I’ve partnered with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts as a #SweetestMoms for 2017 to bring you the latest news from the Sweetest Place on Earth. All opinions and experiences are my own.
A couple of weeks ago, we visited Hersheypark for the first time this season. We live only a town away, so season passes for our family is a must. Hersheypark offers a variety of thrill rides for my older kids, and kiddie rides for my preschooler. My kids range between the ages of 3 to 18, so going to an amusement park that caters to all ages is a plus. Today I want to share tips to make the most out of your visit if you’re the parent of a preschool-aged child.
Hersheypark Fun with a Preschooler
Be prepared
We rarely use a stroller for my 3-year-old, but her little legs can only handle so much walking in one day. Pack a stroller for your preschooler or rent one at the park to make life easier on everyone. My preschooler is not a big fan of strollers, but when she’s tired she appreciates the break. I also suggest bringing a refillable water bottle (you can ask for free ice water at any of the food stands), sanitizing wipes, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Start a tradition
Every time we visit Hersheypark, my daughter looks forward to riding the carousel with either myself or my husband. It’s always the first ride we get on when we arrive at the park, and the last one we ride before leaving. We also like to wrap up our visit with a bag of kettle corn. Each one of my kids has their favorite rides or food that they look forward to. Start a fun tradition that the kids can make their own and enjoy during each visit. Whether it’s taking a photo at the same spot or sharing a ride experience with your kids, the memories you’ll make will be priceless.
Maximize your time with the Hersheypark App
Did you know that Hersheypark has a mobile app to make your visit more enjoyable? Yup, and it’s pretty darn amazing. As a mom, I need all the help I can get and the Hersheypark mobile app offers just that.
Here are some of my favorite features:
- Interactive GPS-enabled map of Hersheypark and ZooAmerica
- View ride wait times and create ride time alerts for your favorite rides
- View Hershey’s Characters meet up schedule and locations
- Filter rides by height, location, and accessibility
- View all the ways to save during your time at Hersheypark
- And much more!
It’s OK to say yes!
I’m picky about how I spend my money, and my frugal habits don’t change when we travel or visit an attraction. I like to plan ahead, use coupons and keep our costs as low as possible. This is one of the reasons why I set a budget everytime we visit Hersheypark. I allocate each kid an allowance that they can use to play games, buy treats or do as they please. My 3-year-old doesn’t quite understand the concept, but she knows that she can have her face painted with her Hersheypark “fun money”.
Don’t try to do it all
I know it’s tempting to try to fit everything in one visit, but I suggest that you give yourself grace in this area. It’s impossible to do everything in one day or even a weekend. We’ve been visiting Hersheypark for several years now and there are still things we haven’t tried. Instead, select three rides and/or attractions your children wish to experience. Everything after that will be a bonus for them. I find that the less we try to cram in one day, the less pressure I feel and the kids wind up enjoying themselves more. Remember, you can always visit again!
Giveaway Time!
One of you will win 4 tickets to Hersheypark! Passes are good for one day and valid for the 2017 season. Simply enter below and visit the linky at the end of this post for more chances to win from other Hershey Sweetest Moms Ambassadors. Good luck!
My many children would enjoy an awesome chance to explore Hersheypark.
I have nieces and nephews that need a fabulous Hersheypark vacation for a good time.
A wonderful time at Hersheypark would be great with my grandchildren.
My nieces and nephews want to take a marvelous trip to Hersheypark.
I have grandchildren that would definitely need an amazing Hersheypark adventire.
My grandchildren would love to have some cool fun at Hersheypark.
I love Hershey PArk! I love going there with people of all different heights and seeing what candy height level you are (or at least that’s how it was when I was there last – would love to go again!).
Never been but go early and pack a cooler full of drinks and snacks many parks will allow you to bring your own just call and ask ahead of time
I haven’t visited HersheyPark before, but I would like to!
I was in Hershey over 30 years ago and would love to go. Ack to show my daughter who has never been there before
We have never been but I would love to take my grandchildren sometime. This would be a nice road trip for us and it sounds like a ton of fun. Thanks!
Yes, I have been to Hershey Park. We had a wonderful time. Don’t forget to visit the Hershey Candy Tour.
We’ve visited Hershey Park many times over the years and love to take our out of town visitors there after a rough week of DC Museum hopping. The trolley tour is definitely worth the price to learn the history of the area and to have a great time. We also like to visit Hershey Park during the Christmas Holidays.
I have only been to Hershey once when I was in Middle school on a field trip. I always wanted to go back and now is the time.
My final tip is to stay hydrated and within budget.
We’ve been to Hershey Park a few times, but not in many years. My best tip was to go early for a good parking space, then visit Chocolate World before entering the park.
We went a few years ago. Pack lunches and eat outside the park ,in our car ..good luck everyone
I went when I was a kid. I would love to take my kids.
Tip- Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, you will be doing a lot of walking.
I have not been to Hersey Park yet, but I’ve been wanting to go for years! Thank you so much for the chance!
We are planning to go to Penn. to see Hershey Park and Randyland.
Get there early and stay late!
I have not been to Hersey Park in years. I would love to go back and see what they have done to it.
I went with school when I was 8. I would love to take my kids!
We love Hershey Park! It’s about an hour away from us. We were actually some of the first riders of their LaffTrax coaster when it opened! And my daughter & friends went last week…we’d love to go again this summer!
Another tip, don’t forget Hershey world. It’s free to get in the building and so much to see. There are additional attractions for a few, but so fun!
I have never been to Hershey park but it’s on our bucket list especially since it’s only a day trip for us!
Yes, we have been to Hershey before. My tip for today is, measure your kids at the measuring station before you go into the park. It definitly helps knowing if you are big enough before you wait in a long line only to get to the front and find out that a child can not get on. Don’t stress while there, if you find yourself feeling stressed, take a deep breath and count to ten. Remember you are there for the kids, just have fun and be their friend more than their mom that one day.
I have never been before but my daughter went with Girl Scouts a couple of weeks ago! We are about 4 hours away so it’s the perfect place for a mini vacation away from home!
My tip for today is to dress your family in similar, bright colors so that you can spot them easily from a distance! This has worked real well for us in the past!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
I have never been to Hershey park but I would love to go!
We haven’t been, but my son learned about Hershey park while studying America
Tip Dont forget the sunscreen.
Wear comfortable shoes. All that walking can be tough on the feet.
Keep hands, arms and legs inside rides at all times.
My tip for today ..buy your tickets online in advance and print them out from home. Also, if you have a small child with you, write your cell phone number on their wrist in case you get separated.
We have not been there but would love to visit soon. thanks for the chance to win!
My tip is to set up a meeting place ahead of time in case your family / group gets separated. This has worked well for our family over the years. Our girls also have bands that we put around their ankles that has my phone number on it in case they get lost and can’t find me
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
A general p tip for amusement parks…take a photo of your parking location. And also of your kids (obviously people take pics of the kids) but do it before you even get to the park. If your kids go missing then you know exactly what they are wearing.
We haven’t been, but my kids would love to
Tip: Try to visit some of the most popular rides first thing in the morning before they get to busy.
Don’t keep asking about the Oompa-Loompas!
My tip for today…take a picture of your parking sign where you parked on your phone. Then you have it when you come out with no additional little piece of paper to hang on to.
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Even on cloudy days, you need to protect yourself.
I recommend that you stay hydrated while in the park. You do not want to get dehydrated and pass out in the midst of your fun!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
Another trick : the day would go better with a smile and positive attitude.
I haven’t visited the park in a long time. We went to the Hershey Chocolate World a few years ago when the park was closed.
We have not have the opportunity to visit Hersheypark yet but my kids found out about it last year and asked if we can go there for our next family trip. They would be super excited to win these tickets! Thanks for the chance to win
tip If you are eating at the park, you can pay for the meal ticket at customer service for a cheaper price.
Let the kids wait in some longer lines. It’s a good way to teach them patience.
My tip is to bring a cooler to keep any purchases such as chocolate cool, especially on hot days,
Tip for today, try to get a brochure of the park before you go or print a list of rides and attractions off line. Go through them with your family or whoever you go with and decide what are the “must do’s” then the second in line and then the would like to but ok if we don’t. Don’t try to do everything and know that it is ok if you do not. Pushing kids too much for a long day of run here and run there takes away from the enjoyment and leads to melt downs.
Buy tickets online so you don’t have to waste time in line.
I haven’t been to Hershey in ages and it was in the rain. lol We haven’t been as a family and would love to!
tip- Use the Fast Track pass, to skip the long lines of the some of the rides, there is an additional charge for this.
My only tip is to eat as much chocolate as you can while you’re there. Diet later. 🙂
My tip for the day, make sure you take a backpack. It is easy to keep everything in and keep your hands free. Also, when you go on most of the rides, you can not take anything on with you so to have a bag to put it all in one spot together is great.
Another tip would be to put away the phone and enjoy the moments.
Get to the park early to get a good parking spot.
Never been, but when we go to parks I put my phone number in my sons shoe in case of emergencies
Another tip is always keep an eye on one another and never leave anyone in the group alone.
I have gone to Hershey and I can’t wait to get back there again! I don’t really have any good tips other than just to have a great time!
I was there briefly…tip is to go on laff track!!
A tip is to get to the park early to get a close parking spot.
Tip Buy the unlimited refillable drink cup, it comes in handy, we usually just get water in it since it is usually hot out.
We’re looking forward to our first trip there with the kids!
tip for today, expect to maintain your cool. During certain times, it gets very overwhelming. Make sure you have something small that will occupy kids while waiting in line like a fidget spinner or small toy.
One tip is if you go at Christmastime, definitely drive through the holiday lights ( Sweet Lights) at Hershey Park. They are really, really neat to see.
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
Get to the park early, so you can get a close parking spot.
My tip is to sign up for their Fast Track Pass program to skip the lines.
Another tip would be to visit the most popular attractions early in the day before the crowds and lines.
We’ve never been to Hershey Park, but I would love to take my kiddos as one of our summer fun road trips.
I’ve only been there once before, but it was before we had kids. I’d love to take the kids this year.
My tip for the day…definitly buy the unlimited drink refill cup when you go into the park, especially if it is a hot day. You will save so much on buying drinks even though the initial cost of the cup is shocking.
Haven’t been but would love to go
Tip: wear lots of sunscreen and re-apply throughout the day.
My tip is to buy those little pocket fans that you fill with water. fill them up as you can and spray them at yourself when you get hot. They do make a difference when it is scortching.
Yes! I have been to Hershey Park before. My best tip is don’t leave Hershey Park without buying chocolate 🙂
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
We’ve never been
I would wear comfortable and cool clothing for a long day of fun.
My tip is to do the tour last, and go on the rides first to beat the crowds.
We have visited Hershey before. Best tip..get there early for the best parking.
I’ve never been to Hershey park! But my advice is when heading to an amusement park always go early and have a plan in place!
I have been to Hershey before. I would say that my tip is that if you can go to check out the Hershey’s Chocolate World tour, you should! It is really, really neat!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
Perhaps, one should not fill up on chocolate before going on rides like a rollercoaster! Know when to eat and when to wait.
My tip is to arrive at opening time so get things done before the crowds arrive.
Yes! I visited Hershey Park when I was a child. I know that one tip is don’t forget the sunscreen and / or hats. You don’t want to get a sunburn while having the time of your life! I would love to take my kiddos to Hershey sometime! Thank you for the giveaway!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
We haven’t, but my son wants to go
Yes been to Hershey Park, my tip is to arrive when it opens and go to the water park first.
We have been to Hershey and we love it. My daughter’s birthday is in July and she has been steady asking if we could take her and her best friend there for her 12th birthday. She really wants to take her friend on Laff Trak I love the chocolate world tour when it is hot. My best tip, make a 2 day trip out of it. Do the rides one day, go to the hotel, change, have dinner, then go back for rides at night. Ride all the not full lined rides at night. The next day, ride all the coasters and all while everyone is at the water rides. It makes a trip so much easier.
I haven’t been *in* the park, but my husband and I visited Chocolate World in December. He had never been there, and I hadn’t been there since the 1970s when Mom nearly fell out of one of the carts that take you on the tour. (It’s much safer now.) Then we got some samples of candy before they were available to be purchased. So much fun! Would love to go to the park.
yes, we went a couple years ago and I would love to go back!
My family has not been to Hershey Park since the 1990s. It must be completely different now. Still will be fun!
I have gone before, be patient with lines and rides!
Another tip is to be kind and patient with both other visitors and park staff.
Yes, I have been to Hershey Park. We liked to buy their Souvenir Cup to get the free refills.
I have never been even though it is so close to me! Would ❤️ To visi.
I have never visited Hersheypark before. I would advise to arrive early and well-rested.
I haven’t been to Hershey park. Hope I win! Thank you.