This is a continuation of my series on other theme parks, for those times when you just can’t get to Disney but want to spend a day at a theme park, or you just want to try something different.
I know that some Disney fans only like the Disney theme parks and are “spoiled” by them. That’s not the case with me, though! I love all sorts of amusement parks and theme parks, even if Disney is my favorite. Just about an hour and a half from where I live is Hershey Park. Because it’s so close we visit often and it’s become very special to me! Let’s take a look at this Pennsylvania theme park.
Themeing
Hershey Park has a pretty obvious theme to it – Hershey’s chocolate. That being said, I wish they did more to theme their rides and areas around it. While chocolate is prevalent in some areas, it’s non-existent in others. There are some areas that are semi-themed, like “Pioneer Frontier,” “Mine Town,” and “Midway America.” But they don’t really form a cohesive overall theme (since Hershey’s big thing is you know, chocolate). That being said, it’s a nice enough, attractive park. I also really like their Zoo America area, which has a number of animals from around the country that you can see included with your park admission.
Rides
Hershey is a great place for roller coaster lovers. There are a number of great ones, but some of my favorites are Lightning Racer (a wooden roller coaster which has two cars that run simultaneously and “race” each other), Farenheit (a 97 degree drop) and Storm Runner (a power launch coaster). There’s also a new family friendly coaster called Laff Track that is a lot of fun. They have a good number of non-roller coaster rides, so it really is a great family park. And in the summer there is water park inside the park too!
Food
I still have yet to find a really good quick service meal in the park that is above your typical mediocre theme park food. That being said, Hershey has some great snacks around the park if you’re a chocolate fan. My personal favorite is the s’mores booth – I had a s’mores that was between two chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers and used reese’s for the chocolate. It was so good! They also have a sit down restaurant right by the entrance of the park that is pretty good. They have a nice variety and a couple of fun “chocolate infused” items on the menu. I love their salad with the chocolate berry vinaigrette!
Entertainment
There are a couple of shows that happen at Hershey, but I think the real entertainment is just outside of the park. At Hershey’s Chocolate World there are a number of fun activities. Most of them are an extra fee, but the little ride that’s a tour of the “factory” (not the real factory) is free. There’s also a shop, a 3D show, a chocolate tasting, and a create your own chocolate workshop. In addition Hershey does a number of special events throughout the year, especially for Halloween and Christmas. They also host a 10k in the spring and a half marathon in the fall.
It may not have the themeing and magic of Disney, but Hershey Park is still an awesome place to visit, especially if you like roller coasters. I highly recommend it if you get the chance to go!
Have you ever been to Hershey Park?
I’ve been to Chocolate World, but not Hershey Park. But, I do feel that they should make more chocolate-themed attractions.
I agree! They have one – a laser shooting type game similar to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin that’s chocolate vs. peanut butter haha. But I’d love to see more!
Like you, I love Disney, but I also like visiting all sorts of other theme parks. My Mom has always wanted to go to Hershey, but it’s just always a little too far away, haha! Sounds fun!
Yeah I am lucky that Hershey is pretty local! I think it would be a fun day trip if you were visiting other areas around here.
I’m totally one of those people that (mostly) hates other theme parks because I am constantly comparing them to Disneyland. However, I am always down for anything having to do with chocolate!
Hershey also smells like chocolate in a lot of places, so I’m cool with that 😉
I haven’t been there in years. We should plan a trip there sometime!
Definitely! It’s open almost year round thanks to the Halloween/Christmas/spring events. We should go sometime!
We have season passes (as we live almost literally next door), and I do agree the themeing isn’t that cohesive. My favorite roller coaster is Great Bear! 🙂 (but since having children, I am more sensitive to the extreme rides!) The water park should almost be separate admission because it’s too much to do in one day. Also, I love the off season events (Hersheypark in the Dark has trick or treating all “season” and Christmas Candylane has the best treats of the season!) And finally, about the food? We love to eat at the Texas BBQ place by Trailblazer.
I haven’t tried the BBQ yet! I think it also comes down to the fact that I find their map/finding food options a bit confusing, so when it comes time to eat I just get whatever is closest, which just ends up being something boring like chicken fingers or pizza! We’ve been to Hersheypark in the dark a couple of times but I really want to go for Christmas one year!
We would love to go to the Hershey Park! I have a bunch of familyt/friends who have made the trip down, but I never have and I don’t seem it happening any time soon with all the kids. It’s good to know the food is mediocre though and it’s for roller coaster lovers…we are not roller coaster lovers at all
There’s plenty to do if you don’t like roller coasters! I spent this entire Summer pregnant (so I could ride all of 5 rides) and by and large I wasn’t bored. The waterpark is a lot of fun, but you have to do it when the park opens.
There are a lot of rides for younger kids and other things to do there too! They have probably 7-8 big roller coasters, but lots of other rides too.
I STILL have the late 90s commercial jingle stuck in my head. HERSHEY PARK HAPPYYYYYY! HERSHEY PARK GLAAAAAAD!!! (The factory dark ride is the best.)
Haha, plus the “factory” ride is free!