Hersheypark (known as
Hershey Park until 1970) is a family theme park situated in Hershey, Derry Township,
Pennsylvania,
United States, about 15 miles (24 km) east of
Harrisburg, and 95 miles (153 km) west of
Philadelphia. Founded in 1905 by
Milton S. Hershey, as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, as of 2012, the park is wholly and privately owned by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. The park has won several awards, including the IAAPA Applause Award.
The park opened its first roller coaster in 1923, the The Wild Cat, an early Philadelphia Toboggan Company coaster. In 1970, Hershey Park began a redevelopment plan which made the park into the new Hersheypark. The 1970s brought the first looping roller coaster on the East Coast, as well as a 330 foot tall observation tower, the Kissing Tower. Beginning in the mid 1980s, the park rapidly expanded. Between 1991 and 2008, the park added eight roller coasters and a water park. As of 2011, the park's area covers over 110 acres (45 ha), containing over 60 rides and attractions.
The park contains a waterpark called The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, and a zoo called ZOOAMERICA - North American Wildlife Park. Adjacent is Hershey's Chocolate
World, a visitors' center that is open to the public and that contains shops, restaurants, and a chocolate factory-themed ride.
Attractions:
Rides:
Hersheypark has had over 100 rides in the park's history. The current count is 68. The park has featured 14 roller coasters, two of which no longer stand. The park had two concepts cancelled during their many years of operation; the first in 1942 Flying Turns and Turbulence in 2004.
The first ride the park purchased was a Herschell carousel in 1908. The most recent ride was Skyrush, their 12th coaster, which opened on May 26, 2012. In 2009, the park added it's most recent water attractions, the Intercoastal Waterway and The Shore, as part of the Boardwalk waterpark expansion, the SeaQuel.
Entertainment:
Hersheypark features a number of entertainment shows in a number of venues including Hersheypark Amphitheater and the Music Box Theater, as well as strolling shows throughout the park.
Dining:
There are facilities for accommodating particular dietary needs, including a kosher restaurant (Central PA's Kosher Mart) and a variety of restaurants offering gluten-free rolls and bread. Groups can pre-arrange catering in one of six private picnic areas inside the park. Signs are posted prohibiting guests from bringing in outside food and drink. A casual sit down restaurant called Hersheypark Place (formerly Tudor Grill) is located just outside the park.
Themed areas:
Tudor Square
Rhineland
Founder’s Circle
Minetown
Music Box Way
Pioneer Frontier
