10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark

My family & I were hosted by Hersheypark. We received complimentary tickets. As always, all opinions are my own.

Last weekend we had the opportunity to (finally) visit Hersheypark in Hershey, PA. I say “finally” because we lived in Pennsylvania for nearly 7 years and never made it to the park. Crazy, right?! Luckily we had a great excuse to stop in Hershey as we trekked up the east coast from SC to NYC this past week. Located just 3 hours away from NYC, Hershey was the perfect pit stop for us! And I have to say, Hersheypark definitely lives up to the hype!

We were only able to spend a single day in Hershey, but I felt like we covered a lot in 24 hours! So, I’ve gathered up what we learned during our day at the park and I’m sharing my tips for visiting Hersheypark below.

1. Arrive early!

Personally, I think this goes for any amusement park – especially with kids. In order to maximize your day in the park, it’s always best to arrive early. Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the park opening. This extra time allows for parking, ticketing and/or security lines. Park hours change depending upon the time of year, so make sure you check the current schedule.

2. Take advantage of Hershey’s Preview Hours

And speaking of early arrivals, did you know that Hersheypark actually allows you to enter the park the night before your ticketed park day?! With their Preview Plan, you can enter the park up to 2.5 hours before it closes the night before. For free. This is a great opportunity to walk around the park to get a feel for the layout – scope out ride locations, restaurants, etc… And you may even get the chance to ride a few rides, too!

3. Download the Hersheypark App

Start planning your visit by downloading the Hersheypark mobile app on your phone. The app features GPS-enabled park maps, ride wait times, restaurant locations/menus & more. You’ll find yourself reaching for the app throughout your day, so it’s a good idea to download it prior to your visit to become acquainted with it.

4. Visit the Height Measurement Station

As soon as you enter the park after opening, you’ll want to head over to the Official Height Measurement Station to have your kids’ measured. Once they are measured here, they will receive a wrist bracelet with their assigned candy bar – this is an easy way to tell which rides your children are able to ride. It’s also a way for the ride operators to know if your child is tall enough for a particular ride (without having to be measured again). This is not a requirement, but it definitely saves time in line!

5. Beat the Heat with All-Day Drink Deals

Purchase a souvenir cup for $15.80 and enjoy free refills on fountain drinks and ICEE® all day! We chose to take advantage of this deal and it was more than worth it. There are refill stations located all over the park, which make it easy & convenient to fill up whenever you’re ready – without having to wait in line. Double score!

6. Don’t miss the Boardwalk – visit 1st to beat the crowds!

The Boardwalk, Hersheypark’s water park, is pretty incredible! Truth be told, I didn’t even know that they had a water park until I started planning our trip. This was honestly one of our favorite parts of the park (and it’s included with your regular summer admission)! If you want to beat the crowds on a hot summer day, visit this part of the park first. There will be minimal lines for the water rides and the lazy river won’t be overcrowded. Bonus Tip: Don’t worry about bringing your pool floaties or Puddle Jumpers from home – there are life vests available for children at various locations throughout the Boardwalk.

7. Be smart about your locker rental

If you plan to rent a locker at the park, don’t make the same mistake we did and just grab the first available locker. Definitely think about where you plan to spend the majority of your time in the water park first, before selecting a locker. Otherwise you’ll be walking back and forth all afternoon for your cellphone, wallet, etc… I know you’ll be eager to get out and enjoy the Boardwalk, and it’s easy to just find the closest locker, throw your stuff in, and hit the ground running. But trust me, take the extra few minutes to walk around to see what area(s) your family will most enjoy.

8. Be sure to meet the Hershey characters

There are so many opportunities around the park to visit some of the sweetest characters! Check the Hersheypark App for character meet & greet times and locations. But don’t be surprised if you see Mr. KitKat leisurely walking around. Don’t be shy – say hello & stop to take your photo with him!

9. Visit Hershey’s Chocolate World

Located right outside the main entrance of Hersheypark, you’ll definitely want to stop in Hershey’s Chocolate World on your way out of the park. Take a chocolate tour ride, create your own candy bar, or enjoy a yummy treat! And you won’t want to miss the gift shop for a sweet souvenir to take home!

10. Plan for 2-3 days at Hersheypark

If you want to experience all that Hersheypark has to offer, I’d recommend visiting for more than just one day. Beyond the main section of the park and Boardwalk area, there is also a zoo inside Hersheypark! ZooAmerica, an 11-acre zoo is included in your regular admission and is open year-round. Due to only having a single day at the park we weren’t able to visit ZooAmerica, but it’s definitely on our list for next time.

Thank you so much for hosting us, Hershey! We had such a great time exploring your beautiful park. We hope to be back one day soon!

Have YOU been to Hersheypark? What is your favorite ride or attraction?

xo,

Sumer

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