Okay friends… your resident Disney‑parks momma took a little detour this weekend. A quick 3.5‑hour hop from Pittsburgh and suddenly we were in the land of chocolate, coasters, and characters made of candy. Yes, Hersheypark, the place where your child’s ride height is determined in candy. We had with us a Hershey Bar, a Reese’s Cup, and a Hershey Mini. (My little was very proud of her candy status had leveled up.)
This was a quick weekend getaway, the kind of trip where you toss some clothes in a bag, grab the stroller, pray you remembered the sunscreen and raincoats, and hit the road.
Park Day: Saturday, Low 70s, Scattered Showers, and Big Disney Energy
We knew going in that the weather was going to be well ... like Pepa Madrigal was hanging about. Low 70s, on‑and‑off rain, the kind of forecast that makes you question every life choice. But as Disney people, we know the drill: raincoats on (if we had remembered them), attitudes up, keep moving.
And honestly? I’m glad we did.
Hershey has a rain policy where if rides stay closed for more than 60 minutes, you get rain tickets to come back. So, we figured worst case, we’d get bonus park time Sunday and just drive home later. Mom math.
With the chilly drizzle, the water park was a no‑go for us. I’m brave… but not that brave. We took one look at the slides, felt the breeze, and said “absolutely not.”
One thing I genuinely loved? Every area of the park had rides for all ages. No more trekking across the entire park because the toddler wants something gentle and the older kids want something wild. Everything was right there.
And the crowd‑pleaser rides?
Reese’s Cupfusion — SO fun, even for non‑gamers
Super Dooper Looper — classic coaster energy
Hersheypark truly surprised this Disney‑parks girl. Every area of the park had food options. real options not just snacks, for every age and every appetite. No wandering around forever trying to find something your kid will actually eat. No “sorry, that’s only on the other side of the park.” Whether you wanted snacks, full meals, sweet treats, or something quick between rides, it was a short walk away.
And let me tell you, the All‑Day Dining made it even better. There were plenty of choices at every participating location, and honestly, for amusement‑park food, it was really good. Tons of variety and enough different styles that even the picky eaters in your crew will find something they’re happy with.
Our family of three bought two All‑Day Dining plans and one All‑Day Drink plan.
Cost for 1 All Day Dining: $45.38 each after fees/taxes First meal alone: $24 So yes, absolutely worth it.
We ended up purchasing seven meals throughout the day.
Favorites:
Chickie’s & Pete’s crabby fries + nuggets
Walking tacos - surprisingly a splitable item
Zoo America was the midday break we all needed. It is such a gem and included in your park admission.
As we wandered through Zoo America we howled at the wolves, watched a full‑on mountain lion brawl (yes, really), spotted sleepy bobcats, fell in love with the river otters, and explored the entire nocturnal exhibit. It was the perfect little reset before diving back into the park.
Chocolate World: Sunday, Fun, Crowded, and a Little Anxiety‑Inducing
Chocolate World is always a vibe… and always packed. This momma’s anxiety was definitely present, but we powered through.
Our highlights from Chocolate World were a mixed bag: the free Chocolate Tour Ride was adorable, classic, and a hit for everyone, while the Stuff‑A‑Cup experience was pretty meh and honestly just felt like ordering ice cream at Cold Stone. The food court was also a bit underwhelming, but the adult beverages and milkshakes were absolute chef’s kiss.
Parking, however, was the wild card; we were told we had two hours free before it jumped to $60, so we skipped the shows, headed out, and… no one checked our parking ticket. I don’t know. I definitely would have ignored the alarms set to head out and scooped up some more candy though.
At the end of the day, our quick Hershey weekend was exactly what this busy momma needed, a sweet little getaway close to home with plenty of laughs, plenty of snacks, and plenty of memories. It’s not Disney, and it doesn’t try to be, but it is a charming, family‑friendly park with tons of ride options, great food choices, and enough experiences to keep every age entertained rain or shine. We walked away smiling, tired, and full of chocolate. If you’re a Pittsburgh family looking for an easy adventure or a Disney parks girl wanting something fun between bigger trips, Hersheypark is absolutely worth the drive. And as always, if you want help planning your own sweet escape, this Magic Mom is here to sprinkle a little pixie dust on the details.
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