How Busy Are Attractions at Hershey Park: A Comprehensive Guide

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Hershey Park, a popular amusement park in Pennsylvania, experiences varying levels of busyness throughout the year. Attraction wait times can range from 15 minutes on quiet weekdays to over 80 minutes during peak seasons. Factors influencing crowd levels include weekends, holidays, special events, and seasonal attractions. Understanding these patterns can help visitors plan their trips more effectively and maximize their enjoyment of the park’s numerous rides and attractions.

What Are the Average Wait Times for Key Attractions?

how busy are attractions at hershey park
Image ‘File:Hershey coaster.jpg’ by Librarian1984, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The wait times for attractions at Hershey Park can vary significantly depending on the day and time of visit. Here’s a breakdown of average wait times for some popular rides:

Peak Hours (Weekends, Holidays):

  • Candymonium: Up to 87 minutes
  • Reese’s Cupfusion: 45-79 minutes
  • Breakers Edge Water Coaster: 45-79 minutes
  • Fahrenheit: 45-79 minutes
  • Non-kiddie rides: 30+ minutes

Off-Peak Days (Mid-Week in September):

  • Skyrush: 26-30 minutes
  • Storm Runner: 26-30 minutes
  • Most rides: Under 20 minutes

How Do Crowd Levels Vary Throughout the Week?

how busy are attractions at hershey park
Image ‘File:12 20 2014 Wave Spinner at Hershey Park 02.jpg’ by Jrosenberry1, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Crowd levels at Hershey Park follow predictable patterns:

  • Weekends: Average crowd level of 73%
  • Weekdays: Range from 38% to 46%
  • Saturdays: Busiest day of the week
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays: Typically least crowded

What Are the Busiest Seasons at Hershey Park?

Hershey Park experiences fluctuations in crowd levels throughout the year:

  1. Summer Season:
  2. Weekends: Busiest

  3. Weekdays: Less crowded

  4. Halloween Season:

  5. Fridays and Sundays: Less crowded

  6. Saturdays: More crowded

  7. Christmas Candylane:

  8. Weekends (especially Saturdays): More crowded

  9. Mid-week days: Less crowded

  10. Special Events:

  11. Dark Nights in October: Can reach 100% crowd levels

When Are the Peak Hours for Popular Attractions?

Understanding peak hours can help visitors plan their day more effectively:

  • Busiest times: 12 PM to 3 PM
  • Average wait times:
  • Saturdays: 22 minutes
  • Weekdays: 16 minutes
Time of Day Crowd Level Recommended Activities
Early Morning (Park Opening – 11 AM) Low Popular rides, thrill rides
Midday (12 PM – 3 PM) High Water park, shows, dining
Late Afternoon (4 PM – Park Close) Moderate Mix of rides, attractions

How Can Visitors Minimize Wait Times?

To make the most of your visit to Hershey Park, consider these strategies:

  1. Visit on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays
  2. Arrive early and stay late to avoid peak hours
  3. Use the Fast Track system for popular rides (additional fee)
  4. Check live wait times throughout the day
  5. Plan indoor activities or shows during peak hours
  6. Consider visiting during off-peak seasons

What Amenities Impact Crowd Flow and Wait Times?

Several park features can affect how busy attractions are at Hershey Park:

  1. Fast Track System:
  2. Allows visitors to skip queues for an additional fee
  3. Available for select attractions

  4. Significantly reduces wait times on busy days

  5. The Boardwalk:

  6. Water park included with admission

  7. Can help distribute crowds, especially on hot days

  8. Dispatch Times and Policies:

  9. Efficiency of ride operations can impact wait times
  10. Loose article policies may contribute to longer queues

How Do Special Events Affect Park Busyness?

Special events can significantly impact how busy attractions are at Hershey Park:

  • Halloween Events: Increase crowds, especially on weekends
  • Christmas Candylane: Draws larger crowds, particularly on Saturdays
  • Summer Concerts: Can lead to spikes in attendance

What Are the Least Crowded Times to Visit Hershey Park?

For visitors seeking a less crowded experience, consider these options:

  1. Weekdays during winter months (December, January, November)
  2. Early September weekdays after Labor Day
  3. Non-holiday weekdays during the school year
  4. Rainy days (be prepared with appropriate gear)

By understanding these patterns and planning accordingly, visitors can optimize their experience and minimize time spent waiting in lines at Hershey Park’s attractions.

References:

  1. https://www.thrill-data.com/waits/park/hershey/hershey-park/
  2. https://www.isitpacked.com/place/hersheypark/
  3. https://queue-times.com/en-US/parks/15/calendar

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