Hersheypark: Hershey, PA

Park Description

It’s billed as the “Sweetest Place on Earth,” and we might just have to agree.
Hersheypark has completely reinvented itself over the past decade, with more rides and more shows in the park.  But the one thing we loved best about Hersheypark is that it is truly a destination for the whole family.  Adjacent to the park within walking distance is Zoo America (included with park admission) and Hershey’s Chocolate World (free admission).
Just a short ride away is the Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey and Chocolate Spa (famous for its chocolate-themed spa services) and Hershey Highmeadow Campground, which all connect with the park via shuttle buses.
Nearby Hershey Gardens is a must-see with 23 acres of themed gardens plus a butterfly house.  It’s one of the few parks where every member of an extended family, from toddler to grandma will find something they love all in one place. And The Hershey Story: The Museum on Chocolate Avenue opened this year and offers a fun and interactive look at the life of Milton S. Hershey, the man behind the chocolate bar.
Hersheypark is open for the summer season for weekends beginning in early May and daily from late May through Labor Day. They are also open September weekends after Labor Day and have Hersheypark in the Dark for Halloween in October and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is open from mid-November through the end of December. Hersheypark is closed in January, February and March.
Hersheypark is a top-tier theme park but may not be on the radar of many theme-park aficionados…yet.  It has top-rated scream-worthy roller coasters and rides which are categorized as aggressive thrill rides.  One day when we visited in the fall, we spotted turkey vultures perched on the top of the tracks of the SooperDooperLooper, which seemed foreboding to those of us too scared to give the rides a try.
Hersheypark might be the master of self-promotion but its candy-rating system for its rides is simple and ingenious.  Their ride-height requirements use its branded candy to measure kids. The gentlest rides are reserved for the Assorted Miniatures (up to 36 inches) all the way to Jolly Rancher (over 60 inches). The candy logos are found at ride entrances and ride operators only have to check wristbands to determine if the rider is tall enough to participate.  One note to parents: on some kiddie rides, parents might be too tall to accompany their children.  We luckily had a 10-year-old with us who could ride the kiddie rides with the preschoolers, although some bribery was required and photos were forbidden!
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark: The SEAquel will make a splash this year with two new attractions. The Shore, a nearly 378,000‐gallon wave pool, will blend fresh and filtered water to simulate the ocean’s currents. Offering a moderate surf experience ranging from zero‐depth entry to a maximum five‐foot depth, The Shore will accommodate guests of all ages, who can splash, play and jump the waves under the watchful eyes of trained lifeguards. For people who enjoy a more relaxing water experience, Intercoastal Waterway is a lazy river which enables guests to take a cool, relaxing break as they float along on individual rafts at an easy pace. Visitors to The Boardwalk area must wear swimsuits (yes, even parents escorting little ones in shallow water play areas) but the rest of the park requires that these bathing suits be changed or covered up with regular clothing and shoes.
From dark to light, just like its chocolate, Hersheypark offers seasonal special events such as Hersheypark in the Dark (Halloween) and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.  Hersheypark in the Dark has special trick or treating for kids, rides and entertainment as well as admission to Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica. They’re not kidding when they say it’s dark—bring or buy a flashlight for the very dark zoo and, if the kids are wearing Halloween costumes, make sure they don’t have tripping hazards. Hershey candy bar characters wander the park wearing masks (costumed characters in costume – how festive!).

Green Scene

Just a short ride away is the Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey and Chocolate Spa (famous for its chocolate-themed spa services) and Hershey Highmeadow Campground, which all connect with the park via shuttle buses.

Recycling

Hersheypark recycles plastic and paper in bins throughout the park.  Thankfully, recycling bins are easy to spot and located throughout the park, not just in the food service areas.

Healthy Food

Hersheypark’s food services traded in the trans fat oils in all of their food service items for zero trans fat oils.  Throughout the park, vegetarian, low-sugar, gluten-free and nut-free options including pre-packaged salads and whole fruit are available.  Hersheypark publishes its menus on its websites and designates where to find food for those with special dietary needs. We brought our own water bottles and the food service staff happily refilled the bottles with ice and tap water for us throughout the day.

Trip Notes

•Instead of corralling the preschool set to one area of the park, age- and height-appropriate rides are scattered throughout the park, making it easy to keep everyone happy.
•ZooAmerica has a collection of animals from North America which is surprisingly diverse.  Bison, elk and pumas are just a few of the residents of the zoo, as well as three new baby bobcats named Kit Kat, Reese and Hershey. We also were mesmerized by the tree-sitting porcupine, the vampire bats and the alligators.
•We’ve visited this park a number of times and we always opt to do the park in reverse.  We enter and go straight to Zoo America and work our way back to the entrance, which significantly cuts wait times.
•Hersheypark has wet and dry rides, so pack extra clothing.  UPF clothing works best plus lots of sunscreen. Everyone must wear a swimsuit for the Boardwalk and you must wear regular clothing in the rest of the park.
•For the seasonal events, the park opens at 4pm, so we took advantage and started with Hershey’s Chocolate World at 1pm because the factory is open regular hours throughout the year.  We took the chocolate factory tour (um, three times in a row), became Hershey honorary employees with an employee badge and gazed open-mouthed at the chocolate shop which is stocked from floor to ceiling in, well, chocolate.

First and Lasting Impressions

Hersheypark is a top-tier theme park but may not be on the radar of many theme-park aficionados…yet.  It has top-rated scream-worthy roller coasters and rides which are categorized as aggressive thrill rides.  One day when we visited in the fall, we spotted turkey vultures perched on the top of the tracks of the SooperDooperLooper, which seemed foreboding to those of us too scared to give the rides a try.
From easy parking with shuttles to fast-moving entrance lines, Hersheypark ranks as one of our favorite parks.  We really loved being able to wander from the zoo to rides to the chocolate factory and back, depending on our energy level and our group’s interests. We could opt to don bathing suits and head to the boardwalk, or relax while watching a show with marine animals.
The most memorable part of this park is that, without exception, the staff was helpful and pleasant, and the park is extraordinarily clean.  The word wholesome was used often to describe the experience.  We encountered excellent manners from the other visitors and it made for a wonderful outing.  The one thing that really seems to impress visitors is that the street lights in Hershey all look like Hershey kisses, wrapped and unwrapped.

Hersheypark
100 W. Hersheypark Drive  |  Hershey, PA 17033
1-800-Hershey  |  info@hersheypa.com

2009 Peak Prices:
Regular (ages 9-54)    $52
Junior (ages 3-8)    $31
Senior (ages 55-69)    $31
Senior Plus (70+)    $21
Children (ages 2 and under)    FREE
AAA Discount Available