Milton Hershey, like Walt Disney, was more than just a businessman. He was a man with a vision – a vision that incorporated much more than just producing and selling a product. Hershey invented his own town, complete with Chocolate Kiss-shaped street lamps. He invented his own school. And, of course, he invented his own theme park, built especially for the families of his employees. Long before Disneyland was a twinkle in Walt’s eye – in 1908 – Hershey had installed his first carousel. And, by 1909, he’d installed his own scenic railway.
It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that Hersheypark has many of the best qualities of Disney parks – on a much smaller scale, and at a much lower price point. At just 110 square acres, it’s a lower cost, more manageable experience that Disney fans are likely to love.
1. It’s all about the Founders and Their Visions
Both Hershey and Disney were Great Americans. Each founded a corporation that has become a legend. Each essentially invented a town (Hershey and Orlando). Each envisioned and created a family-oriented amusement park with trimmings, which has far outlasted its creator. Each has his own museums dedicated to his life and work. Each provides extensive opportunities for young people. Each has left an untarnished legacy of doing the right thing by the American people and their own employees.
2. Be “Edutained”
Edutainment – education that’s fun – is part of both the Disney and the Hershey experience. You can learn all about animation, explore full scale art and history museums, or “meet” American presidents at Walt Disney World. At Hersheypark, you can visit Chocolate World – a fun, engaging ride that’s really an educational introduction to the history and process of chocolate making. You travel to the rainforest to collect cocoa beans, watch and smell chocolate being processed, and then (of course) you’re treated to a fun-sized chocolate bar on your way out of the ride. Not surprisingly, you exit directly into a vast (and highly themed) chocolate and souvenir shop where you can also sip a chocolate soda or enjoy a chocolate sundae!
3. Enjoy a Truly Family-Oriented Park
Disney and Hershey shared a belief in the importance and power of the American family, and both men designed their parks with the entire family in mind. Like Walt Disney World (and unlike most typical amusement parks), Hersheypark offers a wide array of family-oriented experiences, rides, and venues that make it easy and pleasant to bring multiple generations to the park.
Entertainment is similar in style to the type you’d find on Main Street USA: All American barber shop groups, choral groups and bands from American high schools and colleges, country western acts, and more. Trees, gardens, and shady groves make it easy and pleasant to sit back, relax, and even allow the little ones to nap. A lake with live fish and birds offers a mellow place to hang out; you can even buy a handful of food for the fish and ducks. Rides like the Cocoa Cruiser and the Kissing Tower make it possible for very young children and older visitors alike to have mild fun on “grown up” rides.
4. Roller Coasters for Every Taste
Disney offers coasters for the timid, the curious, and the reckless. So does Hersheypark. The Trailblazer is a small, “pioneer” themed coaster that’s just right for the younger (or more nervous) rider. For a Disney comparison, think Barnstormer. The Comet is a world-class, old-fashioned wooden coaster – similar in intensity and style to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but with less theming and more history. The Sooperdooperlooper and several other steel coasters offer even more intensity than Space Mountain, and are only for the truly fearless.
5. Climb Aboard a Train
Both Walt Disney and Milton Hershey were huge train fans. At Disney World, you can ride The Walt Disney World Railroad that takes you around a good portion of the Magic Kingdom; at Hershey Park you can experience the Dry Gulch Railroad. Both are low-key trips aboard a steam train; Disney’s train belches real steam, while Hershey’s is a true themed experience. Prefer a more modern, streamlined train experience? Both Disney and Hershey offer transportation via “futuristic” monorails!
6. Splash Down in a Themed Flume Ride
Splash Mountain is an awesome version of a traditional flume – and it’s great for the whole family. So is Hershey’s version – the highly themed Coal Cracker. Just like Splash Mountain, it’s a climb and a splash, but Hershey has chosen an Old West theme that’s a little closer to Big Thunder Mountain. Of course, the Coal Cracker is missing the wonderful animatronics and the Zippidee-do-dah song.
7. Check Out “The Boardwalk”
Both Disney and Hershey boast fully themed boardwalks. Hershey’s “Boardwalk” combines many of the amenities of Disney’s Boardwalk area (ice cream parlors, pizza parlors, street entertainers) with a full scale water park. There’s a classic “lazy river,” a watery playground, thrilling plunges and slides, and more. You can even rent a cabana for the day – or stay and play until 8 at night.
8. Experience Wildlife
Walt Disney World, of course, has a world class zoo (Animal Kingdom) and aquarium (Living Seas). Hersheypark’s counterparts may not be world class, but in many ways they’re more accessible. ZooAmerica is Hersheypark’s small but well-managed zoo, which offers a petting zoo as well as reptile house, bird house, and a variety of live animal-themed entertainment. While Walt Disney World does offer views of its dolphins, Hersheypark actually presents both dolphin and sea lion shows in its relatively small arena. Hersheypark also offers something a little bit special: animal handlers often bring live animals out of their enclosures so that visitors can meet them up close.
9. Food and Shopping Options Galore
OK, fair enough, Hersheypark is no Epcot. It does, however, offer character meals (you can have supper with a Kiss, or breakfast with the Easter Bunny), full-service restaurant meals, and meal plans. It also offers some culinary treats you’ll never find at any of Walt Disney World’s amazing eateries. For example – unlike Walt Disney World, Hersheypark still serves good old fashioned all-beef Nathan’s hot dogs. You can also get authentic funnel cakes, Pennsylvania-style hot pretzels, and, of course, a full array of Hershey’s chocolate everything, from candies to sodas to ice cream. If you want to shop, you won’t be disappointed; while there isn’t the huge array of stores that you’d find at Downtown Disney, there are some charming and unusual options.
10. A “World” Beyond the Park
No, Hershey PA isn’t Walt Disney World – and there aren’t multiple Hershey-themed resorts available. But there are some world-class Hershey resorts including (naturally) the Hotel Hershey – an elegant destination where you can request a chocolate spa treatment and enjoy top notch service. There are also the renowned Hershey Gardens, top notch golf courses, and impressive entertainment venues. The Hershey Lodge is a more moderate resort where families can stay and play – and Hershey, like Walt Disney World, also offers a highly rated campground.
