Thinking about Hershey Park...

[emagirl]

I haven't been to Hershey Park for 14 years. DH, DD (12) and I are thinking about a trip next summer. Does anyone know where I can find info. (other than the official websites) on hotels, packages, etc. Maybe message boards?

Anyone been there lately? I hear there are lots of coasters now. The Travel Channel did a show yesterday on it, but I was looking for more on lodging and park activities.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[RumpleMom]

I haven't been to Hershey Park in about 10 years, but I remember it as a lovely, clean park. We stayed at the Hotel Hershey- they had a Hershey Kiss hunt for the kids. The Hershey Gardens were beautiful. There is a water park too.

There is a new exchange for DVC in the Hershey area.

AAA has lots of info. or your local library might. My library has books on amusement parks, videos in the travel section. There is a book listing factory tours- there are several near Hershey- pretzels and potato chips. Chocolate covered pretzels are made in Ephrata, PA.

Good luck.

 

[RUDisney]

There is a Holiday Inn at the Grantville exit off I81. It is right on Rte. 743 that takes you to the park, about 10 minutes away. It isn't as congested there as it is staying in downtown Hershey. If your budget can afford it, definitely stay at the Hotel Hershey. It is a spectacular hotel.

 

[shep]

Here ya go..
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=428363

 

[tkd lisa]

We went in mid-August, and my DD and I went as part of Girl Scouts in early June.

I'd highly encourage you visiting this park. We really enjoyed it. I never was able to find much information outside the official sites though.

We stayed at an Old Country Inn & Suites in "East Harrisburg". It was about 7 miles from the park, across a state highway. What a convenient location! And we got a great govt employee discount.

Hershey does allow a free "pre-view" where you can go in the evening before. This lets you get a sense of where things are, and maybe hit some of the big rides not in the heat of day.

There are TONS of roller coasters, and a big kids area as well. They have a dolphin and seal show. Both my kids got picked to go up and interact w the dolphins (DS and DH went to a second show since DS isn't terribly fond of roller coasters).

Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions, but I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

We love going to Hershey. We try to go about twice a year.
Their website is www.hersheypa.com

 

[DISshopkeeper]

HersheyPark ROCKS. I highly recommend the Preview that tkd lisa mentioned. We do it ALL the time. Even your parking pass is good the next day. We ride ALL the major coasters in the evening, which makes your day trip really laid back.

 

[stamper]

Love Hershey!!!!

Recently stayed at the Quality Inn Carlisle....not too far away, easily can get there I'm sure(we were there for a dog show...so don't know the route from there to the Park). Nice hotel, great breakfast, great rate!!! When we go back to Hershey this is where we'll be staying.

Check area stores for discount coupons....we found some when we went in '99. Everything there seemed very reasonabley priced.

Have fun!

 

[Beast]

My wife (the lovely and gracious Julie) and I were there in early August. We live about an hour and a half away.

We bought two of the Meal Tickets. We used one for lunch and one for supper. Each of the meals we chose were large enough to split in half and still have enough to eat. It comes with a 32oz. refillable mug that you can use all summer. It'll cost $2.00 each time but if your paying park prices, that's better than the regular price.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

You could try www.ThrillNetwork.com. It's not as nice as DIS, but you can learn a lot, especially technical stuff about roller coasters.

 

[damo]

We stayed at a beautiful hotel that is one of the closest to the parks. It is the Springhill Suites. Not cheap mind you, but really nice. Make sure you do Chocolate World and the 3d show. It is probably the best 3d show I've seen. If you go to the site http://www.experiencepa.com you can order tourism guides and things on line. If you phone 1-800-hershey they will send you all sorts of stuff.

I didn't like Hersheypark very much. Don't really know why. Must have been the layout and it poured and poured while we were there. It ranked lowest of the four parks we were at on our vacation.

 

[RUDisney]

Make sure you take a drive down the main street in town. Your DD will like the street lights that are shaped like Hershey Kisses.

 

[ElaineMc]

My in-laws live right outside Hershey so we go twice a year. Once in the summer and once in the winter when the park is decorated with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Yes, it is freezing in December but there's something about being dressed in your ski clothes, drinking hot chocolate, and riding rides. I always have a good time at Hershey park. I especially like the Lightning Racers, dual roller coasters that compete with each other as they go around the track. There are lots of hotels to stay in the area that are not too expensive. Check out the Harrisburg area as well as the Hershey area. The way I like to cut back on costs is to have a refrigerator in my room. If you keep breakfast stuff handy you're only eating out maybe twice a day instead of three times. You can also take snacks into the park. You'll love Hershey Park. Don't forget to do the Chocolate World Tour Ride (free). You'll get a treat at the end.

 

[emagirl]

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded and for all of your great ideas and suggestions.