Over the weekend, my son and I got into the spirit of Halloween by visiting Hersheypark Amusement Park. From October 13 to the 29, on Fridays through Sundays, everyone’s favorite theme park in Hershey, The Sweetest Place on Earth!, transforms into the Hersheypark In The Dark Halloween attraction! Admission offers you access to more than 50 rides and attractions. Plus ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is opened for guests as well. Once the sun goes down, and the night sky arrives, ZooAmerica goes dark for guests to observe the nighttime activities of more than 200 animals with Creatures Of The Night.
As I mentioned oh so many times on this blog, my son is a huge fan of Halloween! Whether you visit Hershehypark in the Dark during the day or at night, there are always attractions open for guests. I will say though, if you visit at night, I recommend you bring a flashlight along for the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail and in ZooAmerica. We LOVE that Hersheypark goes a little darker, creating that spooky Halloween vibe (don’t worry though, there are no ghouls haunting the grounds!). Maybe it was because it rained a bit earlier… but the fog rising from the fountain in Founder’s Way was quite cool and appropriately creepy!
If you love thrill rides, you’ll be happy to know that all 13 roller coasters are open. I can’t tell you how many times my son made me ride Trailerblazer with him! Now it could have just been me… but it seemed like there were definitely less lights on around the roller coasters.
But no complaints here about that! We found it quite cool. My son loved riding the attractions in the dark.
You are in luck if you really enjoy the thrill of rollers coasters, especially the dark… You don’t want to miss the Dark Ride Experience!
Laff Trakk coaster turns off the lights during all operating hours. That means you can ride the coaster in absolute darkness! If you are a fan of the wooden coasters, Hersheypark turns off the lights on those three roller coasters during the last hour of each operating evening.
The Hershey Triple Tower attraction is open as well for guests. What’s even cooler, is that it changes colors in the night sky!
Don’t worry… if thrill rides aren’t exactly your thing, there are still plenty of other rides open. Younger kids and families will be sure to enjoy the large variety of attractions open for everyone.
Now let’s get to what was new this year… the 13 candy locations in Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail! Many of those locations are in Treatville!
Hersheypark is encouraging children ages 12 and younger to enjoy the Trail in costume. They’ll receive free treat bags and candy at each stop.
I must say, Hersheypark did a great job creating such a wonderful and whimsical Halloween village! I enjoyed seeing the different themed spots.
Sure the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail is of course a fun time during the day… But I definitely recommend you wait till dark! It’s just more of a ghostly fun time that way. You can only go through Treatville once during your admission.
I think once night falls, the darkness gives more of that Halloween vibe out on the Trail. My son had a blast checking out all the difference decor and scenes at each stop.
I’m really glad that Hersheypark has this attraction for the season. It’s a great SAFE way to trick-or-treat. Plus you can’t go wrong knowing that you’ll receive a delicious Hershey’s treat at each stop!
There are also stops in ZooAmerica, Midway, and Hershey Hollow in Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction. And speaking of Chocolate World…
Don’t miss Full Moon Fridays! In addition to Trick-or-Treating, you can party with your favorite Hershey’s Characters and take part in all the spooktacular fun! For instance, there was quite the Dance Party going on in the food court the Friday night I was there.
Walking around Hersheypark, I also really enjoyed all the light up displays. You never know what you might run into!
… and of course the Ferris Wheel is shining bright against the dark sky and moon!
Are you a fan of the Hersheypark carnival style games? Many are of them are open for Hersheypark in the Dark! What’s even cooler, is that you could win Halloween themed prizes! Now if only I was a little bit better at Milk Can, we could have walked away with a giant Day of the Dead Skeleton.
However we still won some cool prizes in the other games we played! My little Halloween fan was super excited with his new prizes.
Now as I mentioned above, access to ZooAmerica is included in your Hersheypark in the Dark admission. You don’t to miss Creatures of the Night! Zookeepers throughout the zoo will have animals on hand to show guests, that normally prefer the night.
Guests can also get up close, and TOUCH certain animals, such as these reptiles!
It’s a great way to see wildlife of North America that you don’t get to see every day.
There is also a Cryptozoology display over near the bears’ exhibit. My son especially got a kick out of Big Foot!
We really had such a blast at Hersheypark in the Dark. I highly recommend you go during the next two weekends that the attraction is open! It’s a great way to enjoy family-friendly Halloween fun without all the scary spooks.
I made the quick video below to show a few highlights from our Hersheypark in the Dark time! Check it out…
Just a quick reminder… Hersheypark In The Dark isn’t the only Halloween fun happening in Hershey, PA! Visitors can learn about the history of chocolate at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, who will host Halloween-themed classes in the Chocolate Lab like “Chocolate Cobweb Creations” and “Build a Batty Bar.” Participants (4 years of age and older) also learn how cocoa beans are transformed into their favorite chocolate confections. On Saturdays (October 14, 21 and 28) children who visit the Museum Experience at The Hershey Story can create their very own monster pop using a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar, decorative icing and edible candy eyes. They’ll also receive a vintage Hershey’s mask to assemble. How cool is that?
On October 21, 22, 28, and 29, from 6 to 8:30 PM, Hershey Gardens will host Pumpkin Glow, with over 150 illuminated carved pumpkins. Kids ages 12 and younger are invited to bring a flashlight, come in costume, trick-or-treat throughout the Gardens. Guests will be able to watch live pumpkin carving demonstrations, as well as see a unique collection of live spiders and insects in the Educational & Horticultural Wing of the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.
And finally for all you HOCUS POCUS fans, the Hershey Theatre will show the timeless classic on Saturday, October 21, at 7 PM! For the more adult crowd, the Theatre will show THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURES SHOW (with ROCKY HORROR PROP BAGS for sale) at 11:59 PM. Tickets for each film are $8.
Want to learn more about what Hershey, PA has to offer? Check out some of my recent Hersheypark posts:
Ready to #DefendTheDen: 2017-2018 Hershey Bears Hockey
Enjoy Sweet Indulgence at MeltSpa by Hershey in Downtown #HersheyPA
Enjoy a Sweet Halloween at Hersheypark in the Dark!
Breakers Edge Water Coaster and Whitecap Racer Debut at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark in 2018
Enjoy a New Level of Comfort Food at Hershey Lodge’s FIRE & GRAIN
Experience BBLz™ Now at Hersheypark
The “Non-Roller-Coaster-Rider” Guide to Hersheypark
Treat Yourself to a Sweet King Size Shake at Hersheypark
Top Reasons to Stay at Hershey Lodge
Enjoy a Family Night Out with Hershey Bears Hockey
While Hersheypark Season Passes and accommodations were provided by Hershey Resorts and Entertainment, all opinions are 100% my own.
Rebecca B says
I love when theme parks host Halloween fun. we just did Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween so fun.
Remy says
It sounds so fun. I wish I can come play there with my family. We’re looking for places to visit for the Halloween. I’ll probably go check it out. Thank you.
Ankit says
Hersheypark In The Dark…loved it
Ashley says
It looks like a lot of fun. The kids had a blast at hershey this summer we need to go back!
Pam says
Sounds like such a great place to take your family. Looks like kids of all ages can enjoy this. I love it when parks like this make Halloween safe and fun for the family.
Laurie Floyd says
I have always wanted to visit Hershey Park! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun! What a great time of year to visit!!
Brandi says
This looks like such a great time. Your photos are so adorable. I wish we had a park where I live.
Milena says
Oh how fun! I need to put this on our list of trips! We haven’t been to Hershey yet and I love Halloween!
Bree says
This looks like so much fun! Seems like there is something to do for the whole family. I love thrill rides and I’m sure my daughter would love it as well.
Liz Mays says
Aww, they really do a good job making the park fun for Halloween. I need to bring my family out there for the Trick-or-Treat Trail.
Alecia says
I remember going to a Halloween night at an amusement park when I was a teenager. That was so much fun! Now I have to see how far away Hershey Park is!
Alicia Taylor says
Seeing Hershey Park at night for Halloween seems like a lot of fun. I love the photos!
Nicole Aguilar says
I loved Hershey Park growing up! This looks like a lot of fun and not as scary as some of the other parks.
ashley says
this looks like so much fun! i wish i could take my little ones here. Maybe on our next vacation@
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I’d love to take my family back to Hershey, we went years ago and had a blast. Riding the coasters in the dark must be spooky!
Cynthia says
I used to enjoy roller coaster when I was younger, I think I’d still try it (even though haven’t done it for years) because all the darkness makes it so fun! Love the creatures as well. I think I’m going to have a blast when my baby is born, taking her to places like this!
Lebogang Xolo says
We love roller coasters. I’m glad your son had fun, pretty sure mine would go crazy too.
Marysa says
This looks like so much fun. I know my kids would love it! How cool that they run rides at night. Sounds spooky but not too scary. I’ll have to take a road trip there some time!
Stephanie Jeannot says
That sounds like tons of fun. I would love to visit Hershey Park to see this. Hopefully before Halloween. That would be a nice trip to take.
Kristin says
What a fun experience!!! Riding a ride in total darkness would definitely be a fun – and scary! – time!
Elizabeth O says
It looks like a great place to visit. It seems your son really enjoyed Hershey park in the dark. What a fun experience. Riding the coasters in the dark must be so scary!!!
Cia Black says
Hershey Park, We love Hershey. This will be the 1st year all 4 of our kids will be able to actually participate so we are so looking forward to. Plus who doesn’t love the chocolate world ride. My girls love the singing cows
Amy Dong says
That just looks like a whole night of total fun! I love that they have so many options for the kiddos; some that are less scary than others. Great choice!
frank says
woow its amazing village i wish i could visit it xp, i like the animal shadow in thing in the ground, its amazing. It’s huge if there is a lot if rides xp :)). Great post!
Ana Ojha says
Looks like there are so many Halloween attractions to explore at Hershey Park in the dark and your son had so much fun! Last weekend, I went to Universal Halloween Night and had an amazing time out there!
Zoe says
Oh my goodness this looks SO fun! I’m a huge fan of roller coasters and going on them in the dark must be so much more thrilling. Thank you so much for sharing x
Zoe says
I’m a huge fan of roller coasters and going on them in the dark must be so much more thrilling. Can’t imagine how fun it would be! If only this is in Toronto… Thank you so much for sharing x