Description: 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.
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