How many days at Hershey Park?

[Betty Rohrer]

younger kids enjoy Dutch Wonderland more than Hershey but Hershey no longer owns Dutch. i would do the after a time and come back the next day ticket if possible. this does mean a night in Hershey area.

 

[turtlebean]

Would anyone advise paying for sunset admission if you can't spend an entire day at the park?

Depends on when you are going and how much time you'll have in the park. If it's during peak season when the park stays open till 10 or 11, then yes. It would be worth it. Last year, we went several times in the evening and shut the park down. We were able to do a ton of rides in that amount of time. The lines were rarely long and weather was much more comfortable. I also love the park at night. It gives it a completely different feel.

If you are going when the park closes before 8 pm, I would say it isn't worth it. You are only going to have a couple of hours, lines should still be short but if you are interested in some of their E-ticket attractions, your wait could still be a long.

Also check out their website, I saw they are having a bunch of promotions right now for March Madness. You may be able to buy your tickets now and get a really good deal. They had some great deals last year, but we opted for season passes instead.

 

[lucygraee]

Each and every people like Hershey park. It is famous park in Pennsylvania. Generally people like like to go in weekends with family in this park. There are many rides in this park and mostly all rides are for child. So they get lots of enjoyment.

 

[Kitts21]

We are thinking about linking a couple of days at HP in with our upcoming trip down to Long Island. I was wondering if you could tell me how busy the park might be on Sat.(6/4) and Sun.(6/5). We are thinking of doing the preview on Sat. and spending the whole day at the park on Sun. We usually go at the end of June and have great luck with crowds, but this year we are doing it earlier because of my daughters gymnastics meet on 6/4.

 

[disny_luvr]

We are thinking about linking a couple of days at HP in with our upcoming trip down to Long Island. I was wondering if you could tell me how busy the park might be on Sat.(6/4) and Sun.(6/5). We are thinking of doing the preview on Sat. and spending the whole day at the park on Sun. We usually go at the end of June and have great luck with crowds, but this year we are doing it earlier because of my daughters gymnastics meet on 6/4.

I don't think it should be too full. Honestly, we frequent the Park on the weekends until the July 4th holiday. After that, we avoid the weekends at all cost. It is crazy. Most schools around here are still in school so I'd think many of the locals won't be closing the Park. I'd go then.

 

[Kitts21]

Thanks disny_luvr for the quick response.
We are really struggling with what to do on our upcoming trip. We are torn between going into NYC for a couple of days and seeing all that there is to see there. The national history museum, time square, and all that stuff. None of us have gotten to spend any time in the city before.
We would also like to do HP. We have gone there the last 11yrs. for at least 3 days. I mean my daughter has never not gone there during the summer in her whole life, and we have such good memories from there. I know NYC would be fun and educational for the kids, but HP is so much fun. Any thoughts? I just don't know.

 

[dana1003]

can anyone recommend a descent hotel? we 'll be driving from jersey and saw some in lebabnon that were cheaper..dont mind driving the 15 or so min cuz we re driving anyway..i like the holiday inn express cuz it takes care of our breakfast problem but is it worth it to stay in one of the hershey hotels? thanks

 

[RMulieri]

can anyone recommend a descent hotel? we 'll be driving from jersey and saw some in lebabnon that were cheaper..dont mind driving the 15 or so min cuz we re driving anyway..i like the holiday inn express cuz it takes care of our breakfast problem but is it worth it to stay in one of the hershey hotels? thanks

Honestly..I live here.I would Stay out of Lebanon( at least the city limits) it has some nice and some NOT so nice sections.The Hampton inn in Hershey is nice, right down the road from the factory and has a cute little restaurant next door( The Hershey pantry) Days inn on Choc ave. is also nice.
To the other poster, just to let you know a few of the schools in our area get out June 3rd.So that weekend may be busy, but not as busy as the following week when the rest of the schools are done.I personally avoid weekends and the summer entirely if I can.But I am local and can go when I want.

 

[Minniemouse07]

To be honest... we go to Hershey Park occasionally because it is under 2hrs away but I couldn't imagine making it the focus of a vacation destination.

The park is small, poorly organized, and the lines are nightmares even during off season.

While I find it a cute/amusing local diversion, I can't imagine taking a vacation there (and I feel the same way about Sesame Place which is also local to us).

Just my two cents.

 

[readytogotodisney]

Glad I found this thread. My DH and I are planning on taking our son (will be 2.5 then) to Philly next year for a trip to Hershey Park, Sesame Place, Touch and Feel Museum in Philly etc.

Good information to keep!!

 

[Kitts21]

To be honest... we go to Hershey Park occasionally because it is under 2hrs away but I couldn't imagine making it the focus of a vacation destination.

The park is small, poorly organized, and the lines are nightmares even during off season.

While I find it a cute/amusing local diversion, I can't imagine taking a vacation there (and I feel the same way about Sesame Place which is also local to us).

Just my two cents.

I totally disagree with you. I think the park is rather large for an amusment park. It has alot of natural shade, which most parks don't. It is not WDW, but it is a very nice, clean park. We have been going there every year for the past 10+yrs. and have had many great times. Yeah the lines can be long at times but that is to be expected of any popular amusment park. For the $$ you get the largest amount of rides for kids who are under the major thrill ride height. And one of the best selections of thrill rides for those that enjoy them.

The biggest problem I have with it has been the cost increase to go here since it's new owners took over. we use to be able to stay in the HersheyLodge for under $150 a night. Now you can"t stay there for under $250 a night. It has gotten to be outrageous.

I would recomend this park as a vacation destination, as long as you went at the right times. I think no matter what park you went to the middle of summer is going to be busy. So you need to plan your trips accordingly. we have found that the last couple weeks in June are good, along with the last couple of weeks in August. And I can't think of a more enjoyable place to be at night(outside WDW) than this park. It is just a whole different feeling at night.

 

[mjkacmom]

To be honest... we go to Hershey Park occasionally because it is under 2hrs away but I couldn't imagine making it the focus of a vacation destination.

The park is small, poorly organized, and the lines are nightmares even during off season.

While I find it a cute/amusing local diversion, I can't imagine taking a vacation there (and I feel the same way about Sesame Place which is also local to us).

Just my two cents.

I'm 2 1/2 hours away, and have been going to P for about 30 years now. It's clean, friendly, 60 rides and attractions, great coasters, and set up great, with areas with all different levels of rides in each area. We went a couple of years ago in May, and walked on all of the rides, and even sat in coasters over and over. Sure, the theming isn't WDW, but it does have a lot more extreme rides that WDW, with a nice atmosphere.

We last stayed at the County Inn and Suites on Jonestown Road, 4 miles from the park, free hot breakfast, and indoor pool. Very clean, friendly staff, and I checked out many options before deciding that this was the most affordable, with good ratings on tripadvisor.

We used to stay at the Lodge, until the rates were over $300 a night! It's faster getting to the park from the Country Inn than the Lodge, anyway.

 

[tinker&belle]

Really excited to find this thread! We are going to Hershey for a conference with DH's work on 6/19. We are staying at te Lodge and on the waitist for the Hotel Hershey. It was really good to know we can buy a one day ticket and go the night before.

Has anyone done the make your own candy bar at Chocolate World? My older dd wants to do this and I was wondering how long it took to do? Not sure how long younger dd's attention span wil be so if it is long we may do it when DH is not in conference

 

[disneymomjcs]

We did the water park for the firs time last year and it chewed up a lot of time. Yes they have a wave pool, but they only let X number of people in at once. so we waited and waited and waited - about an hour, for our turn. Incredibly crowded, but it's still new so maybe that was it? dunno

It was a great water section, but I was shocked at how much time it ate up.

Web site has the rides listed so you can see what they have. My kids don't do fast, but they also like the kiddie rides still so there is always plenty for us to do. Last year we bought AP for Dutch Wonderland but this year I felt they had outgrown so we bought AP for Hershey.

Food is outrageous. One s'more - exactly like you would make at home, goes for about $3.75! They don't allow food in the park, but guest services will hold a cooler for you if you have medical reasons (my youngest has severe food allergies) which is better than going all the way back to the car.

OMG if you like the open layout of Dorney. Hershey is a shocker. Talk about feeling cloister phobic you you go in and out of turnstiles. There was lightning and clearing the pools was very scary out of the water and piles of people trying to exit. It is the same for the kids area. Be careful If we go back we will skip water park area. We love the park areas they are clean but the water park needs to be revamped.

 

[RMulieri]

OMG if you like the open layout of Dorney. Hershey is a shocker. Talk about feeling cloister phobic you you go in and out of turnstiles. There was lightning and clearing the pools was very scary out of the water and piles of people trying to exit. It is the same for the kids area. Be careful If we go back we will skip water park area. We love the park areas they are clean but the water park needs to be revamped.

I think the problem with the water area is they greatly underestimated HOW popular it was going to be.They also stuck it in the only area they could find room, which is not all that big.Unfortunately Hershey does not have the property to expand anymore than it has, unless they open a 2nd park or waterpark off the original property.

 

[DISNEYNV]

If you are going on a peak weekend or holiday I say at least two days, but one day is about the max for weekdays or early or late season! Hershey is still a very nice park. It is clean, the food is a bit pricey and ok, and the admission price is fair. HAVE FUN...dont forget to check out Chocolate World next door. The ride is very cute and free! Our kids favorite part of Hershey

 

[sunshineNJ]

For a 5 and 6 six year old I would strongly reccomend Dutch Wonderland. Hershey is really bib and there's alot they won't be able to go on. Dutch Wonderland is so cute and unique. Or possibly do a day at each. The zoo in hershey is nice. Hershey does get VERY crowded. I would go to either park in early June or late August. There is a resort pretty near Dutch Wonderland called Willow Valley. It's so nice and has indoor water slides.

 

[jcemom]

I keep reading about overpriced food that isn't very good. I have a question. Are there any restaurants in walking distance of the park? I wouldn't mind eating offsite, but I don't like the idea of having to pile into our broiling hot car to drive somewhere, then coming back and having to look for a new parking space.

If there is anything we could walk to that would be great. Any recommendations?

 

[Minniemouse07]

I keep reading about overpriced food that isn't very good. I have a question. Are there any restaurants in walking distance of the park? I wouldn't mind eating offsite, but I don't like the idea of having to pile into our broiling hot car to drive somewhere, then coming back and having to look for a new parking space.

If there is anything we could walk to that would be great. Any recommendations?

Nothing really within walking distance. The food is astronomically priced. Counter service for four (nothing extravagant, 2 adults and 2 kids for lunch) was the same price as dinner for four w/ one appetizer and desserts at Applebee's later that night...including tip!

The local restaurants are just a little too far to walk IMO, but you could if you really wanted to I guess.

 

[jcemom]

Nothing really within walking distance. The food is astronomically priced. Counter service for four (nothing extravagant, 2 adults and 2 kids for lunch) was the same price as dinner for four w/ one appetizer and desserts at Applebee's later that night...including tip!

The local restaurants are just a little too far to walk IMO, but you could if you really wanted to I guess.

Thank you. I guess we'll just plan to leave for a couple hours mid-day. We'll have two full days at the park, so we can spare the time, I think. I just didn't want to deal with the hassle of leaving and coming back (Disney has spoiled me with their convenience, lol), but that's what we'll plan to do. I'd like to get a break from the heat, sit down somewhere that's air-conditioned, and enjoy my lunch.