Lightning Racer (Lightning) • Hersheypark

This side is definitely worse than the other side. The forces are pretty similar, but this side ALWAYS loses. The racing is what makes this ride as good as it is, and somehow this side always loses. I...

This side is definitely worse than the other side. The forces are pretty similar, but this side ALWAYS loses. The racing is what makes this ride as good as it is, and somehow this side always loses. If you’re given the chance, ride thunder instead. Anyways, this thing is underrated. As I mentioned, the dueling is awesome, and it wouldn’t be great without it, but the forces are definitely noticeable. They pale in comparison to any modern GCI, but there’s still some decent airtime (especially on the drop and double down), and some elements have some pop to them. Great ride, but weaker than the other side.

The Lightning side on Lightning Racer typically has a bit of a head start compared to Thunder meaning it crosses the finish line first. This is one half of a dueling wooden coaster located at the back...

The Lightning side on Lightning Racer typically has a bit of a head start compared to Thunder meaning it crosses the finish line first. This is one half of a dueling wooden coaster located at the back of the park. The trains are quite long and I believe they run 2 of each which means the lines are never usually long for this. I don’t know if they still duel, but the last time I rode this it did. The turns and hills give nice airtime moments and the layout is decently long too.

This is just a stupid fun coaster. I truly love marathoning this coaster as due to the 4 long trains and being in the back of the park lines move fast for this coaster as long as all trains are being ...

This is just a stupid fun coaster. I truly love marathoning this coaster as due to the 4 long trains and being in the back of the park lines move fast for this coaster as long as all trains are being used. The racing/dueling aspect is just plain fun. Theres some good spots of airtime especially at the beginning but there are some moments that don’t do as much as others. However I don't really mind as those moments are still fun especially when racing another train. When they are synced up and you get a close race it is some of the most fun in the entire park if you ask me. This coaster might not be that crazy but I always just have a blast on this coaster. Just a note but the way some of the elements are paced I slightly would prefer the Thunder side but both are still an incredible amount of fun.

Lightning Racer's middle section is fun, as you quickly traverse multiple low-to-the ground turns and hills, but the first third of the ride is dreadfully rough and the last third is slow and dull. Li...

Lightning Racer's middle section is fun, as you quickly traverse multiple low-to-the ground turns and hills, but the first third of the ride is dreadfully rough and the last third is slow and dull. Lightning Racer seriously needs some Titan Track.

I rode this a few times in the day and again at night in complete darkness for the fright fest and wow, highly recommend doing the pitch dark ride because it's already insane in the daylight but not b...

I rode this a few times in the day and again at night in complete darkness for the fright fest and wow, highly recommend doing the pitch dark ride because it's already insane in the daylight but not being able to see what's coming cranks it up to 11. I do wish Hershey spent a little more on smoothing this with fresh lumber though.

This was actually such a surprise, it's a mad fun coaster and lasts a long time too. I enjoyed it so much believe it or not. The layout is ok and generally forceless, with the exception of a few float...

This was actually such a surprise, it's a mad fun coaster and lasts a long time too. I enjoyed it so much believe it or not. The layout is ok and generally forceless, with the exception of a few floater airtime moments and a few good positives on the rose bowls. overall really enjoyable and a nice break from the intense coasters after a bit. fun for the family too. there are a few rough spots though. mostly right after the drop but that's really it.

This ride was a bit disappointing on my reride a year after my first. It feels like it runs a lot rougher now, and it really is true there is barely any airtime. I still love the dueling moments, but ...

This ride was a bit disappointing on my reride a year after my first. It feels like it runs a lot rougher now, and it really is true there is barely any airtime. I still love the dueling moments, but I can't say it was quite as good as the last time I rode. 7.5/10 - it feels weird that one side is called lightning when that's literally just the name of the ride

A great racing, dueling wooden coaster. Although I do prefer the Thunder side because it is smoother but the Lightning side is great too. After the lift hill, the ride goes through really steep curvin...

A great racing, dueling wooden coaster. Although I do prefer the Thunder side because it is smoother but the Lightning side is great too. After the lift hill, the ride goes through really steep curving drops, then after a fun turn-around, the ride heads into a tunnel. My favorite part though is the end when the transitions get snappy but the entire ride is rather forceless. You may get a pop of decent airtime or two. It's really fun and marathonable.

Milder side of the 2. First part of the ride is smoother, but then they’re about the same in terms of roughness. Also, it’s pretty forceless. Some speed, but it doesn’t really do that much. Dueling as...

Milder side of the 2. First part of the ride is smoother, but then they’re about the same in terms of roughness. Also, it’s pretty forceless. Some speed, but it doesn’t really do that much. Dueling aspect is fun though.

Unfortunately, Thunder was down, so I was forced to ride Lightning (the inferior and rougher ride), and there was no dueling element, which is typically most of the fun. Sitting in the back of Lightni...

Unfortunately, Thunder was down, so I was forced to ride Lightning (the inferior and rougher ride), and there was no dueling element, which is typically most of the fun. Sitting in the back of Lightning is asking for a headache. That said, I was still laughing and having fun with my friend.

The Lightning Side of Lightning Racer (didn’t get to the Thunder side) is a fun but tad painful wooden coaster. The first drop is excellent and the rest of the layout is both long and unique with tons...

The Lightning Side of Lightning Racer (didn’t get to the Thunder side) is a fun but tad painful wooden coaster. The first drop is excellent and the rest of the layout is both long and unique with tons of elements and near-misses. However, with it being a wooden coaster with lots of elements beyond just airtime (which honestly could’ve been a bit better after the first drop), the ride can get very rattly and painful, as both me and my partner walked off needing Advil.

I don't give a crap about what others say. This and Comet were what saved wooden coasters for me. Before this, I rode Blue Streak at Cedar Point, which is currently the worst coaster I've ever ridden ...

I don't give a crap about what others say. This and Comet were what saved wooden coasters for me. Before this, I rode Blue Streak at Cedar Point, which is currently the worst coaster I've ever ridden due to its roughness and lack of excitement and airtime. Riding this, I was expecting it to be the same thing. However, I was blown away with how enjoyable it was, same for Comet. This ride isn't extreme on airtime, but it makes up for it with its fast-paced nature and fun factor. Unfortunately, this ride does have a bit of bumpiness to it, but it's nothing awful. Overall, Lightning Racer was a very nice surprise, and I would definitely recommend it if you're going to Hersheypark.

Lightning Racer really surprised me. This ride was running smooth and fast on my visit. The dueling turnaround moments were sometimes a bit slow, but otherwise it ran fast, it had great airtime, and i...

Lightning Racer really surprised me. This ride was running smooth and fast on my visit. The dueling turnaround moments were sometimes a bit slow, but otherwise it ran fast, it had great airtime, and it was just a fantastic woodie. Both sides were roughly the same too. Great ride.

This ride is just pure fun. I love GCI and this is definitely in the lower tier as far as intensity and airtime, but the racing makes up for that. The ride is super smooth and has some decent floater ...

This ride is just pure fun. I love GCI and this is definitely in the lower tier as far as intensity and airtime, but the racing makes up for that. The ride is super smooth and has some decent floater but the interaction with the other train is just awesome. I prefer Lightning more than Thunder but both are solid.

Lightning Racer is the penultimate modern racing woodie. My childhood self always wished Gwazi was a better ride, and this coaster seems to be just that. There are a couple moments of airtime, but the...

Lightning Racer is the penultimate modern racing woodie. My childhood self always wished Gwazi was a better ride, and this coaster seems to be just that. There are a couple moments of airtime, but the real highlight is the fast paced dueling that ups the ante and raises the stakes. First place switches back and forth, fly-bys are fast, helices are tight, racing is neck and neck, and my god is it twisty! I barely remember the layout because of how much was going on, and I rode twice! One of my favorite GCIs.