Christmas in Hershey, PA

[MagicalMom]

We are planning to go to Hershey for a weekend this December & stay at the Springhill Suites. I was wondering if anyone could give some info on what we should do & see. I know that for 15.00 a car you can drive through & see the lights. Do you feel that it is worth the 15.00 to drive 2 miles? I've seen that they have character meals, do they have these all year? Do you know what rides are open at Christmas time? What are some other things that we should do? Is two days enough or should I add on another day? I was thinking that we may drive over to Sight & Sound also, to see the Christmas water show. Have I asked enough questions? If not let, me know & I'll think of some more! LOL j/k

 

[gr8tpanther]

I go there all the time, summer, winter, only live about an hour away. You can go to the Chocolate Factory, FREE and get FREE candy at the end of it. I don't think that it is worth 15.00 to drive through just to see the lights, you can do a walk through, that is neat. You can go to http://www.hersheypa.com/ and read up. I would tour downtown Hershey, they have kiss shaped street lights, and there is chocolate town, that is neat too. Beware, the smell is rather fattening

 

[MagicalMom]

Thank you so much for the website. It looks like it will be fun! Have you ever seen the Christmas show at Sight & Sound? I've seen Noah & it was great! I thought the children might enjoy it.

 

[gr8tpanther]

My daughter had surgery at Hershey Medical Center when she was born and it was over the Christmas season, so I spent alot of time there, it was a break from the monotony of hospital life. iIt is beautiful, when are you going? I want to go this year again. We were going to go last year, but it just wouldn't STOP snowing!!!

 

[MagicalMom]

We are thinking of going the weekend before Christmas. DH & I both have to work 12 hour shifts on Christmas Day, so we want to do something special to soften the blow a little.

 

[gr8tpanther]

Ewww, 12 hours on Christmas? Well, hershey will definitely put some spirit in your holiday

Do be sure to go through the Chocolate factory though, we were there three times this summer, we make special trips throughout the year just to buy candy and we spend ALOT on stupid stuff, but well worth it. In fact, I think I remember that I hid some and now I have to go find it

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

I think the $15.00 drive thru light show was worth it. Our jaws dropped when we first heard the price, but we ended up enjoying it and it was worth the money. It takes a long time to drive thru 2 miles slowly and we had my elderly MIL w/ us and she can't walk too far. So the car ride was perfect for 2 small children and grandma. You can't walk thru that one, just drive. You can walk thru the park which is called Candy Lane and see the lights which are pretty nice as well. But the drive one is across the road from the park in the hotel direction. It's not Osborne, but it's worth it if you can't get to WDW.

The park itself has most of it's rides open, except the water rides. I rode the roller coasters in October and December sometimes. If you have kids that will be riding a lot of rides, paying for each one w/ a 2 to 5 tickets gets expensive. We rack up $40 per kid quickly and ours our little. I would buy the bracelet which gives them unlimited riding w/o having to waste time going to each window to but 20, then finding yourself there again to buy another 20 in an hour. That is a waste of time and money unless you only plan on going on 5 or less rides.

We also enjoy the hotel very much. Sunday Brunch is wonderful in the circular dining room, but it is somewhat expensive (although worth the money) and men must wear jackets. Small children are welcome. We took the family for Baby girls' Baptism and the nephews enjoyed the atmosphere and they didn't charge us for a 7 yr old even though we told them his right age. They also have wonderful chocolate themed entrees which I hear are marvelous.

The Fountain Cafe at the Hershey Hotel is lovely for casual dining. We usually eat on the patio outside overlooking the mountains, but in December that won't be an option. But it is still less formal inside for kids.

There is also a spa at the hotel which I hear is nice.

There are the Hershey Outlets for shopping. There is Founder's Hall which is a nondenominational church which is lovely and a nice tour. I have also seen Sight and Sound and it is very nice.


That's about all I know for that season. Have fun!!

 

[kpgclark]

The rollercoasters are definitely not open at Christmas. It is mainly just the younger kiddie rides that are just right there at the entrance. Be warned-- it can be COLD COLD COLD especially when you are on a ride when the cold wind hits your face.