The Hollow is beautiful and the helix before the drop is great. I do wish there was one more element before the brake run as the near straight track is a bit of a bummer. 8.5/10 - why didn't they just call it Ursa Major that's a much better name

Inversions Location Intensity Dead spots

Lower-tier B&M invert. The setting is surreal and the inversions are whippy, but it's a tad short and it has some dead spots. I prefer Talon and Raptor, but I'd take this over a Batman clone. But I don't mean to sound negative, it is very fun.

Nice surprise! Fun Intensity Harness

Honestly such a surprise Can't really describe why I love it so much Just a fun surprise

Inversions Intensity Discomfort Dead spots

Mid tier bnm invert, had a slight headache after riding.

Location Intensity Smoothness Too short

You know, they don't lie when they say it's great. I've been on two inverts, Raptor and this, and without a doubt, this is way better. Unlike Raptor which is rough, nauseating, and kinda intense, Great Bear is buttery smooth, enjoyable, and very intense. Or at least, you can actually appreciate the intensity. Not to mention, this ride is beautiful with its beautiful setting. My only problem is that the ride is a bit short, other than that, this ride is great! Definitely one of the best B&M coasters.

Inversions Smoothness Layout

Great Bear has always been one of my favorite B&M inverted coasters and I honestly think it is EXTREMELY underrated. First off this thing has one of the most unique layouts and first drops I've ever seen. I mean it basically has 2 drops. Second when this thing is going it hauls and boy do you hear it. It might be one of the loudest coasters I've ever heard. This is also the smoothest B&M inverted coaster I have ever been on, highly recommend.

Inversions Location Intensity Dead spots

It is good the first drop is Good and the Pre-Drop, I love The Zero-G roll. There is Just alot of dead Spots.

Inversions Location Intensity Rattle Harness

Great bear is amazing, my favorite coaster. The first drop is unique, and the helix is insanely forceful, I was seeing grey. The setting on the hill is rivaled only by alpengiest and nemesis. the vertical loop is insanely forceful, and so is the Immelmann. The exit to the Immelmann is too snappy, and I’m small, so you headband on the exit, the zero g roll is amazing, you are whipped through it, but that causes head banging too, the final inversion, the wing over is my favorite, despite the headbang midway through, this inversion is super forceful, combining this with the setting causes an underrated invert, and yes, it does rattle, but it’s like sleeping against the side of a school bus, it doesn’t cause pain, it’s just there, and skyrush is worse. Overall 5/5,

Location Smoothness Too short Dead spots

A smooth b&m invert with a great location on the lake, but the first drop is slow with dead spots along the ride, plus a short ride which is also a negative. I would re-ride but b&m inverts aren't my type of ride

Inversions Location Too short

Fun fact: I actually grayed out on this ride's pre drop!

Inversions Intensity

I don't remember much about the coasters on this trip, but I do remember an inversion on this ride that made me scared I was gonna fall out.

Inversions Location Dead spots Layout

B&M invert with a middling layout, but a stunning location. The terrain is used quite well, and more than makes up for the layout.

Capacity Comfort Smoothness Dead spots Layout Intensity

This is a B&M invert so even an average one of these is still a pretty good ride. This definitely falls into that category. It is no where near as relentless as Raptor, Montu or any of the Batman clones. It isn't as lifeless and jittery as Patriot, though. The way it starts sets the tone. It is a nice and easy turn around instead of an immediate drop off the lift hill. It then drops you into the first loop--again nice and gradually--it isn't steep at all. This is really where this coaster comes to life and you go through the major inversions and elements. None are overly thrilling, but very solid and fun. Super smooth like it should be. Then it changes character. The second half just has you meandering along the creek with a few lazy twists and turns at a very leisurely rate. I don't think it breaks 30MPH again. Nothing is inherently wrong with it, but it is no where near intense enough to any where near my favorite B&M invert.

Inversions Smoothness Dead spots

it has tons of forceful moments but also tons of dead spots where they had to build around other rides as they somehow crammed this ride in its locations and that's impressive but it made dead spots.

Inversions Intensity Smoothness Dead spots Layout

Great Bear is a very unique invert but not necessarily in the best way. The 4 inversions are all really solid and the zero g roll is one of my favorites and its definitely a forceful coaster but is plagued by dead spots. The helix coming off the predrop is pretty cool but wasn't very intense on my last ride and the drop is pretty pointless and dumb. The terrain and interaction with Sooperdooperlooper also makes for a weird ending with several straight sections and slow turns into the brake run that basically feel like a straight section. A fun coaster but definitely flawed.

Inversions Fun Smoothness Disappointing! Dead spots Layout

Definitely one of the weaker inverts for sure. Runs pretty slow and the first half of the ride do nothing. However the ride does redeem itself a bit with an awesome zero g roll and corkscrew towards the end.

Capacity Inversions Intensity Rattle

This one holds a special place in my heart. I was in the 8th grade the first time I rode it and it was my first legit aerobatic coaster. It has it's flaws for sure but I rank it high just on nostalgia alone.

Inversions Intensity

I see why this ride is called great bear. You literally hear it roaring down the track when you go near it. The ride has some nice intensity and is one of my favorite inverts I’ve been on.

Location Fun Smoothness Intensity

This is a fun ride. It may be the least intense B&M invert that I’ve ridden, but I absolutely love the location and could ride this over and over again. It also has one of my favorite queuing areas. The wait for the front row is on a wooden walkway, 30 feet above the whitewater from where the log ride splashes down.

Inversions Location Fun

Great Bear is my second B&M invert after Montu, and I can say that it is a great addition to Hersheypark. It's smooth and fun, and definitely doesn't feel like a ride made in the 90s. I rode it with my glasses off, so I didn't get such a great view, although it is in a great spot around some water and trees.

Inversions Pace Intensity Too short Airtimes

The first helix pulls some good G-Forces. It is very well paced and also has very good whip. Just a little short.

Inversions Intensity Dead spots

Great Bear is one of the unique looking inverted coasters that has a great setting with a unique layout. Great Bear also delivers some snappy transitions through 4 inversions, strong positive G-forces through the valleys, a glossy smooth ride experience, and the ride interacts with another ride, SooperDooperLooper: the first looping coaster on the east coast. My part of Great Bear is probably the corkscrew because that inversion and the zero-G roll actually pull some ridiculous whip! I also really like the loud roar from the train as it navigates through its layout and I absolutely love hearing it from an off-ride perspective. Overall, Great Bear is one of the most unique inverted coasters that delivers some snappy transitions through 4 inversions, strong positive G-forces through the valleys, a glossy smooth ride experience, and it has a great setting with a unique layout. It is one of the loudest and smoothest roller coasters I’ve ever ridden!

Inversions Fun Smoothness

This is a very solid B&M invert. The inverisons are very fun, especially the zero g roll and the corkscrew and this is one of the smoothest coasters I've ever ridden

Location Pace Intensity Too short

This is a pretty intense and fast paced invert with a great location. The zero-g roll and corkscrew are also really whippy. Just wish it was a little longer.

First Drop Inversions Fun Too short Dead spots

I've ridden this for many years, and honestly I think it's starting to show it's age. It's getting rougher, although it still isn't rough.

Rattle Headbanging Dead spots

This ride is so bad, where do I even start. First off this ride is horribly rough and boring. It crawls through its layout while your head is getting smashed from side to side in your seat. In 2019 when I rode this it was good, but my 2020 rides were so disappointing. I thought it was going to be glossy smooth and intense but I was met with a boring and rough ride. Its also very short and features very few elements. Its also very tame. This is one of the worst coasters I've ever ridden due to the boring layout, Roughness, and its forceless.

Inversions Intensity Smoothness Too short Dead spots

Great Bear does a lot really well. It’s in a beautiful location and it has an incredibly strong set of inversions. That first drop turnaround thing is really fun as well. It does have a lot of dead space between the final inversion and the brake run, but that’s a minor nitpick on an otherwise great coaster.

Capacity Inversions Nice surprise! Dead spots

Quirky and fun. Love the creativity. Ride in front left or right.

Inversions Pace Fun

Great ride! Had a blast with all of the inversions and it is great how smooth it is. It makes a loud roaring sound as it moves along, which almost sounds like an angry grizzly. Would give a higher rating if there was a launch at the beginning rather than a climb, plus I am not a big fan of hanging coasters in general because they limit your line of sight.

Inversions Location Intensity Too short

Great Bear was really good. The first drop gave a little bit of floater in the back and then the inversions were all smooth and whippy. I think the zero-g roll might’ve been the best I’ve experienced on an inver. The corkscrew was really whippy as well and the location is fantastic. The only flaws are that it feels too short and kinda incomplete because of how the ride ends, just meanders back to the station.

Fun Intensity Smoothness Layout

Probably the smoothest coaster I've been on (with the exception of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney's Magic Kingdom). The turn-around after the lift hill is surprisingly intense (sadly I kinda knew it ahead of time, otherwise that would've caught me off guard), then the first drop gave off some decent floater. The first two inversions, the vertical loop and the immelmann are really smooth but don't have a lot to offer when it comes to their intensity. Then you literally FLY through the zero-g-roll, it's a really snappy inversion, then the corkscrew is even better. It manages to make my head lean towards the restraint but not cause headbanging... it's very intense but smooth. I wish the end of the ride included one last turn around to the Coal Cracker and the water to make an interesting effect before heading into the brake run. I was expecting this ride to not be that forceful, part of it is... part of it is not.

Inversions Pace Fun Too short

This is a very fun inverted coaster! Great drop and some amazingly whippy inversions in the back!

Inversions Pace Layout

Had to ride the official coaster of r/coasterbros. This beast is great in the sack. Long thick rails whip you around like a ragdoll. But this coaster is also a gentleman in its smoothness. I like to be well restrained while I ride and was tucked in nicely by the ride op. Im an otter but I imagine if a bear were to ride it would suit him just fine. Wish I bought the on ride pic of me doing my "O" face. 4.5 out of five, would bang again.

Location Pace Layout

Definitely a top tier invert. Really different than the others I've been on. Has a great pace and throws elements at you in a unique way and that loop is very whippy. Beautiful location as well.

Superb location, cleverly engineered. Not intended to be a heavily forceful ride; though obviously still has the same basic height restrictions as other B&M's, which I find somewhat contradictory. Good job it does not rely on brute force to do it's job!

Location Comfort Fun Dead spots Intensity

Great Bear is one of the better coasters at Hersheypark. It’s not on the level of Skyrush, Storm Runner or Fahrenheit, but this coaster is definitely not a bad one. It’s one of the weakest B&M inverted coasters that I have ever ridden, placing around Raptor at Cedar Point (in dead last) and Batman: The Ride (Six Flags Over Texas). Needless to say however, Great Bear has a very unique layout with an interesting location at the edge of Kissing Tower Hill. The helix pre-drop is an enjoyable, swooping maneuver that leads into the actual curved drop. The trio of inversions that follow provide some nice forces, most notably the Immelmann. A powerful overbanked turn over Spring Creek ensues just before a whippy corkscrew — but unfortunately, Great Bear peters out from here. The train rises up into a drawn-out, forceless S-bend running right above Coal Cracker leads into the final brake run. All in all, Great Bear is a somewhat short but still fun B&M inverted coaster, bar the last ten seconds of it or so.

Inversions Location Intensity

Great Bear is an incredibly underrated masterpiece invert. It has an awesome, forceful helix before even the first drop. The loop, immelmann, and especially the zero-g are super forceful, whippy, and in quick succession. There's an airtime moment into a fast turn over the creek that I didn't expect! Then after a speedy straight past the creek, we twist and turn forcefully upwards, and corkscrew the opposite direction very forcefully, and then meander into the brakes. It's oddly paced, sure, but so forceful and whippy. And it's awesome looking, super engineered support structure is marvellous to look at, and even creates footchoppers! The setting itself is marvelous, it adds to the ride tremendously. A really fantastic invert that I find is greatly under-appreciated.

Inversions Fun Intensity

Location Layout Dead spots

Fun Smoothness Layout Too short

First Drop Location Pace

Location Smoothness Too short Dead spots

Inversions Fun

Inversions Fun Intensity

Inversions Intensity Layout

Inversions Intensity

Location Comfort

Inversions Fun Smoothness Rattle Layout

Airtimes Intensity Smoothness Too short

Fun Smoothness Layout

Fun Smoothness Layout

Nice surprise! Fun Intensity

Capacity Inversions Fun

Inversions Comfort Fun Dead spots Intensity

Comfort Layout

Inversions Intensity

Airtimes Nice surprise! Comfort Theming

Fun