Going to Hershey! The CHOCOLATE Capitol! Any Tips?

[WaltD4Me]

My sister got a few days off in August and wants to take the kids somewhere before school starts, we were thinking about King's Island Cincinatti, but decided on Hershey Park instead. We are going to stay 4 nights in Harrisburg. And will be going to Gettysburg one of the days. Anybody have insider tips for doing Hershey? Anything in the area we should be sure to check out? Hershey Gardens? Capitol Island Park? I'd love to hear about anyone's trip to the area!

 

[ma2jr]

Tips no.. envious yes

Have a great trip

 

[dpuck1998]

Hmm...went there a couple of years ago. Had a great trip, you will love the park. Of course as a Disney expert you will get up and go early. Avoid the zoo, it just isn't worth the time or effort, it was a sad sad zoo.

Visit the gardens, they are incredible. Take the trolley tour, it was a blast.

 

[disneyholic family]

i see you're from northeast ohio, so i'll scratch what i was going to say (choosing between kings island and hershey park, i'd pick cedar point)..

just be aware that HP is not on the level of CP....not even close...

but it smells great there...

 

[mainegal]

Eat chocolate!

But don't buy too much chocolate if it is hot.

Years ago, my mother bought a bag of Hersehy kisses. By the end of the day, it was bits of slivery foil swimming in a mass of soft melted chocolate!

 

[dpuck1998]

i see you're from northeast ohio, so i'll scratch what i was going to say (choosing between kings island and hershey park, i'd pick cedar point)..

just be aware that HP is not on the level of CP....not even close...

but it smells great there...

Totally agree with the level if you are a roller coaster junkie, but I find HP must more enjoyable for families with kids. The park is much cleaner and the staff a lot better. IMHO

 

[FireDancer]

Hershey Park is pretty cool. It definitely doesn't have the thrill rides of CP or even KI but there are some and there are a lot more rides for smaller kids.

Make sure to check out the Hershey store. It is over by the entrance to the park. There are a lot of hard to find chocolate candies there. If you like dark chocolate they have some pretty cool options like some with blueberry or mint. Make sure to bring your toothbrush though.

 

[remark44]

Go on the factory tour. It is not the real factory but it is still fun. They show you the entire process of how chocolate is made, from picking the coco beans to wrapping the hershey kisses. They used to give you a free sample, not sure if they still do that or not.

There was also a fun activity in the store. The kids can be offical chocolate makers. It is kind of like the "I love Lucy" episode where they have to box the chocolates. Cute for the little kids.

 

[DVCsince02]

And after you do the factory tour, do it again for more free chocolate!

 

[rotlex]

You'll love the park, and the area. We live maybe 70 miles from Hershey, and visit a few times a year. It's a very nice park; clean, friendly, nicely laid out, with a good assortment of rides and attractions. The area close by, as others have said, also has the Hershey Gardens, tours, shopping, quite a bit actually.

As far as thrill rides, while not a CP, they have their share of decent coasters. 3 really good woodies, and at least a half dozen steel. (Storm Runner being my current favorite). Check their web site and I think you will find something for everyone.

With that said, Hershey expanded their waterpark area this year, The Boardwalk, by adding a new wave pool. It's a nice area, but "inside" the park itself. If you plan on using it, you might want to bring a swim bag with you, so you can easily change in the parks changing area's. Also, I have not looked lately, but if you plan on spending more than one day in the park, I think you can add a 2nd day to your tickets for like $10 per ticket.

Also, don't miss the chocolate factory ride\tour right outside the park. It's free entry for the building, which inlcudes the ride, restaurants and shops. There is also a 3D movie, costs extra, but worth seeing if you have not been before.

Other than those few things, I would say have a great time! It's a really nice park, and a lot bigger than you might think. Definitely a good day or two for anyone!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Make sure you go to Chocolate World. I loved that more than Hershey Park, to be honest! The chocolate spa at Hotel Hershey is also AMAZING! Try to sneak away for a chocolate facial!

 

[disneym2m]

But don't buy too much chocolate if it is hot.

Years ago, my mother bought a bag of Hersehy kisses. By the end of the day, it was bits of slivery foil swimming in a mass of soft melted chocolate!

Just bring a cooler and buy some ice. That is what I do every time, especially if it is warm and since you are traveling a while to return home. Also, you have to buy chocolate from Chocolate World...it tastes awesome and tastes better than what you buy at the stores. I guess because it is fresher.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Eat chocolate!

But don't buy too much chocolate if it is hot.

Years ago, my mother bought a bag of Hersehy kisses. By the end of the day, it was bits of slivery foil swimming in a mass of soft melted chocolate!

Great tip!

 

[cuucuu4karaoke]

could always hop down the road about an hour i believe and go to Dorney Park in Allentown while you're there, they have a water park too.....and there's always Gettysburg if you're into history which i think is an hour away. I would say the Boyd's Bear factory is there in Gettysburg as well but I think that place has really gone downhill over the years.

 

[cuucuu4karaoke]

P.S....you'll see a casino advertised in Grantville with their great buffet but be warned they won't let you go to it if you're under 21! LOL

Me, DH and DS are foodies and were looking forward to checking it out and were a little upset (and starving) when we found out we couldn't get in the door! The guard said we could go down to watch the horse races and we could all go to the sports bar but not the buffet (huh? lol)

 

[cameyer85]

If you are driving the a fun thing to do for the kids when you get close is to have them look for the street lights shaped like hershey kisses....first one to spot one get a dollar !

 

[WaltD4Me]

could always hop down the road about an hour i believe and go to Dorney Park in Allentown while you're there, they have a water park too.....and there's always Gettysburg if you're into history which i think is an hour away. I would say the Boyd's Bear factory is there in Gettysburg as well but I think that place has really gone downhill over the years.

We are planning on going to Gettysburg one day and planned on going to Boyds Bear Country. I used to collect Boyds a few years ago, not so much anymore, but wanted to see it. Is it not worth it? We were trying to decide between going to Gettysburg or Lancaster one day, one of the reasons we decided on Gettsyburg was Boyds Bears.

 

[sc9500]

We always do Hershey and Baltimore (Inner Harbor) as 1-2 punch. The harbor is awesome with the National Aquarium and Science building. Its a great summer trip !

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

What day are you doing Hershey? Our company picnic is August 9th at Hershey and our family is going

 

[dpuck1998]

We took a day trip to DC while we were there. We just drove to the nearest metro stop and took the train in the rest of the way. It was a great day, maybe a little more than you want to do on a short trip, we were there for a week.