Hershey Park: "It's not Disney"

[BrerGnat]

Disclaimer: Okay, so technically, this is NOT a Disney trip report. But, it sort of is, in a roundabout way. Stay with me.

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Hershey, PA. This was a first trip for DH and the kids. I had been there twice when I was a kid, so, like 25 years ago, approximately. I have fond memories of Hershey Park. I was excited to see how much it's grown (online) since I was there last, and figured we'd have a great time there as a quick weekend getaway closer to home. Plus, our older son LOVES chocolate, and particularly Reese's PB cups, so it was a given that we'd have to visit eventually.

Anyway, I am not going to go into great detail about this trip. Instead, I wanted to mention that Hershey Park is a sad, sad place and although we had fun overall, the experience left a LOT to be desired. I went there assuming it would be an experience somewhere between a Disney park and Six Flags. Sadly, I feel like Six Flags is a better experience. We saw ONE employee smile over a 2 day period of time. ONE. Exactly ONE employee engaged us in a friendly manner (the same one who smiled)...and over 75% of what he discussed with us was about Disney World, ironically. He was an older gentleman who helped us locate lockers/changing rooms at the water park area. He noticed DS's Mickey Epcot hat and launched into a discussion about how he would be at WDW for the third time in a year, since he has annual passes and is a DVC member, etc. He was nice. He was the only one. EVERY SINGLE ride operator looked dejected, stone faced, or downright miserable. No one talked. No one engaged the kids. They were like robots and it was really blatantly obvious that these people do NOT love their jobs, or even pretend to. The place was run down, and I know it's mostly off the shelf rides, but even those were just downright OLD and rusty, noisy, and the exposed electrical cords, push pedals to operate the rides and metal folding chairs that the ride operators plunked themselves down in while they pushed that pedal were all just...I don't even know what to say about it all.

We went for the kids. The kids had a good time, although some of the faces that my older son made on the rides were just priceless. He is not the best at emotional responses (he has Autism), but the look on his face many times was just "This is LAME!". The water park area was a huge hit with the kids, although the management of the lazy river was ridiculous. I waited in line for an HOUR to enter the lazy river. An H-O-U-R, in the blazing hot sun, with NOTHING to cool us down while we waited. Ironically, there were water canons all around the area, but not one drop of water fell on us while we waited. And, we waited because the lifeguards were not making anyone get out, AND you needed to ride in a tube, so you couldn't get in until you had one to sit in. Just bad on them for that setup.

To add insult to it all, the food was OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. I will never understand the comments about WDW food being pricey. My DH paid $26 for two burgers and fries for him and my younger DS (NO KIDS MEALS ANYWHERE!). I paid $16 for 2 slices of bad pizza and a side salad. So, yeah, $42 for some pretty awful food. For perspective, we had an excellent dinner the night before at Houlihans and our bill came to $43, and DH ordered an alcoholic drink.

I don't even want to discuss the madhouse that they called Chocolate World. We basically rode the Chocolate Tour ride, shopped a bit (almost losing our kids several times in the process) and left. It was SO hot in there...I guess they don't think using A/C when it's 90 degrees outside is necessary. Plus, there were huge lines for everything and the prices for the "attractions" were ridiculous. Price gouging was in full effect, and none of it was appealing at those prices. I was appalled at how much everything cost, for what it was.

The reason I posted this here is that DH, of all people, spent the entire two days saying stuff like "I miss Disney", "I wish we were at Disney", "This is not like Disney", and my favorite "God Bless You, Disney, for doing theme parks right."

DH has never been a "fanboy" of Disney. It's always been me. He goes along with me and he has a good time, but he never really talks about how much he loves Disney parks and all that (again, that's me). Hearing him all weekend, though, was sort of a sigh of relief for me. He is the one always saying stuff like "there are other places to go that aren't Disney (Land) (World). Let's go somewhere else next time." Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.

I chose to go to Hershey Park because I honestly thought it would be an enjoyable time. However, I have to say, after having spent a grand total of $1000 for 2 days (we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express for 2 nights @ $170/night) for this weekend, I think we are DONE "trying new places" when it comes to amusement/theme parks.

The town of Hershey is a sad shell of what is used to be. I remember it being such a vibrant and fun town, but now that the factory is shut down, it's just like every other economically depressed "small town" in America. And, the clientele who surrounded us at the park seemed to be a collection of America's most poorly behaved adults. I saw more parents being utterly awful to their kids, and just being utterly awful in general, that it really made me feel sad.

My DH said it best when he said "Now I know what I'm paying for when I go to Disney parks. I am paying for the appearance, even if it's an act, that it's a Happy place, and that the employees want to be there, and that they want to help people and be nice. I don't care if it's really how they feel, but at least I leave convinced that that is the case. I am willing to pay more because they provide a better experience, and when you really think about it, it doesn't cost that much more. It's worth it."

So, next time you feel like you had a "less than stellar" time at a Disney park, just pause for a minute, and put it into perspective. Disney really does "do it right", at least 95% of the time.

[faline]

Well said, Natalie. I've made the same sort of price to enjoyment comparison a number of times - everything from attending a baseball game to attending another amusement park as you did! (I think you have completed your husband's conversion!!)

[BrerGnat]

(I think you have completed your husband's conversion!!)

Yes...yes, I believe Phase 3 is complete. (evil laugh)

[Dulcee]

Oof.

My fiance and I attempted Carowinds in SC last summer. We spent the whole day wandering around saying "It's certainly not Disney world.."

And similar to your experience it was outrageously expensive for a cruddy experience.

Its disney or no theme parks period for us now.

[PirateLover]

Although I haven't been to Hershey Park in probably a decade, I can't really disagree with anything in your post, except placing Six Flags above it. Maybe your Six Flags is nicer, but the experience you describe here sounds just like a day at Six Flags Great Adventure. I used to have season passes until they totally priced themselves out of our comfortable zone (both ticket price and food/beverage prices). As much as we complain, there really is no place like Disney when it comes to atmosphere.

[BrerGnat]

Ok, to be fair, last time I was at a Six Flags (Magic Mountain in CA) was about 9 years ago. I guess what I meant was Hershey Park is currently worse than Six Flags from 9 years ago.

I have fond childhood memories of Great Adventure but I imagine much has changed there as well.

[Melanie]

My fiance and I attempted Carowinds in SC last summer. We spent the whole day wandering around saying "It's certainly not Disney world.."

To be fair, Carowinds is actually located in both NC and SC. That's actually a cool aspect of that park. I grew up going to Carowinds every year, but since becoming infatuated with Disney in my early 20s and having not visited Carowinds since, I bet my fond childhood memories would be soured if I return. I think I may just keep my memories intact.

Nat, funny you mentioned this today. Just yesterday we were talking about our upcoming endless opportunities long weekend trips, and we talked about Hershey at length. I went there years and years ago, but my dad didn't pay for us to go to the amusement park (cheap, cheap) and we only did the (what I think was free?) tour. Am I remembering riding in M&M's shaped omnimover like vehicles? I've always wanted to go back.

Anyway, I read your report with great interest. Wonder how Hershey Park stacks up with a Busch Gardens or even Universal (excluding HP)?

[BrerGnat]

Funny, I went to Carowinds too, once when I was younger. My cousins and aunt/uncle used to live in Gastonia, NC. I remember Carowinds being pretty fun.

Mel, honestly, I cannot recommend Hershey Park. Especially with your boys ages, Hershey Park will be a HUGE disppointment. We mostly went because they have a huge assortment of "off the shelf kiddie rides" and my younger son, in particular, is fond of that kind of thing, although probably not for much longer. And, I wanted my kids to experience such classics as "The Scrambler" and "Tilt-A-Whirl". Done. And, done. And, Chocolate World is disappointing as well. That omnimover ride is still there, but the cars look like chocolate bars, not M&M's (wrong company there). The ride was fun for Max, because he got to see all the mechanics of the machines and the conveyer belt with all the candies on it going every which way. Visually, it was a trip for him and he loved it. Lucas couldn't have cared less and seemed bored out of his mind by the ride. What with Costco and all, it's not really thrilling to come across retail sized packs of candy these days and that's basically the extent of the shopping...candy and overpriced merch. You can "create your own candy bar" for the low, low price of $15. You can choose from three mix ins...how thrilling. You can do a "chocolate tasting adventure" for $25 per person. Again...what a deal. You can do a "trolley tour of Hershey" for $13 per person! We followed this trolley in our car and the "tour" is basically a drive through town. I can't imagine HOW it is worth $13 per person.

I hear you on the "weekend getaway" pipe dreams. We have them too. So far we've driven down to N.C. to visit my MIL, and we went to Hershey Park. Next up within the next 3 years, is Philadelphia, Boston (for me and DH), New York at Christmastime, and Baltimore (for the aquarium and children's museum, mostly). But, I'm done with theme parks. Disney or nothing, in that category, from now on.

We have considered Busch Gardens Williamsburg and/or Water Country U.S.A., either of which we can get in for free with the military deal they offer, but after this weekend, I'm having second thoughts. Although, from what I've seen and heard, Busch Gardens is WORLDS better than Hershey Park and Six Flags type places. I think we will probably skip it though, as our kids are a bit too young for the big coasters and not quite ready to understand the historical significance of Colonial Williamsburg yet.

We actually have a decent water park right here called Splash Down. It's nearby (about 15 min away), CHEAP, and good enough for the kids. You should check it out one day. It's not amazing, but for the price (they offer a military discount) it's a decent place to spend a day every now and then.

We'll stay home and save our pennies for Disney , I suppose.