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your visit to Hersheypark
The best way to enjoy your visit to Hersheypark is to have a plan
in place prior to your arrival. Make sure to include time to enjoy
shows, games, ZooAmerica and of course, Hershey's Chocolate World!
Basics
Get a head start - buy your tickets in advance!
No need to stand in line to buy tickets when you get here! You can purchase your tickets online, print them at home and have them in hand when you arrive at the gate! We have designated gates for pre-purchased tickets to help
you get into the park faster! Remember to leave all nonessential
items in your car to expedite security searches.
Visit Hospitality Services to help plan your day!
Once you've entered the Park, visit our new Hospitality Services location on your right (just past the stroller rental.) Our friendly staff will be happy to help you get the most out of your day.
- Official Measure Up Location
- Information for guests with disabilities
- Family Finder Program
- Purchase Hersheypark Meal Tickets
- Purchase Souvenir Cups
- Purchase Gift Cards and Chocolate Currency
- Check daily Cabana availability
When it's very sunny....Use lots of SUNSCREEN!
Sunscreen is available throughout Hersheypark.
Don't let RAIN dampen your spirits! If it rains
- Don’t
leave! Hersheypark stays open in the rain, and rainy days mean
shorter lines. Buy a poncho, see a show, or go shopping.
Preview Plan!
Arrive the night before and take advantage of the preview plan.
With your next day's ticket, be our guest for 2 1/2
hours prior to the park closing. (example: Arrive Sunday night
after 7:30 PM and purchase or present your ticket for Monday - be
our guest for no additional cost!)
The preview plan is a great way for you to explore the park so
that you can be prepared for your big day! Bonus! Pay to park in
the evening, and the next day's parking is FREE.
When to visit:
Tuesdays through Thursdays are
ideal. Saturdays are typically our busiest day! On three-day weekends,
Sundays are generally the busiest. Crowds typically thin after
6 PM.
Dress for Success!
Wear comfortable shoes - you'll be walking all day. Sneakers are
recommended! If you are planning on visiting the Boardwalk, make
sure to bring a bathing suit and towel! Bathing suits are required
on the Boardwalk attractions. Changing stations are conveniently
located.
Planning on buying Hersheypark Souvenirs, but would rather not carry
them around all day?
Use our package pickup system. It's as simple as mentioning it to one of our retail clerks! Each purchase will be guaranteed by a certain time and you can pick up your purchased items at Chocolate House outside the Park entrance.
Measure up!
What ride height category are you? As you enter the park, have the
kids measure up to see what rides are just right for them!
Fitting it all in - Strategize!
Most guests stop at the
first ride and continue moving right to left. Instead, walk to
the rear of the Park and work your way to the front.
The lines for the Comet and Carrousel tend to be busy in the morning,
so skip them on the way in, and ride on your way out!
Hot day water option:
- STAY AWAY FROM THE Boardwalk until later in the day. Ride the
Tidal Force first.
- Go to the Coal Cracker (ride this as many times as you can/want as it is high capacity and has short waiting times).
- Go to Tiny Timbers during lunch or later in the afternoon if you have little kids. Ride hard park rides: Frontier Flyers is a good ride to cool off on, the Kissing Tower has air conditions as well as the Reese's Extreme Cup Challenge. Spend time in the Roller Soaker play area using the water blasters and cannons as well as playing in the pop fountains near the queue line.
- Hit the Boardwalk right before dinner. The area really clears out and most of the attractions are walk on from 4:30 PM until Boardwalk close.
Cool day water option:
All attractions will be walk on. The water at the East Coast Water Works will be warmest at the start of the day as the water heats in a surge tank overnight.
Dry day coaster option:
- Most coasters will be walk on as a good number of the guests in the park will be out in the Boardwalk area. Most guests ride the Comet and Great Bear first. Skip those rides until later and go direct to the Fahrenheit.
- Ride Storm Runner/Sidewinder next.
- Go to The Wildcat and then Wild Mouse.
- Ride Lightning Racer while you are out in Midway America (ride this as many times as you can/want as it is high capacity and has short waiting times).
- Trailblazer is a good family option. Make sure you have an entertainment schedule and stay away from the ride when the aquatheater shows end.
- Ride Great Bear and Comet during the dinner hour (stay away from the comet at the end of the night as everyone in the park wants to get a last ride on the "white coaster" before leaving).
Wet day coaster option:
- Skip the Great Bear and Comet and proceed to the back of the park. Keep an eye on the weather. If it starts to drizzle the Fahrenheit and Storm Runner will shut down. Most people will leave the queue lines at those rides when they shut down. This is a good time to get in the queue (check your PDA first or stop by a guest services location to get a radar update to make sure that the precipitation is not going to last hours).
- During severe weather most if not all rides will shut down. Coasters are the last to open but the queues will be empty. Find a safe place to wait out the storm in a building near the entrance of the coaster you want to ride. When it opens, you can get right in line.
Things to try in the morning hours for shorter lines:
- Coal Cracker - Shorter wait times first thing in the morning and right after dinner.
- Storm Runner
- Tidal Force - Shorter wait times first thing in the morning and right after dinner.
- Wild Mouse - Shorter wait times first thing in the morning
- Wildcat - Shorter wait times first thing in the morning
Things to try during midday for shorter lines:
- Carrousel
- Comet
- Hershey's Chocolate World
Things to try in the evening hours:
- Great Bear
- SooperdooperLooper
- The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, if it is really hot wait until after 4 PM to visit the area.
Meal planning:
Hersheypark offers dozens of excellent food options! From Pizza,
to Burgers to Healthy Fare - we've got it all!
Reminder: Food is not allowed to be brought into the park. If you
decide to pack a picnic lunch, please leave your cooler in your
vehicle. There are picnic areas near the parking lots and stadium.
Enclosed restaurants in Hersheypark:
- For a relaxing meal try Tudor Grill; it is full service, enclosed, and has air conditioning. The restaurant offers Jazz on the patio Friday thru Sunday 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM (weather permitting).
- Gourmet Grille - Enclosed air-conditioned restaurant with several different food options; pasta with your choice of sauce, meatball sandwiches, Italian sausages, chicken parmigiana, burritos, Southwest station, Italian station, panini station, wraps, salads, soups, sweets and more.
- Minetown Restaurant - Enclosed air-conditioned restaurant with several eateries; make your own salad or wrap, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, personal pizzas, chicken tenders, french fries, and beer.
Breakfast:
- Visit Dunkin' Donuts for great breakfast options before entering the Park.
- Participate in the Breakfast At The Park program if you are staying at one of our Resort properties. Add this to your overnight package by calling 1-800-HERSHEY.
Lunch:
- The best time to eat lunch is before 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM.
Credit Cards:
- Most locations are now accepting credit cards, including the vending machines throughout the Park.
- Credit cards are NOT accepted at our portable carts, such as Dippin' Dots, Bricker's, Shaved Ice, The Nut Hut, beverage carts and various vending carts.
Make time to enjoy our wide variety of shows and entertainment!
If you are interested in attending a National Act in the Amphitheatre, why not try the second show, it is usually not nearly as crowded as the first show.
Some of our theatres offer different experiences...for example, the Music Box Theatre is air conditioned ...why not beat the heat in the middle of the day and enjoy a show and cool down.
The Hatfield Country Grill featuring Wild Country and Frontier Frenzy, and Shakey's Patio starring the Milkmen and the Soda Pops are our only eat in venues. You are welcome to carry food and drink into any theatre, but the Hatfield Country Grill and Shakey's Patio are the only venues that provide tables and chairs for consumption.
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