Budget Hotels Near Sesame Place or Hershey PA?

[tzeitel]

We are planning DD's birthday trip and hope to take her to Sesame Place. Never been to PA other than driving through it so I am clueless . Right now we are in the planning stages since the trip is not until August, but I like to have some idea how much it would cost. Flights and car rental is no mystery but the hotels in the area are.

Anyone know of a nice, clean place close to SP that won't break the bank (less then $150...much less if possible )? We will also spend a few days in Philadelphia and might do the trek to Hershey and have no problem switching hotels since we will have a car.

 

[jrw118]

We have been to sesame 2 times and stayed at this raddison. Both times it was around $100 per night. It is about 10 minutes away tops. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Rooms were nice. They have sleep number beds that we were not that fond of though.

 

[tzeitel]

We have been to sesame 2 times and stayed at this raddison. Both times it was around $100 per night. It is about 10 minutes away tops. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Rooms were nice. They have sleep number beds that we were not that fond of though.

Thanks! That is the only place I have found good reviews for that mentions being close to SP.

 

[chimilady]

The water park part of Sesame won't open until Memorial Day weekend. I'm in Philly, so if you have any Philly questions, let me know. We also have Sesame Season Passes and practically live there, so if you have any questions about there, let me know and I'll be happy to answer.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Off Topic - Sorry - But - I couldn't sleep at all or make it through the night without my Sleep Number Bed! #75 for me - spinal issues.

I LOVE my Sleep Number Bed - and I miss it each time we go to Disney!

We live near Sesame Place. There is a very nice Sheraton right across the street from SP. Enjoy!

Visit Oxford Valley Mall when you are there. It's rather nice, and you'll see lots of places to eat along the road that circles around the mall.

 

[Mjtsmami]

Another vote for the Radisson. Last time we went we took a day trip out to Hershey, and also a trip to Staasburg Railroad. We went the week of July 4th and caught the fireworks at Sesame and then could see the ones from the Philly Downs from the hotel.

 

[Mjtsmami]

Oh and I should say we got it through Hotwire.com, rather than booking it with Sesame. It was about 3 years ago, but I want to say we got it for $70-80 a night...

 

[tzeitel]

Yhanks for all the responses! I checked out The Radisson and for our dates it would be $72 a night

chimilady - Thanks for the offer, so here come the questions! how many days for SP 2? 1 1/2? Do you think it would be better to stay the whole week at the Radisson and drive into Philly or just change hotels to one in the city? How crowded does SP get?

Mjtsmami - did you find a hotel near Hershey park or did you go back to the Radisson? Is Hershey a 1 day park? From their info it looks like it could be a 2 day thing

We are going in Aug (it is DD's birthday or I would not go to any park in Summer ) so we want to have enough time to deal with crowds and the heat.

 

[pawn626]

OMG hershey is sooo worth the ride there from SP. we went last summer and stayed at marriot, water park at SP was so packed you couldn't move, don't miss the night time parade , a lot of fun. have a great trip well worth it.

 

[trinchick]

We stayed at the Radisson when we went to Sesame Place as well and we were generally satisfied. I think we got it on Priceline for something like $45 a night. Funny story about the sleep number beds. When we were there the power went out, so the beds deflated while we were sleeping in them.

As an aside, I am not a fan of Sesame Place AT ALL. I thought it was overcrowded without enough attractions for the number of people there. Also, the water rides are interspersed with the regular rides, so people are roaming around in bathing suits, and it's just not great. Also, the way the park is laid out there are a million opportunities to lose your kids. For instance, at Snuffie's slide I walked DD to the top of the slide, and then dashed down to the bottom to catch her, only to find that she had already gotten off the slide and disappeared into the crowd. I think they need a holding pen or a staff person at the end of the slide. It's just an example of how the park isn't very well planned.

We greatly prefer Dutch Wonderland to Sesame Place.

 

[dsneprincess]

I would recommend Hershey with the preview plan at the very least. They will let you into the park after 7 or 730pm, depending on park cloae, with your next day ticket. This has always worked for us: preview night & 1 day park ticket, but my kids are not riders of the really big coasters. Hershey hotels can be pricey in Hershey, but check for Grantsville, Hummelstown or Manada Hill. All are right there & close to the park, 81, 84, & turnpike. You can purchase Hershey tickets at Giant foods for a discount & they will work for preview plan. Sesame Place to Hershey is a quick drive & so worth it! I love Sesame Place as well. We highly recommend the "Nifty Fifties" diner. We always stay at the Doubletree Club on Route 1, tho I think it may have changed ownership. We usually visit Franklin Mills as well. It is a great area to visit. You can also do the shopping in King of Prussia & history in Valley Forge easily. Have fun!

 

[Sagginit]

i stayed in that area a few years ago and for the life of me i can't remember where we stayed but it was right outside the park and very nice. oddly enough i was there for a business trip. there are tons of restaurants in the immediate area, off the highway and in the mall areas.

love Hershey, I would totally try to work it in. when i go out that way we usually stop in the SP part of PA for a quick meal break, i think its only 2 hours out to Hershey from there. as an adult I was able to do HP in one fall night, some rides were closed and crowds were smaller, but it went quick. as a child we did a day trip which was enough. i agree with the preview night option. you can also then visit chocolate world (which is free) before you go into the park to make the day longer.

there are tons of motels in the area but the hotel at hershey fills up quick and is pricey. the last time i was there a few years ago we went by price and got an awful motel, definitely check trip advisor. Also don't forget the Amish aspect of lancaster. some of it is really touristy but we did a Buggy ride and loved it.

another thing to throw in since you are from outside the area. if you want any beach time the jersey shore is about 2 hours from there.

 

[tms295psu]

If heading into Lancaster, remember just about everything is closed on Sundays!

 

[tzeitel]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone I had read about the Hershey preview and I think that is what we will do. Just checked the Chocolate World site - yep we HAVE to go, DD will think she died and went to heaven

If heading into Lancaster, remember just about everything is closed on Sundays!

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jam217]

For a hotel in Hershey, I would recommend Comfort Inn at the Park. It is literally minutes from the park, but their address is Hummelstown. It is reasonably priced and offers a free breakfast.

 

[Redwitch]

If heading into Lancaster, remember just about everything is closed on Sundays!

Not true anymore! We are finely catching up with the real world.

 

[mjkacmom]

For a hotel in Hershey, I would recommend Comfort Inn at the Park. It is literally minutes from the park, but their address is Hummelstown. It is reasonably priced and offers a free breakfast.

Another good inexpensive hotel is the country inn and suites on jonestown road in Harrisburg. Four miles away, indoor pool, and free breakfast. There are some dumps, so always book with recommendations or check trip advisor.