Any Hershey, PA experts?

[kandb]

We are skipping our annual trip to WDW this year and deciding what to do for our family vacation instead. Originally we were going to go to Busch Gardens/Water country in VA. After thinking about the 7 hour drive with our 3 children, who start asking "are we there" around 20 minutes into any trip, we are now considering going to Hershey park instead. I know it's not a week trip but we would consider doing some Amish things as well. Our children are 10, 10 and 5. We are coming from Northern NJ. I am considering buying annual passes and maybe going over spring break and then a few times in the summer. Did anyone ever get season passes and thought if they are worth it. It is around a 3 hour drive for us and we usually can get a hotel room for $100/night with the government rate. Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated. PS the annual pass is around $150. I am not sure
how much regular tickets are since they are not yet posted on the Hershey site.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

If you will use the pass it is a great buy. Besides the Giant market discount I don't know of anything less expensive. Someone may know, but I think you can use it at Dutch Wonderland too as they are owned by Hershey.

The drive to Lancaster is short. There is a lot to do there, the Strasbourg train, rail museum, Dutch country tours and farms. Gettysburg is not too far either. Otherwise, if you use the day tickets, the night before too, there are so many other things to see and do. Caverns, tour trolly, chocolate world has its own attractions worth an afternoon. The Hershey museum has nice historical items, car museum. We use to spend about 3 nights, 4 days with the kids when they were small. Now it is so grown up and so are the kids, they take their own there.

Now, if your kids are real ride fanatics, and you will use the year pass instead of all the other items then go for it.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if you think you will use 2 or 3 times during the season, then yes look at season passes. in reverse, my daughter and son in law had season passes for a few years at 6 flags. w live in Lancaster, Pa. I know they went a number of times during summer just for the day. as pp said if you do not use season passes stop at a Giant market near the park for discount tickets

 

[kandb]

Does anyone know if Hershey offers multi day passes? it seems like they offer single day passes where you get in the day before for a few hours. Do they offer a 3 day ticket? or 2 day?

 

[mystery222184]

We love Hershey! We are also from Northern NJ and Hershey is just close enough to visit several times a year for mini vacations apart from our annual Disney trip.

The annual pass is a good deal as long as you plan on visiting several times. With the park, Chocolate World, ZooAmerica, Spa, Troegs, Outlets, etc... we always find lots to do. Enjoy!

 

[lorenni]

We went to Hershey for Thanksgiving and ended up in a deluxe cabin at the campground. It was about 100/night - porch with picnic table, two bedrooms, full kitchen. For us the kitchen was terrific and would surely be a cost saver and a convenience for a longer stay. We wandered around the campground a bit and it seemed very nice. We'll definitely hit up Hershey again and will almost certainly be back in one of their cabins.

 

[Alexle2007]

We have combo season passes for Hershey and Dutch Wonderland. We're about an hour from Hershey and typically go up for the weekend and spend the night at the Comfort Suites in Hummelstown. With the free priority parking and food discount, it adds up quickly that you save money. We use our passes beginning with Spring in the Park in April, numerous times throughout the summer (typically every other weekend) and then during Halloween and Christmas. During the summer most of our time is spent in the water park which is awesome! If you are going for 3 days or more, I would definitely get the season pass.

 

[disny_luvr]

I'd probably go the season pass route if you think you'll be going three or more times. I think a day pass is around $55-60. With a season pass you can park for free, plus you get a % off food and merchandise. I know if you buy season passes early enough you get a small discount. We always get season passes as part or our Christmas present from my parents and my mom buys our passes at the end of the prior season. I think this year she paid $125/pass; just something to think about for the future. We live about 5 minutes from the park and go all the time. It's great!

One other thing - I see you have two 10-year-olds. I'd probably avoid getting the combo Hersheypark/Dutch Wonderland season pass because DW is geared more towards little kids. My kids, now 7-years-old would be bored at DW.

 

[kandb]

I thought I read something about the season passes going on sale at the end of July for the rest of the summer and then are good for the following year. This would work great because we plan on going in August and then could use them the following year.

 

[kmb584]

Also take into consideration that Hershey's season pass is valid from January 1 - December 31, not like Disney's where if you purchase it in (for example) May it's valid until the following May.

 

[HPCrazy]

We are skipping our annual trip to WDW this year and deciding what to do for our family vacation instead. Originally we were going to go to Busch Gardens/Water country in VA. After thinking about the 7 hour drive with our 3 children, who start asking "are we there" around 20 minutes into any trip, we are now considering going to Hershey park instead. I know it's not a week trip but we would consider doing some Amish things as well. Our children are 10, 10 and 5. We are coming from Northern NJ. I am considering buying annual passes and maybe going over spring break and then a few times in the summer. Did anyone ever get season passes and thought if they are worth it. It is around a 3 hour drive for us and we usually can get a hotel room for $100/night with the government rate. Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated. PS the annual pass is around $150. I am not sure
how much regular tickets are since they are not yet posted on the Hershey site.

You had mentioned on how you might consider coming out during Spring Break? When does that typically land for you? I'll be hosting a meet-up for Hershey's Springtime in the Park event on April 12th. Tickets for the seasonal events such as this are cheaper ($30 for the Springtime event) and you get almost everything (except the water attractions) open. Here is info regarding the April 12th meet-up in case you are interested:

https://www.facebook.com/events/228611380648243/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Season Passes are also good for the seasonal events as well.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

even for Springtime in the Park check Giant for discounted tickets

 

[Alexle2007]

Last year the Boys Scouts had the best price for the short time that they were selling them. Might want to try there.

 

[kandb]

Thanks everyone for the info. I will keep checking.

 

[Frankiemack]

I have a question about Hershey...Are there electric outlets in the outside picnic areas? We were going with a larger group and planning on bringing food/snacks in a cooler - if we could plug in an electric grill, that would be awesome...anyone know?

Their FAQ says:

You are welcome to picnic outside the Park with your family or group at our picnic sites located near the restrooms in the parking lot. Picnic tables are also available on the patio of the historic Hersheypark Arena and at the Hersheypark Stadium (availability based upon other Complex events). Electric table-top grills are permitted while picnicking

 

[jaberwock]

I live pretty close to Hershey (about 1.5 hours away) and I think the AP would be worth it if you plan to go multiple times. Like Disney they also have Halloween and Christmas parties that we LOVE. Not sure if it is included with the AP or not but last time we went it was 13 bucks per person for the parties.

 

[reaux]

I don't have kids, but have spent weekends at Hershey with friends. If you go in the late summer, you can hit the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire for a day, which is close to Hershey! We went in October and did Hersheypark Saturday, then Ren Faire the next day. It was a lot of fun.

 

[Feberin]

We went to Hershey Park last year. It was really fun but we were able to ride almost everything in two days. However they have some great roller coasters that are fun to ride again and again. We also didn't get to do the water park since there was a cold spell when we went and it was too chilly.

 

[CraftyMommy]

I grew up in PA. We had our annual youth convention every year at the Hershey Park Arena (the old arena, I've never been in the new one). One time our group went to Hershey Park and we were all so disappointed in it. It didn't have much in attractions and was extremely boring. We were all disappointed that we spent that much money on a ticket for...that. I certainly would not give up a trip to WDW for Hershey Park. But if you do decide to do Hershey Park make sure you visit Chocolate World. It is not big and you won't spend a ton of time there, but I thought it was interesting. I would go to a beach or pick a different place to visit, but that's just me.