Hersheypark is aggressively stepping up its coaster sport, and it has been a thrill to witness it firsthand. I have been a longtime fan of the park, and I am delighted to report that the earlier decade has seen the addition of six top-of-the-line coasters (for a complete of 15 within the park) together with Hershey’s Chocolatetown, the park’s new grand entrance.
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I simply returned from a weekend at Hersheypark — my fifth go to within the final 10 years. The park is an affordable three-hour drive from New York Metropolis, a few two-hour drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and about 3 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh.
I used to be there to take a look at some upgrades to Skyrush (among the finest steel-wing coasters on this planet) and revisit one among my new favourite coasters, Wildcat’s Revenge; the latter was topped Finest New Curler Coaster of 2023 by the industry-leading Golden Ticket Awards.
I discovered that this park is new and improved in nearly each space and deserves a spot within the pantheon of the nation’s greatest amusement parks. This is why.
Hersheypark historical past
Hersheypark, lovingly known as «The Sweetest Place On Earth,» started as a leisure park for the workers of the Hershey Chocolate Firm in 1906. American chocolatier Milton S. Hershey welcomed the general public to journey the park’s first carousel in 1908; the carousel was adopted by a miniature railroad in 1910.
The park added its first curler coaster, Wild Cat, in 1923; it was changed by the park’s second picket curler coaster, The Comet, in 1946. The Comet continues to be working immediately, and 2024 ushers in a brand new period of the traditional coaster with a brand new prepare design and seats (extra on that beneath).
Over the previous 118 years, expansive growth and innovation have occurred all through Hershey, Pennsylvania. These days, there are three official lodging choices, together with The Resort Hershey, a grand vacation spot resort and spa that dates again to 1933.
Outdoors of Disney and Common, that is essentially the most luxurious resort related to an amusement park I’ve ever skilled. The interiors exude classic magnificence, and the sprawling property grounds function an expansive spa, lush gardens and a big outside pool deck full with two slides.
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The final decade has marked in depth development within the park’s historical past; it has added six main coasters, a water park and Hershey’s Chocolatetown — a $150-million transformation of the park’s foremost entrance. The park now boasts 15 curler coasters amongst its spectacular 76 rides and points of interest spanning 121 acres.
Hersheypark tickets
Hersheypark presents one- and two-day tickets. The bottom price for a day ticket to Hersheypark is $86.95 for ages 9-61; it is $56.99 for these 3-8 and above 62 if you happen to pre-purchase your tickets on-line. Two-day tickets price $90 for all company ages 3 and older. Youngsters 2 and youthful are free. Parking is $25 per day. Hersheypark additionally presents a cheerful hour price of $39.99 for entry after 4 p.m. and a reduced «Monday via Thursday» price of $59.99.
Reductions and specials rotate all through the season, with a present 25% low cost supplied on single-day park admission when bought upfront on-line. Park admission consists of The Boardwalk Water Park and ZooAmerica, the park’s 11-acre zoo.
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Think about their bundle choices if you happen to plan on going for greater than someday. For $114, the Summer time Enjoyable Card offers limitless entry to the park via Sept. 8 however would not embody parking. There are three tiers of year-round passes, from the Chew Measurement Season Cross at $195 to the deluxe King Measurement Season Cross at $290.
Buy tickets right here.
Hersheypark rides and points of interest
With 76 rides and points of interest, Hersheypark has thrills for all ages. The primary attraction is the park’s curler coaster lineup. I’ve ridden the park’s 15 coasters many occasions all through the previous decade, and I’m keen on their uniqueness and complexities. A number of are entangled within the park’s panorama, hovering via lush greenery, hovering over waterways and swooping alongside visitor pathways that appear in nearer attain right here than at most parks.
The spotlight of the 2024 season is the brand new restraints on Skyrush, the park’s best-in-class metal wing coaster. This one-of-a-kind journey packs an exceptionally thrilling course into a good minute of journey time, reaching speeds as much as 75 miles per hour on its inversion-free observe. The brand new restraints are an unimaginable enchancment on the previous ones, which put a lot stress in your legs that coaster lovers dubbed the journey «Thigh Crush.»
Whereas they seem just like the earlier iteration (these accustomed to the coaster will nonetheless delight within the open-air feeling and floorless wing seats), I discovered the brand new lap bar safe with out feeling too tight. The very best seats are the wing seats within the again row, with a private desire for the left aspect.
Wildcat’s Revenge rivals Skyrush as essentially the most intense journey expertise within the park, although they’re two utterly totally different coaster experiences.
Wildcat’s Revenge is the park’s 2023 hybrid picket coaster and the following technology of the park’s former Wildcat coaster. As talked about above, this coaster received the Golden Ticket for Finest New Curler Coaster of 2023 — and rightfully so. The newest from Rocky Mountain Development (a pacesetter in hybrid picket coasters filled with inversions), Wildcat’s Revenge presents nonstop thrills and airtime moments with no trim breaks in sight. It reaches speeds of 62 mph.
The coaster is filled with parts I’ve by no means seen earlier than, together with a wildcat bust main the cost on every prepare and enjoyable reins that can be utilized as a playful (and essential) grip when it turns into too difficult to maintain your arms within the air. It even has the world’s largest underflip inversion. I gravitate to the again row for essentially the most air time on this unrelentingly quick coaster.
The opposite new improve to the park this season is a pleasant refresh at Comet, the park’s oldest working coaster. The replace consists of three new customized trains that includes revamped logos from earlier iterations of the journey. The coaster trains are glossy and comfy. I discovered the journey extra thrilling because it barrels via 3,360 toes of storied picket observe, reaching speeds as much as 50 mph because it coasts alongside Skyrush.
Different park coasters that I dream about embody The Nice Bear, an inverted B&M Coaster that’s among the many better of its type (particularly from the entrance row); Storm Runner, with its heart-racing 72 mph launch into wild barrel rolls and dives; and Lightning Racer, a dueling picket coaster with many enjoyable interactive race moments.
There’s additionally the unimaginable theming of Laff Trakk — the primary indoor spinning glow-coaster within the U.S. (I want the primary row for this one) — and the dizzying heights reached on Candymonium. This clean and forceful hypercoaster greets all company because it whizzes previous the primary entrance, and as with another rides, I want the again row for essentially the most airtime.
Though there is no such thing as a particular youngsters’s space within the park, greater than 20 kiddie rides are positioned alongside the joys rides. My favorites of the household rides embody the long-lasting multicolored Ferris Wheel, the Skyview gondolas and the Coal Cracker log flume (particularly once I handle to not get too moist).
Issues to know earlier than visiting Hersheypark
Each park ticket consists of bonus hours
With three parks in a single (Hersheypark, The Boardwalk and ZooAmerica), there may be a lot to do, to not point out the neighboring Hershey’s Chocolate World. Make the most of the park’s distinctive «candy sneak peek» supply with each ticket; it lets you enter the park for 2 hours the night time prior through the public working time — and totally free.
These additional hours may also help you get some rides and a lay of the land for the next day within the park. Resort company get three hours the night time earlier than their day ticket. There’s additionally an prolonged hour earlier than the park’s opening every morning for resort company and annual move holders, with choose rides obtainable, together with Skyrush, Comet and Candymonium.
Plan on utilizing Quick Monitor to skip the strains
The park’s environment friendly Quick Monitor system brings you to the entrance of the road on virtually all the foremost points of interest. Pricing varies based mostly on dates and availability, and the Quick Monitor tickets can promote out. There are a number of tiers of Quick Monitor entry.
«Quick Monitor» ($50 to $170) lets you skip the common line as soon as per day at every collaborating attraction, whereas «Quick Monitor Limitless» ($7 to $225) presents all-day, skip-the-line privileges in any respect collaborating rides. Boardwalk Quick Passes can skip the road at Breakers Edge, Whitecap Racer and Intercoastal Waterway (Lazy River).
The meals choices vary from good to nice
There’s quite a bit to like about Hersheypark’s meals, drink and candy choices all through the park. The park is at its greatest when it is serving its personal fare. Cease at locations like 1906 Grill (nice cheeseburgers and cheese curds), Spring Creek Smokehouse (wonderful brisket and pulled pork sandwiches ready on-site) and East Coast Burger Works (that includes specialty burgers that rotate month-to-month).
Discover the very best fries within the park at Tower Fries and the very best milkshakes at Merely Chocolate (the place the King Measurement Shakes are Instagram-worthy). The park’s different choices embody a Chick-fil-A, two Chickie’s & Pete’s places, Dunkin’ Donuts, Moe’s and extra.
There aren’t any single-rider strains
Whereas in style at many different parks, together with Disney and Common, Hersheypark has no single-rider strains. I really like single-rider strains as they’re typically a a lot faster choice to get on the journey, although you aren’t getting to specify who you journey with or the place you are seated.
The Hersheypark app is a terrific useful resource for journey occasions and extra
The Hersheypark app is a superb useful resource for navigating the park. This park is expansive, and regardless of what number of occasions I have been there, I nonetheless depend on the app’s map to assist me orient myself and my route. The app additionally has journey wait occasions and now has cellular ordering capabilities, which I discover tremendous useful in expediting my mealtimes.
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The very best nighttime leisure is at The Chocolatier
Hersheypark solely has a number of leisure choices all through the day — particularly a brand new music evaluation in its Music Field theater and common Hershey character meet and greets. The park’s characters embody Hershey Bar, Miss Kiss, Reese, JR, Twizzler and an occasional look from the minty-fresh Ice Breaker.
There’s additionally the park’s «Our Buddies from the Sea» sea lion and seal present, working 3 times every day all through the summer season. On the subject of larger spectacles, Hersheypark lacks a parade and, most notably, a nighttime present.
The park would profit from a nightly drone present, fountain present or a fireworks spectacle. My favourite nighttime expertise within the park is eating at The Chocolatier. The newer restaurant is true off the primary entrance in Chocolatetown, and it has spectacular theming and top-notch meals and drinks.
It additionally options many enjoyable design prospers, together with cubicles with seat belts from Comet, intricate curler coaster-inspired chandeliers and Tilt-a-Whirl cubicles. The indulgent and excellent Reese’s Peanut Butter Milkshake is the easiest way to cap an extended day exploring the parks.
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You’ll be able to inform the park cares
There are such a lot of good touches all through the park that put it in a category of its personal. The employees is accommodating and type, with journey attendants who do not heckle. On my most up-to-date go to, all of the cleaning soap dispensers and taps within the loos labored and had been well-maintained, and hand sanitizer stations had been well-stocked and obtainable all through the park. There have been additionally loads of free chilly water stations obtainable for refilling bottles. (Every visitor is allowed to usher in one sealed water bottle.)
The park can be devoted to giving again to the Hershey College, founder Milton S. Hershey’s prized endeavor to offer high-quality training to youngsters in want. I can really feel how the employees takes pleasure of their park, and there is an admirable spirit of hospitality flowing via the operations.
There is a beneficiant climate coverage
Persevering with its spirit of hospitality, Hersheypark presents a return go to voucher if inclement climate situations trigger most rides and points of interest to shut for a steady 60 minutes. The voucher have to be used for a return go to inside the yr.
Hersheypark is cashless
Depart your money at residence, as Hersheypark is cashless. All main debit and bank cards are accepted, and Hersheypark present playing cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay are accepted at each point-of-sale kiosk. The QR codes on the cashless indicators all through the park convey customers to a hyperlink for buying e-gift card; they will use the e-gift playing cards as an alternative of money. Plus, there are cash-to-card conversion stations within the park as properly.
Rides get higher through the day
I am not one to save lots of the very best for final, particularly as high rides and points of interest can get busier later within the day. Nonetheless, on my most up-to-date go to, I used to be lucky to journey Skyrush very first thing within the morning and once more later within the day. I liked my first journey within the morning, however because the day warmed up, so did the journey.
By early night, the coaster had a markedly extra aggressive journey expertise. I discovered quite a bit to like in each experiences, however I believe the later-in-the-day journey was the one to beat.
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The chocolate does truly style higher right here
Hershey, Pennsylvania, continues to be the house of a lot of Hershey’s chocolate manufacturing; close by factories produce chocolate bars, Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s syrups and Reese’s peanut butter cups. That is all to say, the chocolate appears to style brisker right here.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is simply exterior the Hersheypark gate, and you will typically get a primary take a look at the launch of recent flavors. It is also the one place to get the Hershey’s Pot of Gold milk chocolate assortment.
Lodges to remain at when visiting Hersheypark
There are three official resort properties linked to Hersheypark. All three properties supply the very best value on Hersheypark tickets, free gate shuttle service and additional hours within the park. Nonetheless, my favourite a part of staying at any official property is the free Hershey chocolate bars at check-in.
The Resort Hershey
This luxury and grand resort dates again to 1933 and was based by Milton S. Hershey. I really like the positive particulars all through the property, together with its ornate interiors that recall highlights from Milton S. Hershey’s world travels. Do not move up the signature Hershey’s Kisses Signature Chocolate Martini on the legendary Iberian Lounge.
In your second drink (which I counsel ought to be the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Martini), head to one among my favourite terraces on this planet. It has a comfortable hearth pit and park views. There are two swimming pools — one indoor and one on a sprawling outside deck with two slides.
Charges at The Resort Hershey begin at round $329 per night time.
The Villas at Resort Hershey
That is the resort’s most luxurious possibility, with 10 cottages and 48 rooms. Staying at The Villas consists of particular privileges, together with the brand new Concierge Lounge with continental breakfast, Hersheypark admission for every day of your keep and a one-day Hersheypark Quick Monitor move.
Plans are underway so as to add 9 new villas with 50 new sleeping rooms set to open by late 2025. My favourite eating expertise on the resort is the Sunday brunch at The Round restaurant (which additionally serves a wonderful a la carte dinner). Milton S. Hershey designed it with out corners to encourage a group feeling. To not point out, it serves among the finest resort breakfast buffets I’ve had in a very long time.
Charges at The Villas at Resort Hershey begin at round $799 per night time.
Hershey Lodge
That is the extra informal, family-oriented resort close to Hersheypark. It has 665 visitor rooms, together with 18 suites. Enjoyable touches embody a children check-in with video games and character appearances, Hershey’s Water Works indoor pool complicated and minigolf.
Charges on the Hershey Lodge begin at round $259 per night time.
Hersheypark Tenting Resort
For one thing slightly extra DIY, Hersheypark has a year-round tenting facility. It is full with greater than 300 open and shaded campsites, 50 cabins and a tiny residence.
Charges on the Hersheypark Tenting Resort begin at round $69 per night time.
Backside line
With best-in-class coasters and some days’ price of household enjoyable, I might make the case that Hersheypark has emerged because the vacation spot amusement park of the Northeast. This park is getting ready to increasing, and I am unable to wait to see what’s subsequent.
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