Families will find a Halloween Paradise in Hershey, Pa.! Our family recently went to Hersheypark Halloween for a spooky-filled weekend at “Dark Nights” and it was a spook-tacular experience that exceeded all expectations!

#DarkNights features five haunted houses, three frightening scare zones, rollercoasters in the dark, loads of festive treats, and priceless family fun!

Hersheypark kept all the amazing things you loved about their Dark Nights experiences from last year. And added much more!

Admission tickets to Hersheypark Halloween now include all the Dark Nights haunted houses. This is fantastic that you only pay one price and get all the Dark Nights attractions included!

The scare zones have increased in scale, jaw-dropping immersive features, and have added loads more scare actors. Plus, the pyrotechnic features are a marvel.

The awesome Chocolatier Restaurant Bar + Patio transformed its patio into “Spirits Rooftop” Bar with its own unique, spooktacular menu. We stopped in for a meal and deemed their food to be the best on the property. Can you say Chocolate Martini?

Stay at one of the official resorts of Hersheypark to make the most of your haunted holiday. We stayed at Hershey Lodge and it was as amazing as ever. It allowed our family to make a weekend trip out of our visit from New York City. It also added lots of VIP benefits. These include front gate shuttle service to the park, character meet and greets, and Hershey Chocolate bars for the family at check in. Staying so close to Hersheypark means a short commute to our comfortable beds after staying out late in the thrill park.

A new haunted house, Estate of Evil, is insanity! It features so many rooms (unlucky 13 of them), jump scares, and frightening creativity infused at every turn. We had to go four times during our weekend visit!

Treatville’s Trick-or-Treat Trail is still a star attraction distributing your favorite treats and open until 8:30pm each night. Adults don’t get candy, but you can still “steal” a few favorites from your kids like I did!

NEW THIS YEAR: “Avenue of the Afterlife” scare-free path in the water park featuring a DJ dance party, Dark Nights Character Meet & Greets and street performers. This is the perfect opportunity to meet up-close-and-personal with your favorite Decayed Brigade sliders and snap some selfies.

Experiencing “dark ride” rollercoasters at Hersheypark Halloween when it’s after dark and the lights are turned off was out of this world. It’s a game changer for all coaster fans. Additionally, the light packages on display at some of the rides like Lightening Racer and the Ferris Wheel were truly mesmerizing. If you think Wildcat’s Revenge Rollercoaster was spectacular and thrilling before … try it as a dark ride after the sun goes down! Plus, Laff Trakk is in the pitch-black all day long!

NEW THIS YEAR: ENTERTAINMENT! Performances featuring all of your favorite Hershey characters dressed in Halloween costumes happen at the Music Box Theater several times each day. The infamous Decayed Brigade sliders have their own highlight show with nightly performances. Additionally, there’s an all new “Battle for Spring Creek” Pyrotechnics Show happening by the bridge in Darkstone’s Hollow each night.

Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights happen on weekends from now through Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m. The closing hour varies by day.

We loved our adventure to Hersheypark for their autumn-themed Halloween festivities as much as we love visiting during the summer. The majority of our favorite rides were open with the added thrill of the Dark Nights attractions, making it a holiday wonderland for our family. What are you waiting for? Plan your family visit to the Sweetest Place on Earth for their Halloween festivities now! There’s only a few more weekends left.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweet Insiders Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and one-night hotel accommodations provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand. All photos were provided by his family. Photos: Somerfeld family.

Looking for the perfect family destination this summer? Our family’s happy place is Hershey, Pa. — the sweetest place on earth! Home to Hersheypark — the absolute, best amusement park in the entire Northeast — it boasts 15 rollercoasters, a massive waterpark, and endless treats to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Our goal is to help your family enjoy all the fun, thrills and food of Hersheypark. Plus, we can help you possibly get through the gates for FREE. Scroll to the bottom for a chance to win an epic family four-pack of tickets to visit this summer or later in the year.

How do we do Hersheypark? Glad you asked!

1. Become season pass holders

After visiting Hersheypark for the past eight summers, we made the leap to becoming first-time season pass holders this year. If you plan to visit a few days during summer, Dark Nights in Fall around Halloween, and Christmas Candylane during winter, a season pass it’s where it’s at. It includes many great benefits and perks — early entry, exclusive pass-holder events, free or reduced parking — in addition to saving lots of money. Financially, if you plan to visit more than three days per year, we recommend purchasing a season pass.

2. Play spot the Big 5

We love hugging, smiling, and posing with the lovable Hershey Characters: Hershey Bar, Reese’s, Jolly Rancher, Twizzler and Kisses. Which is your favorite?

New this year: In addition to being out and about, the characters this year were strategically stationed at some specific photo op points more than we’ve ever experienced. In the past, we had to seek out the famous Hershey characters. Now, it seemed like they were always popping up around the grounds for a high five or quick hug. Also new, sometimes surprise characters like Hershey’s Syrup and Cupfusion’s Gum Drop and Commander Cup show up for the fun. So keep a close eye out.

3. Always stay overnight for 2 or 3 days

We usually make a 3-day weekend out of our adventures because you need at least two days to do Hershey, Pa., and the park right. We just stayed at The Hotel Hershey – a stunning, majestic hotel located directly across the street from Hersheypark. Staying at one of the “official resorts” of Hersheypark comes with a range of awesome perks, including SWEET START! Being a season pass member OR if staying on property at one of the Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, unlocks this priceless experience: one hour of early park access!

Other exclusive benefits of staying at an official Hersheypark resort include:

• free bus shuttle service to and from the front gate
• “Preview Plan”- up to 3 hours at the park the night before your park admission tickets
• best pricing on Hersheypark tickets
• free chocolate at check-in
• an abundance of on-property activities to keep the whole family entertained

Talk about being entertained: The outdoor pool complex at The Hotel Hershey is something out of a fairytale. It features waterslides, mushroom waterfalls, an adult-only infinity pool, a hot tub, a zero-entry pool, and drink service with delicious frozen cocktails. Then, we play glow-golf (mini-golf after dark), roast s’mores, tie-dye shirts, play ping-pong, corn hole, chocolate bingo, and so much more.

4. Conquer the coasters

With 15 rollercoasters, each with their unique quirks, surprises, twists, and thrills, rollercoasters are always our top priority. Buckle up because Hersheypark has some of the most high-octane coasters on the planet!

New this year: The fan favorite and classic Comet wooden coaster is sporting all new, updated trains celebrating over 75 years in operation! Additionally, the thrilling Skyrush coaster got “first class” upgrades with new trains and an awesome lighting package in the station. Come prepared to conquer the coasters and make sure to ride the award-winning and our family favorite, Wildcat’s Revenge!

5. YES DAY! Saying YES to our children!

Just say:

• YES to your kids helping to plan your daily itinerary
• YES to that ice cream sundae, s’more treat, or sweet confection
• YES to going on that ride again and again. Looking at you Wildcat’s Revenge!
• YES to staying until the park closes
• YES to coming back to the SWEETEST PLACE on EARTH

Free tickets to Hersheypark giveaway

Want to win a family four-pack of tickets to Hersheypark? Enter below for a chance to win four general admission tickets this summer or later in the year for the park’s Halloween event, Dark Nights, or Christmas Candylane? Winning tickets will be sent via email.

Important details:

• We’re giving away one family four-pack of one-day ticket general admission to Hersheypark. (Each winner will receive four one-day passes.)
• The contest runs from June 28 through July 10, 2024.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older and residents of the United States.
• One winner will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter after the entry period ends July 10, 2024.
• The winner must follow Rafflecopter instructions for getting entries
• The winner must supply an email address to receive four electronic tickets to Hersheypark 2024. Tickets are for one daily admission to Hersheypark. The tickets expire on Jan. 1, 2025.
• Hersheypark charges a separate fee for parking, which is NOT included with these tickets. The winner will need to pay for parking if needed.
• City Dads Group is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
• The winner must respond to the prize notification within 48 hours otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweet Insiders Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and one-night hotel accommodations to his family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand. All photos were provided by his family.

Hersheypark, the Sweetest Place on Earth, has become a Halloween fan’s heaven! We went to the opening weekend for the 2023 Hersheypark Halloween celebration and its Dark Nights experience and it was an absolute dream (or is that “scream”) that exceeded all expectations.

This year, you’ll find five haunted houses (one more than last year) and three epic “scare zones” in addition to loads of rides, trick-or-treating at “Treatville,” awesome lights-out rollercoasters, and priceless family fun. Hersheypark kept all of the amazing things you loved about their Dark Nights extravaganza from last year and elevated it.

After spending an entire three-day weekend at Hersheypark Halloween, we’ve got the scoop on what’s new as well as insider tips for getting the most from this action-packed, electrifying family experience.

But hurry up! There are only two weekends left before Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights disappear!

Dark Nights Tickets

New this year, your admission ticket to Hersheypark Halloween ALSO includes admission to all the Dark Nights haunted houses and scare zone attractions. This is a significant cost savings! Previously, you needed to pay for an “add-on” or wait at an automated kiosk to get a wristband. Beware, though: Since every visiting guest has access to the haunted houses, the lines are longer this year.

Scare zones

Fallout Zone, Midway of Misery, and Darkstone’s Hollow have increased in scale. Jaw-dropping immersive features and loads of scare actors have been added. We loved the floating “fobbles” (fog inside bubbles), mesmerizing pyrotechnics, and watching the Decayed Brigade team of actors “sliding” across the pavement scaring the wits out of unsuspecting guests. Wandering the scare zones at dusk and after dark is a worthy attraction on its own accord.

Pro Tip: Last year, our 7-year-old daughter was worried about being frightened. We invested in a cute, but pricey “no boo” bat necklace. It lights up, is fun to wear, and alerts the scare actors NOT to scare you. It is available again this year for the faint of heart.

Haunted Houses

Hersheypark Dark Nights has five haunted houses filled with loads of “scare” actors at every turn, shadowy figures, animatronics, and mesmerizing special effects. The newest addition, Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir, is bone-chilling, ghastly and gory. However, our favorite remains The Descent, which had some creative newly added features over last year’s version.

The variety of haunted houses, recommended for ages 13 and over, are:

• Creatures Uncaged — This mainly outdoor experience introduces you to fearful and deadly creatures that lurk. Don’t worry, they’re in their cages. For now.
• Haunted Coal Mine — Enjoy this immersive preshow where you’re thrust onto an elevator down into the coal mines. Then, take a daring trek through the abandoned mines for what becomes an explosive encounter.
• *NEW* Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir — Enter this meat processing plant at your own risk. Prepare to cringe in this gruesome labyrinth as you desperately try to escape.
• The Descent — Who prowls the dark underground tunnels beneath Hersheypark? Follow into the depths of decay where the only way out … is down!
• Twisted Carnevil — Have your tarot cards read by a twisted fortune teller! Then, be forced into a never-ending carnival of nightmares. Was it real or was it all in your mind? This haunted house featured some amazing mirror maze haunts!

The Hersheypark Halloween Dark Nights experience starts at 6 p.m. With sunset around that time, you want to save the outdoor experiences like Creatures Uncaged until it’s pitch black so you enjoy them in all of their eerie splendor.

Note: In addition to the scare actors, inside the haunted houses you’ll find a significant amount of security guards. They made us feel safe and kept the crowd flowing smoothly through the dark mazes. If someone in your party becomes too scared, security will quickly escort them out of one of the numerous exits.

Trick-or-Treating

The Boardwalk water park area is transformed into “Treatville,” a good old-fashioned trick-or-treating trail. You’ll find 10 pit stops to load up on your favorite Hershey candy, take lots of photos in festive settings, and enjoy quality time with your family. The lines at “Treatville” got significantly longer around sundown so plan to enjoy this activity earlier in the day. Note: Treatville closes at 8 p.m.

Foodie Experiences

New this year, is the RIP Dinner Buffet & MEAT the Monsters — a dreadfully delicious all-you-care-to-eat buffet featuring eerie entrées like Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Test Tubes, yummy desserts, and a large dose of dinner theater as several unsavory characters (from the Scare Zones and haunted houses) visit and engage at your table. Our family tried this one evening and absolutely loved the experience.

Plus, as a special RIP dinner guest, you’ll receive a single-use fast-track pass that lets you skip the line for a haunted house or participating ride. This was an excellent perk to jump to the front of the line on the newest haunted house.

Next time, we’d like to try the “Dark Nights Tasting Pass” which enables you to sample up to five specialty menu items throughout the park.

Rides: Are they still open?

The majority of Hersheypark’s most popular rides and rollercoasters are still open during their Halloween and Dark Nights. You can count on riding Skyrush, Reese’s Cupfusion, Laff Trakk, Comet, and Carrousel.

Hersheypark’s “Dark Ride” is out of this world and something every rollercoaster enthusiast should experience. During the last hour of every evening, prepare for an intense, lights-off thrill ride on Wildcat’s Revenge, Comet, Lightning Racer, and Candymonium. Plus, Laff Trakk has its lights off for the entire day.

If you think the award-winning Wildcat’s Revenge was spectacular and thrilling before …wait until you try it as a dark ride!

What’s the best day to visit Dark Nights?

Smaller crowds on Fridays (and even Sundays) meant enjoying more time on our favorite rides and attractions and less congestion in the scare zones and haunted houses. Based on our many past visits, Saturdays are always jam-packed with park guests and that was 100% true for this year’s Halloween visit as well. This means extremely long food lines and lengthy wait times on rides. Make sure to download the Hersheypark app for real-time “wait times” to help plan your itinerary.

Pro Tip: Plan to stay for the last hour or two before the park closes when lines get significantly shorter because most families with younger children have already left to start their bedtime routines.

Hersheypark’s Halloween has become a new family tradition and can’t wait to return in 2024 to see what new attractions, updates, and surprises they have in store for us. Even if you can’t make it to Dark Nights this year, definitely put it on your family’s list of autumn destinations for next year!

Hersheypark Halloween Dark Nights schedule

Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights runs weekends through Oct. 29. Unfortunately, it’s closed on Halloween – Tuesday, Oct. 31. Dark Nights begins weekend nights at 6 PM. Closing time varies by the day.

What happens when it rains?

Wait times are usually shortest when it’s raining. The crowds bolt indoors to shop and eat or leave to head home. That means more rides for families that stick it out! We always come prepared with rain ponchos and relish having the park nearly to ourselves during rain showers.

Don’t like getting wet? You can still ride while escaping the rain on several indoor/covered rides: Reese’s Cupfusion, Laff Trakk, Kissing Tower, the carousel and bumper cars, for example. Or head over to Hershey’s Chocolate World for their free and entertaining chocolate factory tour ride.

Pro Tip: If the weather gets severe and causes the majority of major rides and attractions to close for a continuous 60 minutes, a voucher may be issued for a return visit for the current operating season

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand. All photos by the Somerfeld family.

Summertime is the perfect time to take the kids to an amusement park. Hersheypark in Pennsylvania makes for an ideal destination and, as seasoned veterans of The Sweetest Place on Earth, we have the ultimate cheat sheet on having a successful, entertaining and sweet vacation! If your family is going to read one article to get you prepared for a Hersheypark Happy visit, this should be your primary source.

In addition to helping your family enjoy all the fun, thrills and food with minimal hassles, we can help you possibly get through the gates for FREE. Scroll to the bottom for a chance to win an epic family four-pack of tickets to visit this summer or later in the year.

Secret #1: “Sweet Start” — VIP status means more rides

A fantastic bonus offered exclusively to guests at the official resorts of Hersheypark and some levels of season-pass holders is the “Sweet Start” option.

Sweet Start allows you to feel like a VIP. At no extra charge, you may enter Hersheypark one hour before the general public and access numerous popular rides in the front half of the park. These include Candymonium, Comet, Skyrush, Sooperdooperlooper and Reese’s Cupfusion. This amazing perk enabled our family to go several times on rollercoasters that usually have long lines and wait times. In fact, we can usually knock off seven or eight rides during Sweet Start.

Additionally, if you come the day before your ticketed visit to the amusement park, the “Preview Plan” allows you to enter Hersheypark three hours BEFORE closing that night. That’s three hours of bonus fun time to enjoy the rides and attractions.

Secret #2: Stay overnight at an official park resort

Hersheypark is our family’s happy place. Rather than cram in over 70 attractions — including 15 top-notch rollercoasters — in one day, we recommend staying two days to experience it all. We stayed overnight at The Hotel Hershey — located directly across from the amusement and water parks.

The Hotel Hershey, one of three official lodging sites, was as magical of an experience as the park. The accommodations were amazing and provided panoramic views of the rides and attractions.

Why is The Hotel Hershey so special?

For us, it was:

• The breathtaking, outdoor pool complex. (There’s an indoor pool on the property, too.) Here, you can sip frozen cocktails under a shady umbrella while watching your kids race through water slides in the pool.
• Roasting s’mores at a family-friendly fire pit EVERY evening was amazing as well.
• My children love the loads of engaging activities throughout the day like making ice-cream sundaes, playing “glow golf” after dark and bingo where the prizes are full-size Hershey candy bars!

When you stay at an official Hersheypark Resort, you receive VIP perks like Sweet Start (secret #1), Preview Plan and free shuttle service to an exclusive drop-off location – just steps away from the front gate of Hersheypark.

Secret #3: Candymonium — timing is everything

One of Hersheypark’s most popular rides is Candymonium. Located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown, right near the front gates, Candymonium the park’s tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest rollercoaster. It’s our second favorite thrill ride at Hersheypark. However, Candymonium often has average wait times of an hour or more.

Candymonium is included in Sweet Start, so make it your FIRST stop when the gates open. We’ve also found wait times for Candymonium usually dip to under 20 minutes in the late afternoon/evening before dark. Why? This is when most guests are deep inside the park. That could be another window of opportunity to ride this not-to-be-missed coaster.

Secret #4: “Rope Drop” — Hustle to your top attraction

Sweet Start is only for the rides in the front half of the park. It doesn’t include ZooAmerica or The Boardwalk waterpark. However, you’ve already been through security, had tickets scanned, and can be perfectly positioned inside the park near the Chevrolet Music Box theater where security guards have another set of gates and ropes set up as a barrier until Hersheypark officially opens. If you position yourselves at the “rope drop” area, it sets your family up to be among the first ones on any of the rides or waterpark attractions in the back half once Hersheypark fully opens. That’s invaluable on busy summer days.

We recommend you have a plan in advance. The entire family should select one popular attraction that can you hustle to (be safe because some guests literally race) when it’s rope drop time. We’ve tried this strategy on all of our visits and usually walk right onto popular attractions like LaffTrakk, Breaker’sEdge Water Coaster or Jolly Rancher’s Remix.

Secret #5: New entertainment – “The Sweet Escapes”

Want another way to brighten your day at Hersheypark? One new, extremely entertaining attraction this summer is the delightful “Sweet Escapes” a cappella group. This colorful and talented bunch is stationed by The Boardwalk waterpark and sings its hearts out four times a day. We timed our lunch each day so we could dine outdoors in the shade and sing along to their catchy tunes.

Secret #6: New rollercoaster — Wildcat’s Revenge

Buckle up! Hershpark’s newest attraction is Wildcat’s Revenge which opened in early June. You definitely need to ride this Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) hybrid coaster. It’s an amazing addition to the iconic rollercoasters at the park. Wildcat’s Revenge is sleek, smooth and so epic that we rode it six times on opening day! Get ready for 2 1/2 minutes of ride time during which you’ll be thrust at 62 mph and rolled for four inversions including the world’s largest underflip!

More importantly, we love how Hersheypark designed this intense coaster with families in mind. Even our 8-year-old daughter was tall enough to enjoy the thrill.

Secret #7: Download the Hersheypark app

Most people enter Hersheypark and start with the rides nearest to the entrance. Then, they either work their way back or follow a rigid agenda that tries to squeeze everything into one day. Forget those approaches.

Thriving in Hersheypark starts with the free and fairly reliable Hersheypark mobile app. It enabled our family to strategize and maximize our fun time.

First, keep a loose agenda. Start by creating it based on park geography using the app’s online park map. Then drill into its useful tools, such as ride descriptions and minimum heights, then apply the app’s “ride wait time” feature — it’s a game changer.

We always kept a close eye on the app for wait times under 25 minutes for our favorite attractions like Sooperdooperlooper, Breakers Edge Water Coaster and Candymonium.

Secret #8: Food and treats exceed expectations

Most people don’t get excited about eating at a theme park. Hersheypark, though, elevates the culinary experience. There are quality, name-brand options across the park. These include many of our favorites, such as Nathan’s Famous, Subway, Chick Fil-A and Moe’s Southwest Grill. East Coast Mini Donuts are also outstanding.

Additionally, we always carve out time for a family meal at The Chocolatier. It’s our favorite restaurant on the property. This not-to-be-missed destination features a diverse menu including crowd-pleasers like nachos, club sandwiches, chicken and waffles, and sweet potato fries. Our best memories, however, are of their drool-worthy dessert menu.

We also love the house-made, custom-created ice creams at Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor located just down the stairs from The Chocolatier. Try the toasted marshmallow! Another tasty option is to grab a batch of homemade cookies or fudge at neighboring The Sweeterie!

Secret #9: Water, water, everywhere

Staying hydrated at Hersheypark is important. You’re allowed to bring in your own sealed water bottles or empty bottles that can be refilled at numerous bottle-filling Coca-Cola Freestyle locations throughout the park. The water at the filling stations is ice cold!

Secret #10: Take the path less traveled

The best way to beat the crowds over to The Hollow Area, especially Skyrush and SooperDooperLooper, is to take “Skyrush Way” which is a little-known secret. This shady path navigates around the winding turns of the Skyrush Rollercoaster and literally drops you off at the entry gate to the ride. During “Sweet Start,” this should be your go-to path. It lets you avoid the massive crowds headed through Founder’s Way.

Secret #11: Hit The Boardwalk waterpark when it opens

Remember, your Hersheypark admission ticket INCLUDES The Boardwalk waterpark as well as ZooAmerica. The lines for waterpark attractions are much more manageable when The Boardwalk first opens for the day. This season, The Boardwalk opens at the same time as the rest of Hersheypark. Lines are also much lighter on weekday visits, so skip weekends if you can.

There’s something for everyone at The Boardwalk, but we recommend making a dash for Breakers Edge Water Coaster. It’s an incredible ride, arguably the best at The Boardwalk. Naturally, it normally has the longest wait time. We usually hit it twice in a row before the crowds descend on it. The nearby Whitecap Racer is a spectacular, timed mat-racing slide, and the entire family can get whisked through looping tunnels to determine who is the champion.

What are you waiting for? Make Hersheypark your next family getaway.

Ticket giveaway for visiting Hersheypark

Want to win a family four-pack of tickets to Hersheypark? Enter below for a chance to win four general admission tickets this summer or later in the year for the park’s Halloween event, Dark Nights, or Christmas Candylane? Winning tickets will be sent via email.

Important details:

• We’re giving away one family four-pack of one-day ticket general admission to Hersheypark. (Each winner will receive four one-day passes.)
• The contest runs from June 23 through July 7, 2023.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older and residents of the United States.
• One winner will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter after the entry period ends July 7, 2023.
• The winner must follow Rafflecopter instructions for getting entries
• The winner must supply an email address to receive four electronic tickets to Hersheypark 2023. Tickets are for one daily admission to Hersheypark. The tickets expire on Jan. 1, 2024.
• Hersheypark charges a separate fee for parking, which is NOT included with these tickets. The winner will need to pay for parking if needed.
• City Dads Group is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
• The winner must respond to the prize notification within 48 hours otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand. All photos were provided by his family.

Most people think of Hersheypark — with it’s combined theme park, zoo and water park — as the ultimate summer destination. You might be surprised to know that Hersheypark is open daily for the rest of December (closed Christmas Day) and through January 1, 2023.

During the most wonderful time of the year, you’ll be amazed by the Hersheypark Christmas Candylane spectacular. The seasonal event is a feast for the eyes as it features more than five million twinkling lights. Most incredible is the NOEL light show with lights synchronized to holiday music.

It’s also a sense-tingling thrill time. Several family-friendly rides are open including six awesome roller coasters, including Candymonium and Laff Trakk. Additionally, your taste buds will be dancing. Hersheypark rolls out a host of holiday-themed sweet treats like s’mores carts, king-sized shakes and their signature hot chocolate (see photo).

Their Christmas Candylane event includes photo ops with Santa Claus, of course. But it also prides itself as being the only Northeast destination with an interactive, up-close experience with Santa’s Reindeer, including Rudolph!

The Boardwalk water park becomes a festive holiday adventure trail called TREEville. The trail includes a dozen pit-stops with uniquely decorated trees, each sharing stories about the Sweetest Place on Earth.

Don’t want to be chilly? You can also enjoy some Hershey magic from the comforts of your own car. Just outside Hersheypark is the Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through attraction, open nightly through New Year’s Day 2023. This experience (beware: you need a separate ticket) includes two miles of fields and trails with beautifully designed, animated displays and LED lights galore.

Beyond Christmas Candylane and Hershey Sweet Lights, there is still plenty of fun to be had to make it a Hersheypark happy holiday:

• Make a personalized Hershey chocolate bar or hop on the FREE tour ride on how chocolate is made at Hershey’s Chocolate World.
• Play and stay at one of the Hershey’s Entertainment Resorts.
• View some animals at ZooAmerica.

Coming in 2023: Wildcat’s Revenge roller coaster

Already looking forward to 2023 at Hersheypark? So are we!

The Wildcat roller coaster is back with an exhilarating twist! The all-new wood and steel hybrid coaster, Wildcat’s Revenge, will take riders on a thrilling new Hersheypark experience. Climb a 140-foot hill, hit max speeds of 62 mph, dive into an 82-degree drop, invert four times, and get whisked through the world’s largest underflip. This new coaster will be ready for Summer 2023 and is the most highly anticipated ride opening since Candymonium.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced from the brand. All photos provided by Hersheypark.

Hersheypark, the Sweetest Place on Earth, has reimagined its entire Halloween experience for families in 2022! The old “Hersheypark in the Dark” is now “Dark Nights”!

This year at the Pennsylvania theme park you’ll find four haunted houses and three “scare zones” in addition to loads of rides, trick-or-treating at “Treatville,” and awesome lights-out rollercoasters. We just returned from a Hersheypark Halloween weekend with an 11-tip family fun guide for getting the most from this action-packed, electrifying family experience.

But hurry up! There are only two weekends left before Halloween!

1. Trick-or-treat at Treatville early in the day

Head to the festive Boardwalk water park area to indulge in good old-fashioned trick-or-treating. You’ll find 10 pit stops to load up on candy, take lots of photos in creative fall settings, and enjoy quality time with your family. The lines at Treatville got significantly longer around sundown so plan to enjoy this activity earlier in the day.

Family fun guide pro tip: Unlike last year’s Hersheypark Halloween experience, parents get to trick-or-treat as well.

2. Get your Dark Nights wristband early in the day

At this year’s Hersheypark Halloween celebration, you will need a special Dark Nights wristband (additional fee required) for entry to the four haunted houses. We recommend obtaining yours earlier in the day when lines are shorter. Additionally, you can get your wristband at several of the HPGO Stations. However, the kiosks by the park entrance and the Reese’s Cupfusion ride had very long lines. We found kiosks with almost no lines further inside the park, like the one by the Trailblazer ride.

3. Do the two indoor haunted houses first

Hersheypark Dark Nights has four haunted houses filled with loads of “scare” actors at every turn and mesmerizing special effects. For the first year of this transformative Hersheypark Halloween experience, they did an outstanding job.

The haunted houses, recommended for ages 13 and over, are:

• Creature Chaos — This mainly outdoor experience introduces you to fearful and deadly creatures. Don’t worry, they’re in their cages. For now.
• Haunted Coal Mine — Enjoy this immersive preshow where you’re thrust onto an elevator down into the coal mines. Then, take a daring trek through the abandoned mines for what becomes an explosive encounter.
• The Descent — Engaging indoor preshow. Who prowls the dark underground tunnels beneath Hersheypark? Follow into the depths of decay where the only way out … is down!
• Twisted Darkness — Have your tarot cards read by a twisted fortune teller and be forced into a never-ending carnival of nightmares. Was it real or was it all in your mind? This haunted house featured some amazing mirror maze haunts!

The Hersheypark Halloween Dark Nights experience starts at 6 p.m. With sunset around that time, you want to save the outdoor experiences until it’s pitch black so you enjoy them in all of their spooky splendor. We recommend going to The Descent or Twisted Darkness first. They’re both completely indoors so it doesn’t lose its impact if it’s still light out.

The Haunted Coal Mine topped our list of favorites. We loved this immersive, frightening attraction so much we went through it four times.

Note: In addition to the scare actors, inside the haunted houses you’ll find a significant amount of security guards which we were very happy about. They made us feel safe and kept the crowd flowing smoothly through the dark mazes.

Family fun guide pro tip: The Descent and Haunted Coal Mine seemed to have the longest lines. Queue up for those first.

4. Enjoy many of the other Hersheypark rides

The majority of Hersheypark’s most popular rides and rollercoasters are still open during their Halloween Dark Nights. You can count on riding Skyrush, Reese’s Cupfusion, Laff Trakk, Comet, and Carrousel. Sadly, the waterpark is closed for the season.

5. Ride a rollercoaster with the lights off!

Hersheypark’s Dark Ride is something that every rollercoaster enthusiast should experience. During the last hour of every evening, prepare for an intense, lights-off thrill ride on Comet, Lightning Racer, and Candymonium. Plus, Laff Trakk has its lights off for the entire day.

6. The Hersheypark Halloween vibe is contagious

Numerous families come to celebrate Dark Night dressed up in Halloween costumes. Dense fog, strobe lights, and spooky music add to the festive charm as you navigate the theme park after sundown.

7. Are the new scare zones scary?

We found the scare zones more fascinating than scary. We spent time relishing in the fog and loved watching flames burst into the sky as guests walked through a creepy gateway in Midway of Misery. The memorable Midway of Misery zone was our favorite and we recommend every guest to head over there to see what it’s all about.

Family fun guide pro tip: My 7-year-old daughter was worried about being frightened. We invested in an adorable, but pricey “no boo” bat necklace. It lights up, is fun to wear, and alerts the scare actors NOT to scare you.

8. Remember to indulge in fall-inspired treats!

Festive king-sized shakes, sundaes, and cupcakes are added to your usual Hershey favorites. You definitely need to seek out the warm, pumpkin-spiced mini-doughnuts for something truly drool-worthy.

9. Go visit Hershey’s Chocolatetown

Yes, Hershey’s Chocolatetown is open during the Hersheypark Halloween Dark Nights extravaganza! Our favorite destination on the property, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio was exactly what our family needed before our thrilling evening. The weather was mild so we enjoyed dining outdoors on their grand patio with expansive views of Candymonium, Skyrush and more. We loaded up on dessert with local dairy, house-made ice cream at Milton’s, and Halloween cupcakes at the Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen. Plus, our visit is never complete without adding a new stuffed animal to our collection at The Supply Company.

10. Visit Dark Nights on Friday and/or Sunday during Hersheypark Halloween

Smaller crowds on Fridays (and even Sundays) mean enjoying more time on our favorite rides and attractions and less congestion in the haunted houses. Based on our many past visits, Saturdays are always literally packed with park guests. This means extremely long food lines and lengthy wait times on rides. Make sure to download the Hersheypark app for real-time, “wait times” to help plan your agenda.

Family fun guide pro tip: The “late” bird catches the worm. Plan to stay for the last hour or two before the park closes when lines get significantly shorter because most families with younger children have already left to start their bedtime routines.

11. Stay overnight at an official Hersheypark Resort

A three-hour drive from NYC is too much for us to do twice in one day. We planned our visit in advance and that included an overnight stay at an official Hersheypark Resort. This time it was Hershey Lodge, just a few short minutes from Hersheypark. We loved our experience! The stay included convenient shuttle bus service to/from the front gate of Hersheypark, candy-bar bingo, and frolicking in their indoor “Water Works” waterpark.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand. All photos by the Somerfeld family.

Take the kids to an amusement park on a summer weekend? Are you crazy? Not all at. A trip to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania makes for the perfect two- or three-day getaway and, as seasoned veterans of Hershey, Pa., we have insider tips on not just surviving while visiting Hersheypark but thriving there!

In addition to helping your family enjoy all the fun, thrills and food with minimal hassles, we can help you possibly get in the gates for FREE. Scroll to the bottom for a chance to win an epic family four-pack of tickets to visit this summer or later in the year.

Tip #1. There’s a Hersheypark app for that!

Most people enter Hersheypark and start with the rides nearest to the entrance. Then, they either slowly work their way back or follow a rigid agenda that tries to squeeze everything into one day. Forget those approaches.

Surviving Hersheypark starts with the free and reasonably reliable Hersheypark mobile app. It enabled our family to strategize and maximize our fun time.

First, keep a loose agenda. Start by creating it based on park geography using the app’s online park map. Then drill into its useful tools, such as ride descriptions and minimum heights, then apply the app’s ultimate weapon — a “ride wait time” feature.

We’re always obsessed with the app during our visits. We kept a close eye for wait times under 20 minutes for our favorite attractions like Sooperdooperlooper, Breakers Edge Water Coaster and Candymonium. When we see those magic numbers, we take off!

Tip #2: Don’t let rain wash out your good times

Most families cringe when rain starts falling during their visit to Hersheypark. Not us.

Wait times are usually shortest when inclement weather hits. The crowds bolt indoors to shop and eat or leave to head home. That means more rides for us! We always come prepared with rain ponchos and relish having the park nearly to ourselves during showers.

Don’t like getting wet? You can still ride while escaping the rain on several indoor/covered rides: Reese’s Cupfusion, Laff Trakk, Kissing Tower, the carousel and bumper cars, for example. Or head over to Hershey’s Chocolate World for their free and entertaining chocolate factory tour ride.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: If the weather gets severe and causes the majority of major rides and attractions to close for a continuous 60 minutes, a voucher may be issued for a return visit for the current operating season.

Tip #3: Don’t miss Hersheypark’s Jolly Rancher rides

Everyone always wants to be in on what’s new and trending. Here are two bright additions to Hersheypark’s playscape.

Jolly Rancher Remix is one of 15 Hersheypark rollercoasters. Formerly known as the Sidewinder, this reimagined boomerang coaster takes thrill seekers on a “flavor ride.” Riders and their senses zoom forward and backwards on the same track, inverting six times in 90 seconds while jamming to sweet, catchy tunes. Jolly Rancher Remix features five randomized flavor rides, like Watermelon or Green Apple. Each features completely different music, lights and SCENTS as you blast through the “flavor tunnel.” You’ll definitely want to ride it a few times like we did to compare each immersive experience. 

Mix’d Flavored By Jolly Rancher is steps away from Jolly Rancher Remix. Riders of this family attraction sit in one of the massive four arms and spin 360 degrees. The ride really shifts into gear when it mixes, lifts and drops, providing spectacular park views as you dodge the other riders. My 7-year-old couldn’t get enough of this ride!

While there, don’t miss the Frozen Spoon food truck next to Mix’d. It offers Jolly Rancher Grape, Green Apple, Cherry, and Blue Raspberry sorbets to help keep your family cool and refreshed.

Tip #4: New heights in amusement park food and treats 

We don’t usually get excited about eating at a theme park. Hersheypark, though, elevates the whole experience. There are quality, name-brand options across the park. These include many of our favorites, such as Nathan’s Famous, Subway, Chick Fil-A and Moe’s Southwest Grill. The East Coast Mini Donuts are also unbelievable!

Additionally, we always carve time out for a family meal at The Chocolatier. This culinary destination features a restaurant, bar and an expansive second-floor, outdoor patio with spectacular views.

The largest restaurant in all Hershey, Pa., The Chocolatier features a diverse menu. We enjoyed nachos, chicken and waffles, flatbreads and a host of other unique dining options. Our best memories, however, are of their dreamy dessert menu. It includes Chocolate Fun-Due (like a chocolate fountain), The Chocolatier Cake and milkshakes.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: Make reservations at The Chocolatier in advance using the Open Table app or the restaurant website. Book as soon as you know the dates you’re visiting the park this summer because wait times can be long!

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip #2: Staying hydrated is important. You’re allowed to bring in your own sealed water bottles or empty bottles that can be refilled at various locations throughout the park.

Tip #5: “Sweet Start” — More rides, less waiting

An incredible bonus offered exclusively to guests at the official resorts of Hersheypark and some levels of season-pass holders is the “Sweet Start” option.

Sweet Start allows you to feel like a VIP. You can enter Hersheypark one hour before the general public and access several popular areas in the front half of the park including Candymonium, Skyrush, Comet and Sooperdooperlooper. This amazing perk enabled our family to go several times on rollercoasters that usually have long lines and wait times.

While Sweet Start is only for the rides in the front half of the park, it sets you up to be among the first ones on any of the rides in the back half once Hersheypark fully opens. That’s invaluable on busy summer days.

Lastly, if you come the day before your ticketed visit to the amusement park, “Preview Plan” allows you to enter Hersheypark three hours BEFORE closing that night. That’s three hours of bonus fun time to enjoy the rides and attractions.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: One of Hersheypark’s newer and most popular rides is Candymonium. Located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown, Candymonium is the park’s tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest rollercoaster. It has become our favorite thrill ride in all the land. With average wait times of an hour or more, Candymonium is easily one of the most popular rides in the entire park. Candymonium is included in Sweet Start, so make it your FIRST stop when the gates open. We’ve also found wait times for Candymonium dip in the late afternoon so that could be another window of opportunity to ride this impressive coaster.

Tip #6: Hit The Boardwalk waterpark when it opens

The lines for waterpark attractions are much more manageable when The Boardwalk first opens for the day. They are also much lighter on weekday visits, so skip weekends if you have the choice.

There’s something for everyone at The Boardwalk, but we recommend making a beeline for Breakers Edge Water Coaster. It’s an incredible ride and usually has the longest wait time. We usually hit it three times in a row before the crowds descend on this ultra-popular attraction.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: Shade is a rarity in The Boardwalk. Make sure to set up a home base under one of the canopied or umbrella areas when you first arrive. Those spots go quickly!

Tip #7: Don’t do everything in one day – stay overnight at an official park resort

Rather than drive three hours back to New York City after an action-packed day of thrills in Hersheypark, we stayed overnight at The Hotel Hershey — located directly across from the amusement and water parks. The Hotel Hershey, one of three official lodging sites, was as memorable of an experience as the park! The accommodations were luxurious and provided panoramic views of the rides and attractions.

Why is The Hotel Hershey so special?

• You receive Hershey Bars and have photo opportunities with some of the park mascots at check-in.
• Breathtaking, outdoor pool complex (there’s an indoor pool on the property, too) to cool off. Or sip frozen cocktails under a shady umbrella while watching your kids zip and zag through water slides in the pool.
• Roasting s’mores at a family-friendly fire pit EVERY evening.
• Loads of engaging activities throughout the day like making ice-cream sundaes, playing “glow golf” after dark and bingo where the prizes are full-size Hershey bars!

When you stay at an official Hersheypark Resort, you receive VIP perks like Sweet Start, Preview Plan, and free shuttle service to an exclusive drop-off location – just steps away from the front gate of Hersheypark.

Ticket giveaway for visiting Hersheypark

Want to win a family four-pack of tickets so you can visit Hersheypark? Enter below for a chance to win four general admission tickets this summer or later in the year for the park’s Halloween event, Dark Nights, or Christmas Candylane? Winning tickets will be sent via email.

Important details:

• We’re giving away one family four-pack of 1-day ticket general admission to Hersheypark. (Each winner will receive four 1-day passes.)
• Contest runs July 26 through Aug 9, 2022.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older and residents of the United States.
• ONE winner will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter after the entry period ends Aug. 9, 2022.
• Winner must follow Rafflecopter instructions for getting entries
• Winner must supply email address to receive four electronic tickets to Hersheypark 2022. Tickets are for one daily admission to Hersheypark. The tickets expire Jan. 1, 2023.
• Hersheypark charges a separate fee for parking, which is NOT included with these tickets. The winner will need to pay for parking if needed.
• City Dads Group is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
• Winner must respond to prize notification within 48 hours otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced from the brand. All photos provided by Hersheypark.

If your family is like mine, we are raring for adventure, a sense of normality and mouth-watering treats this summer. So, in 2022, we’re heading back to the “Sweetest Place on Earth” — Hersheypark.

Hersheypark continues to be our family’s favorite destination in the Northeast. Why? Because it keeps raising the bar each year by adding new thrills, experiences and sweet things to tastes.

Hersheypark started its summer schedule Memorial Day weekend. This means all three of its parks — the traditional amusement park, The Boardwalk water park, and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park — are open daily, and one ticket gets you admission to all three! This three-for-one runs through early September.

Here’s the latest and greatest things that have us salivating for another trip to Hersheypark in summer 2022:

New rides, flavors at Hersheypark in 2022

Your senses should be on high alert for two bright new additions to Hersheypark’s playscape. You can’t miss these rides with their special color scheme of bright green, pink, purple, blue and red, representing the Jolly Rancher candy flavors.

Jolly Rancher Remix is one of 15 Hersheypark rollercoasters. Formerly known as the Sidewinder, this reimagined boomerang coaster takes thrill seekers on a “flavor ride.” Riders (who must be at least 48 inches tall) and theirs senses zoom forward and BACK (intense!) on the same track, inverting six times in 90 seconds while jamming to sweet tunes. Each ride, though, is different from the last. Jolly Rancher Remix features five randomized flavor rides, like Watermelon or Green Apple. Each features completely different music, lights and SCENTS as you blast through the “flavor tunnel.” It’s an only-in-Hershey immersive experience. 

Mix’d Flavored By Jolly Rancher is located steps away from Jolly Rancher Remix in the heart of Hersheypark. Riders (minimum height of 42 inches) of this family attraction sit in one of the massive four arms and spin 360-degrees. The ride really shifts into gear when it mixes lifts, drops and spectacular views as its dodges the other riders.

Those are not the only Jolly Rancher inspired additions to Hersheypark for 2022:

• At The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio guests can now enjoy a Jolly Rancher Watermelon Cocktail or a Jolly Rancher Sorbet Sundae. (While there, also take a sip of the Twizzlers Frozen Daiquiri!)
• Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor features a sundae with Jolly Rancher Watermelon and Jolly Rancher Blue Raspberry Sorbets.
• Debuting in June, The Frozen Spoon food truck will offer Jolly Rancher Grape, Green Apple, Cherry, and Blue Raspberry Sorbets.

Nearly new, still completely awesome

If you haven’t visited Hersheypark in a few years, brace yourself. One of the park’s most ambitious, most awesome and newest sections is Hershey’s Chocolatetown, opened in 2020. Conquering Candymonium — the park’s tallest, fastest and longest — rollercoaster should be your top priority. It’s our favorite ride.

Of course, Hersheypark is not just thrill rides. It’s tasty treats!

The previously mentioned Chocolatier, opened in summer 2021, is the culinary destination for our family. It features a restaurant, bar and an expansive second-floor, outdoor patio with mesmerizing views of Hersheypark and Candymonium.

The largest restaurant in all Hershey, Pa., The Chocolatier features a diverse menu. This includes nachos, chicken and waffles, Reese’s Peanut Butter Hummus, flatbreads, and a host of other unique dining options. We love their food, but our best memories are of their dreamy dessert menu. It includes Chocolate Fun-Due (like a chocolate fountain), The Chocolatier Cake and milkshakes.

Additionally, if you’re famished and seeking food or dessert more swiftly, the “newish” Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor is also located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown. Opened in spring 2021, it is sure to hit the spot.

Pro Tip: You can now make reservations at The Chocolatier in advance using Open Table. Waits in the past were long. Book as soon as you know the dates you’re visiting the park this summer!

More Hersheypark 2022 updates, giveaway coming

Stay tuned on the NYC Dads Group social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) when our family heads to Hershey, Pa., this week!

We’ll have loads of time to cruise on our favorite coasters — again and again, plunge down the waterslides at The Boardwalk water park, hug adorable Hershey characters, and spoil ourselves rotten in all of the new Jolly Rancher delights. Plus, we’ll be sharing our top tips for visiting Hersheypark this summer as well as hosting a ticket giveaway later this month.

Hersheypark, here we come!

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced from the brand. All photos provided by Hersheypark.

Hersheypark has always been our happy place during the summer months: rollercoasters, chocolate treats, frolicking around the Boardwalk, the water park. So what’s so special and different about visiting during the fall for Hersheypark in the Dark?

We just returned from our first ever visit to The Sweetest Place on Earth during its annual Hersheypark In The Dark. There’s only one magical weekend left (Halloween, Oct. 29-31, 2021), and I wanted to reveal a few reasons why you need to relish in their high octane, autumn extravaganza. Doing so will prime you to want to ENTER TO WIN FOUR FREE TICKETS to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane!

1. Ride ’em … The majority of your favorite rides and rollercoasters are open. These include Laff Trakk, Reese’s Cupfusion, Skyrush, sooperdooperLooper and the Monorail. The water park, however, is closed.

2. In the dark! Experience an adrenaline rush with intense lights-out rides on Candymonium, Comet, Laff Trakk, Lightning Racer and Wildcat. After a year where Hersheypark closed early, it was a thrill to ride after dark.

3. Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail: We loved navigating the festive Boardwalk “Treatville” area snagging sweet candy at every turn. There are 10 pit-stops in the park for children under 12 years of age as well as three additional stops in Hershey’s Chocolate World distributing classics like Hershey Bars, Kit Kats, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Bags provided, too.

4. Feeling Halloween-y: Celebrate Halloween at Hersheypark! In addition to trick-or-treating, loads of families dress up in costume. Dense fog and strobe lights abound along with glowing pumpkins and spooky music. It all adds to the festive autumn decor, especially after sundown.

5. Fall-inspired treat overload: Pumpkin-spiced donuts, king-size shakes, sundaes and funnel cakes are added to all of your usual Hershey favorites. You must try the warm, pumpkin-spiced, mini donuts. To die for!

6. Hershey’s newest region, Chocolatetown, is open: Our favorite place on the property, The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio, was exactly what our family needed to recharge before being thrust back into the high energy of Hersheypark In The Dark. Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor was our go-to destination for snacks (the grilled cheese and tater tots are heavenly) and ice cream sundaes. The Supply Company store is where our daughter fell in love with our newest “stuffy” (see photo). This shop was a much more quiet and pleasurable experience than the overcrowded Hershey’s Chocolate Town.

7. Visit on Friday and/or Sunday at Hersheypark in the Dark to enjoy less congestion: Smaller crowds means enjoying more time on your favorite rides and attractions. Beware: Based on our experience and crowdsourcing other families, Saturday is packed with park guests and had the longest wait-times on most of the rides. Either way, download the Hersheypark app for real-time, “wait times” to help you plan your agenda.

8. Stay overnight at an official Hersheypark Resort. Instead of driving three hours back to New York City after an exciting day of thrills in Hersheypark, we stayed overnight at Hershey Lodge — located just a few minutes from the amusement park. Hershey Lodge, one of three official lodging sites, was a wonderful experience! The comfortable accommodations combined with free resort access benefits, including convenient shuttle bus service to/from Hersheypark, early entry to the park the night before with the “preview plan,” access to the indoor Hershey’s Water Works water park, chocolate bars at check-in, character meet and greets, and even chocolate bingo.

Overall, the most compelling reason to attend Hersheypark in the Dark is because it’s an electrifying, entertaining, and memorable family experience. We’re still reflecting about whirling around Laff Trakk in complete darkness and seeing Hersheypark aglow as we careened on Candymonium.

Ticket Giveaway: Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

After Hersheypark in the Dark wraps this weekend, the park is decked out with more than 5 million lights for their most merry event of the year, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

Starting Nov. 12 and running through Jan. 2, families can enjoy their favorite rides and coasters, a visit with Santa, festive Hershey Character experiences and more. Want to win tickets to attend with your family?

• *Update* -This Contest has been closed. Congratulations to the two lucky winners: 1. Maria M., 2. Judith M. Please check your inboxes
• We’re giving away two sets of family four-packs of 1-day ticket admission to Hersheypark. (Each winner will receive four 1-day passes.)
• Contest runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 10, 2021.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older and residents of the United States.
• TWO winners will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter after the entry period ends Nov. 10, 2021.
• Winner must follow Rafflecopter instructions for getting entries
• Winner must supply email address to receive four electronic tickets to Hershey’s Christmas Candylane for 2021. Tickets are for one daily admission to Hersheypark during Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. The tickets expire Jan. 2, 2022.
• Hersheypark charges a separate fee for parking, which is NOT included with these tickets. The winner will need to pay for parking if needed.
• City Dads Group is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for his family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts, opinions and Hersheypark tips are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand.

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Visiting Hersheypark invigorates a parent by immersing you in its thrills, sweet treats and quality family bonding. We recently took our fifth family adventure to “The Sweetest Place on Earth” where we stayed at one of the official Hershey Entertainment & Resorts accommodations so we want to share some insider Hersheypark tips for having an awesome, successful and #HershyparkHappy family vacation.

Insider tip #1: Skip weekends (at least avoid Saturdays)

Every family has a different measurement of summer fun. The gauge for our overall experience is how many different rides we go on, how many times we’re able to go on rides, and the size of the crowds. In evaluating those factors, we learned we can usually DOUBLE the amount of rides we go on during a day at Hersheypark when visiting on a weekday. The lines for food, locker rooms and waterpark attractions are also much more manageable, putting more smiles on everyone’s faces. (Since not every family can ditch work or skip school to visit on a weekday, we’ll provide some additional insider tips to gaining an upper hand on the crowds.)

Insider tip #2: Stay overnight at an official Hersheypark resort

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our family has never been in such a desperate need of a vacation getaway. Still, we weren’t ready to fly. A road trip was the perfect solution. But rather than drive three hours back to New York City after a whirlwind day of adventure in Hersheypark, we made plans to stay overnight at The Hotel Hershey — located a stone’s throw from the amusement and water parks. The Hotel Hershey, one of three official lodging sites, was as much a highlight of our experience as Hersheypark! The accommodations were inviting, luxurious and provided panoramic views of the rides and attractions.

It’s easy to relax and and get lost in vacation here. Why? Let’s see:

• You receive Hershey Bars and get to hug various park mascot characters at check-in.
• There’s a dazzling, oversized, outdoor pool complex (there’s an indoor pool on property, too) to frolic in. Or just sip frozen cocktails under a shady umbrella while watching your kids race through water slides in the pool.
• Roasting s’mores at a family-friendly fire pit in the evening.
• Enjoying an awesome breakfast buffet at The Circular Restaurant to fuel up for the day,
• Watch your little ones enjoy a host of engaging activities throughout the day like making ice-cream sundaes, playing “glow golf” and bingo where the prizes are full-size Hershey bars and Kit Kats!

We enjoyed our stay at The Hotel Hershey and Hersheypark so much we decided to extend for an extra night. There was pure joy on our kid’s faces (and ours) when we told them we were staying … and never wanted to leave.

Insider tip #3: “Sweet Start” — More rides, minimal waits

COVID-19 and staffing shortages forced Hersheypark to reduce operating hours by three or four hours per day. This makes maximizing your time at the theme park of paramount importance. Consequently, an incredible bonus offered exclusively to guests at the official resorts of Hersheypark and some levels of season pass holders is the “Sweet Start” option.

Sweet Start allows you to enter Hersheypark one hour before the general public and access approximately 50% of the park. This is a huge win. It enabled our family to go on roller coaster that usually have lengthy lines and wait times several times. Additionally, if you come the day before your ticketed visit to the amusement park, Sweet Start allows you to enter Hersheypark three hours BEFORE closing that night. That’s three hours of bonus fun time to get a jump-start on enjoying the rides and attractions.

Bonus insider Hersheypark tips: The newest ride at Hersheypark this summer is Candymonium. Located in the park’s newest section, Hershey’s Chocolatetown, Candymonium is the park’s tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest rollercoaster. The new steel coaster, which soars at up to 76 mph, is smooth, swift and exhilarating. It has has easily become our new favorite thrill ride. With average wait times between 30 to 90 minutes, Candymonium is one of the most popular rides in the entire park. Candymonium is near the main park entrance, and included in Sweet Start, so make it your FIRST stop when gates open. You’ll basically walk right onto the ride!

Insider tip #4. There’s a Hersheypark app for that!

Don’t overwhelm your family with a rigid agenda that tries to squeeze in everything in one day. The free and fairly reliable Hersheypark mobile app will help with that. It enabled our kids to plan a loose schedule based on park geography, making navigating the park — and our lives — easier.

The free app includes a host of useful tools: talk about insider Hersheypark tips! These include:

• an online park map
• a complete list and description of rides
• ride height restrictions, and the secret weapon — Ride Wait Times.

We became obsessed with using the app during our visit. We kept a watchful eye for wait times that fell under 15 minutes for our favorite attractions like Comet, Breakers Edge Water Coaster and Laff Trakk.

Bonus insider Hersheypark tips: Wait times are usually shortest during morning hours and days with inclement weather. Most families would cringe at a chance of showers in the forecast. Not us. We celebrated when there was a 20-minute downpour. It sent the crowds running indoors or home, resulting in much shorter wait times and more rides for us.

Insider tip #5: Hershey’s Chocolatetown is drool-worthy

The new Hershey’s Chocolatetown was one of the most ambitious and transformative park expansion’s in Hersheypark history. For us, its crown jewels are the Candymonium coaster and The Chocolatier Restaurant.

Make sure you dine at The Chocolatier Restaurant, just opened for summer 2021. The food was excellent, service friendly and relaxed, and the panoramic views of Chocolatetown from the expansive outdoor patio are mesmerizing. Make sure to save room for their creative and delicious desserts!

BEWARE: The restaurant does NOT take reservations. We called ahead and table wait times averaged between 90 minutes and two hours. Not a good recipe with tired, cranky or hangry children.

Bonus insider Hersheypark tips: Have one family member walk into The Chocolatier Restaurant about two hours before you would normally eat. Put your name on the wait list and provide your cell phone number. Then, go back to enjoy more of Hersheypark’s attractions or venture into nearby Hershey’s Chocolate World (their Factory Tour ride is awesome and free). You’ll receive a text when your table is ready. We tried to get in twice and this proved to be the winning solution.

We also highly recommend eating at the recently opened Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor, also located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown. The craft house-made ice cream flavors designed by expert “Ice Creamologists” had us drooling! The Toasted Marshmallow was out of this world and the grilled cheese with tater tots were a delight. 

Hersheypark is where lasting memories are made! We’re still reeling from our incredible vacation there and can’t wait to visit again this fall for “Hersheypark in the Dark.” Hersheypark has us addicted for life!

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for his family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts, opinions and insider Hersheypark tips are genuine and have not been influenced by the brand.