Hersheypark, PA

“I WANNA GO ON THAT!” my son said as he pointed to the curvy tracks just ahead of us. 

The wild uproar coming from the closest roller coaster caught my kiddo’s attention right away. The brand new, aptly named “Candymonium” debuted at Hersheypark in the summer of 2020.   

My son bounced with excitement, anxious to join the fun.  The deafening cacophony of laughter and screaming came from within the home of all things candy and coasters- Hersheypark.

As a frequent park visitor, I had one concern while we waited to enter the gates and ride the newest coaster.  Hershey recently changed the park entrance. I worried that they had decided to leave behind much of what made it unique.  An open-air pavilion that looked like so many generic theme parks replaced the old European-looking main street of shops.  All those changes made way for the Candymonium.

But then the smell of chocolate hit me!  That smell always made Hersheypark unique and earned it the name the “sweetest place on earth”.  It reminded me of coming into the house right after my mom baked a pan of brownies.  The smell filled the air and elated my senses.  I’m happy to report the smell of chocolate still permeated the park even if the entrance looked different.

Priorities: Chocolate First

On a typical visit we tended to get to Hershey right when it opened. Before even entering the park we’d check out Chocolate World. 

This building’s ride wound its way through the “factory”. We learned how Milton Hershey started making chocolate, why he started the Milton Hershey school, and why he eventually built Hersheypark. The ride through the “factory” was hosted by some of our favorite Hershey candies: Kisses and Reese’s. 

Upon exiting the ride each person each grabbed a free fun-sized Hershey bar and shuffled into an enormous souvenir shop. We often stopped here at the beginning of the visit, but other times work too like during an afternoon summer shower. Chocolate World offered plenty of yummy options for visitors.

Coasters, Coasters and More Coasters

Once through the Hersheypark gates, the Candymonium beckoned to the thrill-seeker. This coaster brought the grand total of roller coasters at the park to 15, including the waterpark section and the kiddie rides. The oldest coaster, a 75-year-old wooden beauty, still rode very smoothly. 

My favorite coaster, the Comet, awaited down the hill from the Candymonium in the area known as Founders’ Way. Many of us who returned to Hershey with some frequency enjoyed the Comet. The line, usually at least 15 minutes even on a rainy or low-travel day, testified to its popularity. 

Another favorite, but not a bit less thrilling was the Trailblazer. It was located even further down the hill in the Pioneer Frontier, an area designed to feel like the Wild West. This fun coaster traveled 45 miles an hour and invited riders to imagine surviving in the Old West. 

The Laff Trakk, much like Disney’s Space Mountain, gave riders a trip in the dark with fun, “glowy” lights. This coaster was entirely inside a building near the Midway America section and across the park from the Candymonium. Appearances were deceiving, though. The building that housed the Laff Trakk looked like a dining pavilion or a show spot.  

Inside, thrill-seekers waiting in line enjoyed a funhouse of mirrors and silly hallways. Then we entered a dark room accented with neon lights and climbed into a 4-seater pod-shaped car.  Each individual car spun as it hoisted riders up and then jerked the car down while moving around the giant room.  Huge pictures of laughing clowns adorned the walls. It was fun, eliciting screams and laughs from us.  This ride was also in Midway America and across the park from the Candymonium. 

All the Other Stuff

While some may just want to ride coasters all day, my other kiddo wanted to do other things. He enjoyed the Wave Swinger that catapulted us above the crowds and trees in The Hollow. 

My husband and I enjoyed the “Fender Bender” bumper cars that gave us total satisfaction by allowing us to crash (gently?) into our kids as they tried to evade us. 

My sister and I reenacted the best scene from Mary Poppins by riding on the Carousel near the front entry. It was a must to complete my visit. 

One year my 9-year-old enjoyed ZooAmerica the most out of all that we did.  This 11-acre open-air zoo held a wide variety of animals. Everyone explored at their own pace. Entrance into ZooAmerica came with Hersheypark admission.

We also stopped at the arcade where some extra change came in handy.  One kiddo tried for a stuffed animal for that special someone while the special someone rode the Candymonium.

Summertime meant two things:  plenty of shows for entertainment and the water park, The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, opened. The setting reminded me of walking the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore when I was a kid. It was amazing how the sound of water and smell of kettle corn bought back childhood memories. 

 My favorite feature at The Boardwalk was the Intercoastal Water Way (aka lazy river) where I relaxed with my better half as our energetic boys ran around to the more rigorous water rides. 

The boys loved the Whitecap Racer. I too enjoyed it, as we zoomed down the tubes to see who could make it to the bottom first. I did not win, but I got to laze around in the river afterward, so I felt like a winner!

So Many Choices

Hungry? There were plenty of choices. We are Chick Fil A fans, but so were many families.  As a result, the CFA near the Tea Cups was often crowded. If you need a break AFTER the Tea Cups, it was a great place to get over dizziness or motion-sickness. (Hint, don’t go on the Tea Cups after having just eaten. Not a good look.) 

Otherwise, the Pioneer Frontier had a food court.  Multiple snack carts and refreshment stands were located all over the park with favorite Pennsylvania and Hershey concessions. For those not on a diet, do what we did.  We used one meal as our dessert and got a giant sundae across from the Reese’s Cupfusion ride.

Something for Everyone

Rides and chocolate were the main features at Hershey, but there really was something for everyone. When I worked for Gettysburg College in the early 2000’s we took our college students in August. When I was pregnant (yes, pregnant) with my first kiddo in 2008, we went in late spring. 

When we started moving around with the Army we continued to return to Pennsylvania since family lives there.  Once the boys became old enough to enjoy theme parks, we made Hersheypark part of our itinerary. For their first trip at ages seven and nine even their 70-year-old grandparents came along. 

Since Covid-19 our visits looked a little different. Over the last two years masks were worn for part or all of our trips. Some things were closed or limited, like the shows. Sadly, we had to greet the characters from a distance during Covid rather than getting a big hug from a giant piece of candy.

While things look different every year since going in 2004, the fun was still the same. In some cases, I think I had more fun going these days. Instead of taking someone else’s thrill-seeking college students, I took my own chaos-enthused boys.

Closest Military Installations

MWR Locations Nearby

If You Go:

• Hersheypark’s Central Pennsylvania location makes travel convenient for people on the East Coast and those in the eastern part of the Mid-West. Its location also means milder winters.   So various parts of the park stay open almost every season of the year! 

• If you want to take advantage of Hershey Park in the Dark (Halloween) or Christmas Candylane (Christmas), you can do so. 

• To find out more detail about rides and features at the park check out the website!

• There have been military ticket rates in the past, but definitely check with your own MWR and the ticket webpage. You can also call and they can help you tailor your ticket to your needs.

• Just have time for the zoo? 

• Only want the souvenirs and the free chocolate? 

• Other Hershey Area attractions include a museum, gardens, lodge and spa.

• In the broader South-Central Pennsylvania region there is much to see and do. Here are a few ideas!

Visit the Amish in Lancaster (or at least the downtown area) 

Sight and Sound Theater 

Gettysburg National Military Park or see what I have to say about Gettysburg.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort