Hershey Park & Hershey Lodge

[bas71873]

Considering making this our summer vaca for summer 2010. Anyone out there who's been there done that that cares to share their knowledge?

Can the park be done in 1 or 2 days? What would your recommend?

I see a zoo close by? Worth it for a 7 year old girl?

Any other "neat" things to do in and around Hershey that you would recommend? Definately need to hit the Hershey store/factory for MOM's chocolate fix. We will have a car as we are only about 4 hours away, so we will be driving

thanks.

 

[tevagirl]

I love Hershey Park. You can do the park in a day. I've never been to zoo. Have a wonderful time!

 

[kacaju]

the zoo is right at the park!!
Do they still offer the ticket that you pay for your ticket the night before and you could get in free that night? (after a certain hour)
We used to do that, get there in time to get in free, spend the evening at the park and go back the next day. We would be able to go on all the rides plus go through the zoo in those 1 1/2 days.

 

[troobabiee7]

We LOVE Hershey Park! It was my family's very first vacation back in the early 90's when my brother and I were little. We've been back five times since and the whole area is one of my favorite places in the world. We always stay in Lancaster, about 45-minutes away from Hershey. It's a GORGEOUS area with lots of stuff to do. I can't recommend the Willow Valley Resort enough. It's huge, clean, beautiful and has a whole water park for the kids.

http://www.willowvalley.com/

In Lancaster itself is Dutch Wonderland, a cute amusement park for kids. There's also Kitchen Kettle Village, a free little amusement area with lots of shops and restaurants selling Amish goods. You can take buggy rides through the countryside, visit the farms and Amish homes, and time scenic drives through the fields. It's really gorgeous. I know none of that sounds too action-packed, but my brother and I LOVED it when we were younger, and still do. We haven't been back in 4 years since we started going to Disney yearly, but I really do miss it. My friend and I are driving out for the day this summer just to do some of the Lancaster attractions.

If you're coming from the east, Crystal Caves is in Kutztown, PA, about an hour before Lancaster. You go down into the caves and get a tour of all the formations. It's so cool! The Strasburg Railroad is also nearby for old-fashioned train rides through the countryside. In Hershey itself, there's Hershey Park and Hershey Chocolate World. Chocolate World is free and includes a fun little ride through a recreation of the Hershey factory ("Hershey chocolate, Hershey chocolate, it's a Hershey chocolate world..." That song brings back so many memories!), stores and a cafe. The park itself isn't that big and can be done in a day.

As you can see, I'm a big fan of the area It's a great vacation!

 

[ChrisFL]

Hershey is a BIG park with lots of different things to do. If you want to get everything in without rushing, I'd suggest 2 days.

It's very nice and I really enjoy going there every few years

 

[java]

Yes now with the new water park area 2 days in not a problem to fill.
And there is plenty to do in the area. There is a Cavern actually within 5 minutes of Hershey
Indian Echo Caverns.
http://www.indianechocaverns.com/

My kids enjoyed that.

And the lodge has TONS of stuff to do- like the indoor/outdoor pool, mini golf. Games going on most days during the summer. We enjoyed it- the rooms are no great shakes - but it's convenient.

I'm glad to read that Willow brook is nice we were thinking of staying there one time when we head to Strausburg. *we're close enough for a day trip but sometimes it's nice to stay over to do everything.

 

[troobabiee7]

Yes now with the new water park area 2 days in not a problem to fill.
And there is plenty to do in the area. There is a Cavern actually within 5 minutes of Hershey
Indian Echo Caverns.
http://www.indianechocaverns.com/

I forgot about Indian Echo Caverns, we loved it there back in the late 90s! We've never tried the Hershey water park, is it nice??

 

[JCJRSmith]

You may want to make it a two day event. They basically doubled the size of the water park they built inside the park. Even without the waterpark, HP is a good sized park.

We live nearby and my office is across the street from the Hershey Park/Giant Center complex. This summer my son will be working for Hershey Park.

 

[mjkacmom]

the zoo is right at the park!!
Do they still offer the ticket that you pay for your ticket the night before and you could get in free that night? (after a certain hour)
We used to do that, get there in time to get in free, spend the evening at the park and go back the next day. We would be able to go on all the rides plus go through the zoo in those 1 1/2 days.

Yep, just got back today. We did the preview Thursday afternoon (cloudy, no rain - had the park to ourselves). We used coupons from DD for $14 off the next day's ticket. Got to the park at "rope drop" (couldn't help ourselves) and we were the first family on the Comet. And, you guessed it - we got everything done in a few hours, and could then just go on this or that. OP, if you have a choice, go during the week.

We used to stay at the Lodge, but we need 2 rooms, and it would cost us over $800 a night after taxes. We just stayed at the Country Inn and Suites is Harrisburg (Jonestown road location). It took the same amount of time getting to the park as it did using Hershey's shuttles, plus it came with breakfast, for $90 a night. The Lodge is nice, but not worth the extra money, especially since you spend most of the time at the park.

We only rode over the zoo on the monorail, and it looked pretty darn pathetic.

 

[chisnpeke]

I loved the Hershey Lodge! It was very nice and I'd stay there again for sure. I also thought Hershey Park was a lot of fun. It's a great place to visit.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Hershey is a lot of fun.
I would fore go the zoo, in favor of the waterpark though. The zoo is only North American wildlife. Any kid who has been to a real zoo will be bored in about 5 minutes--At least mine were.

You can spend 2-3 days there very easily.

 

[Pirate Me]

We've done the park in one day but our trip is usually 3 days long so we can see everything else. Definitely visit Hershey World for all your chocolate! The zoo is a nice thing to do as well. I'm sure you would like it.

Hershey Lodge is where we always stay at Hershey. Really cozy and good choice for kids.

 

[Smadoo]

You can do Hershey in a day, I've always made it a day trip. But I dont usually hit the water park. With water park and zoo, 2 days would be plenty of time.

 

[bas71873]

We LOVE Hershey Park! It was my family's very first vacation back in the early 90's when my brother and I were little. We've been back five times since and the whole area is one of my favorite places in the world. We always stay in Lancaster, about 45-minutes away from Hershey. It's a GORGEOUS area with lots of stuff to do. I can't recommend the Willow Valley Resort enough. It's huge, clean, beautiful and has a whole water park for the kids.

http://www.willowvalley.com/

In Lancaster itself is Dutch Wonderland, a cute amusement park for kids. There's also Kitchen Kettle Village, a free little amusement area with lots of shops and restaurants selling Amish goods. You can take buggy rides through the countryside, visit the farms and Amish homes, and time scenic drives through the fields. It's really gorgeous. I know none of that sounds too action-packed, but my brother and I LOVED it when we were younger, and still do. We haven't been back in 4 years since we started going to Disney yearly, but I really do miss it. My friend and I are driving out for the day this summer just to do some of the Lancaster attractions.

If you're coming from the east, Crystal Caves is in Kutztown, PA, about an hour before Lancaster. You go down into the caves and get a tour of all the formations. It's so cool! The Strasburg Railroad is also nearby for old-fashioned train rides through the countryside. In Hershey itself, there's Hershey Park and Hershey Chocolate World. Chocolate World is free and includes a fun little ride through a recreation of the Hershey factory ("Hershey chocolate, Hershey chocolate, it's a Hershey chocolate world..." That song brings back so many memories!), stores and a cafe. The park itself isn't that big and can be done in a day.

As you can see, I'm a big fan of the area It's a great vacation!

WOW. GREAT SCOOP!!! Thx.

 

[bas71873]

Thanks for all the great information everyone. I'm printing it all and starting my Summer 2010 Hershey Park Adventure folder

 

[kacaju]

Hershey is a lot of fun.
I would fore go the zoo, in favor of the waterpark though. The zoo is only North American wildlife. Any kid who has been to a real zoo will be bored in about 5 minutes--At least mine were.

You can spend 2-3 days there very easily.

Now my kids LOVE this zoo!!

 

[diskids2]

You will love HersheyPark! We've been there 17 years in a row and usually stay for two to three nights. My children are now 18 and 14 and they still love going.

Personally, I like to do the park in two days. I believe you could do it in one if you were going "commando" style and/or depending on the time of the year that you go.

The zoo is right on property and the admission to HPark includes admission into the zoo.

One of the reasons we have enjoyed HP for so long is that it has a variety of rides for all ages and preferences. The children's rides are scattered throughout the park so if you have teens or "thrill seekers" you aren't spending alot of time waiting in one area for another.

The park is very large and had many many hills. In fact some of the hills are mountains! On the park map, you will see ....... (dots) scattered outlining the "steep" hills.

The shows are very good. There is an aquatic animal show too. Depending on when you go...different performers will be in the park in the stadium near the log flume ride, Coalcracker...I forgot the name of it.

The water park is relatively new and the wave pool is brand new. They have a few cabana for rent starting this year. Our family usually did the water park /water rides one day ....went back to the hotel and then did dry rides in the evening. I will just warn you there is alot of walking...but if you are used to WDW then it isn't a problem except for those hillls!

Chocolate World is right next to Hershey park and they have a free tour ride along with a 3D show (money) and a chocolate making (not so good IMHO, but the young ones may like it...didn't have it when my kids were young) game.

Food is typical theme park food...park is clean....lines can be LONG and they are all outside - do not think indoor lines like WDW - think outdoor lines like Great Adventure. Strollers and wheel chairs are available for rent. Lots of games and different things to buy.

We stay at the Hershey Lodge...approx $280 per night in the summer season...when we first started going I paid $150 a night! We stay there because they have a shuttle bus that goes back and forth every 20 minutes.

In the busy season you will wait for the bus....especially from the hotel.... especially if you just miss it and you could be on the line and not get on. Everyone must be seated. We still love it. If the kids (remember they are older now) want to stay and DH and I want to go back ...there is no issue etc. Also, the bus goes in a lane that bypasses all traffic coming into Hershey park through out the day which actually saves some time. You also save on parking. The lodge is clean and very nice....food in restaurants is OK..not great. There are other food options around the area...including some in "town" where the street lamp posts are Hershey kisses! Hershey characters are abundant in the park and do come to the Hershey owned lodge and Hotel Hershey.

Any other questions, let me know.

 

[spima3]

Always funny to see people's different experiences. We live in PA, not too far from Hershey Park and really don't care for the park at all.

DD14 came home from school disgusted because her 8th grade field trip is there this year, and initially didn't plan on going. Changed her mind only because it's her "class" trip. She actually passed on free passes last summer as well.

My other kids, 9 and 11, don't really care for it either. They prefer Knoebels.

We didn't have a terrible time when we went, just wasn't a great time, considering the expense. Hopefully, you will be one of those families who love the place; and although the zoo is small, if you like animals, it is still enjoyable, as well as the Choc tour. The street lights are pretty cool too.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We really like Hershey as well We are closer to SixFlag in DC but go the extra distance as it's as close as you can get to Disney in Customer service ans cleanliness.

If you can give your self a few days then I would do that look into the Passes that include DutchWonderland it's not that far and for a 7yrold that's right about the right age maybe just getting to old.

There are a good bit of Outlets for shopping as well in both areas Gettysburg is not far Land of the Little horses and Boyds bears are a must day trip for us

 

[bas71873]

MORE great info. Thanks. Now I'm not sure I can wait until NEXT summer , but I have too cause we are headed to US/IOA in August for our vaca this year