OT-Hershey Park rider switch?

[ranthony]

Does anyone know if HP offers some version of the rider switch?

Also, I'm considering a quick (2.5 hour) trip for 1 night. Is the factory something my twin DS2s might enjoy along with big brother 5, or should we skip that this time and just go to the park?

 

[3jsmommy]

I was just talking to DH last night about Hershy (we are planning on going in a few weeks for 2 days), I was wondering about baby swap/rider switch also!?

 

[ram101]

My twin DD loved it last year and they would have been about 2.5 as well. We try to get to Hershey every year and the kids have always enjoyed it no mater their age. My DH 16 also likes to go through the factory..The little ones look at it as a ride.
As for the child swap.. I never heard of it till I started reading the DIS!! They may but never thought about asking. I'll be mad if they do..all those long lines we waited in 2 times or more!!
We will be going around mid July! A prep run for our WDW trip in Sept!!

 

[rotlex]

I don't know about the swapping\switching, but, as far as the chocolate factory - I think the kids would really enjoy it. My wife, daughter and I have been going to Hershey every year, at least once, since my daughter turned 3. (She's 5 now). It's a very nice park, with lots to do, and we make sure to do the factory ride\tour at least once each time. There are also a number of things to do there without ever even entering the park itself.

Slighly OT, but does the chocolate factory\chocolate world area remind anyone else slightly of Disney? Epcot in particular.

 

[jagafen]

Click on the general info tab at the top of the page (hersheypark.com) or click/read below..I'm apparently not "cool enough" yet to post a link!!



KIDDIE SWAP
If you have smaller children in your family and would like to ride height-restricted rides, let the ride attendant know you would like to take advantage of Kiddie Swap. The Kiddie Swap program allows for two parents to take turns riding while the other parent stands to the side with a child who is too short to ride, or when one parent has two children who need to be accompanied by an adult on a ride, the children may swap places.

 

[Desnik]

Hershey Park is the best, 2nd to WDW of course!!LOL The factory tour is so worth it and it is FREE!! It is in Chocolate World which is seperate from the park but next to it. They also have a 3D show, Trolley Tour and more there. We love Hershey so much we(DH and I) have created an info site and message boards all about Hershey Park! On the info site you can find pics and a bunch of info for planning a trip. The message boards is becoming a great community of people who love Hershey Park and some are DIS'ers too! Here are the links:
www.hersheyinfo.com
www.hersheyboards.com
And the official site is:
www.hersheypa.com

 

[Desnik]

Here is the kiddie swap info directly from the Hershey website:

KIDDIE SWAP
If you have smaller children in your family and would like to ride height-restricted rides, let the ride attendant know you would like to take advantage of Kiddie Swap. The Kiddie Swap program allows for two parents to take turns riding while the other parent stands to the side with a child who is too short to ride, or when one parent has two children who need to be accompanied by an adult on a ride, the children may swap places.

 

[Mkrop]

Does anyone know if HP offers some version of the rider switch?

Also, I'm considering a quick (2.5 hour) trip for 1 night. Is the factory something my twin DS2s might enjoy along with big brother 5, or should we skip that this time and just go to the park?

Wdo Hp all the time. Went for the 1st time this year on May28 and 29! We love HP!

I dont know about rider switch but definitely do Chocolate World with those ages. DS4 said that was his favorite "ride" It reminds me a lot of WDW rides where the whole family rides in a slow moving car together and watches how chocolate was made. We just saw the 3D show and it reminded me of HISTA in Epcot. A little cheesy, the 2years olds might get scared but you dont have to do both. Then there is a section where they can pretend to make candy. You can go when you first get there or get your hand stamped and go later or whne you leave. It is crowded first thing. Chocolate World is a must!

 

[Mkrop]

Slighly OT, but does the chocolate factory\chocolate world area remind anyone else slightly of Disney? Epcot in particular.

ITA! I just posted that. I quickly posted before reading the reponses because I did not want OP to skip Chocolate World!!

 

[ranthony]

Somehow I missed the Kiddie Swap info. when I was on their site. With the ages of our children it's actually about $120 cheaper to go to HP than Sesame Place (which I haven't heard that many positive things about). Since the distance is about the same this seems like a 'no brainer'.

Desnik, I checked out your site the other day and it's really great!

HP--here we come!

 

[Mkrop]

Somehow I missed the Kiddie Swap info. when I was on their site. With the ages of our children it's actually about $120 cheaper to go to HP than Sesame Place (which I haven't heard that many positive things about). Since the distance is about the same this seems like a 'no brainer'.

Desnik, I checked out your site the other day and it's really great!

HP--here we come!

You chose the right one. It is hilly so bring good shoes. I dont even notice anymore but the last time I was there some people in line were whining about it. Also print out a map and get a gameplan just like you would fo for Disney although no FPs. The roller coasters get crowded and so does Resse Xtreme Cup Challenge (similar to Buzz ride) and now the water rides although I noticed the new Boardwalk area was much mroe crowded than the older water rides like Tidal Force and River Rapids.

 

[Mkrop]

Also I did not see you post this but where are you staying and what night are you staying, before or after?

If you arrive the night before you can do the Preview Plan which allows you into the park 2 1/2 hours before closing for free and free parking. You just bring your tickets for the next day and they stamp them. It is nice because by then a lot of people have left, it is cooler, we did a lot doing this.

Or if you are staying as a Hershey guest (lodge, hotel or campground) you can get into the park and hour early, now only Comet Hollow and Founders Cirlce is open but you can get those areas done bfore the crowd and then head to one of the big roller coasters or something while everyone is still trying to get in.

If not at least but your tickets ahead of time, someone mentioned they have a separate line so that might get you in faster.


Have a blast!

 

[rotlex]

ITA! I just posted that. I quickly posted before reading the reponses because I did not want OP to skip Chocolate World!!

Hehe, cool to know I'm not the only one that feels that way!

 

[Mkrop]

Hehe, cool to know I'm not the only one that feels that way!

Other similarities:

Stormrunner the outdoor version of RNRC.

Resse Xtreeme Cup Challenge similar to Buzz Ride.

Now if you are a resort guest, you can get in an hour earlier than other guests.

Character breakfast.

I think somebody is taking a look at the Disney Business Plan! :

 

[ranthony]

We're going to Priceline a hotel in a few days. I would like to be able to afford one of the HP resorts but with Disney for Christmas it just isn't in the budget.

I did read that you can 'preview' the evening before so we were planning on doing this on the night of the 13th. However, there is a 10pm closing time and with the twins i don't know how much time we'll actually get in the park because we won't be admitted until 7:30. How 'strict are they on the 2 1/2 hour before closing 'preview' time? i wonder if we showed up a bit earlier if they'd let un in?

Also, Giant grocery strores in PA are selling the tickets at $11 off adult and $1 off kids. And, if you buy 2 they give you a voucher for free parking.
When I was looking into Sesame Place I couldn't believe parking was $13! I've paid less than that for the day in NYC!

I'm really looking forward to the trip...especially now that I know the have Kiddie Swap.

 

[Mkrop]

We have done the Preview Plan twice. Once in June of last year, this one they did let us in a 1/2 hour early than posted time but this was still early.

Jus a few days ago, Memorial Day we did not have our act together and got up there around 5:50 and yet we could have gotten in at 5:30. Oh well!

Definetly price it oout because the Lodge offers plans and the tickets are much cheaper than online. If you "pretend" to book a room then it will show you how much the tickets will cost so you can really calculate savings and such.

We just love the Lodge and they do lots of fun things too there and we are now hooked on the convience of getting in early.

But your plan sounds great too, yeah it seems like getting you tickets ahead time whether at the Lodge or Giant is a great deal!

 

[Desnik]

Somehow I missed the Kiddie Swap info. when I was on their site. With the ages of our children it's actually about $120 cheaper to go to HP than Sesame Place (which I haven't heard that many positive things about). Since the distance is about the same this seems like a 'no brainer'.

Desnik, I checked out your site the other day and it's really great!

HP--here we come!

Thank you!!! It's still a work in progress.

We love staying at the Hershey Lodge. They also offer free shuttle to the park and they put your stroller under the bus like DME does!

You can also find discount coupons at some fast food chains. I have a bunch of them for $8 off each ticket for 1 day admission and also a $1 off each admission to the 3D show. One coupon is good for up to 4 people. Let me know if you would like one, I coud mail it to you.

 

[jmpellet]

Does anyone know if the Giant food stores in PA sell the two day passes or are they just one day passes. Also, how does the preview plan parking work? Do you pay at the preview night then get the next day for free??

 

[Mkrop]

Does anyone know if the Giant food stores in PA sell the two day passes or are they just one day passes. Also, how does the preview plan parking work? Do you pay at the preview night then get the next day for free??

I dont know about buying tickets through Giant but I can comment on the Preview Plan.

We bought out tickets at Hershey Lodge, they did not have a date on them. We drove over the night before 2 1/2 hours b4 the park closed, so for us 5:30 for an 8 closing. When we pulled into parking we had to pay $8 and they told us since we were doing the Preview Plan that just show our tickets and stamped parking stub to the attendant tom and parking is free.

We then went to the gates at 5:30 and said we were there for the Preview Plan, she took our tickets and stamped them with a Preview Plan stamp and we went in and got to do a lot even in 2 1/2 hours.

The next day went back handed our tickets and stayed the whole day.

We have done the Preview Plan twice now and the crowds have been less since I think a lot of people leave after being there all day. We have been many times so we know where everything is but if you havent it is nice to get a feel for where everything is and maybe get on some rides.

This last time it was Memorial Day Night and everyone had headed home bc of the long weekend, it was great!

Have fun!