You know how people tell you that time flies when you have kids? They are not lying.
The other day, my kids and I were talking about Hersheypark and how much they wanted to go back. I confidently told them it hadn’t been that long since our last visit, only to look through my phone and realize that somehow seven years had passed since we were last there.
Seven years without visiting Hersheypark? Completely unacceptable.
So, we did what any family craving roller coasters, chocolate, and summer fun would do, we planned a last-minute trip and headed to Hersheypark this past Monday. And friends, it was an absolute blast! From thrilling rides to sweet treats and family memories, we had such an amazing time and are already talking about our next visit.
Many thanks to Hersheypark for providing tickets in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own and reflect my family’s personal experience.
If you’re on the fence about visiting Hersheypark, consider this your sign to go for it. Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning after several years like we did, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In this guide, I’ll share our favorite Hersheypark tips, ways to maximize your budget, what to do (and what not to do), and the best ways to save money at Hersheypark so you can make the most of your visit without overspending.
Hersheypark Tips: What We Learned on Our Return Visit
Seven years is a long time to go without visiting Hersheypark, and honestly, it was amazing to return and see how much had changed while also finding so many familiar favorites still waiting for us.
There was something refreshing about walking through the park and realizing that some of the rides I grew up looking forward to are still there today. Classics like the Lightning Racer, the Coal Cracker, and the iconic Kissing Tower brought back so many memories and reminded me why I loved visiting Hersheypark as a kid.
At the same time, the park has continued to grow and evolve over the years. One of the biggest additions since our last visit was Candymonium, Hersheypark’s massive hypercoaster that has quickly become one of the park’s signature attractions. Seeing the mix of beloved classics and exciting new rides made our return feel both nostalgic and brand new all at once.
Planning Your Visit to Hersheypark
When planning your visit to Hersheypark, one of the first things you’ll want to do is download the free Hersheypark app. This app quickly became our ultimate guide while we were in the park and honestly made navigating the day so much easier.
Using the app, you can check current wait times for rides, find attractions near your location, access an interactive map, and browse dining options throughout the park. It was incredibly helpful when trying to decide whether to wait for a ride now or come back later in the day.
The app is completely free, so I highly recommend downloading it before you arrive at the park. We had cellphone service during our visit, but service can be spotty in certain areas, especially during busy days when thousands of people are using their phones at once. Having everything downloaded and ready to go before you walk through the gates can save you time and frustration later.
Along with downloading the Hersheypark app, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for the various ticket promotions and deals that Hersheypark runs throughout the season. Buying tickets ahead of time can save you a surprising amount of money compared to purchasing them at the gate, and special promotions often include discounted admission or additional perks that make your visit even more affordable. If you are a military family, Hersheypark does offer special discounts online when you verify your status using Id.me.
A little planning before your trip can go a long way toward helping you maximize both your time and your budget, which means more time enjoying rides and less time worrying about logistics.
Ride Height Requirements (Hershey’s Candy Measurement Guide)
One of the unique things about Hersheypark is their candy-themed height system. Instead of just using inches, the park uses fun Hershey candy names to group ride height requirements.
Guests are measured and assigned a category like Reese’s, Hershey’s, or Twizzlers, which helps quickly identify what rides you’re able to go on throughout the park.
Even as adults, I thought it was a fun and simple way to organize ride access and made it easy to know where we could go without constantly checking height charts.
How to Save Money at Hersheypark
Visiting any amusement park during the summer can seem expensive, but Hersheypark offers plenty of great ways for families to save money. From souvenir cups and refill plans to all-day meal passes and ticket deals, there are several ways to stretch your budget without sacrificing the fun. Here are some of the best money-saving tips my family took advantage of during our visit.
Save Money with a Hersheypark Souvenir Cup
On a hot summer day, buying drinks at Hersheypark can get expensive quickly, with many drinks costing $5 or more each. That’s why I highly recommend purchasing a souvenir refill cup for $24.99 plus tax.
The souvenir cup includes free refills throughout the park every ten minutes, making it one of the easiest ways to save money while staying hydrated during your visit.
For our family, we purchased individual souvenir cups for the kids, while Michael and I shared one. This ended up saving us a ton of money on drinks throughout the day and kept everyone hydrated and ready to keep going from ride to ride.
If you’re visiting Hersheypark for more than one day, the savings get even better. You can reactivate your souvenir cup for just $1 per refill day, making it an even better value for multi-day visits.
Consider an All-Day Dining Plan
Dining at Hersheypark can add up quickly. Most of the meals we came across during our visit were around $20 per person, which can make feeding a family for an entire day pretty expensive.
That’s why I cannot recommend the All-Day Dining Plan enough. At $39.99, the dining plan can easily pay for itself if you plan to eat more than one meal in the park. With the plan, you can receive an entree and a side every 90 minutes at participating locations throughout Hersheypark.
One thing that really surprised us was just how many dining locations accepted the meal plan. From burgers and chicken tenders to barbecue and other options, there was plenty of variety, and we never felt limited in our choices.
The portions were also much larger than we expected. Many of the meals were easily big enough to share, so if you’re visiting as a couple or with older kids who don’t eat a full meal at every stop, splitting meals is definitely an option and can stretch your budget even further.
For our family, the dining plan ended up being one of the best values in the park. Not only did it save us money, but it also made meal planning simple. Instead of worrying about food costs every time someone got hungry, we were able to focus on enjoying the rides and making memories together.
Take Advantage of Preview Hours
If you’re traveling to Hersheypark and staying overnight rather than driving in for the day, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Hersheypark’s preview hours.
One of the perks of being a ticket holder is that Hersheypark allows guests to enter the park for special preview hours the evening before their full visit. This gives you a chance to get a head start on your trip by riding a few attractions, exploring the park, and getting your bearings before the crowds arrive the next morning.
Unfortunately, we chose to drive the three hours to Hershey, so we didn’t get to take advantage of the extra hours, but if you can, I highly recommend doing it!
Buy Tickets in Advance
If you know you’re planning a trip to Hersheypark, one of the easiest ways to save money is to purchase your tickets in advance. Not only does Hersheypark run great discounts and promotions throughout the year, but buying ahead of time can save you a surprising amount compared to purchasing tickets at the gate.
Before your visit, take a few minutes to check for current ticket deals, seasonal promotions, and package offers. Hersheypark frequently offers discounted pricing for guests who purchase online, and sometimes you’ll even find special promotions that include additional perks.
If you’re planning to visit more than once during the season, it’s also worth looking into season passes. Depending on how many times you plan to visit, a season pass can quickly pay for itself and comes with additional benefits that make future visits even more affordable.
A little planning before your trip can make a big difference in your overall cost, and the money you save on tickets can easily be put toward souvenirs, snacks, or an extra treat while you’re in the park. After all, more chocolate is never a bad thing when you’re visiting Hersheypark!
Purchase Your Parking Pass Online
Finally, if you’re driving to Hersheypark, be sure to purchase your parking pass online before you arrive. This is one of the easiest ways to save money before you even step foot inside the park.
Online parking passes start at around $25, while parking purchased at the gate starts at $40. That’s an extra $15 that could be spent on snacks, souvenirs, or put toward one of the park’s dining plans instead.
The best part is that purchasing your parking online only takes a few minutes and can be done ahead of time while you’re buying your tickets. It’s a simple step, but one that can make a noticeable difference in the overall cost of your trip, especially for families trying to stick to a budget.
As with most things at Hersheypark, a little planning ahead can save you quite a bit of money in the long run.
Our Favorite Rides and Attractions
Whether you’re a rollercoaster fanatic or someone who prefers shows and slower rides, Hersheypark truly has something for everyone in the family.
This year, our oldest son finally worked up the courage to ride his first real rollercoaster, Candymonium, and he absolutely loved it! Watching him go from nervous to completely thrilled by the end of the ride was easily one of our favorite moments of the whole trip. For us, Candymonium ended up being one of our top favorite rides in the entire park.
Honestly, we enjoyed just about everything we rode. The mix of classic rides, family-friendly attractions, and bigger thrill rides makes it easy for everyone to find something they love, no matter their age or comfort level.
That being said, we did have one ride we were really excited about that ended up being a bit disappointing. We waited in line for Reese’s Cupfusion, but unfortunately the wait time was long and we didn’t end up getting a chance to ride it this time around. It was definitely on our must-do list, so we’re hoping to catch it on our next visit.
Even with that one miss, the overall experience was still full of fun, laughter, and memories we’ll be talking about for a long time.
Is Hersheypark Worth It?
Yes—Hersheypark is absolutely worth the visit.
If anything, my only real regret is that we didn’t stay closer to Hershey the night before. We had to leave the park around 7pm, and we still had a ton of rides we didn’t get to experience. It’s one of those places where the day goes by way too fast, and you always feel like you could use just a few more hours.
Our family had a blast, and we actually ended up going with my parents too, which made the trip even more special. There’s just something about experiencing a place like this together that makes the memories even better.
One thing I always recommend if you’re visiting Hersheypark, is walking to Hershey’s Chocolate World before you leave. The free tour ride is such a fun tradition and a must-do, especially if it’s your first time. It’s a great way to learn a little about how chocolate is made, and of course, you get that classic sweet ending. It’s one of those simple experiences that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been.
If you’re planning a trip to Hersheypark, I hope these tips help you make the most of your visit and save a little money along the way. Have you been before or is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!
Last Updated on 3 months ago by Crystal Carder