Candymonium is still Hersheypark’s benchmark thrill ride five years after opening — the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster in the park’s lineup, and a two-time top-10 finisher in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for best steel coaster in the world.
This guide covers every number riders search for, from the exact height and top speed to construction trivia most other stats pages skip, plus opening history, the hammerhead turn, best-seat advice, and what to know before you ride.
Quick Answer
Candymonium opened July 3, 2020 at Hersheypark. It stands 210 feet tall, reaches 76 mph, and runs 4,636 feet of out-and-back steel track with zero inversions in about 2 minutes 26 seconds — making it Hersheypark’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.
Candymonium Stats at a Glance
Park: Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard. Model: Hyper Coaster. Opened: July 3, 2020. Height: 210 feet. First drop: 216 feet at a 77.3-degree angle. Top speed: 76 mph. Length: 4,636 feet. Ride duration: approximately 2 minutes 26 seconds. Inversions: 0. Height requirement: 54 inches (4’6″).
Trains: 3 trains with 7 cars each, seating 4 across in a single row for 28 riders per train. Signature elements: seven camelback hills and a 123-degree banked hammerhead turn. The layout crosses Spring Creek 10 times and covers roughly 7 acres within the Chocolatetown expansion.
When Did Candymonium Open?
Candymonium was announced in 2019 as the headline attraction of Hersheypark’s Chocolatetown expansion, then opened to the public on July 3, 2020, following a media preview earlier that summer. Construction actually began January 29, 2019, and track installation alone took 221 days, for a total of 521 days from groundbreaking to opening day.
Building it took roughly 1,212 tons of steel, 13,534 high-strength bolts, 181 support columns, and 132 track segments delivered across 101 truckloads — the kind of behind-the-scenes numbers that explain why the 2020 build was one of Hersheypark’s largest single-ride projects to date. Since opening, Candymonium has been recognized nationally, placing 5th on Amusement Today’s 2021 Golden Ticket Awards list of the world’s best steel coasters.
How Tall and Fast Is Candymonium?
Candymonium’s lift hill rises 210 feet, making it the tallest roller coaster at Hersheypark, edging out longtime favorites like Skyrush and Fahrenheit. The first drop is actually taller and steeper than the lift itself — 216 feet at a 77.3-degree angle — which is where the train builds toward its 76 mph top speed.
That height and speed were deliberate design choices: Hersheypark wanted Candymonium to claim outright bragging rights as the park’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster when Chocolatetown opened, and it still holds all three records today.
The Ride Experience: Hammerhead Turn and Camelback Airtime
After the 210-foot lift and 77.3-degree first drop, Candymonium banks into a 123-degree hammerhead turn — a steeply angled curve that pins riders into their seats before releasing them into the first of seven camelback hills. Each hill steps down in size, including drops of roughly 169 feet and 156 feet, and is shaped to produce sustained, floating airtime rather than the whip-style pops found on tighter coasters.
Midway through the course, the layout crosses paths with the neighboring Skyrush coaster in a moment fans call the ‘Candyrush’ crossover, and the ride threads over Spring Creek ten times before banking around the Chocolatetown Fountain on the return stretch. As a B&M hypercoaster, Candymonium has zero inversions, favoring smooth, sustained g-forces over loops or twists — a big reason it’s considered approachable for riders who want intensity without going upside down.
Which Seat Should You Pick?
Riders and reviewers consistently point to the front row for the strongest floater airtime on the first drop and hammerhead turn, since there’s nothing blocking your view as the train tips over the 216-foot edge. The back row trades that view for a stronger whip effect cresting each camelback hill, giving a slightly more forceful pop of ejector-style air.
Middle rows offer a more balanced, slightly gentler ride that’s a good starting point for first-timers or riders sensitive to strong airtime. With three trains rotating through the station, it’s usually possible to request a specific row without a major wait penalty outside of peak summer hours.
Chocolatetown’s Centerpiece
Candymonium debuted alongside Hershey’s Chocolatetown, a themed area built adjacent to Hershey’s Chocolate World as part of a roughly $150 million park expansion. The coaster’s candy-branded trains — styled after Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Twizzlers — and its chocolate-brown track were chosen to echo the park’s confectionery identity.
Hersheypark marketed the ride as the ‘world’s sweetest coaster,’ and its critical reception backed up the hype: Theme Park Insider called it ‘among the best hypercoasters’ ever ridden, and it landed at number 5 on Amusement Today’s 2021 Golden Ticket Awards for best steel coaster in the world, alongside heavy hitters like Fury 325 and Steel Vengeance.
Planning Your Visit
Riders must be at least 54 inches (4’6″) tall to ride Candymonium, placing it in Hersheypark’s ‘Twizzlers’ height category alongside the park’s other tallest, most intense coasters. Because it’s one of the park’s marquee attractions, Candymonium regularly draws long lines on peak summer weekends, so riding during the first hour after opening or checking the park’s virtual queue or Fast Track options can meaningfully cut wait times.
Hersheypark’s operating hours and ticket pricing shift by season, with tiered pricing tied to crowd levels and add-on options like Fast Track sold separately from general admission. For current hours, ticket prices, and any seasonal ride closures, check the official Hersheypark Candymonium page, since schedules and pricing can change throughout the year.
Candymonium is a Bolliger & Mabillard creation — see our full Bolliger & Mabillard profile for the company’s history and signature coasters.
Candymonium roller coaster FAQs
When was Candymonium built?
Construction began January 29, 2019, and the ride opened to the public on July 3, 2020, after 521 total days of building as part of Hersheypark’s Chocolatetown expansion.
When did Candymonium open at Hersheypark?
Candymonium opened on July 3, 2020.
How tall is Candymonium?
Candymonium stands 210 feet tall, with a first drop of 216 feet at a 77.3-degree angle, making it Hersheypark’s tallest roller coaster.
How fast is Candymonium?
Candymonium reaches a top speed of 76 mph, making it Hersheypark’s fastest roller coaster.
Does Candymonium have any inversions?
No, Candymonium has zero inversions. It’s a B&M hypercoaster built around airtime hills and a banked hammerhead turn rather than loops or twists.
What is the height requirement for Candymonium?
Riders must be at least 54 inches (4 feet 6 inches) tall to ride Candymonium.
How long is the Candymonium ride?
The ride lasts approximately 2 minutes and 26 seconds, covering 4,636 feet of track over roughly 7 acres.
What’s the best seat on Candymonium?
The front row delivers the strongest floater airtime on the first drop and hammerhead turn, while the back row adds extra whip cresting each camelback hill; middle rows offer a gentler, more balanced ride.
Has Candymonium won any awards?
Yes — Candymonium ranked 5th on Amusement Today’s 2021 Golden Ticket Awards list of the world’s best steel roller coasters, alongside coasters like Fury 325 and Steel Vengeance.
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