HERSHEYPARK (Hershey, PA)

[Janina47]

Hershey Park is really fun! Haven't been in forever, but may need to make a trip down there this summer!

 

[HPCrazy]

That's awesome. If you haven't been in awhile, I do highly recommend it. Even though it's not WDW, it's definitely one of the best regular theme parks out there and it's very clean and maintained.

 

[momofmikey]

Great thread - thank you. Actually are planning on going for the first time in a few weeks and had some questions...

1) I thought I had read on here someone going the last weekend in April. I had originally wanted to go Fri-Sat, but didn't think they were open when looking at the website. Can someone confirm? We'll be arriving on Friday and plan on doing the preview plan that evening and then most of Saturday. As of right now, I'm planning May 3-4, but curious if weekend prior is open.

2) Speaking of the preview plan, so is it true that I purchase a one day ticket at normal price and can get in free the night before for 3 hours?

3) Speaking of tickets, is my cheapest option to go to a Giant food store the day of and buy them there? Is there ever a chance they wouldn't have tickets? I'll be needing 7. Also had read before that in years past they offered a free parking pass as well with purchase.

4) Still trying to decide where to stay. Disers had given me wonderful options in another thread, but they seemed to be booked for my dates. Any more suggestions?

Thanks so much!

 

[HPCrazy]

The very last weekend in April is more than likely a private party being held. This coming weekend is the last weekend of Springtime in the Park. After that, they will not be open to the public until the first Friday in May.

You are correct about the Preview Plan. I'm local and have a season pass so I don't use it, but I've heard so many people who have who have said they really liked it. This also works well if you are going at an extremely busy time.

Local Giant Food Stores do sell discounted tickets for not only the summer season, but also the seasonal events as well.

If you stay at one of their properties (Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Highmeadow Campground) during the summer season (May - Sept), they have a special perk similar to the EMH at the Disney Parks titled "Hersheypark Sweet Start" which entitles you admission one hour before the general public to select areas in the park. Of course if you stay at another hotel in the area, you won't have this perk.

Hope some of these tips are helpful to you. Keep me posted on your plans, especially if you've never been. You will really enjoy it, it's so much better than Six Flags. I'm pretty familiar with the park and can get around without a map. Would be nice to meet up with some fellow DIS'er's at the park!

 

[cousinbb]

I'm headed to Hershey Park on May 18th I live about an hour and a half to two hours away depending of traffic. It's a great park to visit every once in awhile

 

[Luv0fDisney]

I have been to Hershey a few times when I was younger. I guess I was 13/14 when I last visited. But my opinions of the park are okay. It's cool and everything but it's just another park with roller coasters being it's major attraction(s) in my opinion. I'll stick with my disney... lol.

 

[Li Li]

Great thread - thank you. Actually are planning on going for the first time in a few weeks and had some questions...

1) I thought I had read on here someone going the last weekend in April. I had originally wanted to go Fri-Sat, but didn't think they were open when looking at the website. Can someone confirm? We'll be arriving on Friday and plan on doing the preview plan that evening and then most of Saturday. As of right now, I'm planning May 3-4, but curious if weekend prior is open.

2) Speaking of the preview plan, so is it true that I purchase a one day ticket at normal price and can get in free the night before for 3 hours?

3) Speaking of tickets, is my cheapest option to go to a Giant food store the day of and buy them there? Is there ever a chance they wouldn't have tickets? I'll be needing 7. Also had read before that in years past they offered a free parking pass as well with purchase.

4) Still trying to decide where to stay. Disers had given me wonderful options in another thread, but they seemed to be booked for my dates. Any more suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Just wanted to answer what I can.
1) Park isn't open to public in April outside of the limited Springtime in the Park weekends. Also, in prior years, the water rides haven't been open until Memorial Day weekend, but not sure if that continues to be the case.
2) pretty sure there is a preview thing, but website would have all the details.
3) Giant won't run out of tickets! But, I don't think you can get the preview plan thing through Giant's tickets. Also, I do not believe that Giant offers a parking pass with their ticket prices. I think parking went up to $12 this year? I posted earlier in this thread about free parking tip.
4) I live right in town so I can tell what the hotels look like from the outside and how close they are, but I have never stayed in them! Sorry. Not sure what suggestions you already have but if you are looking for something other than Hersheypark's options, the Days Inn is right on Chocolate Avenue and you can walk to downtown restaurants and the park isn't that far of a walk.

Feel free to message me if you have any further questions.

 

[HPCrazy]

Wanted to note that when Li Li mentioned the water rides, they are referring to the water park area, The Boardwalk, as opening on Memorial Day weekend. The Coal Cracker (the park's log flume), as well as Tiny Timbers (kiddie log flume) and maybe Tidal Force (100 ft chute-the-chutes) will open with the park for the summer at the beginning of May.

 

[allaboutthemouse]

They are open on the 27th and 28th of April only if you are staying on property. We are camping at their campground that weekend, picked it b/c springtime in hershey was not running so thought it would not be crowded (didn't plan on going to the park), and just happened to check their website recently and it says if you are staying at one of their hotels or campground that you can get discounted ($40, I think) tickets for April 21, 27 or 28th.

 

[bas71873]

HI! We are thinking of taking a trip to Hershey in August this year before heading over to Wilmington, DE to see my brother and his family. Looking at the week of August 19th.

How many days do we need for the park, boardwalk and the factory tour?

Any recommendations on where to stay? The on-site hotels are WAY too expensive for me.


Thanks.

 

[HPCrazy]

I would definitely recommend two days to see it all. Chocolate World is currently enlarging its building to house more shopping areas and such, plus a new 4-D Show "Hershey's Great Chocolate Factory Mystery" all on top of the Factory Tour and other stuff. That's a good several hours there.

Also take into consideration that ZooAmerica (the adjacent zoo) while it has its own entrance, is also connected to the park as well, and is worth a look if you were never there. All on top of eleven coasters and the whole Boardwalk area. Yes, definitely two days sums it all if you want to take it all in. Good luck with your planning and enjoy your trip!

Also to other local DIS members here in the Central PA area, who all is planning to be at the park next month for the beginning of the summer season? If you are, feel free to let me know below so we can maybe meet up!

 

[M&N]

Look up Grantville for a place to stay. I cannot remember if it was Hampton or Holiday Inn. That is down 39 from Hershey.

 

[HPCrazy]

There is a Holiday Inn Express down Rte 39 (Hersheypark Drive) adjacent to some eating places such as Bob Evans, McD's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, Appleby's, the Cocoa Diner, etc just to name a few. There'a also a Red Robin and another Wendy's adjacent to the park and you can even see the staggered lift hills of Lightning Racer from those two places.

I think the Hampton Inn is the other hotel up 39 from the park, not too far away.

 

[HPCrazy]

Just wanted to know who here (who is local) is either thinking of going, or definitely hitting up the park summer opening weekend? Let me know if you are or not, would be cool to meet up.

Also for any of the locals on here who have Facebook, be sure to like Hersheypark Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/HersheyparkFanClub Lots of cool stuff on there!

 

[HPCrazy]

So who here may be planning on a trip to Hershey in the following weeks? So far for me, 5/25 and 6/8 are confirmed dates that I will be there. Might also hit it up 7/6 as well as squeeze in a trip or two in between there. If you're planning on being there on any of those given dates, feel free to let me know below. Would like to connect up with some fellow WDW Magic members at the park this summer!

 

[HPCrazy]

I was recently part of a film shoot for the Travel Channel's Insane Coaster Wars aboard Fahrenheit, their vertical lift coaster. Here's a pic of me sitting in the back seat (taken by one of my friends) during the film shoot:



Who all may be planning a trip out to the park this weekend? If so, I'll be there all day on Saturday (June 8th) so if you would like to meet up, feel free to let me know below or in a PM and maybe we can meet up at some point during the day.

 

[jhpatrick1]

Wondering if anyone can comment on potential crowds this Sunday 6/9?

We go to HP every year and last year we went twice. Once a friday, like 6/8, and then a friday in late August. The August friday was obnoxiously packed compared to June. I will never do that again. We can't go any weekday in the near future, so were considering Sunday (thinking maybe since it is early and some schools are still in session it will be lower crowds), but will avoid it all together if the crowds will be heavy being a weekend.

Any experience?

Thanks!

 

[Mnementh]

Thanks for making this thread! I wish I had seen it sooner. I love Hersheypark. It was my second favorite park behind WDW until Universal added the Harry Potter section.

I visit at least once a year (twice this year. I visited once at the end of April and I'll be there again on June 30th). When I was there last, I didn't even notice some of the refurbs you took pictures of. I noticed the change of color for the gondolas of Skyview, but did not notice the refurb job on the Kissing Tower (even though I rode on it), nor did I notice the new waterslides (though the Boardwalk was closed at the time, so it makes sense). I was saddened to hear of the demise of the Roller Soaker. I didn't even notice that they had torn it down. I only got to ride it once and the line was ridiculous that time. I don't see why they would do away with something so popular. I was looking forward to riding it again.

If anyone is interested, a brief story.... One thing I really like about Hersheypark is what I consider to be the "levels" of roller coasters. By that, I mean I am able to rank their coasters from what, in my opinion, is least extreme to most extreme, whereas many other parks just have a ton of extreme coasters. I have been able to use that ranking to help me get over my fear of coasters. I always have been comfortable riding the Trailblazer, but a few years ago, I was able to work up the nerve to ride the Wild Mouse. The following year, I rode the Comet for the first time. Just last year (at age 29), I finally worked up the nerve to ride both the Lightning Racer (both sides) and the Wildcat. I now love all of those coasters and when I go back in June, I plan to give the Sooperdooperlooper a shot, as I have never been on an inverted coaster before. I might even try the Sidewinder, which is next on my "ranking" after Sooperdooperlooper. I'm hoping those will give me the confidence to finally give Rockin' Roller Coaster a shot next time I go to WDW. (The big problem is DW really wants to ride Skyrush and I'm terrified to ride a coaster with no floor, so we'll see how it goes).

In summary, for those of you who didn't feel like reading all that, I just think it's neat how that park is sort of like a training ground for people who are afraid of roller coasters to get used to them.

Sorry for such a long post, but I get talkative in real life when someone brings up Hersheypark, too.

P.S. Glad to hear that Insane Coaster Wars is back. I missed that show. I love living vicariously through coaster riders.

 

[PaulaSue]

If anyone is interested, a brief story.... One thing I really like about Hersheypark is what I consider to be the "levels" of roller coasters. By that, I mean I am able to rank their coasters from what, in my opinion, is least extreme to most extreme, whereas many other parks just have a ton of extreme coasters. I have been able to use that ranking to help me get over my fear of coasters. I always have been comfortable riding the Trailblazer, but a few years ago, I was able to work up the nerve to ride the Wild Mouse. The following year, I rode the Comet for the first time. Just last year (at age 29), I finally worked up the nerve to ride both the Lightning Racer (both sides) and the Wildcat. I now love all of those coasters and when I go back in June, I plan to give the Sooperdooperlooper a shot, as I have never been on an inverted coaster before. I might even try the Sidewinder, which is next on my "ranking" after Sooperdooperlooper. I'm hoping those will give me the confidence to finally give Rockin' Roller Coaster a shot next time I go to WDW. (The big problem is DW really wants to ride Skyrush and I'm terrified to ride a coaster with no floor, so we'll see how it goes).

In summary, for those of you who didn't feel like reading all that, I just think it's neat how that park is sort of like a training ground for people who are afraid of roller coasters to get used to them.

LOL, I grew up here and have been going to HP since I was born basically season passes some years, some not. I hate rollercoasters in general but ride all but 3-4 (sidewinder, bear and the newer ones) in HP and all but mission space in Disney since I get motion sick and scared of heights. But I have to mention I have riden the supper dooper looper since it opened that year and I was 9 (got the shirt to prove it) and the lines were out the que and not a 10 min if that wait. It is just a step right about trailblazer and my girls have been riding it since they were 5. I LOVE that HP rates the rides so you do know to expect.

 

[PaulaSue]

Mnementh -Thinking of you. HP has a FB page and every Friday they have been posting a ride and last weeks was the Super Duper Looper. Try it out!