HersheyPark started as a small recreation area for Hershey’s employees and has blossomed into an incredibly large amusement facility with rollercoasters (there are fourteen!), small rides, a water park, a zoo and many yummy treats. It really does sound too good to be true! Enjoy these tips for HersheyPark and get ready for family fun memories without the headache!
Hershey, Pennsylvania -the sweetest place on earth- is literally a town built on chocolate. When you drive into the area, the light posts have chocolate kisses around them (wrapped and unwrapped) and the theme park looms in the distance. HersheyPark is one of those iconic parks that even if people have never been there, they have heard of it.
HersheyPark Tip 1: Buy tickets ahead of time to save money, time and sanity!
We typically visit HersheyPark in the summer while we visit family. During the offseason, Hershey runs a sale on tickets where you can pay the kid’s admission price. Hershey usually has good deals in the off season to lock in people for the summer so keep an eye out.
You can also buy discount tickets at local participating supermarkets (there is a Giant nearby!). Plus, do you really want to stand in line right in front of the park and have your kids going a little crazy?
HersheyPark Tip 2: Go for the 2 day ticket so you don’t have to rush
When you arrive at HersheyPark, your family will be overwhelmed with “so many things to see and do.” The last time we went, we only made it through around a third of the park. Between the rides, Boardwalk water park and Zoo America, you will need more time.
With shorter hours, you will want the extra day
Currently, the park is open 11-7 for regular guests and it goes fast! If you had the two day tickets, your family could go at a slower pace and have a better chance of getting to all the attractions you want to see.
Bonus tip:
Make sure you book a hotel room early as vacation season things can fill up quickly. Use a website like booking.com to compare different hotel stays and pick the best one for your group.
HersheyPark Tip 3: Take advantage of extra hours for extra fun
If you decide to stay in the Hershey properties such as the Hershey Hotel, Hershey Lodge or HersheyPark Camping Resort, you get a Sweet Start. This means you get to go in the park an hour before it opens to the public. These properties can be costly, but this is a fantastic perk for the family.
Sweet Start is a great benefit
Another way to get more time out of your ticket is the Sweet Sneak Peek where you can go in the park the NIGHT BEFORE two hours before the park closes. If you stay on Hershey property, you get three extra hours! This is an excellent way to maximize your time and the kids can get a jump start on the rides.
HersheyPark Tip 4: Bring a wagon or stroller to cart kids and your stuff
HersheyPark is a large park and the kids rides are distributed throughout the park. It’s great that each time you go to a new section, there is something for the whole family, but this means there will be so much walking.
For example, we left the Pioneer Frontier Food Court to go to the front of the park and it took about 15 minutes to get there. We were only halfway in the park.
Bringing our own fold up wagon has been so helpful because the kids can ride and we can put our essentials for the park in as well.
We love the wagon linked here- it’s saved us SO MUCH trouble and also acts as a great way to transport gear like cameras, jackets, water bottles, and more!
The park also has strollers for rent, but I’m sure your personal one would be more comfortable. We also use this wagon at other parks, like Busch Gardens.
Bonus Tip:
If you are going in the summer, make sure to buy some of these towels which will keep everyone cool and get this fan for your stroller or wagon!
HersheyPark Tip 5: Download the HersheyPark App for ease in the park
I HIGHLY recommend that you download the HersheyPark app. You get a map of the park, wait times and show times. Also it tells you what foods are at each restaurant and if they have gluten, dairy and nut free options. I find it to be user friendly and very helpful in deciding when to ride big attractions.
HersheyPark Tip 6: Use the Kiddie Swap to be a kid again
If you are like me, you love rollercoasters and miss them. My kids aren’t big enough to ride with me and I don’t want my family to have to wait in line for a long time while I get my turn. Kiddie swap is perfect. One parent gets in line and the other can come up through the exit.
Mention to the ride operators that you are doing kiddie swap and they will let your partner take your place after you ride. You can text each other wait times while the other parent takes the kids to a nearby ride or visit a character!
HersheyPark Tip 7: Never buy water, get it free!
Don’t pay for water at HersheyPark. If you can get to a vendor that has fountain drinks, ask for a tap water. The worker will give it to you for free. I think they charge $3 a bottle and that can add up quickly.
HersheyPark Tip 8: Use the Food Courts for all
There are two major food courts in the park, one in Pioneer Frontier and the other is the Overlook near Kissing Tower Hill. These have the most options in one area for food.
If your family is like mine, you could mention two foods and they would want opposites. This way they have the most options available to them and all close by. The Overlook has air conditioning so it’s a perfect stop on a hot day.
HersheyPark Tip 9: Height check adds to the fun
This is more for fun than anything but at Hershey, kids are categorized for rides by their heights with a Hershey Candy!
Under 36 inches are Miniatures, 36 to 42 inches are Kisses, 42 to 48 inches are Reese’s, 48 to 54 inches are Hershey Bars, 54 inches to 60 inches are Twizzlers and everything above that is a Jolly Rancher.
Personally, I think they could do better with the tallest height, but it’s not my job!
HersheyPark Tip 10: Chocolate World for a midday break
Hershey’s Chocolate World is at the entrance to HersheyPark but is not affiliated with the park.
It is a retail hub that has Hershey candy themed everything and Hershey candy with free admission.
They also have paid experiences where you can pay to make your own candy bar, have a 4-D movie experience and more.
Chocolate World is a must visit
There is a ride that goes through how chocolate is made in the Hershey company and you get FREE chocolate at the end.
Most people love to go to Hershey’s Chocolate World before they go to the park or after.
This is a good idea in that you don’t waste your park time and you can go on the way out when the park is closed. However, this is the busiest time to go.
When is the best time to visit Chocolate World?
I recommend going in the middle of the day. There are no lines for the Chocolate World ride and the store is much less busy.
Also, air conditioning! If your kids are getting cranky, get to Chocolate World for the a/c, the ride, the FREE chocolate after the ride and some shopping.
Chocolate World also has a service where they will hold your purchases for you until the end of the day. That way you aren’t toting around a five pound chocolate bar all day while it melts.
Another bonus, they have delicious treats!
Side note: Hershey’s Chocolate World has free parking and is open year round if you want to stop by when HersheyPark is closed.
HersheyPark Tip 11: Save your money and pass on Games Value Pass
There is a Games Value pass that you can purchase and it claims to save 30%. We bought it thinking it would be great since we love games. However, you get money for games in $2 increments and most games are $5 and they will not give you change for vouchers.
Bonus tip: check out the games you want!
Also, some of the vouchers are for specific games. We made it into a scavenger hunt to find the games and use all the vouchers but they were games we may not have picked in the first place.
HersheyPark Tip 12: Prepare for the Hershey Supply Company
When you leave the park, you will be able to leave through the new Hershey Supply Company. Here you can purchase your perfect souvenir for the family!
Score some Hershey Pinwheel merchandise
They have brought back the iconic Hershey Pinwheel and put it on everything. I am a little obsessed! There is also the Sweeterie with themed confections and the Milton Ice Cream Parlor named for Milton Hershey. Just a warning, the kids will want it all so plan accordingly!
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Great tips for visiting Hershey Park!! Haven’t been for awhile and these tips will help us when we return!! Thanks!