Mother Nature finally played nice
This spring and summer felt like a little miracle: Mother Nature cooperated just enough that we were able to make it out to Hersheypark from opening weekend all the way to closing weekend. A few weekends were absolute perfection—blue skies, happy crowds, and that “we’re really doing this again?” feeling as we walked through the gates.
Opening Weekend: + a Disney Lovers at HersheyPark meet-up and kick-off
We kicked off the season in the best way—by attending a meet-up with Disney Lovers at Hersheypark on opening weekend. It was one of those days that instantly sets the tone for the whole season: good people, good energy, and a park day that feels like a shared celebration.
And the fun part? We were able to bump into Matt and that crew a few more times throughout the summer, which made the season feel even more like a community.
The buckets that became part of our summer visits tradition
If you saw us this season, chances are we had a bucket in hand.
- The new popcorn bucket was a total win. We refilled it on multiple trips… and sometimes multiple times in the same visit.
- New for us this year: the East Coast Mini Donut bucket. We tried a bunch of flavors, and yes—we had the s’mores donut during S’mores Week. Worth it.
Food highlights (and one big miss)
We ate our way through the park thanks to our season tickets with twice-a-day dining and refillable drinks—and honestly, it made the whole season feel like a “mini vacation” every time.
Our Park Food MVP: East Coast Burger Works
We found the jewel of the season at East Coast Burger Works. Their specialty burgers were a hit… with one exception.
- The S’mores Burger was a huge miss for us.
- But the rest? They absolutely hit it out of the park.
Other favorites we kept coming back to
- Spring Creek Smokehouse BBQ (always a solid choice)
- Burgers around the park (but East Coast Burger Works stayed #1)
- A few Nathan’s mini dogs and fries on the way out—because sometimes you just need that classic “last snack” before heading home
Drinks and Treats we went hard on
- Cherry Pepsi (so much Cherry Pepsi)
- Pink Lemonade
- Root Beer
- Plenty of slushies (because it’s basically a requirement)
- Insider Tip: Start with a Cherry Pepsi Slushy then refill with Cherry Pepsi… no watered down taste from ice cubes!!
Water Park Mornings and Summer Vibes
A few Saturday mornings were dedicated to the water park life:
- Wave pool
- Lazy river
- That “we’re going to dry off eventually” optimism
Rides: First-Timers, Favorites and a few we missed
We knocked out some ride firsts this year, and it was a blast.
First-Time Rides for Us
- Candymonium
- Laff Trakk
- Lightning Racers
- Breakers Edge Water Coaster
Rides we Missed –
- Coal Cracker
- Monorail
Favorite- Never Miss Riding
Trailblazer and Comet
We also grabbed some new ride photos from Trailblazer—always fun seeing those pop up later.
Character Moments and Seasonal Photos
We started the season with one of our favorites:
- Photos with the Hershey Easter Bunny
And we leaned into the season with:
- Patriotic pictures with the Hershey characters in the park
Live Lunch Talks at 8 Cut Crust
One of the best ways we closed out the season was with a few live lunch talks over at the 8 Cut Crust tables—just hanging out, talking about food, rides, and travel in general. Those moments felt like the perfect mix of “real life” and “theme park day,” and we loved sharing it with everyone.
If you would like to watch the replays:
A Little StayCation Twist (Hilton Stay)
We even did a Friday night to Saturday stay at a local Hilton property—yes, points and commission received. It was a fun way to stretch the weekend and make it feel like a bigger getaway without going far.
Birthdays, The Chocolatier and a Chicken & Waffles Win
We celebrated two birthdays at the park, including one meal up at The Chocolatier Restaurant.
The atmosphere there was awesome, and I went with the chicken and waffles—and I’d do it again.
We also tried:
- Gelato at the new Rita’s
S’mores Eating Day (Donuts to Burgers)
We fully committed to a S’mores eating day—from donuts to burgers. Some of it was amazing, some of it was… a learning experience. But it was fun, and that’s kind of the point.
- S’mores Burger
- S’mores Mini Donuts
- S’mores Cream Pie
- S’mores Beignets
What we didn’t get to
Even with all those visits, we still didn’t do everything.
- We didn’t make it over to ZooAmerica
- We didn’t get a Mug Sundae
- Missed Funnel Cake
That’s going straight on the list for next season.
What’s Next: Dark Nights
Now we’re looking forward to Dark Nights—because we’re not ready to be done yet.
And thanks to all our visits this season, we’ve earned to use during Dark Nights:
- A Halloween Bring-a-Friend
- A Halloween Tasting Pass
- 30 Minute Timeplay Card
- 30% Discount at HP Supply Co.
- A Discounted Hershey Bears Ticket (have to see when WBS Pens play. Let’s Go PENS!)
Big Picture: Building Toward offering Hersheypark Vacation Packages
This has been an awesome spring and summer at Hersheypark, and we’re excited about what’s next. We’re also hoping to build our relationship with Hersheypark Entertainment so we can start offering and selling Hersheypark vacations soon.
Keep in touch—because when that becomes official, you’ll be the first to hear about it.
Final Thoughts
From opening weekend to closing weekend, this season was packed with memories: buckets and refills, burgers and BBQ, water park mornings, ride firsts, character photos, and those relaxed lunch-table conversations that make the whole thing feel personal.
Hersheypark gave us a summer we won’t forget—and we’re already looking forward to the next chapter.
What are some Hershey events, attractions or locations that you would like us to dive into for next year?
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