Hersheypark - Hershey, PA

Website: Hersheypark
Season: May-September
Costs: Expensive
Expected Length of Stay: All day
Recommended Ages: All ages

We've only done non-Candylane Hersheypark twice so far, both times it was their Spring weekend (they open for one weekend in April as a preview). It's cheaper (less than half the regular season prices) but there are no water rides and some of the big coasters aren't available.

I was pregnant when we went in 2008 so I didn't get my money's worth but my husband and son managed around 15 rides. It wasn't crowded at all. We weren't so lucky in 2009. It was packed! We barely got to ride anything (partly because my son didn't want to). You just never know.

Hersheypark is a major amusement park so it has all the bells and whistles during the regular season and it also has the big price tag. Regular season admission isn't cheap - over $50 for adults and over $30 for kids over 2. That's a lot! And if you're taking small kids, you aren't going to get to ride any adult rides yourself unless you're travelling with other adults to watch the kids while you ride or if you ride alone (I did ride the Trailblazer by myself).

My son is funny - in 2008 he rode a ton of rides, in 2009 he barely rode anything. It makes it difficult to pay a hefty admission fee knowing he may only ride a couple of rides. There are plenty of rides for kids of all ages from toddlers to adults so if your child is more adventurous, they are more likely to get their money's worth.

Even in 2008 my son would not ride anything alone. He only road one ride alone and that was because my husband could not squeeze himself into this helicopter:


Parking is $6. (I keep hearing rumors that it will go up to $10 but I hope they are just rumors. )There is no food allowed in the park (they do search your bags) and food prices in the park are kind of steep for what you get. You can picnic outside the park so you can leave a cooler in your vehicle and leave the park (make sure to get your hand stamped). The vending machine prices will make your eyes leap out of their sockets.

There are plenty of games and a couple of arcades. My son loves that kind of thing and the game prices aren't bad (some arcade games were only a quarter). I find it hard to enjoy the games knowing we paid an admission to get into the park. Playing games means we aren't riding rides. At least my husband always manages to win something for my son and I notice a lot of other winners toting prizes around the park so the odds can't be too bad. It lessens the pain when we get to take home a big whale wearing a hoodie.

There are other admission options (multiple-day passes, sunset admission, etc.) One great option is the season pass. You can get either the regular Hershey season pass or the Gold, which includes Dutch Wonderland. The season passes include all kinds of perks (free parking, discounts, Zoo America, etc) and you really only have to make a couple of trips to get your money's worth. Our kids aren't quite old enough to appreciate it yet but I plan on buying the passes in a couple of years. The earlier you buy season passes, the better price you get so keep that in mind if you go this route. Think about it in the fall for the following year.

You can also get discounted tickets from Giant markets and perhaps other locations.

There is a lot to do at Hersheypark so it definitely qualifies as a full-day event, especially when it is busy since you'll be waiting in line a lot of the time. There are plenty of kiddie rides for the smaller kids. All rides are coded so you can measure your child upon entering the park and know exactly what rides they are allowed to ride by matching your child's category up to the ride listing on the map. There are shows, games, arcades, Zoo America and of course the rides. You'll stay busy. I find it exhausting to be honest.

The new Boardwalk area wasn't open when we were there but we got a glimpse of the work that they're doing. I think older kids will love it. I'm not so much of a fan of getting wet in the middle of an amusement park (a waterpark such as Great Wolf Lodge is another matter).

In conclusion, it's a great amusement park but pricey as most amusement parks tend to be.

Please add your comments regarding this activity or let me know if you have any questions about it that I might be able to answer.