HERSHEYPARK (Hershey, PA)

[HPCrazy]

Thought this would be the appropriate area to post this topic, away from the Disney sections. Was wondering if any fellow Disney fanatics here live or have visited this cool theme park in Hershey, PA. I visit numerous times every year (live appox 40 min away). If you have visited before or live near it, feel free to discuss about the park below.

 

[hiwaygal]

Moved to the area in October and we bought our annual passes. We visited the park once for the Halloween festivities and three times for the Christmas Candylane.

For us the park is a bit of "culture shock" since we have been pass holders for Busch Gardens Williamsburg for many years.

Hersheypark has it's highlights (the Chocolate chief among them). But, to me it doesn't look like much more than a carnival that was permanently installed. Too much asphalt and not enough landscaping (this from a highway engineer) - the park could be so much more.

We will be going for the first opening this Spring (next Friday) and I'm looking forward to maybe seeing a better side of Hersheypark this spring and summer.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

Hiwaygal, you will definitely see much more to Hershey in the Spring and Summer. Our favorite time is Spring before the water park part opens. After the water park opens- major crowds. We love Hershey- much, much, much cleaner and friendlier than Six Flags.

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[hiwaygal]

I hope so!

We'll enjoy it regardless (we always enjoy amusement/theme parks). It's just I think we've been a bit spoiled.

 

[HPCrazy]

Since I first received a season pass three years ago, I virtually do all three seasonal events plus go multiple times in the summer. I'll be there next Saturday (the 30th) and April 6th for their Springtime in the Park event.

Anyone here who lives near the park and would like to meet-up, feel free to PM me!

 

[North of Mouse]

Thought this would be the appropriate area to post this topic, away from the Disney sections. Was wondering if any fellow Disney fanatics here live or have visited this cool theme park in Hershey, PA. I visit numerous times every year (live appox 40 min away). If you have visited before or live near it, feel free to discuss about the park below.

We've been there three times. I guess what I loved and remember the most is that wonderful chocolate smell that permeates the whole park! I *had* to eat chocolate *all* day!

 

[Kim&Chris]

We go to Hersheypark once or twice every year. We love it!!!

If we can, we try to rent a cabana at the Boardwalk. OMG...heavenly! I could float in that lazy river the entire day, haha!

We also did the Christmas activities for the first time, this past Christmas (bonus...we stayed at the Hotel Hershey). Hershey does a beautiful job with this event, and we will definitely be going back!

My only wish is that they'd develop some sort of "fast pass" for the water rides during the summer months. There have been times when the lines are an hour (or more) wait. In the sun? No thanks.

 

[marcyinPA]

We don't go often. My kids aren't big theme park kids. My DS13 will be headed there the first week of June, though, for his 8th grade class trip. We used to go a little more often when they were really little, even if only for Chocolate World. DH's grandmother lived in a senior apartment building on Chocolate Ave that overlooked the park My oldest DS and I did the Hershey Experience a few years ago, and that was fun. We made our own chocolate and did the chocolate tasting in the cafe. It was a nice day.

We live closer to Dorney Park (about 15 minutes away), and we don't go there either. That is by choice, though- we hate it there. We have never had a good experience. In fact, both of my kids opted out of the 7th grade trip there in middle school. They chose to go to work with me rather than go to Dorney!

 

[Pikester]

My family has been to Hershey Park once back in 2010. We had a good time and the crowds weren't bad when we were there. Planned a meet with some friends I made on the DIS and we all got to tour the park together.

 

[HPCrazy]

My family has been to Hershey Park once back in 2010. We had a good time and the crowds weren't bad when we were there. Planned a meet with some friends I made on the DIS and we all got to tour the park together.

That's so cool. I would love to do a similar thing. Maybe as I get more involved here come into contact with various members who live in this area and visit the park often. Hey, at least it's something to hold me over until my next visit to Disney lol.

 

[Peachkins]

I really like Hershey Park. My parents live in southern PA, so they're only about a half hour from there. We've driven there several times just to go to Chocolate World, do the "factory" tour, and buy giant candy bars. I wouldn't put it on the same level as Disney, but it's a fun park. Has a little something for everyone. Even my mom, who rides practically nothing, likes several of the attractions there. I also like that you get access to the wildlife park next door.

It also doesn't hurt that the place smells like chocolate, and that the light posts in the town are in the shape of Hershey Kisses.

 

[HelenePA]

I haven't been there in many years but we are planning to go this summer now that the kids are older and can enjoy most of the bigger rides. Just too hard when they are small. My oldest was actually born at Penn St Hershey. I'm about an hour away and closer to Knoebels

 

[HPCrazy]

I really like Hershey Park. My parents live in southern PA, so they're only about a half hour from there. We've driven there several times just to go to Chocolate World, do the "factory" tour, and buy giant candy bars. I wouldn't put it on the same level as Disney, but it's a fun park. Has a little something for everyone. Even my mom, who rides practically nothing, likes several of the attractions there. I also like that you get access to the wildlife park next door.

It also doesn't hurt that the place smells like chocolate, and that the light posts in the town are in the shape of Hershey Kisses.

Yeah Chocolate World is a nice place to visit, especially in the off-season. Right now, they're undergoing a building and parking lot expansion. Not a whole lot was said on what new attraction(s), or shopping may be added to the building, but along with that, their 3-D Show is also getting replaced with a brand new 4-D one. I always hit up the place once or twice during the off-season here. Kind of reminds you of Disney a little, but with a "Hershey" twist to it, more like one of the pavilions in Epcot lol.

 

[brockash]

Hiwaygal, you will definitely see much more to Hershey in the Spring and Summer. Our favorite time is Spring before the water park part opens. After the water park opens- major crowds. We love Hershey- much, much, much cleaner and friendlier than Six Flags.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I agree, I grew up in the area as a child, and I remember the first time we went to a six flags and wow!!! What a huge disappointment...before this we had only ever been to Hershey Park or WDW, so different. I still have family in the area and we go back about every other year. I will say, they could certainly do a little more with the landscaping and the whole making things "look nice," but still much better than any other theme park I've been to, other than WDW.

I will say, I'm not a fan of the whole pushing Hershey Park to be a destination for vacation though. It was nice a a fun day trip, but it's hard to fit everything in in only 1 day, and that's not even counting the water part. I wish we lived closer and could go more often though.

ETA: I love that it has little things that remind me somewhat of Disney (like the little monorail...holds me over until our real trip lol)

 

[CynBeth]

We live in MD about an hour and a half away and I have been various times as a kid and adult. My husband and I like to stay a few nights at a pet friendly hotel very close to the park. We treat ourselves to dinner at the Circular Dining Room at the Hotel Hershey the evening we arrive and really like the breakfast buffet there so we drive over for breakfast as well. We have done other attractions in the town besides HP and Zoo America. We are not ride people but we find enough to do to enjoy our visits.

 

[HPCrazy]

Glad to see there are some combined Hershey/WDW fanatics here. I personally don't care for Six Flags, never did and never will either. While Hershey is no WDW at all, they do appeal not only to thrillseekers, but to families as well. Even their characters kind of resemble Disney characters in a way as to their appearance, even though they are walking Hershey candy bars and such.

 

[gracie1]

We live in MD about an hour and a half away and I have been various times as a kid and adult. My husband and I like to stay a few nights at a pet friendly hotel very close to the park. We treat ourselves to dinner at the Circular Dining Room at the Hotel Hershey the evening we arrive and really like the breakfast buffet there so we drive over for breakfast as well. We have done other attractions in the town besides HP and Zoo America. We are not ride people but we find enough to do to enjoy our visits.

Which pet friendly hotel do you stay at?

 

[M&N]

I live about 25 min away. I enjoy the Sunday concerts. A lot of variety. Bowser is the best. He really brings in some oldies. I have not looked up who will be there this year.

 

[hiwaygal]

Which pet friendly hotel do you stay at?

The Days Inn on Chocolate Ave allows pets. We stayed a night there with our two dogs while we were waiting to move in here. It's a nice place, nothing fancy, and VERY close to the park (you could probably walk there and back). The biggest "complaint" we had was the parking, but we had a moving truck and my husbands big truck and it was the weekend of the Hershey Antique Car event - so...not really a complaint, but just be aware the parking can be a little tight sometimes.

 

[jenhum]

Thought this would be the appropriate area to post this topic, away from the Disney sections. Was wondering if any fellow Disney fanatics here live or have visited this cool theme park in Hershey, PA. I visit numerous times every year (live appox 40 min away). If you have visited before or live near it, feel free to discuss about the park below.

This thread makes me excited, we are moving to Lancaster this summer and I think it's only about 30 minutes away. We did go to Chocolate World when we were visiting last month, and I had a blast. Much more fun than I was expecting! My DD4 got to dance with all the candy bars in a little parade and it was hilarious. I grew up going to Carowinds (NC/SC) every summer, so I'm glad to be close to another fun park.