This post is sponsored by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, but all opinions are my own.
We recently had the opportunity to spend the day at Hershey Park, PA. It had been seven years since our last visit. Hershey Park is still the same amazing sweet treat!! The park staff were exceptional, so friendly and helpful.
James and I visited the park with our daughter. As we entered Hershey Park, we were greeted warmly by staff. We made our first stop at Hospitality Services. Since we only have one day in the park we wanted to make the most of our time.
At Hospitality Services we purchased a Fast Track Pass. The pass would enable us to ride all the most popular big roller coasters and also be a big time saver! Especially for the roller coaster like Fahrenheit, that can have up to a two-hour wait time.
We are a family with a need for speed. Hershey Park definitely delivers in this department, from Skyrush to Storm Runner to Fahrenheit and everything in-between! The fast track pass enabled us to make our rounds to all the rollercoasters in record time!
There are six different Regions to Hershey Park. Each one is different so I’ll explain them all to you.
Founders Way started at the main gate and was the first themed area in Hershey Park. It is home to gift shops, the hospitality services, stroller rentals. Also, a get the picture souvenir photo stand where guests can see and purchase pictures taken of them by park photographers.
The architecture has a Bavarian feel from its early days. There is also many food establishments as well as sweet treat shops. You can find a Dunkin Donuts, Subway, and a Nathan’s Famous Famiglia Pizzeria at Founders Way.
At the top of the hill is a statue of Milton S. Hershey and a surrounding fountain, which honors the chocolate maker and founder of the park. (Wikipedia)
Make sure to stop by and measure yourself to see what height category you fall into. It goes by Hershey candy. Hershey miniature bar is 36″ and under, Hershey Kisses are 36″ – 42″, Reese’s are 42″ – 48″, Hershey Bar 48″ – 54″, Twizzler is 54″ – 60″, and Jolly Ranchers 60″+
James and I started our rides with The Hollow, this section of the park is one of the oldest parts. Many rides have come and gone but it is now home to three rollercoasters, The Comet, Skyrush, and Super Dooper Looper.
Most of Great Bear’s roller coaster track runs through The Hollow as well. Our favorite was Skyrush, Super Duper Looper, and then The Comet. The Skyrush was so fast and furious, it was also very intense but awesome.
Our next stop was at Kissing Tower Hill. We rode on the Hershey Tower and Great Bear. Both of the rides were a tie. We loved both of them and we also visited Zoo America.
Zoo America is open year round and it is a self guided walk through the zoo, with more than 200 animals. There are animals from five regions in North America. The regions include Southern Swamps, Northlands, The Great Southwest, Eastern Woodlands, and Big Sky Country.
The zoo is set on eleven acres of pathways and indoor exhibits to walk-thru, as you see the animals and learn about their specific habitat. Zoo America was a great experience!
We and other patrons of the park would hunt to find where the Barn Owl or Bobcat was hiding. Everyone again was very helpful and friendly.
Next, we were very excited to get to Pioneer Frontier. This is the Southwestern themed part of the park and the Pioneer Frontier is home of four rollercoasters: Trailblazer, Storm Runner, Fahrenheit, and Sidewinder.
Trailblazer is the second oldest rollercoaster in Hershey Park. Our favorites in Pioneer Frontier are Fahrenheit and Storm Runner. We could have done them over and over.
Midway America is a tribute to classic midway fair. There are four rollercoasters in the Midway America area. Wildcat, Lightening Racers ( a dueling trains rollercoaster ride), Wild Mouse, and Laff Trakk. We enjoyed Laff Trakk, Wild Mouse and Lightning Racers.
The Boardwalk at Hershey Park is Hershey Parks Water Park. We did not visit the water park as our focus was on the rollercoasters. I do believe the water park is included in your park ticket. We would have loved to spend another day at Hershey and focused our time there, but it wasn’t in the plans this time around.
We found the grounds to be impeccably manicured and very pleasing to the eye. There were many seating areas around gardens. Jim especially liked the wooden rocking chairs, located in the Pioneer area of the park.
We were also able to catch some of the live entertainment in the theatre. Here we met with Hershey characters, met the crew at Miss Dolly’s Diner and danced with the Hershey Park Band. What a treat!
Hershey Park was everything we remembered it to be, simply amazing!! We wished we had another day to spend at the park because we truly had a great time. During our visit, we were able to visit all the big rollercoasters and thoroughly enjoyed each of them!
Hershey Park should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list this travel season! You can find out about all things Hershey Park has to offer at: http://www.hersheypark.com/
Happy Travels!!!
