Going to Hershey! The CHOCOLATE Capitol! Any Tips?

[bsusanmb]

We stayed at the Homewood Suites in Harrisburg and it was great. Easy access to the park and other activities. The prices for Hershey hotels were crazy and the accommodations weren't as nice, IMHO.

Agree! Prices for Hershey hotels are outrageous! Also, if you don't have discount tickets for the park, the grocery store, Giant sells them at a discounted price...there is one in Hershey and one north or Hershey on Route 39...it is about a 5 minute drive north.

The hotels in Harrisburg will be much less, and there is also a Hampton Inn just off the turnpike exit at Lebanon/Hershey on route 72. I don't know how much it is, but I would think it is much less than Hershey.

 

[disneyholic family]

And the character breakfast at Hershey park is $27! I have no desire to meet a life size Reese's Cup, so we are skipping that!

it it's edible, i'd be willing!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Thanks for the info bsusanmb! Always trust the word of the locals!
Any thoughts on a lunch at the Hershey Hotel? I was thinking at the Fountain Cafe, it looks really pretty.

We are definitely doing Chocolate World and now the Trolley ride, I checked it out and it looks like fun. I doubt we'll do the waterpark at Hershey, but who knows, the kids might talk us into it. (I hate waterparks)

 

[bsusanmb]

Thanks for the info bsusanmb! Always trust the word of the locals!
Any thoughts on a lunch at the Hershey Hotel? I was thinking at the Fountain Cafe, it looks really pretty.

We are definitely doing Chocolate World and now the Trolley ride, I checked it out and it looks like fun. I doubt we'll do the waterpark at Hershey, but who knows, the kids might talk us into it. (I hate waterparks)

The waterpark is right in the middle of the amusement park...and it does get HOT in the park...not much shade most places.

The Hotel Hershey is beautiful, and we do often have lunch at the Fountain Cafe. It is a little pricey, but not too bad. You can get reasonably priced items. You can see the entire park as you drive down the road a bit from top of the hill.

Hope you enjoy your visit!

 

[dpuck1998]

Thanks for the info bsusanmb! Always trust the word of the locals!
Any thoughts on a lunch at the Hershey Hotel? I was thinking at the Fountain Cafe, it looks really pretty.

We are definitely doing Chocolate World and now the Trolley ride, I checked it out and it looks like fun. I doubt we'll do the waterpark at Hershey, but who knows, the kids might talk us into it. (I hate waterparks)

We had dinner at the Fountain Cafe, it was decent. Our service was sub-par, and there were only three tables sitting our entire meal. Try to chocolate beer...its yummy!

 

[spaddy]

We had dinner at the Fountain Cafe, it was decent. Our service was sub-par, and there were only three tables sitting our entire meal. Try to chocolate beer...its yummy!

Yum, chocolate beer. Is it a stout?

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Thanks for the info bsusanmb! Always trust the word of the locals!
Any thoughts on a lunch at the Hershey Hotel? I was thinking at the Fountain Cafe, it looks really pretty.

We are definitely doing Chocolate World and now the Trolley ride, I checked it out and it looks like fun. I doubt we'll do the waterpark at Hershey, but who knows, the kids might talk us into it. (I hate waterparks)

We stay at the Hotel Hershey every summer and we will be there next month. As PP have stated the water park is towards the back of the park and they are putting in a wave pool where the Rapids ride used to be. I don't like water parks either but my son and his friend had a great time there. It does get very crowded so if you are going to go, you have to get there early in order to get seats. If you are staying on property, you get early admission to Hershey Park. The park is nice, clean, family friendly. Make sure you have comfortable shoes as part of the park is very hilly.

The Fountain Cafe is a nice place to eat and the food is great. The Circular Dining room has a buffet breakfast every morning and the food is great as well. They have everything you can think of, cereals, pastries, fruit, yogurt, omelet station, waffles, pancakes, etc.

Chocolate World is great with a lot of candy (of course) and the Trolley Ride is a lot of fun. They have two people that work the trolley and one changes into costumes and goes into character. It takes you through the town and you go by Milton Hershey's house.

The Hotel Hershey is almost done with a big expansion and they now have villas, new restaurant, ice skating rink and a wonderful pool. Part of the pool is for adults only and the other part now has slides.

Hershey has so much history and is such a great place to visit. We have been going since 1994 and love it more and more every time we go.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[pklein09]

Does anyone know the entrance fee? We were thinking of stopping in Hershey on our way back from Buffalo later this summer. I went to their official website, and I think it was $50/pp. For us, that means $300 just to walk in the door. What type of discounts are there?

TIA!!!


--Michelle

 

[NC Belle]

Does anyone know the entrance fee? We were thinking of stopping in Hershey on our way back from Buffalo later this summer. I went to their official website, and I think it was $50/pp. For us, that means $300 just to walk in the door. What type of discounts are there?

TIA!!!


--Michelle

You can save $11 if you buy the tickets at Giant (grocery store chain).

*or coupons:

July- Save $10.00* per ticket
August/September - Save $8.00* per ticket
​

*Discounts apply only to purchase of regular (ages 9-54) full one-day admission price.


Pick up Discount Coupons at these partners this month:


July

Partner Name

Available at Participating Locations

Cabelas Hamburg
Panera Bread
Central PA Rita's Italian Ice
Central PA, Philadelphia, Wilkes Barre, New York, Washington DC, New Jersey, Pittsburgh
Quizno's
Central PA, Philadelphia, Wilkes Barre, New York, Washington DC, Baltimore, Delaware, New Jersey
CVS
Philadelphia, Wilkes Barre, New York, New Jersey

I think that are preview/sunset pricing which various by park hours.
edit: Sunset pricing (check hours):

Regular (ages 9-54) $26.95
Junior (ages 3-8) $22.95
Senior (ages 55-69) $22.95
Senior (ages 70+) $15.95
Children (ages 2 and under) FREE

- When the Park closes at 6 PM - Enter Park at 3 PM
- When the Park closes at 8 PM - Enter Park at 4 PM
- When the Park closes at 10 & 11 PM - Enter Park at 5 PM

Preview:

Preview Plan - Be Our Guest!

Purchase a regular full-day admission ticket for tomorrow, 2-1/2* hours prior to Park closing,(3.5 hours on 11 PM closing) and be our guest FREE for the remainder of that evening. Then use your ticket tomorrow! (Must purchase full-day admission)

It been years since my last visit.

 

[pklein09]

You can save $11 if you buy the tickets at Giant (grocery store chain).

*or coupons:



I think that are preview/sunset pricing which various by park hours.
edit: Sunset pricing (check hours):
Preview:
It been years since my last visit.

Thanks!

 

[mommycrawford]

Measure your children! The kiddie rides have height restrictions, and if you have a tall child they won't be allowed to ride many of the kiddie rides!

Also, study the map a while because it's easy to make wrong turns!

Bring cash for treats...some stands don't take ccs.

BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR EVERYONE!...The super soaker coaster allows bystanders to hit anyone with water cannons, and it could be you!

They have oopsies (brown ones) in the water sometimes, an have to close water rides accordingly, so hit them early if you can!

 

[dpuck1998]

Measure your children! The kiddie rides have height restrictions, and if you have a tall child they won't be allowed to ride many of the kiddie rides!

Also, study the map a while because it's easy to make wrong turns!

Bring cash for treats...some stands don't take ccs.

BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR EVERYONE!...The super soaker coaster allows bystanders to hit anyone with water cannons, and it could be you!

They have oopsies (brown ones) in the water sometimes, an have to close water rides accordingly, so hit them early if you can!

They do have one of the best measurement setups of any park. Before you go in you can see where you measure up and the rides are labeled by "candy" that equals your measurements. Sometimes they are handing out free candy for getting measured.

 

[bsusanmb]

Hotel Hershey is beautiful, but WAY our of my price range. Maybe that's because I live here and I can't see spending that kind of money for a hotel room here...it's Hershey, not WDW!! LOL That's just me and many other locals. If you can afford it, hey, it's great.

I think the price to get into the park is rather steep also, but I do like that if you are over 55 you pay less..like me, and ages 72 or something like that pay even less. At least you don't pay extra for the water area. Dorney Park does...it is two separate parks. I think an AP to HP is not much more than 2 visits...maybe 3. I don't remember the specifics because I don't go anymore unless it is spring in the park and then you get to enter free and pay as you go...and I never go...so it is free for me...just the grands have to have tickets.

The Circular Dining room at Hotel Hershey does have wonderful buffets like PP said. You may want to check that out.

There is a time share just down the street...and it can be rented with DVC points on an exchange...

 

[WaltD4Me]

I checked out the buffet at the Circular Dining room, but it seems it is only on Sundays. I really wanted to try it, but we won't arrive until late Sunday afternoon and we leave on Thursday.