Cant Do WDW this summer - Hershey???

[spn]

This pastFebruary we (DW DD & I ) did WDW. We had a great time. Now DD is interested in going to a Park again. We do not have the time this summer or money to do. I was wondering if anyone has done Hershey and has any tips or sites to visit.

Thanks

 

[Betsyt82]

We are going this week coming to Hershey will let you know what we think when we get back next week end.

 

[d.kurz]

Hershey Park is an awesome trip. Go for it! There have been lots of threads about Hershey on the CB. Maybe you could get up in the middle of the night to do a search!!

How old is DD? Hershey has some great coasters!

 

[buzzlady]

http://www.hersheypa.com/

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I've been to one park more than WDW, and that's Hershey. While my sister-in-law helps my pregnant wife get our nursery together next Thursday (June 26), I'll be taking my two nieces there.

Tips? Hershey during the summer is usually like MK on Saturdays. I've never even THOUGHT about a touring plan for Hershey (we just do it), but come to think of it, it's similar to MK in the following respects:

Hit the big rides early. Everyone for some reason goes crashing at entry into Chocolate World, the small, free ride next door to the park (a must do, but later). This makes the first hour the best time to hit the SuperDooper, and some of the new rides back past the water-rides.

Forget about stay-dry water-ride strategy. Come in a pair of swim trunks. You will get wet on Hershey water rides.

Like Disney's dark rides, Zoo America is a great place to get out of the heat.

While you can't "nap," we always take a break around 1:30. We take a picinic lunch, which you can do in the parking area (GET YOUR HAND STAMPED OR YOU WILL NOT BE RE-ADMITTED). We then head over to ZooAmerica.

Don't pay list for tickets. If you're coming in the night before, you can get a "preview pass" two hours before the park closes. Example, if the park closes at 10 PM, check into your hotel, then come to Hershey just before eight. Buy tomorrow's tickets, you'll get the rest of the night free.

OR

Find a Giant Food Market (they're all over the place in South Central PA). They almost always have $7 off an adult ticket, $5 off a childs.

OR

Eat lunch at McDonald's. Most Central and South Central PA Mickey D's right now have ther same $7/$5 off coupon on the bags they put your food in.

Before you leave, hit the chocolate store in Chocolate World. Get your chocolate for the next year (it freezes). They have GREAT deals. Many times, they have a featured bar at 4 for a dollar. When Amy got pregnant, we dropped by on the way home from Easter Dinner and bought a three pound bag of mixed. Great stuff to have around a pregnant woman!

Pat

 

[mamamia]

We went to Hershey 2 years ago, my children really liked it. At the time they were 10, 8 & 6. I know we went on a Saturday in the summer and I don't remember the crowd being too bad. There was a line for some of the bigger roller coasters but most things we hardly waited for. We would definitely go again.

 

[palmtreegirl]

We love Hershey!! Pat_Elliott- gave you some great tips!

We stayed at the Hershey Lodge once and will never go back, it really wasn't that nice at all and WAY over priced!

The last time we went we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, it was very nice and just down the street from Hershey. This hotel was a lot more affordable, very clean, had a small indoor swimming pool, breakfast buffet in the morning and shuttle service to the parks if you wanted. We'd definitely go back.

 

[spn]

Thank you all. Espically Pat great tips. We followed a lot of those same tips for WDW and we had a great trip. Thanks also palm tree girl. We thought of the Hershey Lodge but will not do it. I can get three free days at local marriott ( more money for goodies).

Thanks Again

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

DH is taking DD next week (week of 6/23). I wasn't invited . He feels guilty for spending so little time with her due to his work schedule.

FYI if you go 6/25 starts the Creation Festival and runs through the weekend. They expect thousands of visitors as their usual venue is flooded.

 

[cathie]

Our 2 most favorite places..Disney & Hershey! We've been going to Hershey, PA. for over 25 yrs. & Disney for 18 yrs. We live in NH & always drive to Florida, so Hershey, PA is always our stop on the way home. Chocolate World & Hersheypark are awesome! We love the coasters (both kids & adults...I guess I'm the only big kid who'll do the coasters!) We've stayed @ the Hershey Lodge before the prices went soaring. It's a great place, but there are a lot of new hotel chains in the area at a more reasonable price. Country Inns & Suites is a great place to stay, about 6 miles from the park. Enjoy! Cathie

 

[momsal]

Hershey's is fun!!

Here is another idea!
Try Knoebel's in PA also It is a great park and it has FREE admission! There is camping and they have cabins you can rent.

You just pay for the rides you go on and it is NOT expensive!!!

When I go I take a cooler of food ( yes you can take in food!!)
I put it on a picnic table ( it has never been disturbed) and when ever someone is hungry they can just go eat.
They have a Web site www.knoebels.com check it out.

oh by the way it is closer for you.

 

[paras4ri]

We're heading to Hershey the first week of August so I also appreciate these tips!

 

[AspiringCindy]

We also love Hershey! We spent Thanksgiving this year at The Hershey Lodge... complete with banquet dinner then on to the chocolate factory. It's a nice clean park with plenty of rides and attractions for all ages. Don't forget to visit ZooAmerica!

 

[Piglet's Pal]

We go to Hershey a few times each season and I have a couple of tips to add. We started doing Hershey with a "plan" and we have found that we accomplish a lot more than when we don't plan. If we want to do water rides we arrive with our swim suits already on, grab a locker for our clothes, hit all the water rides and then change. If we are not doing water rides we start at the back of the park and work our way to the front. If it is a really hot day we start in the Midway America section of the park. This is the newest area and there is no shade and it gets very hot in the afternoon.
Your admission ticket to Hershey Park includes admission to Zoo America, so don't pay for another ticket to Zoo America! You can enter Zoo America directly from Hershey Park near the Flying Falcon in Minetown.
If you have time check out the Hershey Museum (seperate admission) a nice place to learn some Hershey history.
Have a fun trip!
PP

 

[Poohnatic]

Originally posted by momsal
Here is another idea!
Try Knoebel's in PA
They have a Web site www.knoebels.com check it out.

Knoebels is on the list this year to try. As a LI girl, growing up, you either did Hershey or Great Adventure. At 36, I still haven't been to Great Adventure!!! (We won't go into the Action Park that I miss so much). We started going when my younger sister was 6.

Pat's advice is great. Now that we live a little more than an hour away, we have taken my kids in the off season to Hershey. We've done the Candy Lane, where the kiddie rides are open and you use carnival tickets. There's something magical about that place when the sun is setting, there's the SC Pa chill in the air and you're holding a cup of hot chocolate while the kids ride the rides. This year, my younger DS is tall enough for enough of the rides, so we will do the summer trip (toyed with the season pass, but decided against it due to WDW trip in October).

Chocolate World is fantastic for stocking up on the chocolate. We went the week before Easter and bought those 3 pound bags of chocolate, too!

Have fun...wear those swimsuits and lightweight shorts!

Suzanne