We visited Hersheypark as well as Hershey's Chocolate World in Pennsylvania on June 22. "The Sweetest Place on Earth" offers rides and more in the heart of the town that's home to the world's famous chocolate producer The Hershey Company. Here's our review of the day:
Our first ride of the day was the excellent wing coaster Skyrush, a very underrated prototype ride that pulls riders really quickly up a 212ft lift hill before plunging down an 85° drop and reaching 75 mph before navigating a winding track packed with banked cures and airtime hills. The unusual trains feature two seats in each row that hang off the edge of the train, and deliver a very smooth but intense experience with rider's legs dangling above the track.
Next door, the Great Bear inverted coaster features a novel helix immediately after the lift hill and makes great use of the surrounding terrain.
Storm Runner was up next, a very fun coaster that launches 0-72mph in 2 seconds, up a 150ft tall top hat, through the first-ever cobra loop, a heartline roll and the first-ever flying snake dive. The only shame is that it's all over in less than a minute, as it's so enjoyable to ride we wanted it to go on for longer.
Another very good coaster located not far away is Fahrenheit, after ascending the 121ft vertical lift hill you hit a 97° drop and then a tight course with six inversions, airtime hills and banked curves. It rattles a bit about half way through but is otherwise a smooth and enjoyable ride.
Located at the back of the park are two classic wooden coasters, the fairly standard Wildcat, and Lightning Racer which is one of the best racing wooden coasters in the world. Riders choose to ride Thunder or Lightning which race throughout, with some sections running alongside, other parts diving over and under the other and some parts in mirror image. It's a pleasure to ride and remains exciting all the way to the finish line.
In the same area is the park newest coaster, Laff Trakk, an indoor spinning coaster through a giant funhouse with theming that glows in the dark. It's a good laugh, with every ride different, as is the hall or mirrors along the queue.
There are a few chocolate themed rides, although we would have liked there to have been more. Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge is a fun interactive dark ride, where riders are armed with shooters and compete to score the most points by hitting the targets throughout. The ride vehicles travel along an undulating track which really adds to the experience. Kissing Tower is the iconic 330ft tall observation tower where riders to pucker up and share a kiss whilst they are enjoying panoramic views of the park and of Hershey.
Admission to Hersheypark also includes access to ZooAmerica, where you can get up close to a variety of species native to North America such as the Black Bear, Bobcat, American Elk, Mountain Lion, Gray Wolf and many more.
Located next door in Hershey's Chocolate World, the recently updated Hershey's Chocolate Tour offers a brilliant simulated factory tour, using various technology including animatronics and projection mapping to bring to life how their chocolate is produced. Hershey's Chocolate World also offers some additional charge attractions such as Create-Your-Own Candy Bar, Hershey's Chocolate Tasting Group Experience Hershey's Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D and Hershey Trolley Works. There's also a huge food court offering everything from Hershey's Chocolate BBQ Pork Pizza to Reece's Peanut Butter Cupcakes, and of course a giant shop selling lots of merchandise and all the chocolate you could possibly want!
