hershey park budget hotel? any hersehy pk tips?

[Kycha]

I found this info on the hersheypa.com website. Here are the resort benefits:

"HERSHEY RESORTS ADVANTAGE
More than just the assurance of excellent accommodations for every price range, staying at THE HOTEL HERSHEY, HERSHEY Lodge, or HERSHEY Highmeadow Campground is part of the vacation experience in Hershey.

Sweeten your visit to Hershey and HERSHEYPARK with an overnight stay at HERSHEY Resorts where you can purchase HERSHEYPARK tickets at the best price. All guests of HERSHEY Resorts enjoy the following HERSHEY RESORTS ADVANTAGE privileges:

Best price on HERSHEYPARK tickets (30% Discount applies to Adult Daily ticket price. Other discounts available for multiple day and youth tickets.)*
Exclusive BREAKFAST AT THE PARK package opportunity, a fun-filled breakfast with the HERSHEY'S Product Characters
Early access to select rides and attractions at HERSHEYPARK with HERSHEYPARK SWEET START - guests may enter HERSHEYPARK one-hour prior to regular Park opening to enjoy select rides and attractions in Founder's Circle and Comet Hollow**
Complimentary shuttle bus service to HERSHEYPARK **
Access to HERSHEY Country Club distinctive golf courses
Admission to Hershey Gardens and Hershey Museum †
Exclusive opportunity to purchase a HERSHEYPARK Sweet Access Pass"

The other Hershey owned amusement park, Dutch Wonderland, is about 30 miles away in Lancaster County. They are geared much more to young children(12 and under). They have a combo ticket, one day at Hershey Park and one day at Dutch Wonderland. If you have young kids, it might be worthwhile.

My Mom got the whole family season passes for Christmas. So, we will be there every weekend this summer. Let us know if there is anything you need.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

I would be coming from Toronto, thinking of coming either March/April or end of August - which would you recommend? Also, kids are all under 12, would they love it? Know any places that allow a family of 5 or 6 without 2 rooms?
Thanks.

 

[chrissy92972]

We stayed at the Springhill Suites last Wednesday night into Thursday. We are a family of 6 and it was the perfect size for us. Cost was 139.50 plus tax including a great breakfast, indoor pool, and hot tub. Room had two queen beds, one double sleeper sofa, 1 bath, and small kitchenette with fridge and microwave.

It is along route 39 (I believe) about 2 minutes from the park. We took interstate 81 south to get there and got off of the Manada Hill/Hershey Exit and it was and easy drive to the hotel.

We went to Chocolate World, Sweet Lights, and the outlets.

Chrissy

 

[java]

I found this info on the hersheypa.com website. Here are the resort benefits:

"HERSHEY RESORTS ADVANTAGE
More than just the assurance of excellent accommodations for every price range, staying at THE HOTEL HERSHEY, HERSHEY Lodge, or HERSHEY Highmeadow Campground is part of the vacation experience in Hershey.

Sweeten your visit to Hershey and HERSHEYPARK with an overnight stay at HERSHEY Resorts where you can purchase HERSHEYPARK tickets at the best price. All guests of HERSHEY Resorts enjoy the following HERSHEY RESORTS ADVANTAGE privileges:

Best price on HERSHEYPARK tickets (30% Discount applies to Adult Daily ticket price. Other discounts available for multiple day and youth tickets.)*
Exclusive BREAKFAST AT THE PARK package opportunity, a fun-filled breakfast with the HERSHEY'S Product Characters
Early access to select rides and attractions at HERSHEYPARK with HERSHEYPARK SWEET START - guests may enter HERSHEYPARK one-hour prior to regular Park opening to enjoy select rides and attractions in Founder's Circle and Comet Hollow**
Complimentary shuttle bus service to HERSHEYPARK **
Access to HERSHEY Country Club distinctive golf courses
Admission to Hershey Gardens and Hershey Museum †
Exclusive opportunity to purchase a HERSHEYPARK Sweet Access Pass"

The other Hershey owned amusement park, Dutch Wonderland, is about 30 miles away in Lancaster County. They are geared much more to young children(12 and under). They have a combo ticket, one day at Hershey Park and one day at Dutch Wonderland. If you have young kids, it might be worthwhile.

My Mom got the whole family season passes for Christmas. So, we will be there every weekend this summer. Let us know if there is anything you need.

Wow that is new- they never let you in earlier that I remember...My kids say the big benefit of the Lodge is the free Hershey bar when you check in. When we stayed at the Hotel- my dh said "don't they know this is PA?" It was ok but not luxury imho- the pool needed a major overhaul and our room could have used some paint....
We have stayed at the Comfort Inn(indoor pool and right around the corner from the park) It was nice and clean- we got a great rate there- And our friends always stay at the Springhill suites with their marriott points and they love it!
TIPS:
Bring your walking shoes!! The hills here are killers when you are pushing a stroller! and by hill I mean HILL!! some steep walking here.
We actually just buy lunch in the park as the choices are plenty- food all over the place.
There are Kiddie rides dispersed throughout the park so don't get stuck at the ones right by the entrance- the ones throughout the park are cute and less crowded...
That water coaster thing gets PACKED in the summer as do all the water rides. If you really want to ride them go early.
If you ride them be sure to bring a change of clothes because these are not little spray rides you will get SOAKED!
We really enjoy this park. We live close enough that we don't have to stay overnight. But we usually do. It gets very very crowded on the weekends. and honestly in the summer even the weekdays are packed.

 

[lovethattink]

I would be coming from Toronto, thinking of coming either March/April or end of August - which would you recommend? Also, kids are all under 12, would they love it? Know any places that allow a family of 5 or 6 without 2 rooms?
Thanks.

This is the only information I could find about spring time in the park http://www.hersheypa.com/events/springtime/. Shows the park not open in March and only select days in April. They usually open daily after Memorial Day. The shows usually begin sometime in June.

The official website to Hershey Park is http://www.hersheypa.com/attractions/hersheypark/index.asp

 

[marcyinPA]

We live about an hour and a half from Hershey, so we don't usually stay overnight. Several years ago, my DH and I wanted a getaway from the kids, so we stayed in Harrisburg at the Best Western off of I-83 (or is it I-81...I always get those two confused!)...anyway, maybe my Harrisburg friends can help out on the name of the Best Western. It's the one with the Country Oven restaurant. I remember the hotel to be nice and clean and I always loved eating at the Country Oven (I've eaten there several times with college friends), but then again, I was last there about 10 years ago.

We just were there for Candylane and had a great time. My kids love the Chocolate World tour (free) and we've gone several times just for that. (both of my dh's grandmothers lived in Hershey before they passed away, so we used to go quite frequently to visit them and take a side trip to Chocolate World so the kids could get a souvie with the money great-grandma spotted them! Side note: dh's one grandmother lived in a senior apt. building that overlooked the Super Duper Looper...it was fun visiting her and standing on her balcony! LOL)

Hershey is fun, and clean and smells great, but it's not Disney. It's pricey. The food stinks, and is WICKED expensive. We'll snack there, but we never eat there. There are several restaurants outside of the park, but they are always packed. Hershey is a small but busy town, with the park and the hospital keeping things hopping. The coasters are good, and the other rides are pretty normal run of the mill amusement rides. The Extreme Cup challenge was disappointing (especially after riding Buzz Lightyear).

Now that I think of it, I camped at the Hershey Highmeadows Campground once when I was a teenager, with the church youthgroup. We had a blast. I remember going to a square dance in a big barn and just having so much fun with my friends.

I think it would be a fun vacation to do for an overnight, but personally, I can't see spending days there. JMHO.

 

[princesspiglet]

We live in lingelstown, which is about 10 miles up the road on Rt. 39 from the park. We usually only go twice during the summer, once at Halloween and twice at Christmas. We have been to Chocolate World about 100 times because my daughter loves the ride (and it's free and you get a mini peice of chocolate after the ride!) I would check out the new hotels they are building on Rt. 39. One is a Springhill Suites and the other is a Scottish Inn. They are only about 5 mins away. Also, parkings is anywhere from $8-$10 a day depending on what is going on. You can visit Chocolate World alone (seperate entrance) and parking is free for the first 2 hours.

Like others have said, the food is expensive and not worth the cost. I would bring a packed lunch or take a break midday and head to Red Robin which is directly across from the park and beside the outlet mall. The park doesn't open in full swing until Memorial Day. August is very hot here, but with the new waterpark they are putting in, it will still be a good time.

 

[3darlings]

We are in Delaware and go several times a year. My kids love Hershey Park! Especially the roller coasters. We went to Universal IOA a couple of months ago and we all agreed that the coasters are better at Hershey Park. The same rule applies at Hershey that applies at Disney - get there early! The park is great early on but can get packed later. Most people drive to Hershey so hoardes often arrive quite late. Even the entry area can be a zoo later in the morning. Last time we went (late August) we made a concerted effort to get there early - we didn't make it for opening but we we in by 9:30 a.m. I brought a backpack filled with clothes/towels and I walked over to the water area and put the pack in the lockers near there. That area of the park was absolutely dead in the morning! When we went back to that area later, that area was a zoo and all the lockers were gone. I was very glad I had gone earlier and I will do that from now on. It worked out great - we got a locker close by and I didn't have to carry around the clothes/towels. You will get soaked if you go on any of the water rides. There are new water park rides opening but I'm not sure when they will officially open up.

Another tip - the Chocolate Shop does not stay open later than the park. That seems completely ridiculous to me but that is how they run it. It is outside of the main park so we generally like to go after leaving the park for the day. Pretty much every one else seems to do this as well, so the place is crazy busy at the end of the day. So you have to remember to leave time for the chocolate shop if you want to go. We have missed it several times because we are too late - my kids get pretty upset about that!

Hershey is definitely not Disney. Nobody moves fast and the rides are generally very inefficiently fun. So lines usually don't move very fast. If I start comparing to Disney, it starts to drive me nuts! So I make a effort not to do that. We really enjoy it and the coaster are the best. Have fun!

 

[krcit]

We go to Hershey every year. One day is generally enough for us but we do do the preview plan. That iswhen you go 3 hours before closing and buy your tix for the next day, you can go in and have a few hours in the park(ie. if the park is closing at 10-get there at 7) We never stay in Hershey-we stay in either Harrisburg or Lancaster. Harrisburg is about 15 minutes away, Lancaster about 35. Lancaster has Dutch Wonerland, which is a cute littlew park for the younger kids-like under 10. I'm blanking on the names of hotels we have used but we generally always get a hotel with an indoor pool-one year of constant rain taught us that, lol.

 

[Desnik]

We love HP and go every other year. This year is their 100th celebration so there will be lots of new things. We can't wait!! We love staying at the Hershey Lodge. But, you need to ask for a tower room at the time you make the ressie. There is no price difference but the rooms seem to be alittle nicer than the rooms you can park next to. Also you will have the added benefit of being in the same building as the restaurants. We love the little touches and the transportation to the parks by bus. They will load your stroller underneath so you don't have to carry it on the bus like at WDW. I do believe the park opens in May. I know we went one year for mother's day. I have liked going in May and Aug. They are open in the spring for a bit around Easter. In the summer Chocolate world is open till 10pm. What we like to do is spend 1 day at Chocolate world, do the tour, 3D show, Trolley tour, eat, then go to the museum and/or garden, enjoy the area shops. Usually this is on the day we arrive. Then spend 1 whole day at the park, then half a day at the park the day we head for home. It's about 3 hour drive for us. I don't find it expensive at all, but I am a NY'er so I'm use to high prices and we go to WDW 2x's a year so again we are use to paying high prices.

 

[curlybop]

We went in July '06, and it was great! Stayed at the Wyndham in Harrisburg. It was about 15 minutes from Hershey. We had no complaints at all. One major thing we loved was the Hershey Pantry. During our stay we visited for breakfast each day, plus dinner one night. Having a huge breakfast at a reasonable cost on the back porch made our mornings so much fun.

 

[PaulaSue]

I would be coming from Toronto, thinking of coming either March/April or end of August - which would you recommend? Also, kids are all under 12, would they love it? Know any places that allow a family of 5 or 6 without 2 rooms?
Thanks.

I say Aug. Much more to do. Sorry I don't know the hotels.

 

[Kimkimba]

We just went for the weekend right before Christmas. I had gotten free tickets from a radio station, and wanted to stay overnight even though it is only about a 2 hour drive for us.

I went through Priceline and got La Quinta Inn Harrisburg Airport/Hershey. $95 for 2 nights including tax.

I was a little worried with old reviews before it became a La Quinta, but my worries were unfounded. It was clean with 2 nice full beds, mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker. No pool, but a free continental breakfast. And the staff was fine.

About a 15 minute drive from Hershey Park, and it had a lot of stores and restaurants around it. For less than $50 a night, I would definitely stay there again.

HTH.

 

[PaMom001]

thank you so much!!!!
do you go often? any tips about the park?

I used to go every summer when I was growing up. I haven't been in the summer for about 10 years. I can't stand going there in the summer now. It is way to busy for me. My DD10 and I go at Halloween time and enjoy that immensely.

When growing up, we packed a cooler of lunch stuff and left it in the car. You can't bring food into the park. We arrived on time, then left about 1-2 pm, got our hand stamped so we could get back in. We ate in the car, did the free Chocolate tour, and went back in.

 

[PaMom001]

I would be coming from Toronto, thinking of coming either March/April or end of August - which would you recommend? Also, kids are all under 12, would they love it? Know any places that allow a family of 5 or 6 without 2 rooms?
Thanks.

Check their website. Typically they are open only on the weekends from mid-April and May. They are open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

 

[stephbillalec]

I called today to see about our family going for a w/e in April. Turns out they are only open the w/e of April 6-8. That's Easter w/e so it's out for us. If we don't make it to Disney this summer, we'll head back to Hershey. If we do go to Disney (and I am soooo hoping for this!), we'll do a Halloween w/e in the fall.

 

[roadtripper]

Four years ago, we got Baymont Inn in Harrisburg thru Priceline at 69/night--it was ok. Had brunch at the Hershey Hotel just so we could see it-- nice for a non-Disney property, but too pricey for us. The spa is supposed to be quite good.
Ditto on the HILLS in the park--if you are pushing a stroller (or wheelchair, as we were) they are very steep.
I will say that Disney REALLY spoils you. We went to Hershey Park once, but I don't think any of us feel the need to go back again. When you go, do the late afternoon/next day option-you get 1 1/2 days for the price of one, I think. We grouped it in with a trip to Lancaster County (Amish Country) and Gettysburg, which we really liked. That made for a good week. Have fun!

 

[Halle]

We lived in Hershey for several years and were just back this October for a wedding. We stayed at the Hampton Inn, very convenient to the park. Friends stayed at the Comfort Inn and complained about the noise, train and thin walls. There is a Red Robin restaurant right outside the park, adjacent to the outlet center. Hotel Hershey is spectacular but extremely expensive. We've stayed there in the past but we couldn't justify spending the $$$ this trip. The Red Rose Motel was there when we lived there ( 27 years ago) family owned and has always been known for it's cleanliness.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I live near Hershey(20-25 min. away). I'll look at the hotels near there for you if you like. Some hotels also offer discount tickets to Hershey.

I've been looking for info as well

 

[brota]

I went for a training class this past summer I brought the family we stayed
Best Western Plantation Inn
381 Cumberland Parkway
Mechanicsburg, PA USA 17055

It was clean cheap the room was good sized they had a pool and right next to a supermarket