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Joe's taking a day off in the next few weeks (so we can go on a weekday), and we're all headed to Hersheypark (I think it's 1.5hour drive from here-). I haven't been there since Joe and I went, the summer I graduated high school (17 years ago)--- so I'd really love any tips you have to offer. I think we have to skip chocolate world because of my son's peanut allergies (I'm guessing there's alot of candy involved there)--- but I'm not really sure--- it's been so long, and I haven't done chocolate world since I was a young kid. We're really excited though!!
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Dina
Last edited by Happymommy; 07-25-2008 at 10:45 PM..
OMG I am jealous. We moved from MD a couple weeks ago and Hershey is probably the only thing we miss.
Get online and check out all the new attractions. Take extra clothes. Pay for the "upclose" parking if they still have it this year. So if you need to go back to the car and change clothes, get a snack, take a break, or whatever. (That is what we always do.) We always had a cooler with bottles of water and snacks for a break and for the ride home.
Swimsuits a must. The kids will want to do the water attractions.
Get your tickets before you get to the park. (We got ours at military base or Giant Grocery store in town of hershey). Pre-purchase entrance was on the far right the last few years.
Have a turkey leg for me.
Enjoy the Zoo also.
Have epi-pen with you if son has peanut allergy. There are chocolate vending machines everywhere. Better safe than sorry.
Have fun!
A friend told me that the newest roller coaster (and I can't think of the name) isn't worth a two hour wait. However, that's just the opinion of one person.
Definitely pack the swim suits. They have a whole separate water park area now called the Boardwalk.
Dina-
We just took a whirlwind trip to Hershey this past Thursday and Friday and I was pretty nervous given DD dairy and treenut allergies. She did quite well, actually. A few things...Canyon Rapids is closing after this season to make way for an extension of the Boardwalk...I would definitely put that on the list. You will get absolutely soaked on it so make sure to change into suits before you head on.
If time and the budget allows, you might want to look into spending the night before...the park tickets are the most discounted for hotel guests, the park is open one hour early for those guests, and with a one day ticket you can go to the park for a 'preview' three hours before closing, at no extra charge. There is a stay and play package which, if available, may be of interest to you.
Otherwise, get there early and head to the biggies rides first. We found the park to be manageable until lunchtime and then the lines for the big coasters were around an hour. It definitely quieted down towards dinner and the later evening.
Hope you have a great time!
danielle
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~Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars~
I take a trip to HersheyPark every summer! Here are some helpful tips that have helped my friends, family and I save some cash and time!
1. Get tickets in advance. Giant has discount tickets and most townships have rec departments that do the same! It's worth looking into!
2. If going just for the day, Pack a lunch! We usually stock a cooler in the car of sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. There are picnic areas in the parking lot and its a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the park.
3. Bring bathing suits and towels. The waterpark is a lot of fun! Us big kids looooove it!
4. Hershey allows each person to bring one unopened bottle of water in the park and it can be as big as you want it to be. So grab a 20 oz Deerpark or something before going. It will save money on buying drinks just to stay hydrated.
5. While the rides in the beginning of the park are fun, you want to hit the big rides first. Most of the roller coaster lines move fast, but depending on the crowd that day, could be longer than usual.
6. A nice air condition break is the Reese's Challenge Cup. It's a lot like the Buzz Lightyear ride in Disney.
7. Best times to ride the rides that might seem too crowded, Right after the park opens, around lunch time 12-1ish, and towards the time of closing.
8. ENJOY IT! There is so much to do. The shows are great, the traveling bands are great, as well as the rides.
9. If you leave the park around dinner time, there are plenty of restaurants in the area so you don't have to eat in the park. This could save some money as well.
I love Hersheypark! I hope you have a blast!!!
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One half of a travel loving couple. We love Disney and the Disney Vacation Club! DVC owners at Aulani and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
DS15 did go in June with his high school in MD. He only waited 20 minutes for Farhenheit (new coaster) and says it was well worth it. But says no rides are ever worth a 2 hour wait (teenager opinion). He says there is no choice in where you sit on this ride.
Thanks for asking this!! We are going this Monday with dh's entire family (total of 18 people!!-- and that's without 2 sister-in-laws!) Thanks for all the tips!! dh's step mom got tix from the township I think... I'm planning on bringing my new bag that I got for the Disney trip along to give it a testdrive
There are a few hills in the park, so be prepared for a good workout while walking. They're not steep, but your legs will definitely get tired there quicker than in WDW.
Have a great time!
by the way they have new lockers over by broadwalk water area, but they cost $10.. I was a little upset about that, as last yr it only cost $1.50! sure they're all day use,, but you really only need them when you use that side of the park for the water rides,, I think they should have a half day option for $5,but no, and if you buy your tickets early you could go in to the park the night before for a 2 1/2 hr preview, we always do that and hit the big roller coasters then. and this yr ds5 was big enough to ride comet- the wooden roller coaster.. he was thrilled, but it was the only one he could ride,,,
We went yesterday.. The whole time DH and I were saying "Disney does this better" "There would be X at Disney" We had a good time, but waits were really long (except when we got on the Superduperlooper superfast-- it had been closed and reopened as we were walking by! We did dry rides in the morning, and for an hour or so after lunch, then we headed over to "the boardwalk" to get wet. There was a line a mile long (not really) just waiting to get a locker-- they were sold out! and lines to get into all the water areas... including the little playgrounds! the Sandcastle area (for little kids) had a 15 min play time-- they'd let a bunch of people in, and after 15 mins they would clear it out and let a new bunch of people in. That was a little frustrating. And the Blue double innertubes don't land well at the bottom of the slides-- poor DD got tossed right out and went underwater-- the current was really strong and she couldn't get up, but I was right next to her and grabbed her... a little scary, but she climbed up the stairs laughing, saying "Well, I don't think we'll do THAT one again!!"
points of the day
1-no ambiance anywhere... music, theming... nothing... (disney does it better)
2-poor crowd control in lines, esp loading areas. (at disney, they fill all the cars with single riders and such, and there is a cm telling people where to stand-- not at hershey-- it's a free for all)
3- lots of steep hills!! Crazy!!
4-Confusing layout
5- no pre-show during ride waits. There were a few TVs so you could tell there USED to be something... but they were all off
6- not very clean...
7- SUPER roller coasters!!!
8- GREAT water park (once you get in!)
9- Decent food options!
10 CHOCOLATE!!!!!
the only other issue we had is that some of the bigger coasters were for BIG kids... like-- 54" and above or something, and that was really frustrating for my daredevil 44" DD... we kept having to tell her she couldn't do stuff... and that was hard... but next week I'll take her to Dutch Wonderland where she can do EVERYTHING and most of it by herself, and we'll have a great day!!
We did have a great day yesterday... I came home with 3 pounds of chocolate and dd and dh are sleeping in today! Oh-- and we practiced carrying our different bags (sling bag for me, big fannypack for dh, and little fanny pack for dd) and it worked out wonderfully!!
Dh says if you go straight to the waterpark first thing and get a locker, and then ride the big coasters while you are there, or maybe do the waterpark first... then you should be ok
Depending on the age of your kids.... Dutch Wonderland is great for kids 10-12 and under... DD is 5.5 and we have a season pass there. She can do everything there, and the waterpark is great-- no deep water... smaller slides... give her lots of confidence. It's a MUCH smaller park than Hershey, and is easy to do in a day, if you rush a little, but you can catch all the shows too. We usually get there at opening (10am) and do rides till about 2pm, with a break for lunch, then hit the waterpark (Duke's Lagoon) for a few hours before we head home. Personally, if my kids were under 10, we'd do Dutch Wonderland.
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