A Hauntingly Merry Journey (10/17-11/8)-updated 11/24

[Wood Nymph]

Once we arrived back at the station we were invited back to the stage area where a couple of performers searched for an evil-doer who had been stalking them. They ended up performing an elaborate juggling act with glowing lights and balls and, of course capturing the evil-doer and unmasking him, ala Scooby Doo cartoons. It was a very fun and entertaining show.

I'm not a fan of scary haunted houses. But this train ride sounds like something I would love to do.

 

[mickey916]

That train ride sounds like fun! We would've loved it! The donkey looks so sweet.

The donkey was so sweet!

Joining in! DH and I would love to spend a couple months in FL when we retire...we are thinking Jan-April and then coming back to CT.

We would like to do that too eventually. Right now we can't be away that long due to aging parents that we don't want to be that far away from for so long.

This past year we went for a quick trip in January and it was so lovely and made all the difference in our moods to get out of the cold for just a bit.

I think it would help the long winter tremendously. Really hoping we can go even for a shortened trip.

haha! Those look pretty good!

They were so fresh and delicious!

I love that your boys still want to travel with you. That train museum looks really cool and something my DS would have loved. There is something special about those old steam trains that is so cool.

I love that they still want to travel with us too. Every time we go I'm so grateful to get in just one more trip with them. With DS-27's interest in steam engines we have had many trips to various railroads. They are awesome to see in action.

Too bad your dinner was disappointing!

Yup but at least the rest of the day was good and we had many more delicious meals to come.

I'm not a fan of scary haunted houses. But this train ride sounds like something I would love to do.

I'm not a fan of them either but this was just the right amount of scary, more funny than scary.

 

[mickey916]

10/19 Lunch at the Chocolatier Restaurant​

As I mentioned in my intro, when DS-29 decided to join us, his one priority was visiting Hershey Park. When the kids were school-age, we visited Hershey park almost every summer and have great memories of our trips. My sons and I are huge coaster fans and the coasters at Hershey Park do not disappoint.

The park was scheduled to open at noon. In order to maximize our park time, I suggested we eat our main meal of the day at 11:00 and then head to the park. DS-27 really wanted to give the Chocolatier another try. As a background, we had dined there a couple years ago and had a weird mix up that affected our overall opinion. We had ordered the signature ferris wheel sampler of appetizers and they didn’t bring it to our table. When our meals arrived we pointed out we never got the appetizers. They offered to bring it out after our meals but we decided not to do that. Then, the people next to us, who had a ferris wheel of appetizers on their table, pointed out to their server when their bill came that they never ordered it and didn’t eat any of it so they wanted it off their bill. We’re pretty sure that was our ferris wheel. Why they didn’t say anything back when it was brought to their table, is beyond me.

Anyhow, I made an 11:00 reservation with hopes of successfully ordering the ferris wheel appetizer sampler again. We arrived right at 11:00 but the stairs to the restaurant were cordoned off. We found an elevator up to the restaurant and were greeted by the hostesses. I mentioned the stairs were blocked off, which came as a surprise to them. Turns out they forgot to open the stairs when the restaurant opened.

We were promptly seated at a regular table but there were many interesting ride themed tables available.




We ordered the ferris wheel sampler as our appetizer and this time it actually arrived at our table! The menu of items recently received an update so it included different appetizers than the ill-fated one we ordered before. This one came with Cuban Eggrolls, Chicken Tenders, Mozzarella Moons, Root Beer Glazed Bacon Bites, Fried Pickle Dip & Chips.



Here’s a top down view of the wheel of yumminess:



You can see the mozzarella moons on top and here’s DH doing a cheesepull for the camera.



The moons were quite large, very hot with a nice crunchy coating and lots of cheese inside. We all thought they were very good.
Next we each tried a half of the Cuban eggrolls.



These had a nice crunchy exterior with diced corned beef and pickles inside and a mustard sauce. We all also enjoyed these.

While we received four of most of the appetizers, we actually got 6 of the root beer glazed bacon bites. These were more like pork belly than bacon.



DS-29 and I enjoyed these but DS-27 and DH didn’t like the fatty texture. Next we each tried a chicken tender.



These were very good as well. The seasoned coating was crispy and the chicken inside was an actual chicken tenderloin, not processed chicken.

I didn’t think to get a separate picture of the fried pickle dip with chips but you can see the chips in the bottom of the first photo and the dip just above them to the right. It was basically a dill ranch dip with housemade kettle chips. DS-29 and I really enjoyed this dip as well. DH and DS-27 aren’t big fans of dill so DS-29 and I got most of the dip.

Overall this was not just a unique, fun display but the appetizers were very good. It was nice that there were at least four of each item so that we all got a taste. We were so happy to finally be able to try the ferris wheel sampler.

For our entrees, DH and I decided to share a Reese’s Take 5 Sandwich: Reese's Peanut Butter & Jalapeno Caramel Grilled Chicken, Hershey's Chocolate Drizzled House Bacon, Leaf Lettuce, On A Pretzel Roll



We both enjoyed this sandwich and it was large enough to share. The chicken was moist and we could taste a hint of the chocolate and peanut butter. Personally we would’ve liked more of both flavors but it was a good chicken sandwich.

Our sons both ordered the Chocolatetown Burger: Thick Cut House Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Hershey's Chocolate Drizzled Potato Chips



They both really enjoyed their burgers. They thought the chocolate covered potato chips came on the side but they were actually on the burger. They both appreciated the very thick slab of bacon on their burger.

Overall we really enjoyed our meal. Our server, Savannah, was excellent. She was so attentive and friendly. In fact we all agreed she was one of the best servers we’ve ever had in a restaurant. This time was a much more positive experience and we’re very glad we went again. We gave the Chocolatier a B.

We finished our meal just in time to enter the park as it opened at noon.

Up next…coasters, coasters, and more coasters….

 

[LBURBERRY]

Following!! And I remember the paper fast passes too!! Seems like yesterday but a lifetime ago haha. Have a great trip.

 

[mickey916]

Following!! And I remember the paper fast passes too!! Seems like yesterday but a lifetime ago haha. Have a great trip.

Welcome!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

10/19 Lunch at the Chocolatier Restaurant​

As I mentioned in my intro, when DS-29 decided to join us, his one priority was visiting Hershey Park. When the kids were school-age, we visited Hershey park almost every summer and have great memories of our trips. My sons and I are huge coaster fans and the coasters at Hershey Park do not disappoint.

The park was scheduled to open at noon. In order to maximize our park time, I suggested we eat our main meal of the day at 11:00 and then head to the park. DS-27 really wanted to give the Chocolatier another try. As a background, we had dined there a couple years ago and had a weird mix up that affected our overall opinion. We had ordered the signature ferris wheel sampler of appetizers and they didn’t bring it to our table. When our meals arrived we pointed out we never got the appetizers. They offered to bring it out after our meals but we decided not to do that. Then, the people next to us, who had a ferris wheel of appetizers on their table, pointed out to their server when their bill came that they never ordered it and didn’t eat any of it so they wanted it off their bill. We’re pretty sure that was our ferris wheel. Why they didn’t say anything back when it was brought to their table, is beyond me.

Anyhow, I made an 11:00 reservation with hopes of successfully ordering the ferris wheel appetizer sampler again. We arrived right at 11:00 but the stairs to the restaurant were cordoned off. We found an elevator up to the restaurant and were greeted by the hostesses. I mentioned the stairs were blocked off, which came as a surprise to them. Turns out they forgot to open the stairs when the restaurant opened.

We were promptly seated at a regular table but there were many interesting ride themed tables available.

View attachment 1027110
View attachment 1027111

We ordered the ferris wheel sampler as our appetizer and this time it actually arrived at our table! The menu of items recently received an update so it included different appetizers than the ill-fated one we ordered before. This one came with Cuban Eggrolls, Chicken Tenders, Mozzarella Moons, Root Beer Glazed Bacon Bites, Fried Pickle Dip & Chips.

View attachment 1027112

Here’s a top down view of the wheel of yumminess:

View attachment 1027113

You can see the mozzarella moons on top and here’s DH doing a cheesepull for the camera.

View attachment 1027115

The moons were quite large, very hot with a nice crunchy coating and lots of cheese inside. We all thought they were very good.
Next we each tried a half of the Cuban eggrolls.

View attachment 1027114

These had a nice crunchy exterior with diced corned beef and pickles inside and a mustard sauce. We all also enjoyed these.

While we received four of most of the appetizers, we actually got 6 of the root beer glazed bacon bites. These were more like pork belly than bacon.

View attachment 1027116

DS-29 and I enjoyed these but DS-27 and DH didn’t like the fatty texture. Next we each tried a chicken tender.

View attachment 1027117

These were very good as well. The seasoned coating was crispy and the chicken inside was an actual chicken tenderloin, not processed chicken.

I didn’t think to get a separate picture of the fried pickle dip with chips but you can see the chips in the bottom of the first photo and the dip just above them to the right. It was basically a dill ranch dip with housemade kettle chips. DS-29 and I really enjoyed this dip as well. DH and DS-27 aren’t big fans of dill so DS-29 and I got most of the dip.

Overall this was not just a unique, fun display but the appetizers were very good. It was nice that there were at least four of each item so that we all got a taste. We were so happy to finally be able to try the ferris wheel sampler.

For our entrees, DH and I decided to share a Reese’s Take 5 Sandwich: Reese's Peanut Butter & Jalapeno Caramel Grilled Chicken, Hershey's Chocolate Drizzled House Bacon, Leaf Lettuce, On A Pretzel Roll

View attachment 1027118

We both enjoyed this sandwich and it was large enough to share. The chicken was moist and we could taste a hint of the chocolate and peanut butter. Personally we would’ve liked more of both flavors but it was a good chicken sandwich.

Our sons both ordered the Chocolatetown Burger: Thick Cut House Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Hershey's Chocolate Drizzled Potato Chips

View attachment 1027119

They both really enjoyed their burgers. They thought the chocolate covered potato chips came on the side but they were actually on the burger. They both appreciated the very thick slab of bacon on their burger.

Overall we really enjoyed our meal. Our server, Savannah, was excellent. She was so attentive and friendly. In fact we all agreed she was one of the best servers we’ve ever had in a restaurant. This time was a much more positive experience and we’re very glad we went again. We gave the Chocolatier a B.

We finished our meal just in time to enter the park as it opened at noon.

Up next…coasters, coasters, and more coasters….

What a cute set up in that restaurant! The Ferris wheel is so unique love it!
Sounds like everything was really good I was surprised the see a B grade.
So does Hershey park do special things for Halloween too? I didn’t know it was still open.