Hersheypark Happy

My family and I took a trip to the Sweetest place on Earth, Hersheypark. There is so much to do like amusement park rides, The Boardwalk (Water park), dining and more as well as Chocolate World. If you love Hershey you will have a blast here. We had so much fun and I am featuring them in today’s blog as a great Family Fun event to do. August is Family Fun month and nothing is more fun than going to travel to Hershey and exploring.

Hersheypark Happy

I am originally from Lancaster, PA. We went to Hersheypark as a kid all the time. Since moving to Philadelphia I wanted to keep that tradition going. My kids have gone several times in the last few years and this time was no exception. The joys of traveling from Philadelphia to Hershey is always fun. As a parent I get to see it from a different perspective. As a kid I just assumed that as long as I was dressed that’s all I had to do. Now, packing is an adventure all of its own. So before you go don’t forget a few items:

• Wear or pack your swimsuit
• Don’t forget bug and sunscreen
• Goggles for your eyes if you need them
• Bring your towels, hair ties, and more
• Bring a big enough bag to transport your items
• Water bottle to carry is a must-rotate someone in your group to carry the items
• Back up charger is important to keep you charged in case of emergency or to communicate
• Hersheypark is cashless so if you have a debit or credit card bring it-you can convert cash into a card once there if you don’t
• Purchase tickets ahead of time-the best prices are online or using a discount program in your city
• Also purchase your parking pass ahead of time to save
• Water shoes-I saw so many who didn’t have any and it’s a must to prevent your feet from being burned as well as protecting you from water issues as well

Hersheypark and Heights

Anytime you are at Hersheypark they go by your sizing and sometimes your weight. Although this can feel intrusive it’s important to note that some heights as well as weight, is helpful for your safety on the rides while there. If you are too short the harness may not fit you properly. If you are too tall which for my husband who is 6 feet 3 can be an issue for you too. So please use the candies such as Twizzlers, to determine your height which will be posted on each ride for your information.

The Boardwalk

We took our bags to avoid carrying them all day to the Boardwalk where we rented a locker. The locker amount was $25. We had 2 very large bags and were able to fit that as well as all of our shoes. Since we were already over there it made sense to also do the Boardwalk first. There are a lot of things to do. From the Wave Pool, Tubing, the Boardwalk also has a lot of activities for all ages too, and more. We had a blast at The Boardwalk. There are plenty of food and drinks to have as well. To be honest, The Boardwalk takes on its own identity inside of Hersheypark. We went this past Saturday and a lot of Central PA started school this week. It contributed to a large crowd presence. This also allowed the lines to be super long. Each attraction was about an hour long wait.

Hersheypark Fast Track

I would suggest purchasing a Fast Track. This will allow you to bypass the lines. As much as I would have not liked to spend the money it is worth it and allows your experience to be that much better. You get through so much more of the park by using this. The prices vary according to what you want. You can get a one day, Fast Track amusement park rides, or use it in The Boardwalk too. It’s about what makes sense to you and your family or friends.

Games and More

If you are the type that don’t want to ride the rides, you can enjoy some on the ground entertainment. From shows, to arcades and fair like games, Hersheypark has you covered. This is a great option for many. This way the whole family can enjoy themselves.

The Rides

We are a family that loves the rides. So it was no hesitation on our part to enjoy them. I can’t stress enough that when going to an amusement park to pack some patience. The crowds can be alarming. Have a plan before you go. We decided to let each kid pick their must ride. They have gone several times in the season already with family. We made it clear once we got there that with the crowd size that there was no way we would get to it all. The must ride list helped. Everyone got to feel included and have a great time. Also if someone gets lost, be careful, to have a must meet place. This helps make everyone feel secure.

The Claw

One of my favorite rides is The Claw. This takes heights to another level. It swings you from side to side and everyone in my house meets the ride requirement except my husband due to his height. We had a lot of fun for sure.

So if you want to go to Hersheypark and explore The Boardwalk, the last splash of the season ends September 5th. Hershey Park is open in the Fall and Chocolate World is open all year long. There are many activities to do so keep an eye out on the site.

Also if you were unaware Hersheypark has many lodges: Hershey Park Lodge, Hotel Hershey, and Hersheypark Camping Resort. They can be combined to save money as a package for families. Thank you to Hersheypark for such an amazing time. We can’t wait to be back soon to explore some more.