Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park are two popular family destinations in the United States. Great Wolf Lodge is known for its indoor water parks and themed accommodations, while Hershey Park offers a chocolate-themed amusement park experience. Both destinations provide unique attractions, accommodations, and entertainment options for families seeking memorable vacations.
What are the Key Features of Great Wolf Lodge?
Great Wolf Lodge is a chain of indoor water park resorts that offers a complete family vacation experience. Here are some of its key features:
- Indoor Water Park: The centerpiece of every Great Wolf Lodge is its massive indoor water park, featuring:
- Water slides
- Wave pools
- Lazy rivers
- Kiddie areas
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Themed attractions
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Themed Accommodations: Suites are designed with families in mind, offering:
- Standard rooms
- Kid-themed suites (e.g., wolf dens, tree houses)
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Family suites with separate bedrooms
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Dining Options: Multiple restaurants and food outlets, including:
- Buffet-style dining
- Pizza parlors
- Snack bars
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Character dining experiences
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Additional Activities:
- MagiQuest interactive game
- Arcade
- Bowling alley
- Fitness center
- Spa for adults and kids
What Makes Hershey Park Unique?
Hershey Park, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a chocolate-themed amusement park with a rich history. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Rides and Attractions:
- Over 70 rides, including 14 roller coasters
- Water park (The Boardwalk)
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ZooAmerica wildlife park
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Chocolate World: An immersive chocolate experience featuring:
- Chocolate-making tour
- Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction
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4D Chocolate Movie
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Seasonal Events:
- Hersheypark in the Dark (Halloween)
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Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
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Accommodations:
- The Hotel Hershey (luxury resort)
- Hershey Lodge (family-friendly hotel)
- Camping options nearby
How Do the Water Parks at Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park Compare?
| Feature | Great Wolf Lodge | Hershey Park (The Boardwalk) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Indoor | Outdoor |
| Operating Season | Year-round | Summer months |
| Attractions | Water slides, wave pool, lazy river, kiddie areas | Water slides, wave pool, lazy river, kiddie areas |
| Access | Included with stay | Separate admission or park add-on |
| Theming | Northwoods/lodge theme | Beach/boardwalk theme |
What are the Dining Options at Great Wolf Lodge?
Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of dining options to cater to different tastes and preferences:
- Loose Moose Family Kitchen: Buffet-style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Hungry as a Wolf: Pizza, pasta, and salads for a quick meal.
- Buckets Incredible Craveables: Poolside dining with burgers, hot dogs, and snacks.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Coffee and donuts for a quick breakfast or snack.
- Bear Paw Sweets & Eats: Dessert shop featuring ice cream, fudge, and other sweet treats.
How Does Hershey Park Incorporate the Chocolate Theme?
Hershey Park integrates its chocolate heritage throughout the park experience:
- Ride Names: Many rides are named after Hershey’s candy products, such as:
- Reese’s Cupfusion
- Hershey’s Kisses Tower
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Cocoa Cruiser
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Chocolate World: Adjacent to the park, offering:
- Free chocolate-making tour
- Chocolate tasting experiences
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Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction
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Character Meet-and-Greets: Costumed Hershey’s product characters roam the park.
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Themed Restaurants: Dining options incorporate chocolate and candy themes.
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Souvenir Shops: Extensive selection of Hershey’s merchandise and chocolate products.
What are the Accommodation Options at Great Wolf Lodge?
Great Wolf Lodge offers various suite types to accommodate different family sizes and preferences:
- Standard Suites:
- Queen beds
- Sleeper sofa
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Private balcony or patio
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Themed Suites:
- Wolf Den Suite: Themed sleeping area for kids
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KidCabin Suite: Private themed area with bunk beds
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Premium Suites:
- Grizzly Bear Suite: Separate bedroom, living area, and fireplace
- Grand Bear Suite: Two bedrooms, living area, and multiple TVs
All suites include:
– Microwave
– Mini-fridge
– Coffee maker
– Flat-screen TV
– Free Wi-Fi
How Do Ticket Prices Compare Between Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park?
Pricing structures for Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park differ significantly:
Great Wolf Lodge:
- All-inclusive pricing model
- Water park access included with stay
- Prices vary by season, room type, and occupancy
- Often offers package deals and promotions
Hershey Park:
- Separate admission required
- Ticket options:
- One-day tickets
- Multi-day passes
- Season passes
- Prices vary by age, season, and ticket type
- Discounts available for online purchases and package deals
It’s best to check the official websites for current pricing and promotions.
What Additional Activities are Available at Great Wolf Lodge?
Great Wolf Lodge offers numerous activities beyond the water park:
- MagiQuest: Interactive adventure game throughout the resort
- Northern Lights Arcade: Family-friendly game room
- Howlers Peak Ropes Course: Challenging aerial adventure
- Ten Paw Alley: Mini bowling alley
- Oliver’s Mining Co.: Gem mining experience
- Yoga Tails: Morning yoga sessions for kids
- Story Time: Nightly bedtime stories in the lobby
- Scooops Kid Spa: Spa treatments designed for children
How Does Hershey Park Cater to Different Age Groups?
Hershey Park offers attractions and experiences for visitors of all ages:
- Toddlers and Young Children:
- The Founder’s Way: Area with gentle rides
- Hershey’s Chocolate World Tour
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Character meet-and-greets
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School-Age Children:
- Moderate thrill rides
- The Boardwalk water park
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ZooAmerica wildlife park
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Teenagers and Adults:
- High-thrill roller coasters
- Live entertainment shows
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Chocolate tasting experiences
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Seniors:
- Scenic train ride
- Hershey Gardens
- The Hershey Story Museum
What are the Best Times to Visit Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park?
Great Wolf Lodge:
- Open year-round
- Less crowded on weekdays and during school terms
- Busiest during holidays and summer months
Hershey Park:
- Main park open from spring to fall
- Busiest during summer months and holidays
- Christmas Candylane event in winter
- Consider visiting during shoulder seasons for smaller crowds
How Do the Two Parks Handle Special Events and Holidays?
Both Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park offer special events throughout the year:
Great Wolf Lodge:
- Howl-O-Ween: Halloween-themed activities in October
- Snowland: Winter holiday celebration with decorations and special activities
- Spring-A-Palooza: Springtime events and activities
Hershey Park:
- Springtime in the Park: Opening weekend event
- Hersheypark in the Dark: Halloween-themed event in October
- Hersheypark Christmas Candylane: Holiday lights and attractions
By offering these unique experiences, both Great Wolf Lodge and Hershey Park provide families with year-round entertainment options and reasons to visit multiple times.