Need Help with Hershey Park Summer Family Trip Questions

[scottie]

We are considering our family vacation options for this coming summer and the majority are saying they would like to do a couple/few days in Washington DC and then drive up to Hershey Park to check it out. Then back to Columbus OH after. There will be several adults and a few kids (age 14, 10, 5). My questions for this thread deals with the Hershey Part of the trip.

I foresee us leaving DC early morning to head to Hershey, so anticipate arriving around lunch time- as it looks to be about a 2.5hr trip. There is, however, the chance we may stay in DC till afternoon so wont roll into Hershey till late day.

How much time should we plan for Hershey- just a day or should we expect to need more time? We are all newbie’s to the park.

Is it a good park for all ages- kids thru adults?

Are there any must see/ must do attractions?

Are there a lot of places to stay the night somewhat near to the park? Considered the two hotels on site but they were too pricy.

Is 2.5 hour or so realistic for a trip from DC area to Hershey Park?

Any other tips/suggestions/ do’s don’ts would be much appreciated!

TIA!

 

[Wall-E1]

We went there a few years ago. We stayed 2 nights at the Hershey Lodge. We spent 1 1/2 days at Hershey Park. As long as you don't want to ride every single attraction there, one day should be good at the park. There is also a small zoo and water park attached to the park. We also spent time at the hotel and went to Chocolate World. They have a chocolate factory tour there. The must do's for us are the wooden coasters (we love the classic wooden coaster feel), especially the racing one - Lightning Racer. The Comet was also great. There was also a fun ride where you are on an elevated coaster track and huge jets of water shoot up at you. You can also shoot water at people below - Roller Soaker. The park is fun for all ages. Not sure about the driving time to D.C. We were doing a road trip and had come from Gettysburg. After Hershey, we drove down to Baltimore.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Traffic around DC is always heavy. I looked how mapquest took you but am not as familiar with that side of town. My advice would be to allow longer.

Also, it's been a while since I've been to Hershey but I remember a deal where you can get free admission late in the afternoon if you buy a ticket for the next day. (I looked at the website and they still have it.) That way you can get the lay of the land and see a few attractions.

 

[DebD4T]

If you get to Hershey in the late afternoon, I would suggest you take advantage of the park preview option that Breezy_Carol mentioned. We have done it many times and we have always been able to ride quite a few rides. I think many people visit Hershey as a day trip and leave early evening, so the park is not extremely crowded in the evening.

As for lodging, we usually stay offsite at a Hampton Inn.

If you use the preview option, I would plan at least a day more, preferably 2 days especially if you want to visit the zoo and museum. And the water park section can easily take up a day!!

One of the wonderful things about Hershey park is that there are rides for every age group.

 

[cassiez76]

thanks for this thread!

we're going to baltimore for my sis in laws wedding this july and we're going to take a day to visit hershey park. hubby rides coasters, i don't! so it looks like while he does coasters, my 2 year old and i can do the zoo.

how long does it take to do the chocolate place tour? i'm all about chocolate!

i can't wait to go, i'm so excited and we still have 6 months exactly!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

We went for the first time last August. A full day was not enough time for us, two days would have been better.
Unless you don't go to the water park then I think one day is good.

We stayed at the Days Inn, Grantville , PA. Very clean, continental breakfast and about $60/night. It was about 5 to 10 minutes away from Hershey.

 

[scottie]

Thanks for the info and tips from everyone thus far!