? on Hershey park tickets

[melk]

We're going to Hershey park this summer. First question I have is how many days should we go, one or two?

Also, AAA offers a discount on the tickets (not sure yet what it is), but I've read that you can get discounted tickets down there (sorry, search is down, so I can't find the info). Are we better off doing this, or just get our tickets from AAA?

Also, what other things in the area should we schedule time to do?

Any info you can give would be appreciated. Thank you!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We've gotten discounted tickets from our local recreation department. How much $ are the AAA tickets? Here's the info from our local rec department, to give you something to compare with:

Adult $33 ($9 savings)
Ages 3-8 $24 ($1 savings)
Special Days(5/1-6/30, No Saturdays) $25 ($17 savings)

There are tickets that you can get directly from Hershey Park that give you admission the evening before your full day. I believe that's a non-discounted admission, though. When I've looked into that it wasn't as good of a deal as it seemed, exp when parking was added in (I'm pretty sure parking has to be paid for 2 days--not positive, though). Could work for you, though.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I just looked at the MidAtlantic AAA and the prices are 32.75 for adult tickets and 23.75 for a child (3-8).

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

One or two days depends on what you want to do. If you want to ride coasters & rides I would say do two days. Actually, two days may be better anyway. Then you can see the zoo, and Choclate World(my favorite, wait until you ride the choclate making tour ride. That song at the end will stay in your head for weeks. You'll start singing "Hershey's Chocolate, Hershey's Chocolate" when you least expect it).

 

[SSDonut]

We love the zoo at Hershey--there is a bridge that connects right to it from the back of the park. Won't take long, but I would definitely allow an hour or so to walk through it. It's a good break from riding the rides.

The chocolate world ride (free) is quite entertaining--especially with youngsters. The first time we went to Hershey with my (then) 3-year-old DD, we got off the ride, got our free mini Hershey bar, headed down the ramp to go in a ride again. . .

She said: "that was cool!"

I said: "Yeah, and now we know how to make chocolate!"

She said: "Yeah!. . . . 'cept we still don't!"

We still laugh about that--after you take the ride you'll know what she meant.

Our other good laugh that day was when we went into the cafe and she got chocolate milk to drink. I asked her how it was and she said: "Great! Better than what you make at home!!"

 

[Tigger&Belle]

As far as 1 or 2 days, it depends on you, what you want to see, and how you tour. Do you have kids? If so, how old? Do you like to hit all the rides?

We went for one day the summer of 2004 and we were there from opening almost all day (had a 2 hour drive going back home, so didn't stay quite until closing). My kids were 4-16, so we were interested in all but the little kiddy rides and we like to repeat our favorites. We wished that we would have had more time. We did go to Chocolate World, but not to the zoo.

 

[Jennifer S]

We go to Hershey quite a bit. Let me give you some pointers.


Your tickets are valid for a "Preview pass" - you can get in the night before for free (they stamp your ticket). You can only get in 2 1/2 hours before close. You do NOT have to pay parking twice. The second day they let us in free to park. Just tell them you paid the night before.

Chocolate world is free and the store there has discounts for all chocolate - get when you are leaving so it doesn't melt. We even take a little cooler just for all the chocolate we buy.

Have a blast!! We are going the second weekend in June. I think w/ the preview pass and the next day is good enough.

Also if it rains while you are there go to the courtesy booth for another free ticket. Has to be raing pretty hard though for them to do that.

 

[Jennifer S]

There are tickets that you can get directly from Hershey Park that give you admission the evening before your full day. I believe that's a non-discounted admission, though. When I've looked into that it wasn't as good of a deal as it seemed, exp when parking was added in (I'm pretty sure parking has to be paid for 2 days--not positive, though). Could work for you, though.

The tickets don't have to be from Hershey - they accept all tickets for Preview Pass. We have never bought tickets from Hershey directly. Also - we did NOT have to pay parking twice. You need to tell them you paid the night before- at least it worked for us.

 

[disney junky]

The chocolate world ride has just been refurbished and is still free. There is a 3D movie in the same complex that they charge for. Don't know how much. Never did it.

There is also a trolly car tour through Hershey. It is an interesting town with a unique history.

Other local attractions are fairly touristy. You can head into Amish country (Lancaster county) and check out the horse and buggies.

There are a couple of caves within a half hour or so if you are into that.

You can take in a minor league baseball game at City Island (Senators) in Harrisburg or Municipal Stadium in Reading (Phillies).

There is an outlet mall adjacent to Hershey Park. It's not huge, but it has some nice stores. There is no sales tax on clothing in Pennsylvania so a lot of out of state people take advantage.

Hershey Park is somewhat of a crap shoot. Some days it's crazy full but others, you can walk right on. The locals who have season passes avoid the full days. As someone else said, ZooAmerica is a nice respite during the day, especially if it's hot, and it's included in your park admission. It is one of the most family oriented and cleanest parks around. A great family day....

BTW, gate prices are $42.95 I think so the prices you are getting are pretty good.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The tickets don't have to be from Hershey - they accept all tickets for Preview Pass. We have never bought tickets from Hershey directly. Also - we did NOT have to pay parking twice. You need to tell them you paid the night before- at least it worked for us.

That's great to know! I know I'd read somewhere that the ticket had to be from them, but obviously wrong info. Don't know that we'll ever do the preview since if I ever stay the night I'd prefer to do it after spending the day in the parks, but there could be sometime that I'm up there and able to take advantage of it. Also good about the parking. Thanks for the info!

 

[Jennifer S]

That's great to know! I know I'd read somewhere that the ticket had to be from them, but obviously wrong info. Don't know that we'll ever do the preview since if I ever stay the night I'd prefer to do it after spending the day in the parks, but there could be sometime that I'm up there and able to take advantage of it. Also good about the parking. Thanks for the info!

No problem. I only know this because every year we meet 5 other families (college friends) and spend the whole weekend in Hershey. I only just realized last year about the parking thing. I was paying for four years.

One reason I love the Dis - a wealth of info

 

[N.Bailey]

You can buy discounted tickets from the grocery store, Giant (not to be confused with Giant Eagle). You'll more than likely run into several as you travel to the area. I believe those tickets are a better discount than AAA offers, but you could easily call any store to find out how much they are. They can be used for the preview the night before as well.

It looks like everyone else has covered the other questions. Have fun! I would suggest staying away on weekends though.

 

[melk]

Thanks for all the info!!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

I had read this a few days ago with interest, since we are going to Hershey Park next month. I live somewhat close, and our work offers "Hershey Hospitality Cards." They just put them out last night. They are coupons for $8 off every day but Saturday ($5 off), $2 off Dutch Wonderland, $2 off Hershey Museum and Hershey Gardens, $1 off the 3D show, $10 off VF outlet purchase of $100 or more, etc.

I am sure you could find these in the local stores as you get closer to the area, but I can send you some beforehand if you'd rather. I picked up a few extras. Just PM me your addy if interested.