Hershey PA while not spending a lot of $$

[kaleighmariesmom]

We were thinking of checking out Hershey Park and area in May for a quick trip. DH doesn't want to spend a lot of $$ cause we are going to Disney World in Sept and we are moving this summer. Can anyone recommend how to do this trip on the cheap?

 

[mjkacmom]

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites on Jonestown Road last time for a great price in May, free hot breakfast, 4 miles from HP, less than a 10 minute ride. Dunkin Donuts usually has coupons around this time of year, and they can be combined with the twilight admission, where you get in free in the late afternoon if you buy a park pass for the next day - great deal!

My ds13 is going with his choir for a competition on the 11th/12th of May, so there will be a lot of teens there.

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites on Jonestown Road last time for a great price in May, free hot breakfast, 4 miles from HP, less than a 10 minute ride. Dunkin Donuts usually has coupons around this time of year, and they can be combined with the twilight admission, where you get in free in the late afternoon if you buy a park pass for the next day - great deal!

My ds13 is going with his choir for a competition on the 11th/12th of May, so there will be a lot of teens there.

We won't be going until May18 ... thanks for the heads up on the coupons!!

 

[Desnik]

Right now they have a special package where kids stay, play and eat free! Here's a link to the info:
http://www.hersheypark.com/contests...2f%2fhersheypark.com%2fcontests%2flodging.php

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

Right now they have a special package where kids stay, play and eat free! Here's a link to the info:
http://www.hersheypark.com/contests...2f%2fhersheypark.com%2fcontests%2flodging.php

of course the weekend we are going in blocked out!

 

[Desnik]

of course the weekend we are going in blocked out!

What??!! Oh that just stinks, sorry!!

 

[tinkerbell313]

We go to both DW and Hershey every year. We stay at the Hershey Hotel so I can't speak to less expensive options. However, if you think food in Disney is pricey...food at Hershey Park is much more expensive. I am sure others can provide insight as to where to eat outside of the park. We usually just eat at the Circular Dining room at the hotel.

 

[bigmama67]

If you're up for camping, the Highmeadow Campground is a five minute (free) shuttle ride from the park. We were very pleased with it last year and are staying there again this summer (just not sure yet, I'm waiting to see what my job situation for the summer is!)

 

[deegack]

We go to both DW and Hershey every year. We stay at the Hershey Hotel so I can't speak to less expensive options. However, if you think food in Disney is pricey...food at Hershey Park is much more expensive. I am sure others can provide insight as to where to eat outside of the park. We usually just eat at the Circular Dining room at the hotel.

Yup food was very expensive when we were there and they check bags for food and drinks. You can bring one bottle of water (of any size) per person.

 

[Brer Shay]

We live a few miles from HersheyPark and it's not much of a budget place to go. Tickets this year are $57 for an adult/one day. The best discount on tickets is to go to a Giant Food store (closest is about 3 miles from the park) and you can get tickets for $12 off. You can then use this ticket the night before you plan to go and enter the park 3 hours before closing for a "Preview" admission. You can cover alot of ground in May in three hours. May 17 hours are 10 am- 6 pm, so you'd be able to get in at 3 pm on May 17, then go back all day on May 18. This goes for your parking too ($12). Food is equivalent to Disney except there are no kids meals. There are several places just outside the park to eat though.

 

[North of Mouse]

They actually check your bag for food and drinks?? Wow! Talk about wanting a captive audience . By the way OP, like your name - my g'daughter's name is Kaylee Marie

 

[hakepb]

For really cheap, just go to Hersey's Chocolate world and learn how chocolate is made. My grandma lived nearby so we made a day trip every year to the "world" but never went to the park (at the time it didn't look as fun as a 6 Flags)
I know they updated the ride but it used to be a spaceship earth type system.

 

[MMitchell29]

We live a few miles from HersheyPark and it's not much of a budget place to go. Tickets this year are $57 for an adult/one day. The best discount on tickets is to go to a Giant Food store (closest is about 3 miles from the park) and you can get tickets for $12 off. You can then use this ticket the night before you plan to go and enter the park 3 hours before closing for a "Preview" admission. You can cover alot of ground in May in three hours. May 17 hours are 10 am- 6 pm, so you'd be able to get in at 3 pm on May 17, then go back all day on May 18. This goes for your parking too ($12). Food is equivalent to Disney except there are no kids meals. There are several places just outside the park to eat though.

Thanks this was very informative. I have never been but always wanted to go. Do they have a planning dvd or brochure they can mail out to you if someone was interested in visiting their park? I looked but could not find one

 

[java]

It is crazy expensive. Our school is selling discounted tickets this year for a limited time, I think it ends in 2 weeks. We are about 2 hours away. Check to see if their are any school promos in your area.

Parking surprised me. and the food was horrible and expensive, which I didn't expect because at the Hershey Lodge the food was decent and reasonable. I am pretty sure they offer a meal package. As an example, we are a family of 6, the 4kids shared 2 kids meals we got an extra fries, everyone got a drink and dh and I had meals(mine was a cup of soup I think) it came to over $75. and the food stunk.

But it's a lovely park with lots of rides. The expense has kept us away for the past two years.

We actually had. Great time at Cedar Point last year. We stayed at one of their onsite hotels lighthouse point, it was adorable, little waterfront cabins. And we could walk to the park. It's full of wild roller coasters. That would be my pick over Hershey. And Knoebels is cheap, free parking too. It's not as fancy as the other parks but my kids are counting down to opening day.

 

[MMitchell29]

It is crazy expensive. Our school is selling discounted tickets this year for a limited time, I think it ends in 2 weeks. We are about 2 hours away. Check to see if their are any school promos in your area.

Parking surprised me. and the food was horrible and expensive, which I didn't expect because at the Hershey Lodge the food was decent and reasonable. I am pretty sure they offer a meal package. As an example, we are a family of 6, the 4kids shared 2 kids meals we got an extra fries, everyone got a drink and dh and I had meals(mine was a cup of soup I think) it came to over $75. and the food stunk.

But it's a lovely park with lots of rides. The expense has kept us away for the past two years.

We actually had. Great time at Cedar Point last year. We stayed at one of their onsite hotels lighthouse point, it was adorable, little waterfront cabins. And we could walk to the park. It's full of wild roller coasters. That would be my pick over Hershey. And Knoebels is cheap, free parking too. It's not as fancy as the other parks but my kids are counting down to opening day.

What are the discounted prices if you dont mind me asking? I'm trying to budget out a trip for the end of may

 

[Wests4Disney]

If you're up for camping, the Highmeadow Campground is a five minute (free) shuttle ride from the park. We were very pleased with it last year and are staying there again this summer (just not sure yet, I'm waiting to see what my job situation for the summer is!)

We camped at the Highmeadow Campground a couple of years ago. It was very enjoyable. When you camp there, you can take advantage of the twilight ticket specials others have spoken about. This was actually the first time my kids and I had seen fire flies. It was beautiful!!!

If you are early birds and get to the free shuttle before the park opens (think Disney), you will be one of the few there and just like Disney, you kinda have the park to yourself for quite a bit of time.

 

[java]

What are the discounted prices if you dont mind me asking? I'm trying to budget out a trip for the end of may

$37 adult
$28.50 jr/ senior ticket

so like a $20 on adult tickets

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

If you have a Facebook account you can get a discount code by creating a Skyrush train, it is promoting their new roller coaster. You need to buy the tickets online before April 15 and use them before July 1.
http://www.hersheypark.com/contests/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/Hersheypark?sk=app_327410223971246

The more people you get to join the Skyrush train you create the bigger of a discount you get.
Current price for 1 adult is $56.95
By creating the train you get a coupon code (single use/unique) emailed to you that allows you to get $16 off per person, making it $40.95.
If you can get 5 people to join your train you save $18/person and if you can get 9 or more people to join your train you save $20/person.

That seems to be the best deal of tickets to Hershey Park right now.

We have taken several trips to Hershey World (6 hour drive) and skipped Hershey Park due to the cost. Hershey World is awesome. We plan on heading back to see Hershey World and Hershey Park this summer.

Best of luck planning your trip

 

[MMitchell29]

$37 adult
$28.50 jr/ senior ticket

so like a $20 on adult tickets

Thanks that looks like some good pricing and compared to other parks I been to 30 ish is not a bad deal for a day in a theme park

 

[MMitchell29]

If you have a Facebook account you can get a discount code by creating a Skyrush train, it is promoting their new roller coaster. You need to buy the tickets online before April 15 and use them before July 1.
http://www.hersheypark.com/contests/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/Hersheypark?sk=app_327410223971246

The more people you get to join the Skyrush train you create the bigger of a discount you get.
Current price for 1 adult is $56.95
By creating the train you get a coupon code (single use/unique) emailed to you that allows you to get $16 off per person, making it $40.95.
If you can get 5 people to join your train you save $18/person and if you can get 9 or more people to join your train you save $20/person.

That seems to be the best deal of tickets to Hershey Park right now.

We have taken several trips to Hershey World (6 hour drive) and skipped Hershey Park due to the cost. Hershey World is awesome. We plan on heading back to see Hershey World and Hershey Park this summer.

Best of luck planning your trip

When you say that you dont go due to cost can you elaborate more on this? Other than high food cost is there something i'm missing?