Hershey Park

flyingsaucer · March 2014

We are thinking if going to Hershey Park Easter weekend to celebrate my sons' birthdays (March and April). I have not been since I was a kid. Anyone have any input? SS will be 12, DS 6 and DD 3

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flyingsaucer · March 2014

@MotherOfPearl85‌ I have heard that Dutch Wonderland, which is close to Hershey, is really great for little kids. I would love to go there as well, but it would be to "lame" for my 12 year old I think

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ReeseFox · March 2014

We're going for Easter weekend! My girls are 12 &2. I first started looking into taking them last summer, because they have a ton of rides the little one can get on (unlike most amusement parks) plus admission to the zoo is included with your ticket.

MrsCodeMonkey · March 2014

It's my favorite amusement park. The chocolate tour will be fun for everyone. There is a variety of rides, so all your kids will find something to like. Have fun!!!!

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whse13kittens · March 2014

Lurker....I live in Central PA and worked at Hershey for several summers in college. I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has!

For starters, Dutch Wonderland will probably be a little "blah" for the 12 year old, but if you can spare the funds, tell 'em to suck it up for a day because it's worth the drive for the 6 and 3 year olds. Plus, Hershey Corp owns both parks, so you can get double tickets for the weekend, and save a bit of money. If you feel comfortable splitting up, you could probably send your DH to HP with the older one and take the younger two on your own to DW -- it's not a very big park compared to others in the area, like HP and Dorney Park in Allentown.

Where are you staying? Most hotels offer shuttle transportation, which is nice. Parking is $10/day and once you leave you can't come back, so if you're going to drive yourself, plan on being stuck at the park til close.

Meals in the Park are EXPENSIVE. Do yourself a favor and either plan to eat sandwiches in your hotel room/campsite, go off Park property for lunch, or splurge on the meal tickets upfront (last year they were $35 I think?) My 12 year old SS is notoriously picky about what he eats and he was able to find two or three things he wanted to eat off what the meal ticket provides, and we all got souvenir cups too (which if you'll be in the Park for more than 1 day, I recommend highly because they can be refilled anywhere and refills are only $0.99).

I'm sure I'll think of more things here in a minute...

whse13kittens · March 2014

Oh, shows! The Music Box theater usually has at least one decent show and it is air conditioned. Great for the hot days, but seats fill up fast. Strollers are not allowed in any enclosed theater (Music Box, Aqua Theater, and the Ampitheater) so plan to leave it outside if you brought it with. They've never had one stolen and the hosts by the door are pretty good about knowing who left a stroller and who didn't, and we're quick to call security if we think someone's stalking your stuff. Check out the MilkMen for little ones -- they're a lot of fun (and some of my BFFs have been in the shows over the years!)

If you plan on doing the waterpark, get there at open and run -- and I do mean run -- to the Boardwalk area to grab a locker. Lines are long in the afternoon especially when its hot, but there are very few lockers to the amount of people who visit the Park every day, so you're going to want to get there fast. Large lockers were $15/20 last year and small ones were $10/15, IIRC. The little ones usually fit towels, change of clothes, and a backpack for DH and I...when we have the SSs with, we pay for the big one. They come with a nice wristband and you can access them all day, so we get one in the morning, do some rides, and hit the waterpark usually about 3pm or after. It's cooling off by then and other people are starting to head back to the dry rides, so lines are not as long.

Chocolate World is also airconditioned and the "how we make chocolate" ride is free as well, which is a great middle of the afternoon distraction if you want to cool off. They also have some "pay for" experiences, like a 4D movie and "make your own candy bar".

Still thinking of things....

whse13kittens · March 2014

Just re-read the thread again and realized a lot of my suggestions are summer/heat based, which I don't think it will be that hot here during Springtime in the Park. Whoops!

I checked Hershey's website and it looks like most if not all of the rides will be open during Springtime, which is nice. If it rains, all the metal coasters close. Woodens will close if it thunders/lightenings, until the storm passes. We RARELY close the park because of a rainstorm. Head to Musicbox Theater, Ampitheater, the Reese's Cup ride (it's a laser shooting game inside), and/or Chocolate World til it passes. They won't offer rain refunds because it generally passes quickly.

I always suggest you start in the back and work your way forward with older kids, because most people will head towards Comet Hollow/Minetown for the coasters first. Midway America has some cute rides and will have very short lines to start, and you will bi-sect the crowds in the other areas. All the little ones rides are up front in Founder's Circle and Music Box Way, though there are a few -- train and some flyers -- in Minetown and Pioneer Frontier.

If the 12 year old is going to want to do coasters, make him decide which ones are ULTRA important to him before you leave and try and hit them early. The Skyrush, Fahrenheit, and Storm Runner generally have the longest lines. Lightening Racer rarely ever has a line, and SooperDooperLooper is the same way. Both are fun!

Seriously, still thinking...let me know if I'm missing something you want to know about

ReeseFox · March 2014

MotherOfPearl85 said:

@ReeseFox, I wish I could meet y'all there. We live a few hours away. Provide me with a convincing argument. Lol

OMG @motherofpearl85 that would be awesome! Let me think on an argument...

klondikebar · March 2014

I've been there a couple of times, but it's been a few years so I can't think of any specific suggestions. We stayed at Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge. Having the hotel transportation was nice and easy. We had a great time and my kids were all different ages. We've done Hershey Park, Chocolate world and the museum. Each time we went, there were coupons available online. Have fun, everyone!

flyingsaucer · March 2014

Thanks guys! You got me excited about going! @ReeseFox see you there!!!

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