Hershey Park Discounts/advice

[Bibbidi]

We are traveling from Ohio to MA next month for Christmas. We'll be stopping halfway in Hershey PA as a surprise for the kids. We plan to visit Chocolate World which I understand is free, the afternoon of our arrival. Now here's the big question--is the evening "lights" thing that costs $20 per car worth it? Also, assuming the weather cooperates, is entering Hershey Park in the evening worth it? My kids are not rollercoaster fanatics and I'm not sure what we'd feel like riding it if it is chilly. Any way/places to get discounts on these tickets? Personally I'd like to just do Chocolate World, but my DH is pushing for the other things too.

 

[pajules]

Personally, Sweet Lights at the Hotel Hershey is way overpriced for what you get. There are a copy of other places in the area that have similar "drive thru" light displays that are less expensive. I know there is one in York County which is about 30 minutes from Hershey at Rocky Ridge Park, but I don't know the price. Lancaster County also has one at Long's Park and it's put on by the Sertoma Club. If I remember correctly, it's a $10 donation.

As far as discounts for Hersheypark's Candylane, I don't know if they sell them. I know Giant grocery stores offer discounts on the summer tickets but not sure about the special holiday events they offer. If you google "Giant Food Stores" it should come up and there is a Giant in Hershey.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[npmommie]

oh how fun!
we have been to Candylane and Chocolate World many times!!

yes Chocolate World is free, but there are some things that cost, there is a 3D movie, i forget how much, last time we were there was summer..........also when and if you do the chocolate worker kiss maker thing with the kids, they give them a free hat, but the ID picture card costs.........we always take the hat and skip the ID........we go so much and the fun part for the kids is pretending to make kisses.
the ride thru the "Factory" is free though. They do take a picture of you on the ride, if you want to buy that at the end.

Candylane at Hersheypark is 9.95 to go in, and I think its worth it, its all lit up really pretty with christmas lights everywhere, not all the rides are going but a lot are.
the 9.95 covers everything.
every time we have gone it has been FREEZING!!! but the kids love it and its always fun!
I also suggest checking Giant for discounts, I personally have never found any though, but its worth checking into.
have fun!!!

 

[Cristy]

The $20 for Sweet Lights is more expensive than other places that just take donation. It is longer than I thought it would be, so I was more surprised when it winded up behind the Hotel Hershey. We were lucky- we were the last car on the night we were there, so no one was rushing us through. As we passed an area, they turned the lights out behind us, so that was pretty cool to see. We had 6 people in the car so for the money, it was worth it. If there were only 2 adults, I'd pass it up.

On the other hand, having been at WDW and seeing their 3D shows, I would pass on the $5.95 pp to see the 3D show at Chocolateworld (my grandkids are 2, 3, and 4 and didn't really care about it) but I would definitely take the free ride through the make shift factory! Also, some of the candy they sell there cannot be found in stores. I love sending boxes to friends in other states that cannot get the special items. We always take the time at the sweet shop there for a nice break with some chocolate goodies!

I also always go to Christmas Candylane in the Park. You can't beat the lights and they usually have a choir singing Holiday Songs, along with the show that is inside the building. Along with Santa, they also have Santa's reindeer- all of them live! What kid is not fascinated by that? No, not all rides are open, and yes, some nights are colder than others (bundle up)

Yes, I remember when all this was free, and they didn't charge for parking, etc. but I think this is still a good value for the dollar.

 

[dvcbnd]

How fun!! We've done it a few times during the Christmas season and absolutely love it!
I would also like to recommend the trolley ride through the town of Hershey. You sing Christmas carols while riding thru the town of Hershey (this is especially fun at night when the town is lit up) and there is a guide on board to share info on Milton Hershey and how it all began.
You can purchase the tickets for this at Chocolate World. I'm not sure what the price is now, but I believe that you can find trolley info on Hershey's website. It's alot of fun with kids during the Christmas season, as there is a surprise visit by a very "special" person mid-way thru the ride. My kids truly enjoyed this and it's a wonderful memory that we'll always share. If you have any other ques, feel free to PM me.
Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Bibbidi]

Wow, thanks for all the great responses. We did a drive-thru lighted holiday thing here in Cincy once and for the money, the wait to get into it and the length, we didn't find it to be worthwhile. Somehow my DH thinks that Hershey's will be much better

I am excited about Chocolate World though. Thanks for all the hints and tips.

 

[Karenj2]

May I make a suggestion? I'm not sure of your route, but Longwood is in Kennett Square (southern Chester County, PA), which isn't that far away in the scheme of things. After Thanksgiving, Longwood Garden has their Christmas lights, and it is BEAUTIFUL! I've never been to Hershey's lights, so I can't say if they're better/worse than Longwood. (I guess having chocolate nearby is a plus...)

 

[snowman1035]

We love Hershey at Christmas. We are planning to go again this year. We do the Choc. Factory and then go into the park. Our first year we went it was so cold, so dress for the cold weather. I think we will do the trolley ride this year since we have heard so many good things about it.

 

[GraysMom]

We went to Christmas Candy Lane last year for the first time and really enjoyed it. You don't mention the ages of your children, but if you check Hershey's website, it tells you which rides will most likely be open and how tall you need to be to ride it. There are no roller coasters open during CCL. The live reindeer are really neat and the hot chocolate is delicious.

As for the lights, we go to the lights in the Allentown Parkway. I don't remember the cost, but it's less than $20/car and plenty for DS3.5.

DH got discount coupons for CCL at work, I'll have to keep an eye out and see if I see some anywhere else. I think last year we had $2 off coupons, but ended up getting in free because the tour group ahead of us had no-shows, so they handed us the extra tickets. It was like a little Disney magic at HP .

 

[stitchlovestink]

here's a link about Hershey candy lane

http://www.christmasinhershey.com/christmas_candylane/index.php