Hershey Park offers a wide array of attractions tailored for toddlers, ensuring a memorable experience for the youngest visitors. From gentle rides to interactive water play areas, the park provides numerous options for families with small children. This guide explores the various toddler-friendly attractions, amenities, and activities available at Hershey Park, helping parents plan an enjoyable visit for their little ones.
What Rides Are Suitable for Toddlers at Hershey Park?
Hershey Park categorizes its rides based on height requirements, making it easy for parents to identify suitable attractions for their toddlers. Here’s a breakdown of the rides available for the smallest visitors:
Hershey’s Miniatures (0-36\”)
- Convoy: A slow-moving car ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Dry Gulch Railroad: A train ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Ferris Wheel: Classic Ferris wheel (open to all sizes)
- Granny Bugs: Bug-themed ride (children only)
- Helicopters: Helicopter-themed ride (children only)
- Kissing Tower: Observation tower (adult accompaniment required)
- Mini Himalaya: Slow-moving spinning ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Mini Pirate: Pirate-themed ride (children only)
- Mini Scrambler: Smaller version of the Scrambler (children only)
- Minty Bees: Bee-themed ride (children only)
- Misfit Bug: Bug-themed ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Monorail: Monorail ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Pony Parade: Horse-themed ride (children only)
- Tiny Tracks: Train ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Traffic Jam: Car-themed ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Twin Turnpike Classic Cars: Car ride (adult accompaniment required)
Hershey’s Kisses (36-42\”)
In addition to the rides listed for Miniatures, toddlers in the Kisses category can enjoy:
- Balloon Flite: Balloon ride (children only)
- Carrousel: Classic carousel (open to all sizes)
- Coal Cracker: Water ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Cocoa Cruiser: Small roller coaster (adult accompaniment required)
- Dizzy Drums: Drum-themed ride (children only)
- Frog Hopper: Frog-themed ride (one taller companion allowed)
- Frontier Flyers: Plane-themed ride (children only)
- Livery Stables: Horse-themed ride (children only)
- Red Baron: Plane-themed ride (children only)
- Reese’s Cupfusion: Interactive ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Skyview: Chairlift ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Space Age: Space-themed ride (one taller companion allowed)
- Starship America: Space-themed ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Sweet Swing: Swing ride (one taller companion allowed)
- Swing Thing: Swing ride (children only)
- Tea Cups: Spinning tea cup ride (adult accompaniment required)
- Tilt-a-Whirl: Classic spinning ride (adult accompaniment required)
What Water Park Attractions Are Available for Toddlers?
Hershey Park’s water park area offers several attractions suitable for toddlers:
- Bayside Pier: Interactive water play area (adult accompaniment required)
- East Coast Waterworks: Interactive water play structure (adult accompaniment required)
- Intercoastal Waterway: Lazy river (life vest required for Miniatures)
- Sandcastle Cove: Beach-themed water play area for young children (adult accompaniment required)
- The Shore: Beach-themed area with water features (adult accompaniment required)
- Shoreline Sprayground: Interactive water play area (adult accompaniment required)
These water attractions feature safety measures such as zero-depth entry ramps, shallow pools, and soft surfaces to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for toddlers.
What Amenities Are Available for Families with Toddlers?
Hershey Park provides various amenities to make visits with toddlers more comfortable:
- Restrooms: Located throughout the park, easily accessible from toddler-friendly areas
- Dining Options: Numerous family-friendly dining locations near toddler attractions
- Safety Equipment: Life vests available for water attractions
- Stroller Rentals: Available for families who need them
What Special Events or Seasonal Offerings Are Available for Toddlers?
Hershey Park offers special events and seasonal attractions that appeal to toddlers:
- Holiday Overlays: Some rides, like the Dry Gulch Railroad and Twin Turnpike, feature Christmas themes during the holiday season
- Character Shows: Daily shows featuring Hershey’s characters run during peak seasons (typically June 22 through August 18)
- Seasonal Events: Special events throughout the year often include toddler-friendly activities
How Should I Plan My Visit with a Toddler?
When planning your visit to Hershey Park with a toddler, consider the following tips:
- Check the park’s schedule for operating hours and show times
- Arrive early to avoid crowds and take advantage of shorter lines
- Plan breaks throughout the day for rest and snacks
- Bring essentials like sunscreen, hats, and comfortable shoes
- Consider purchasing a meal plan to save time and money on food
- Use the park’s app or map to locate toddler-friendly attractions and amenities
By following these guidelines and taking advantage of the numerous toddler-friendly attractions, you can ensure a fun and memorable visit to Hershey Park with your little one.
References:
1. Visiting Hersheypark with Toddlers
2. Rides, Roller Coasters & Family Attractions
3. Plan Your Hersheypark Day by Height Category
4. Hersheypark Official Website
5. Hersheypark Ride Height Requirements