Surprisingly Sweet - Hersheypark Review and Overview
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- Hersheypark in Hershey Pennsylvania is an enigma in the theme park world, owned and operated by a Chocolate Company. That’s why it was such a surprise to us that this park is actually an incredibly well-rounded experience for the young and young at heart.
A huge thanks to Hersheypark for inviting us out for the purpose of our review!
Thank you to our Patrons for sponsoring this video! - Kelcia Cannon, Jake Kuhl, Peter Matthews, Jeremy Koufakis, Ray Dredge, Jon Madison, Michael Pin, Janine Kerr, Josie MacDougall, Steven Schwarzrock, Bobbie MacDougall, Brendan Brown, Kevin Kaiser, Robbie Trencheny, Will Geffen, Alec Goins, Rowen26, Brendan Gardiner, AJ Danna, Clairelybelgian, Nicole Dwyer, Luke Fazio, Tiffany Balbuza, Neil Christianson, Ben, Melanie Nemeth, Josh Seibert, Sean Moore, Samuel Lewis, Christopher Marc Bautista, Dean Gibson, Lindsay Keighren
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0:00 Introduction
0:51 FAMILY RIDES SEVEN OUT OF TEN
2:44 THRILL RIDES NINE OUT OF TEN
5:10 EXPERIENCES NINE OUT OF TEN
7:52 OPERATIONS SEVEN OUT OF TEN
9:39 THEMING SIX OUT Of TEN
10:56 MERCHANDISE SEVEN OUT OF TEN
11:53 AFFORDABILITY NINE OUT OF TEN
13:04 ATMOSPHERE SEVEN OUT OF TEN
14:10 SERVICES SEVEN OUT OF TEN
15:39 FINAL THOUGHTS
Fun Fact: the kissing tower has six RV air conditioners bolted to the roof even spaced around to give it AC. Hahaha
Hey Dan check my comment on your Hershey video 📹🎥 📻
What are the odds that you both post Hershey Park videos in the same day?
I mean they had to do something to keep it from getting too hot from all of the people having sex in there.
Did you get all the vloggers to make Hershey park content? I sense a conspiracy.
U guys post the same video in the same day lol
Chocolate World does offer exclusive flavors, so that's the trade off I guess
Great point! We didn't get a ton of time to browse since it was crazy busy but it would have been good to try some of the exclusive flavours.
I picked a bad day to go. Went on the drop towers, started raining , and ran over to cup fusion just to wait 90 minutes. After that, it didn’t
Stop raining and I just gave up and asked for a free pass to come back. Always check the weather.
Not me re-living sweet memories of my childhood in Hershey through this video💕🥺💕
Great video!!!! Excellent review! A few points: Hersheypark is owned by the Hershey Trust and operated by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, it is important that you understand that Milton Hershey founded the town of Hershey and created a very liveable working town, originally Mr. Hershey built Hershey Park as an amusement park for the workers and their families. It was not originally meant as an attention for tourists. When Mr. Hershey died, he left all of his millions to the Milton Hershey School to provide free residential education to high potential kids mostly from less privileged homes (originally it was for orphaned boys). Now the school is the largest residential private K-12 school in the USA. The Hershey Trust also controls most of the stock of the Hershey Company, although Hershey is a publicly traded company…. Some of the profits then, ultimately flow to the Milton Hershey School’s endowment. Hershey Entertainment is a private company and technically… some profits also support the Milton Hershey School. Thus, Hersheypark, although in chocolatetown USA was a park by Mr. Hershey FOR Hershey, the town… not for Hershey the Chocolate. As someone recently commented… the chocolate themes, characters, and names were relatively recent additions now that the park serves as a regional resort destination for the northeast USA. FYI… the Hershey Trust owns and operates an amazing museum in downtown Hershey called The Hershey Story…. Which is incredible and tells the amazing story of all of this and Mr. Hershey’s life. Check it all out and learn more about it… it’s an amazing American treasure… the story of Milton Hershey and his providing his entire wealth for his passionate cause.
My summer in high school ended with my 5 buddies in a best-of-5 races on Lightning Racer. We rode the winning battle at the end of the last night and we had the entire place cheering and chanting for their side's coaster. Thunder won in the end and Ill always remember that trip and how excited the entire queue was.
Thats awesome
Do they have an attraction where you can just gorge yourself like Augustus Gloop?
@@Viking_Luchador you used to get a free hershey bar after the dark ride...not quite the same though
@@Viking_Luchador Bro 💀
@Astro Guster 😁😁😁
Best and most thorough park reviewers out there- good job guys
Thank you! This truly means a lot. :)
@@ReviewTyme I have to check your past reviews to see if you have done Dollywood yet, as I would have guessed that to be bigger than Hershey.
I am INSANELY lucky to be able to call this one of my home parks.
I grew up going to Hershey Park every year in the 1970s-80s and I have such great memories of it. Most of the time I went was before the Boardwalk expansion area when the park was 30% smaller, and more compact. I rode the Super Duper Looper the first year it opened. And the fun tib-bit was for that first year, there was no head rest on the cars. Even at 13yo, I know that was a poor design. The following year, the headrest were retrofitted and bolted on. In the past, there had been nice multiple shows in the Amphitheater, music, mid-level comedians ............. etc. Not sure how active that is now. Also, the park does open around the Christmas holidays, and is great to go to then. Actually some nice theming for that. Look it up.
*Haven't been in about 10 years, but with my nice at 8yo, I just may have to take her soon!
K-12 grade school is free and compulsory for all kids in U.S.! I think the Hershey school is an advanced placement private school. Just wanted all your international guests to be clear!
Great job!
Cheers for the additional information Brandon!
It started as a school for orphaned boys, but now provides well-qualified kids (both boys and girls, without behavioral issues and a demonstrated ability to succeed in the program) from low income and/or unstable families a free structured residential private school education offering advanced educational opportunities they would not get otherwise in their local public schools.
I think that’s Awesome!
Also wanted to assure everyone I watch every reviewthyme video cause I love them and I’m subscribed. I hope I didn’t come across as throwing shade. I just thought a little clarification might be in order for international viewers. The way it was worded made it sound like some poor kids wouldn’t be able to go to School at all. And while the US is working on getting free junior college still. I just wanted the rest of the world to know kindergarten thru grade 12 is free for everyone and mandatory!
Hersheypark has changed so much since my first visit in 1996! My first roller coaster ever was the Wildcat, which sadly just closed!
Glad you enjoyed Hershey! It's one of my cheap indulgences. Hershey, like many parks in Pennsylvania are rather old. It did go on a multi phase transformation to a themed park in the late 60's into the 70's. They were going to close it, but instead double downed. Many sections other the years got combined so the theming got "lost". I agree, it's a GREAT value for all that you get. The chocolate tour IS fun and has evolved over the decades. Food is quite delicious. I just truly enjoy the state of Pennsylvania for vacationing. I'm from Texas.
100 bucks to get in and wait in line for 90 minutes multiple times a day. 10 buck lemonades and dots. You cant even look at this park without dropping 300 bucks. Not very cheap.
I went to Hersheypark many times when I was a kid, and I always enjoyed it. However, I always felt that the theming could be improved. There is so much potential. They could let their guests step into a candy fantasy world. They could transport their visitors back to the time of Milton S. Hershey. I’d love to have a really immersive, whimsical experience.
When I was a kid, you entered the park through a themed area called Tudor Square, and then you walked through the Rhineland section of the park. I haven’t been back in many years, but it’s my understanding that this area was removed to make way for the new entrance. That makes me sad. I think a theme park is always better when they really commit to a theme, and it breaks my heart to know that these thematic elements have been destroyed.
There's an effort to re-theme a lot of the Hershey areas going forward, since a lot of rides and attractions that were in-theme are no longer present.
Themes used to be a Bavarian village, Carousel park, outer space, coal mines, music box way, and the Old West
I'm a bit surprised he didn't mention Pioneer Frontier. Outside of the Boardwalk, it's probably the only area with a consistent theme. Sidewinder changing to Jolly Rancher Remix messed it up a bit (at least it's candy themed), but Trailblazer, Stormrunner, the train, and the food areas fit well.
@@KeyDash753 I feel like the western theme was lost since the Conestoga Wagon and Canyon river rides went away :/
@@bstylesv1 I won't argue that the theme used to be stronger. But at least there's some indication of a theme still there. Pretty much everywhere else (outside of the Boardwalk) is just generic amusement park.
Reeses Cupfusion is the only dark ride inside of the park, but there's another free dark ride right next to the park inside Chocolate world
Hersheypark was my favorite theme park when I was a kid back in the 70s, and back then, what I liked about it was that it actually had a lot of large-scale family rides (especially compared to Kings Dominion, the other theme park we regularly went to). Some of those aren't there any more, but several are or have been replaced by something roughly comparable. (One thing I *definitely* included in that count was the Chocolate World dark ride, which is not technically in Hersheypark, but can be ridden for no extra charge, so it might as well be.)
Talking about theming there gives me a bit of cognitive dissonance, because on the one hand the theming, in the usual sense, is sparse and understated, but on the other hand the park has a really slick and professional feel to it, with generally lovely presentation. So it's a low-themed park but it doesn't feel like one, if that makes sense.
On my one visit there in adulthood, about a decade ago, I was escorting a small child and was only able to experience a fraction of what it had to offer. There are fine parks near me but going back there is definitely a bucket-list thing.
In terms of major coasters, the only thing this park is really missing is an RMC, and all indications point to them imminently getting one. If/when Iron Wildcat (or whatever they call it) opens, Hersheypark will absolutely be in the top tier of American coaster parks if it isn't already.
I remember those days where Hersheypark was the family park but if you wanted it roller coasters you went to Great Adventure or even Dorneypark
Ah this is my childhood park. I love Hershey. Mine, my mom's and my sisters first coaster was the Super Dooper Looper. I haven't been to the park since they added Choclatetown but I'll probably make a trip soon . Also the Kettle Corn is some of the best I have ever had. Outside of the otter show they do have shows typically in Midway America however it seems like they are outside performers so there are no set dates.
Hersheypark did in fact have three different theaters in operation featuring singing, dancing, concerts, etc. my guess is COVID made it too expensive to hire so many musicians. It’s a shame because this is my home park and as a child I remember all the shows they ran.
I always go straight to skyrush when the rope drops lol
Nice review, I think Hershey park has a lot of potential and seems like a good park. Also I just saw your Splash Mountain video got taken down for what ever reason.
I went to the park recently and while I loved the roller coasters and park appearance, crowds were more of a factor than pretty much every other park I've been to. I apparently went during some major lacrosse tournament that brought people in, but it was a very packed Wednesday. Great park for sure though.
In some of our shots you can see the massive crowds at the front of the park and it honestly scared a little for what was in store for the rest of the day, but thankfully it evened itself out as a the day goes on. It's crazy how popular this park can get!
@@ReviewTyme can you do a video on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
I ve had that same problem in the fall with a major cross country invitational held there.
@@ReviewTyme It would be awesome if it could somehow have two entrances depending on if you were coming from the north or the south (I think Epcot at Disney has this) to disperse the Entrance crowd. I wish New Line Cinema would put out a LotR park. You enter in Hobbiton, with a part underground place to eat, a fireworks thrill ride. An inn at Bree for a pint and grub. Massive area for Rivendell with a beautiful in park hotel on the cliffs of the river, a new form of ride thst combines white water rafting and a merry go round! Barrel and Smaug rides in Mirkwood. An underground coaster ride, The Balrog! Breathtaking Lothlorian with a magnificent hotel in the treetops. Restaurants, bakeries with lembas, games to win mithril items. Mount Doom coaster ride over what appears to be real lava! Layer out similar to Va’s Busch Gardens if you have been there.
Hersheypark hasn’t been owned by a chocolate company since the 1920s. They only started major candy theming in 2017 and pretty much every ride since then has been candy themed. Hershey is definitely an amusement park now but that is changing fast. Great review :)
Interesting! The park has such a rich history. It'd make a great history video.
It’s a little more complicated than that. If you look up the Hershey Trust on Wikipedia, it does a better job of explaining the relationship. In short, the park is using all the Hershey brands under exclusive licensing agreements. Meanwhile, Chocolate World is actually 100% owned by The Hershey Company, and operates completely independent of the park.
Depends what you mean by candy theming. I have pictures of me in the late 70s and the 80s posing with anthropomorphic candy characters that were walking around as the park mascots. The height requirements were candy based (if you’re xx inches tall you’re in the Reese’s category etc). There were not rides specifically based on candy themes though that I recall (other than chocolate world obviously)
@@Kyle_The_Mighty Yeah I’m talking more about actual rides and attractions. The height categories and the characters were there and that was pretty much it.
Truly the most cursed theme park characters. 😂
I can put in a good word for them because I met the chocolate man and he wasn't as threatening as I first thought. - Dom
Hershey Park is ALWAYS a great time.
🙌
Im going to Hershey Park in 3 days so this was a nice way to hype up my trip! I cant wait to be in a theme park environment again. Im glad you loved sky rush but that one has always been too rough for me to enjoy. I'm so glad you liked this park.
I worked at the front gate throughout high school/college. This was a nice little flashback (plus some new rides I haven’t gotten to yet)!
It’s crazy to hear how much this park has changed within the 12 years since I visited. The Boardwalk water park was expanded into an actual water park instead of just a splash pad for kids and there certainly wasn’t a Zoo. The biggest surprise for me was the entertainment. There used to be a stage/concert venue at the back of the park and there were recognizable names playing every weekend in the summer. The whole reason we had gone in the first place was one of the members of an old boyband my mom loved growing up was headlining that weekend. Hearing the 3/10 rating and no mention of the very visible concert stage definitely threw me for a loop. The park definitely wasn’t as big as it seems to be now and has much more to do. It’s great to see those improvements but how they dropped the ball on the entertainment experience when they had previously done that so well genuinely surprises me.
The zoo has been there since 1910.
the concerts and stadium are still there!! they may not have them every week, but they do have a few notable names that play there such as Pitbull a just a few days ago
@@seanmccomas9482 It can be easy to miss! But, yeah, I remember the zoo from my childhood...
Just went last Sunday for a last ride on Wildcat before it closed. The ride collection really is so well rounded. Did you get a chance to ride their log flume, Coal Cracker? It has a ramp at the bottom of the big drop for some insane reason, it's amazing. Hope you get to ride that and the Super Dooper Looper on your next visit!
Unfortunately we missed the log flume just because the summer heat made them a good option to escape the heat. :( But I agree, it's got an absolutely great ride lineup!
I visited back in 2019 and loved the park! Want to go back in the next couple of years or so.
Hopefully you can get back soon! It's a great park :)
One of my favorite repeater parks
ReviewTyme can yo do a review of Knott's Berry Farm.
Are you gents going to do Knoebels as a review? I have a soft spot for that park and in an industry of corporate rock amusement parks Knoebels is as punk rock as it gets!
We visited on this trip so stay tuned for a review coming soon!
@@ReviewTyme Heck yeah!
The lack of entertainment & themed lands (esp given the name) is pretty disappointing, but the rest of the offerings at Hersheypark (ESPECIALLY the price & coaster count/zoo/waterpark) seem so incredible. Cannot wait to visit. Thanks for the review, RT
Great review! I don't live far from Hersheypark but I don't get there very often. However I went over the summer and had a blast so I just got a season pass for next year!
STRONGLY recommend a two-day experience, with a stay at next-door Hershey hotel! Trolley tour rocks!
I hope you got to ride The Comet. It was very old when I was kicking around there in the 80s.
Btw the episode of The Goldbergs where they visit Hersheypark was spot-on. Right down to the 80s Era merch in the gift shop!
We did! It was great to be able to ride such a historic coaster (and surprisingly was more comfortable than Wild Cat)
PTC coasters are legendary it's older sister Thundehawk lives at Dorney Park in Allentown, PA it's the oldest PTC coaster standing.
another great video, thanks
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
My younger brothers girlfriend sister (Shout out to Angela for getting free tickets for the three of us) and we had a blast. My younger Brother and I spilt up basically with him and his gf doing mainly the coasters while I stuck mainly to the water park area mainly as I tend to feel queasy around big steel coasters and the water rides are great even if was only in low 80s. But I did try the lighting racer and I was screaming for dear life and closed my eyes for 75% of it. I should have really went on Cupfusion. You’re also right about it needing a lot of walking. Even with me swimming or resting for half an afternoon. I still probably walked 10 miles for a full day.
This is great guys
One of the best coaster lineups in the world, ima say it, top 10 maybe even top 5 in the world, but def top 2 in america, we’re home to the the best b and m invert, best boomerang, and others😊
I believe Hersheypark used to have "cross park" transportation -- IIRC, that sky tram used to actually take you over to the side of the park where the Kissing Tower is...but there's now a roller coaster in the way so now it's just an "out and back" loop.
I just got back and I have a blister. It was packed when I went and also hot. I didn't go on a lot of rides I went on that jolly rancher ride, the monotrain, the boat ride, flyer ride. I'm too scared to go on the big roller coasters lol
Fun Fact: Herhseypark actually isn’t owned by the Hershey company. They are owned and operated by Hershey Entertainment and resorts. HE&R actually runs most of the entertainment wise things to do in Hershey including the stadium, theater, as well as the Hershey Hotel, lodge, and campground. Also Hersheypark doesn’t own chocolate world. That is owned by the actual chocolate company themselves. Milton split up the company back in the early 1900s into the chocolate company and Hersheypark entertainment. The two companies are held together by a trust that allows them to use the Hershey companies IP. This is partially why the park isn’t themed more. Milton created the park to be a center and place for people and employees to smile and have fun. This is why Hersheypark has the famous #Hersheyparkhappy tag.
Killing it with the reviews as usual!
Can ya tell me what parks you did on your recent trip to USA? I've seen you reviewed Dollywood and you mentioned in this video you rode I305 so ya went to Kings Dominion. Approx how much it was and how'd you book it.
For our entire US trip we did Knotts, Disneyland, Universal Studios Florida, both Busch Gardens Parks, Legoland Florida, Kings Dominion, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Knoebels. We planned it ourselves because we have been travelling for a good amount of time now and are confident in our planning, but I'll be honest that it was rather expensive. We basically did three trips one and I'd suggest doing these areas in their own trips so that you can experience them properly. We got a lot done, but was it was rushed.
My daughter and I go to Hershey almost every year and you lucked out because the average line for coasters are 90 minutes. If you don’t spend an extra $200 roughly for Fast Track passes you’ll be lucky to ride more than three coasters a day. We just went a week ago on 30 September and the lines were horrific; had to buy Fast Track passes for the rides and then MORE FAST TRACK PASSES FOR THE DAMN HAUNTED HOUSE ATTRACTIONS THAT NIGHT. That’s on top of $25 to park, and no - food is not even slightly cheap. Where are comparing that to? It’s $50 for the worst bacon cheeseburger you’ll ever have in your entire life, an order of chicken tenders, two orders of fries, and two drinks. Their prices are getting towards Disney World-levels of insanity.
The coasters are great - SkyRush is my most favorite coaster to date by a landslide. It was an absolute blast. I also love Zoo America, but my favorite is the old factory tour at the end of the night when you’re tired and sore, and you sit in a little car that takes you through a nice air-conditioned tour that drops you off at the gift shop at the end. Yes, you really do get a little Kiss or Hershey Bar, depending on what they have out, at the end of the little tour. They also have THE BEST milkshakes that you will ever have in your life.
We went recently and really loved the water park, Great Bear coaster and Laugh Track. Although it was a great park, I wish there was more theming.
Agreed with the theming. They do a great job with their greenery, but the theming at the front of the park is leagues ahead of the rest. Fingers crossed they can continue working on it over time!
Most of the theming is in Chocolate World, which while free does offer multiple paid"add ons" like a Trolley tour around Hershey, a chocolate tasting (with some of their higher quality chocolate), a 4D show, and a make your own candy bar opportunity.
@@michelemartin7673 Do they still require extra if you have a ticket or yearly pass to the park itself?
@@RLucas3000 I believe they are extra even if you have a park ticket since Chocolate World is technically operated separately from Hersheypark. You can get discounts on the experiences if pay in advance on line and they do have discount bundles.
I was there last summer the first time in years
Any plans on reviewing Disneyland Paris soon? The parks are in the best shape they’ve ever been in and the 30th anniversary blows Disney world’s out of the water imo
OH I hope you had some whoopie pies!
Now they only have 13 in currently in operation
Good thing that I live in Pennsylvania
I didn't get to go on SkyRush it was down for repairs
That's a shame :( It's such a great coaster!
I went here in 2018 for my 12th grade class trip
A few things. It historically wasnt really themed to candy because it was originally a park built for workers to get away from all the candy stuff. It was a straight up amusement park. And it does have some subtle themeing with different named areas of the park (it used to be more prominent than it is now), but none of it revolved around candy. The Candy themeing is a much more recent thing. Also, I disagree with piping in music everywhere. It can be tacky and unwelcoming for many, and they don't want to be like Six Flags with music blasting everywhere.
They need workers at ride they take forever unloading and reloading that’s why lines are always 2hr long
Hersheypark is not run by the chocolate company it's run by the separate company Hershey Entertainment and Resorts who runs Zooamerica and the hotels. Both companies are owned by the non profit Hershey trust.
I know I ask this a lot but will there be a review of phantasialand anytime soon? I would love to hear what you think about the park
We are planning to get over to Europe in 2023!
@@ReviewTyme okay cool👍
@@ReviewTyme if you want a guide for phantasialand just tell me xD
I got a fast track so I could ride the coasters
Do they offering fast pass tickets ?
There is a shuttle from the Harrisburg train station that is currently suspended. It's actually in pretty good place transit wise, not quite European levels, but there is room to make the immediate area a true transit hub, even if Hershey has to foot the bill with their current shuttle system between the theme park/sports complex and the hotels and other attractions in the Hershey area
i go every year, it’s my Disney World
Excuse me I saw the sea lion show
Second 🥈!
A surprisingly large park that, if I had to give a title to, would be the king of the regional parks, since the only more successful ones in America are known internationally
Third 🥉!
Qld parks with solo loading coasters
Hopefully one day its not the norm!
Unfortunately the whip was removed.
Do they have an attraction where you can just gorge yourself like Augustus Gloop?
I'm surprised that you visited Hershey and Knoebels but not Dorney Park.
and thats where your wrong. the best chocolate is in the factory store. taste so different. i only get it there
First 🥇!
I go to Hershey park every year and I feel like it’s starting to fall apart 😭
Fr? My Mom has been going since she was little, and she said it's better than ever.
Enjoyed the video but the scoring system used at the end makes the park sound a lot worse than it is. 71/100 is a barely passing grade.
i wouldn’t say the food is affordable, you’re likely paying double the amount you would pay at a normal place. like it’s understandable but the experience is bad. the workers are like teenagers. they clearly need a Disney type orientation.
This is so odd
The most surprising part is how this is a park based on chocolate, yet those are some of the thinnest park guests I've seen in recent times. Compare to any video from Orlando or Anaheim.