Christmas in hershey Park?

[MagicalMom]

Dh & I both have to work Christmas day this year! I am hoping to do something different & special with my kids while we are all off after Christmas. I noticed that hershey park is open for Christmas & was wondering if any of you have been there for the celebration? I'm afraid that it will be so cold that we will be just merable. I also read that park admission is free over the holidays & that you just pay by the ride? Does anyone know what the cost per ride is?
Thank you for your help
Lisa

 

[Big Dude]

Ok, I have been at Hershey on a few occasions during the Christmas holidays. Parking still costs about 5 or 6 bucks but entrance into the park is indeed free. Mind you, there are only a few choice rides open (no coasters, thrill rides etc.) Chocolate world is open and provides a warm climate for a spell.

This time of year they call it Christmas Candy Lane. You could walk around the entire park and some of the buildings that house different things during the summer were converted into kiosks that had train setups (Lionel etc.). You can have lunch with Santa and also take a horse drawn carriage ride (extra cost ~ $15-$20 or so)

There are a few kiddie rides open as well as the "People Transporter" (monorail type ride that goes over the zoo area). Tickets normally go for $2-$3 a ride) A couple of arcades are open and there is a Christmas show that takes place during certain times of the day (extra cost. not sure how much) I like to take the train ride to see all of the different lights they have set up for the season.

All in all it is a pretty good time with lot's of places to escape to if it is bitterly cold. Hope this helps.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[MagicalMom]

Thank you so much Big Dude! It sounds like fun. I have some coupons from work that offer 1$ off the wristband & 2$ off the Hershey sweet lights. I think this is something we may look into. Looks like I'll be working Christmas in 2006 too! I guess we better take the kids to Disney World to make up for that Holiday!
Lisa

 

[CEDmom]

We've been going to Hershey for Thanksgiving the past few years. None of my family is in the area and DH's family is difficult at best so we don't do holidays with them. Anyway, we really enjoy it. We always start off at Chocolate World so DD can go on her favorite ride in the whole world (beats anything at WDW in her mind because of the free chocolate ). Since we go there first we don't have a pay for parking. Last year they added one of those drive thru light spectaculars around the Hotel Hershey that's quite beautiful. In the park (dubbed Candy Cane Lane) music is piped in and there are lots of stands selling hot chocolate and other warm things. I don't know the cost of the rides because we didn't go on any. We just enjoy walking around and soaking in the holiday spirit.

 

[Razor Roman]

I took my fiancee to the hotel hershey this winter, and it was so beautiful... I"m going to have to take her again for Christmas this year if we can afford it!

 

[kpgclark]

It can be REALLY REALLY cold on the rides!