Our Sweet Spooky Halloween Experience in #HersheyPA!

I see a bad moon a-rising… I see trouble on the way… Strolling up to the Hersheypark In The Dark sign, I was excited to be greeted by one of my favorite Creedance Clearwater Revival songs, that is quite appropriately spooky for the Halloween holiday! Despite the temporary entrance currently at Hersheypark (new entrance coming in 2020!), the familiar letters spelling out Hersheypark In The Dark glowed against the dark sky, greeting guests looking for a spooky fun time! This is my absolute favorite season at the Hershey, PA, attraction. We were thrilled to be once again, celebrating our favorite spooky holiday at The Sweetest Place on Earth!

Our favorite amusement park in Hershey  transforms into Hersheypark In The Dark Friday evenings, and all-day on Saturdays and Sundays, from now through November 3. Admission offers you access to more than 50 rides and attractions. Don’t forget that access to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, as they host their Creatures Of The Night Program, is included in your admission.

Adult tickets are $41.95 , and $31.95 for junior and senior guests. Buy your tickets online today to enjoy all the #HersheyparkHappy family fun!

Hersheypark In The Dark

The first aspect I have to state in our experience (and my son requested I do this…) is that my son is now a Twizzler! Yes, this is his first trip to Hersheypark at Twizzler status. He wasn’t happy remaining Hershey Bar height all summer, even though he was so close!

The Thrilling Thirteen roller coasters (weather permitting) are all open during Hersheypark In The Dark! What is even cooler is that the Park will turn off the lights on its three wooden roller coasters during the last hour of each operating evening and the indoor Laff Trakk coaster will be dark throughout Park operation. We took this opportunity to ride Wildcat in the dark!

Don’t worry… if thrill rides aren’t exactly your thing, there are still plenty of other rides open. There is something for everyone.

Don’t forget, if you love live entertainment, Screaming Mummies, a band of misfit mummies, perform throwback Halloween tunes! We’ve watched their show the past couples years and it’s always a great song mix. Since they change the lineup each performance, you won’t hear the same set every night.

Is dancing more your thing than rocking out? The Character Glow Dance Party is perfect for guests who want to join a variety of Hershey’s Characters for dancing.

If games are your style, there are plenty open! Most of them feature Halloween themed prizes as well.

Hershey Trick or Treat Adventure

If you love Hershey Chocolate, then you’ll want to check out the Trick or Treat Adventure! 

With 13 spooky stops, the trail is set up for children 12 and under throughout various locations. Stops are in Treatville in Hersheypark and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, and Hershey Hollow in Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction. Children are encouraged to come in costume for free treat bags and candy at each stop throughout the trail.

Treatville has the most stops and I think kids will especially enjoy this part of the Adventure.

Don’t worry, nothing is scary and the staff is super friendly!

As you can see from the decor, while some sections may be dark at night, there is still nothing frightening to small or sensitive children.

At the end of the Treatville Trail, you’ll be able to take a photo with a Hershey Character! Friday night it was Jolly Rancher and then on Saturday it was Kit Kat. Characters vary.

Tip: Start at Hershey’s Chocolate World to obtain your Trick or Treat Adventure bag and check out a map of all the stops throughout the properties. 

ZooAmerica – Creatures of the Night

As I’ve mentioned before, admission to ZooAmerica (and Creatures of the Night) is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark In The Dark Halloween seasonal event when entering from the Park during Hersheypark In The Dark operating hours.

This was actually the first year in quite some time we didn’t make it over to Creatures of the Night. However, if you read my previous Hersheypark In The Dark experiences, you’ll see that it is worth the visit for any future zookeeper! We did stop in ZooAmerica during daylight hours, as there is a Trick or Treat Trail stop.  Plus every year, my son love to sees where they place “Big Foot”!

Tip: You may want to bring a flashlight if you are visiting at night. A flashlight is helpful as you navigate the walking paths of ZooAmerica.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Over at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction, you can find more Halloween fun!

First don’t forget to pick up seasonal fun Hershey’s candy! I love their selection of spooky gifts and treats.

As I mentioned above, Hershey’s Chocolate World features a couple stops on the Trick or Treat Adventure. Make sure you don’t miss them!

The famous attractions of Hershey’s Chocolate World, such as Create Your Own Candy Bar, and the new Hershey’s Unwrapped, are open for the fall season as well. 

You can also catch the Hershey Trolley Works’ Trick-or-Treat Trolley! The Trolley returns this year, with limited edition tours that features Milton Hershey’s life story in a fall-themed Trolley with plenty of treats and no tricks.

Hershey Gardens – Pumpkin Glow

On October 25 and 26 from 6 to 8:30 PM, Hershey Gardens lights up the night with more than 200 carved, illuminated pumpkins with Pumpkin Glow! We were able to attend the evening of October 19. This was actually our first time attending the event and I can’t believe I didn’t go to it sooner! We had so much fun!

As you enter the conservatory, guests are invited to check out a few creepy crawlers like spiders, snakes, and carnivorous plants! You can also check out Lebanon County Career & Technology Center students as they give pumpkin carving demonstrations.

As you enter the outside Gardens, you’ll see that Hershey has done a wonderful job decorating the grounds for guests.

Kids ages 12 and younger are then invited to trick-or-treat along a pathway featuring amazing jack-o-lanterns! Here are a few of my son’s favorites…

Food and beverages were available for purchase at the event. We opted for the Apple Cider Slushies! Even though it was a bit chilly that evening, the Slushies were worth the extra chill! They were so delicious, I just had to mention them!

For those attending this upcoming weekend (October 25 and 26), you’re in luck because celebrity pumpkin carver Danny Kissel will be onsite carving his fantastical, whimsical creations!

Tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time! Or stay at an Official Resort of Hersheypark where you can receive FREE admission to Hershey Gardens in accommodation packages. We stay at The Hotel Hershey, and were able to skip the line and walk right into the Gardens!

Want to learn more about what Hershey, PA has to offer? Check out some of my recent posts:

Hershey’s Chocolatetown 2020 Culinary Additions! ~ #HPChocolatetown
Halloween in Hershey Kicks Off October 18 + More Fall Fun! ~ #HersheyPA
New 2020 Hersheypark Season Pass Options
Reasons Your Kids Will Love Staying at Hershey Lodge
Four New Hersheypark Treats for 2019! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
Hersheypark Scores with Reese’s Cupfusion!
Summer 2019 #HersheyparkHappy Fun: 4-Pack Ticket #Giveaway! ~ #SweetestFamilies
Hershey’s Unwrapped at Hershey’s Chocolate World! ~ #ChocolateWorld
Devon Seafood + Steak in Hershey to Open New Patio this Spring
Hersheypark Springtime In The Park Opens April 6
March Family-Friendly Events at ZooAmerica!
Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line Come to Hersheypark Stadium This Summer ~ #HersheyPA
Discover “Perfect Pairings” Dinners at The Hotel Hershey
Ready for a New Sweet Year with 2019 #HersheyPA Sweetest Families!

While Hersheypark Season Passes and accommodations were provided by Hershey Resorts andEntertainment, all opinions are 100% my own.