Thinking of taking the kids to Hershey Park.. any reviews?

[Otto's Doll]

We are thinking of taking the kids to Hershey Park at the end of June for 3 days. We will stay at the Hershey Lodge, and visit the park for 2 of those days. Anybody stay there recently? Did your kids enjoy the park? My DD will be 9 and DS will be 11.

 

[Pam]

My DS and DH went with the Boy Scouts to Hershey 1.5 years ago. They had fun. They of course camped, so I can't tell you anything about the hotel.

 

[HeyMickey]

I really like Hersheypark. There's a lot to do and a good variety of rides for kids and adults. You can also go into the zoo from the park for free, which is a nice change of pace for a couple of hours.

Also you should visit Chocolate World, which is right by Hersheypark. It's a free ride that takes you on a tour of how chocolate is made, and sometimes you get free chocolate bars at the end.

 

[hentob]

It is a little over an hour from our house. We love it, but only go during the very slow times (Halloween, Christmas, slow times at the begining/end of season). This park can get PACKED! I mean crowded!!!!!!

If you don't mind the June crowds, you will love it. It is a clean park. A fun place for the kids. Lots of hills, so be prepared. Also, tour the Chocolate Factory (it's free!) and see the 4D movie (not free).

Lots of outlet shopping just down the road.

The Hershey Lodge is very nice.

Hentob

ps--I went to college with a girl from Matamoras, PA Even visited the town once

 

[kpgclark]

I've stayed at the Lodge. It is a great place for kids! They have a lot of structured (free) activities. They do arts and crafts and have chocolate bingo! They place kisses on your table for you to use as markers. You can keep them all. Can you guess what you win when you play BINGO? Bags of chocolate. Can you guess what everyone gets when they check in? A chocolate bar. Well, you get the idea at this resort. The pool is indoors and heated. There is a spa at the Hershey Hotel. There is a free bus (like at Disney) that will take you to the park. We stayed there in the winter and went to Winter Wonderland or whatever it is called at Hershey. It was SOOOO cold riding the rides. We're going back again this spring or summer. The park is clean and they do have characters. You guessed it, all related to the candy they make. You absolutely must go to the free ride outside of the park where you go through a simulated factory and get a small (you guessed it) free piece of candy at the end. You can ride the ride over and over again. You are in a vehicle similar to the Haunted Mansion ride. It is a lot of fun and you will have a great time.

 

[Desnik]

We do exaxtly what you're planning twice a year! DH is a big coaster fan and loves the ones at HP. I am a scaredy cat as he calls it and stick to the kiddie rides with our kids. There is alot of them and DD loves it!!

When you stay at the lodge you have a shuttle bus that takes you to the park so you don't have to worry about driving and parking there. Also there're 3 places to eat there at the resort. The resort itself is very nice and the room was really clean. The wall paper has Hershey kisses if you look carefully!

Definately check out Chocolate World. There is a cute tour, a restaurant and shop. Also there is a really cute 3D show and a trolley tour of Hershey. We've done it all and have a ball every year!
They also add something new every year that keeps it interesting. Also, the park itself is really clean and nice people working there.

You'll have a great time. Let me know if you have any specific questions. We're planning a trip there in May.

 

[Figment22]

WE have always loved Hershey Park. It's clean, and very family oriented. We've stayed at the Lodge several times. Try to request a tower room. The rooms in the outer wings are the original lodge rooms. They are fine but the tower rooms are newer. We didn't pay a premium for a tower room on our last visit. The restaurants are good at the Lodge and the whole family loved the sports bar. (I can't remember its name.) Have a great time.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

We live about 20 minutes from Hershey Park and visit a few times a year. Be sure to check out www.hersheypa.com The new roller coaster for 2004 is Storm Runner. A character breakfast is available at the Cafe at Chocolate World. If you are going during a busy time of year it is a good idea to have a plan for touring the park.
PP

 

[JulianneP]

Love Love Love Hershey Park! It is so family friendly. My kids are 3 and 4 and have been three times we still have not been able to ride all the kids rides there are so many!! Yet it is roller coster heaven for grown ups as well!

Don't miss the Hershey Park Trolley ride. Very cute!

 

[paras4ri]

We were there last summer when DS was 11 and DD was 8 and we had a wonderful time. We took advantage of the preview plan that let us visit 2 or 3 hours before closing the first night...then the entire next day. Coasters are wonderful......water rides really get you WET.......be sure to have bathing suits and water shose for them. There are several places to change and everything is very clean. We had a wonderful time there.

 

[Kallison]

Every time we go there my DH threatens me with my life if I say "Well they wouldn't do it that way at Disney". It's okay for not being Disney. Probably one of the few non-Disney parks I would go to.

 

[KarenB]

We live about an hour from Hershey and for the past 2 years, we have spent July 4th there. We had a great time. Lot's of rides and the lines are usually not too long. The coasters range from all types of thrill levels which I like. Watch for discount on tickets beginning in the spring.

Karen

 

[Otto's Doll]

our school offers discount tickets for $19 each. We will be buying 2 for each of us.

 

[krismomof3boys]

We live about 30mins from HersheyPark. We go every year with MIL company picnic. I am currently planning my first WDW trip so I can't compare it with WDW (I'm sure it's a much smaller scale) BUT, I think HP is a great place. My oldest son has always loved the characters (HersheyBar and Kiss are always around, but try to find the more elusive Symphony and Special Dark)

Yes, I have seen the lines out to the "2 hour wait from this point" but that is at the "big" rides. My kids are little so we haven't had to wait that long for anything. The kiddie/smaller rides move pretty fast.

I think it's a fun park (I believe it was rated the #1 theme park in the northeast) and don't forget ChocolateWorld (nothing beats a free chocolate bar at the end of the ride)

 

[aprilgail2]

We go every year and stay at a farm bed and breakfast....when my godkids were young we stayed there (12 years ago!) and now I am taking my daughter there every year! We usually make it a few days and stop first at Sesame Place then head to Hershey.

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

WOW! I'm glad I came across this thread. My DH wants to go there this spring/summer and I told him I didn't really want to go because it wasn't Disney and would it be clean and isn't really alot to do. Sounds like I AM WRONG. I should have known to just ask the DISers. I'm now re-thinking that decision. Thanks everyone!

 

[HoneyPooh]

Hershey Park is very clean. We went a few years ago with our two boys and had a wonderful time. As someone else posted, beware of the hills, there are a couple of biggies! The only thing I wasn't to thrilled with at HP was the food.

 

[Patio]

I really love Hershey Park, but last summer, we waited a looong time to get on some of the rides. If it's a very hot day, head over to the area by the Roller Soaker and you can get soaked standing under the coaster, feels great in hot weather. I always tour Chocolate World, too, gotta love that free chocolate bar.

 

[katerkat]

Be prepared for a heck of a lot of hills and walking - I always forget how big the park is! My ILs live right nearby - in fact, my MIL works at the medical center! I've never stayed at the Lodge, but I've always wanted to. There's a chocolate spa. The park is a lot of fun with a variety of rides, so it's good for all ages. If you can go on weekdays, it's much less crowded!

Oh, and a word of note for Chocolate World. In order to ride the ride, you must pass a bakery filled with chocolate. And a store, with GIANT chocolate bars and special chocolates. I've found it's impossible to actually walk through there without ruining any diet!