Cabela's In PA...what else is there to do in that area?

[Kycha]

I agree with TaraPA about Hershey vs Dorney. I have been going to Hershey all my life. So, it was quite an eye opener when DH and I went to Dorney for the first time about 5 years ago. There were a ton of kids(pre-teen) all unattended. No parents/chaperones to be found. People cutting in front of you left and right, despite signs all over the place stating that you will be thrown out of the park if caught line cutting. Rude guest, rude employees. It was crazy. I must admit though, that was during July 4th week and it was incredibly hot. So, the crowds were 10 times worse at the water park than they were at the other side.

I was at Hershey during the opening weekend of the new water park. I was there with my DB and DSil with their 5 kids. It was chaotic. You couldn't take your eyes off the kids because they could so easily be lost in the crowds.(This was just in the water park area. The rest of the park was much less crowded.). We were only in there for about 2 hours, but in that time, they had to shut down the lap pool twice because there were too many people in it. DSil and the kids have been there several times since opening weekend and she told me they have been able to manage the crowds much better since. Plus, she goes during the week when the crowds are lighter.

 

[marcyinPA]

Just jumping in to say that if you are stuck on Hershey vs. Dorney....do Hershey. I live about 10-15 minutes from Dorney, and we NEVER go there. I stay as far away from that place as I can. The last time I was there, the crowd was a bit on the rough side.

I always considered Hershey to be cleaner and more family friendly. Plus, I really like taking a break in Chocolate World (as do my boys!)

Have a nice time! I still haven't been to Cabela's, and we pass by it often when we visit our friends who live right in Hamburg!

Marcy

 

[PA Princess]

Not to sound too repetitive, but I have to agree with those who recommend Hershey over Dorney. We live about 15 minutes from Cabela's and about 30 minutes from Dorney...we avoid Dorney completely, and honestly most people I know avoid it as well.

Hershey, however, we visit at least once a year and even when it is hot and crowded, we always have a fun time. It is not WDW, but there are many nice things about it. I think the type of crowds you get at the two parks is the big difference...more family friendly at Hershey.

And Cabela's is an interesting place...lots to see and look at. We are not hunting people, but we have made a trip or two to Cabelas as an outing and it has been pleasant.

Hope you have a nice visit to our neck of the woods

 

[yrdlyprincess]

My family loves Cabela's, make sure to bring a camera, I agree with going to DOrney or you could head up the NE extension and go to Tannserville Outlets or I can't remember if it's Jack Frost or Big boulder that have a "summer thing" or Great Wolf lodge the indoor waterpark- it opened not long ago in the Pocnos.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

Just jumping in to say that if you are stuck on Hershey vs. Dorney....do Hershey. I live about 10-15 minutes from Dorney, and we NEVER go there. I stay as far away from that place as I can. The last time I was there, the crowd was a bit on the rough side.

I agree!! I have NEVER been there, I would rather save my $$ & go to Disney, every time we pass there to go to the Lehigh Valley Mall, my children are like "There's DORNEY, We want to go!!" I always seem to have some good excuse, My neighbor has a season pass & most times goes after like 3pm or goes to the rides if it's hot instead of the water part.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

My family loves Cabela's, make sure to bring a camera, I agree with going to DOrney or you could head up the NE extension and go to Tannserville Outlets or I can't remember if it's Jack Frost or Big boulder that have a "summer thing" or Great Wolf lodge the indoor waterpark- it opened not long ago in the Pocnos.

Camelback Ski Area is inTannersville. They have CamelBEACH waterpark for the summer.

 

[moopdog]

Wow, I had added it up and noticed that going to Hershey vs. Dorney would have us travel about 117 miles extra, not to mention $10 extra per person to get in and about $20-40 more for the hotel. So I thought - okay, that's an easy decision - we're going to Dorney.

But, alas, I read all of your comments - how can I POSSIBLY go to Dorney?! I am thanking you, but am dissapointed that I can be swayed so very easily...

Now I just have to tell my DH that I've changed our plans again...

 

[TaraPA]

You made the right choice. I was the 1st poster to try & sway you to Hershey, not Dorney, and I was being nice in the post in case your heart was set on Dorney. But like the OPs, I avoid Dorney at all costs, I wouldn't go there if it was free, and I don't allow my kids to go there with friends either. The last few times we went we were actually scared because a lot of the teens were openly showing knives, pushing, fighting, using obscenties, etc. They really need to clean up their act there. The employees are just as young as the kids causing chaos (they hire as young as 15, my SIL used to work there years ago) so there just isn't any adult supervision. It's really sad, as a kid we'd go & you knew everyone there, it was clean, empty & friendly.

Hey GraysMom - pray for storms tonight - if they cancel DSs football we'll be over in Emmaus watching POTC 3!

 

[tor]

I have been to hershey and dorney I would say Hershey is nicer but Dorney has better rides. The lines at hershey were empty this year for the rides as everybody was at the boardwalk. Temp was in the 90's but the water was in the 60's or so it felt. The water park was way to crowded and out of control if you want to go on the slides the wait was forever x 2 and the cues actually have four lines but nobody seems to bother to read that so they all wait on two lines so you can squeeze up the middle with you float and not wait if you aren't going on the vortex or whirlwind. Waverider the body surfing was at least 1 hour wait and watching the kids fall and get thrown around like rag dolls was a little unnerving but they all loved it. You could get a cheaper hotel on hotwire buy staying in harrisburg instead of hershey 1/2 the price for 15 minutes of driving. Discount tickets can be had at the Giant food store on the road right before the entrance. Checkout the current offer at Giantpa.com I think its 34.95 adult/25.95 child/senior

 

[GraysMom]

Hey GraysMom - pray for storms tonight - if they cancel DSs football we'll be over in Emmaus watching POTC 3!

Here's some for rain tonight! Enjoy some if you go!