- gheald
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- 5 out of 5
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Editor Pick
Hershey Park: The Sweetest Place on Earth!
- January 14, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Troobabiee7 from Brooklyn, New York
Hershey Park is known as America's cleanest and greenest theme park, as well as the "Sweetest Place on Earth," and they're right on both accounts! I've been going to Hershey Park since my family's very first vacation back in 1990, and we've always had nothing but a good time. The rides are thrilling, the staff is friendly and the food's good. What more could you ask for? We had high hopes for this year's trip to Hershey Park since we hadn't been there in years, and we were anxious to get on as many rides as we could.
After doing some shopping at Hershey's Chocolate World next door, we remembered Hershey Park being within walking distance from our last trip. We weren't sure though, so we decided to drive around to the Hershey Park parking lot and had to park all the way in the back of the lot. It was really hot out and there was a long walk to the entrance so we hopped on a waiting tram. When we got to the entrance, what do you know... there was Hershey Chocolate World right next door! We could have very easily walked to the entrance of Hershey Park from our original parking spot at Hershey Chocolate World. If you park at Hershey's Chocolate World to see those attractions, just leave your car there and take the short walk over to Hershey Park. It'll save you a lot of time.
We had already bought our tickets to Hershey Park from AAA before we left, so within minutes we were in the park and were very happy to see that it was practically empty. Definitely order your tickets in advance. You can usually find great deals through AAA or Costco, and you won't have to waste time waiting on line to buy tickets once you get to the park.
Our first ride of the day was the carousel since it was my little cousin Alison's favorite ride. She loved it and the antique horses were all very pretty. When the ride was over my dad, Mike, Uncle Alan and I decided to go on the Comet, a big wooden roller coaster. It was a good ride but we really got banged around on that rickety old thing! Then my dad, Mike and Alan went on an upside down steel coaster. I usually love upside-down roller coasters but I decided to sit it out this time. Everyone else loved it.
We then found a whole row of ski-ball games just a few feet away and we had to play... we LOVE ski-ball! We wound up winning a bunch of small stuffed Kermit key chains. Then we all headed over to the flume ride. Alison had never been on a flume before so we were excited to see her reaction. My Aunt Stacy, Alan, Alison and I went in one log, with Alison and I in the front cabin and my Aunt Stacy and Alan in the back. Then my mom, dad, and Michael went in the log behind us. There were a lot of small, bumpy drops before the main one which Ali really didn't like. We got to a part right before the drop where a bunch of animatronic guys are working at a mill and she was distracted for a few seconds, but once the drop came she didn't know what was going on! She didn't like it and whenever I later asedk her if she wants to go on the flume she says, "No, it's too scary!" The picture they took on the ride came out cute but Alison wasn't even looking at the camera so we didn't bother buying it. If you're into buying the on-ride photos, make sure you look at the animatronic figures before you get to the drop, that way you're looking at the camera.
We then headed over to the antique cars. There were two rows in each car so four people could ride together. Alison and I went in our own car with me driving, my Aunt Stacy and Alan were behind us, and then my mom, dad and Michael went together behind them. I didn't let Alison drive at first since I didn't think the ride attendants would let her, but she kept begging me to let her drive so I told my Aunt Stacy and Alan to stop their car a few feet behind us, and I stopped our car and we quickly switched places. Alison loved driving, it was so cute! It made for a bumpy ride but she loved it! I remember absolutely loving the chance to "drive" on these rides when I was younger, so the antique cars are definitely a big hit with kids.
After driving around town (or a small section of the park) we went over to the Hershey Kiss Tower. It was the type of ride in which the large, circular car rises to the top of a large tower and then slowly rotates, giving riders a bird's-eye view of the park. We weren't going to go on it at first but there was no line so we hopped right on. I'm a little weary of heights so being up there for so long (around three to four minutes) was a little nerve-wrecking but the view made it completely worth it. It was gorgeous! Alison said a few times that she was scared being up so high, but she eventually relaxed and enjoyed the ride. If you're looking for a great view of Hershey Park and the surrounding countryside, a quick hop on this ride provides just that.
By now it was 2:00 and it was getting really, really hot out - it was in the nineties for the first time all summer and it was already September! We were hot and hungry so we decided to go look for a place to eat. Of course we had the whole "Where Are We Going to Eat" debate since we all wanted something different. We finally ended up at a general burgers and fries place. We got seats and all ordered burgers and chicken fingers and the food was pretty good. Nothing special, but were just glad to be out of the heat for a while.
Done with lunch, we went over to the Storm Runner, Hershey Park's newest ride. This was the tallest and fastest coaster in the country at the time and it was crazy! My dad, Mike and Alan went on it together since there was no way I was getting on that ride, especially right after we ate! What happens is the car moves up to a long, flat track before a countdown begins. In a deep, crazy voice a man says "3...2...1..." and then the car shoots off at 70-miles per hour down the platform, STRAIGHT UP the 125-foot lift, then STRAIGHT BACK DOWN, doing a loop and then coming back to the station. Wow, that thing was fast! My dad, Mike and Alan all loved it and said that it was the best roller coaster they had been on in a while. Maybe even ever.
We then went to the kids section of the park for Alison to go on a few rides and she had a ball! She went on a dinosaur ride, the trucks, the pirate ship, and a helicopter ride. She also went on the small swings for kids, and when she came around to our side after about three rotations she screamed, "Mommy, I'm going to be sick!" She sounded so mature, it was the funniest thing! Even the older woman running the ride laughed. Hershey Park is definitely a family-friendly park with a giant kid's section full of pint-sized rides and attractions. If you have kids, you can spend hours in this section of the park alone. We also saw that the Hershey characters were out so Alison had her picture taken with a Hershey Kiss and a big Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! They make for fun and unique photo opportunities.
Hershey Park is one of my favorite amusement parks. It's big, clean, bright and full of fun rides and attractions for thrill-seekers and modest riders alike. As big as it is, there isn't all that much to do. If you go on a slow day you can get on all the rides and attractions within only a few hours, and even when the park's more crowded you can do it all in a day. That's why we usually stay in Lancaster and drive to Hershey for the day. Hershey Park's a day full of non-stop family fun, but outside of the theme park we've found that we like the Lancaster attractions and experiences better than the Hershey ones. Either way, Hershey Park is a main draw to the area and it can't be missed if your in central Pennsylvania.
From journal Lancaster, Pennsylvania: The Return to a Childhood Favorite
Editor Pick
Holiday Lights in Chocolate City
- December 8, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
mh75 from Harrisonburg, Virginia
Just across the street from the Hershey Park is the Hershey Sweet Lights. With a driving tour that takes almost 45 minutes to navigate, this tour is a Christmas lights enthusiasts dream!
Make sure that you have a cup of hot chocolate and prepare to take off with your radio tuned to FM 106.3 and you will revel in some of the most extravagant light displays you've ever seen. Winding through what appears to be a jogging trail situated in the woods below the Hotel Hershey, the lights go from standard Christmas to fairy tale themes to Victorian Christmas displays as the tour progresses.
The cost is $20 and it is paid at the front of the tour. They do accept visa check cards and they also sell Kettle Korn and soft drinks if you forget the hot chocolate!
If you get lucky, like we did, perhaps the weather will cooperate and you will have a gentle snowfall to make the drive that much more special!
For the price and the fact that it is located only about five minutes from the Park, I would highly recommend the Sweet Lights tour. I'm sure that you will enjoy it.
From journal The Sweetest Place on Earth!
Editor Pick
Christmas in Hershey Park
- December 8, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
mh75 from Harrisonburg, Virginia
I was looking for a fun weekend vacation getaway for my family and a friend recommended Hershey Park's Christmas in Hershey. We went this past weekend and it was absolutely awesome! Although it was very cold all weekend long, the snow that came with it made the Christmas experience that much more special.
If you have younger kids, this is the place that you're looking for. The majority of the roller coasters and adult rides appeared to be closed, but all of the kid's rides were open, and there were a lot of them.
A definite must see while there is Santa Land. Santa himself is there for pictures with the kids. And try the hot chocolate! It was the BEST that I've ever tried before! Get it with the traditional hot Smore for a delectable treat!
There are also plenty of places to seek refuge from the cold, such as the Minetown Arcade or Zoo America. Zoo America was actually one of the kid's favorite attractions while we were there.
Another option for time out of the cold is the Chocolate World itself. It seemed to get busier as the day got later, so perhaps it would be best to go there first before entering the Park to let the kids go crazy on the rides.
All in all, the Hershey Park is a fantastic holiday experience! Very reasonably priced at $9.95 per person (over 4 years old, I believe.) Along with only $6.00 for parking and with spots very close to the Park, it is something that is well worth the money and time that you will spend there.
I very highly recommend the Hershey Park Christmas in Hershey experience. If you go with young ones, you will NOT be disappointed!
From journal The Sweetest Place on Earth!
Editor Pick
Kids and Parents Will Love hershey Park!
- August 4, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
MuchToDo from Wallkill, New York
I have to say my family and I looked forward to going to Hershey park for a long time. We finally made it there and it was so much fun. My kids are 7, 6, and 3. There were rides there for all ages. There is a huge water park there called the Boardwalk. In the Boardwalk is a water works city. This attraction is CRAZY! Kids love it, but you will LOOSE YOUR KID on this attraction. Try to watch only one kid at a time while in this attraction. It's crazy fun, but more on the crazy side! I don't think the staff knows enough to not let a kid off this attraction without an adult. We had a scare with our nephew but luckily we found him at the very top.
The Farenheight is the scariest roller coaster in the park. It really looked scary. My husband never got a chance to go on it, but if you love roller coasters then you should try it.
Hershey Park has a lot of hills so you will get a workout pushing your little ones in the stroller.
We saw some shows while walking through the park. I am always amazed at the talented people that these parks employ. There was one show with 4 young men singing quartet style. They were fantastic!
The food in Hershey park seemed to be the typical unhealthy park food. Nothing extraordinary. I could only handle one meal a day at the park. The food was unbelievably expensive! A cup of lemonade was 3.50!
All in all I do highly recommend Hershey Park. There are rides for little kids, big kids and all kids in between. There are trains, cars, spinning rides, water rides, you name it. Of course there are characters to take pictures with when you enter the park too.
From journal Hershey, PA
Editor Pick
Hershey Park
- May 15, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Dburke from Wall Township, New Jersey
We went to Hershey Park on the Saturday before Mother's Day. The park was very crowded but based on how crowded it was the lines weren't too bad. There are several choices to pick from in terms of rides, whether you are a roller coaster enthusiast or just like calm rides, you have your pick. There are many water rides but beware, you do get soaked. What's nice about the park is they allow you to wear your bathing suit in the water rides area of the park and they have changing facilities. I also like the fact that if you buy a ticket they let you in the night before for free to preview the park—we always like to go on the water rides the night before so that we don't walk around wet the next day all day.
Chocolate World has a nice little tour showing you how the chocolate is made in the factory, you sit down in a little car and ride through the tour. At the end of the tour they give you a sample of chocolate. There is a lot of merchandise to choose from if you are into shopping and of course lots of candy to buy. They also have a food court where you can buy lots of different sweets! I love Hershey park because it is a very family oriented destination.
From journal Hershey Lodge