Enjoy Spooky Family Fun at Hersheypark in the Dark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy

It’s close to midnight… Something evil’s lurking from the dark… Those were the words echoing in our ears as we strolled through the gates of Hersheypark Amusement Park this past weekend. While Michael Jackson’s famous Halloween themed tuned played through the speakers, we knew nothing evil lurked in the Park, only spooky family fun! Hersheypark In The Dark Halloween Attraction opened this past Friday to offer families amusement park fun during everyone’s favorite spooky holiday.

Our favorite amusement park in Hershey, The Sweetest Place on Earth! transforms into Hersheypark In The Dark Friday evenings, and all-day on Saturdays and Sundays, from now through November 4. Admission offers you access to more than 55 rides and attractions. Plus ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is opened for guests as well with their Creatures Of The Night Program taking place once the sun goes down.

Since we are huge fans of Halloween, we definitely wanted to be there opening night. As I’ve mentioned in previous years, you may want to bring a flashlight if you are visiting at night. A flashlight is helpful in ZooAmerica (and on the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail if need be). We LOVE that Hersheypark goes a little darker, creating that spooky Halloween vibe (don’t worry though, there are no ghouls haunting the grounds!).

For those who enjoy the thrill of rollers coasters, don’t miss the Dark Ride Experience at Laff Trakk! They completely turn 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.

Don’t worry… if thrill rides aren’t exactly your thing, there are still plenty of other rides open. Plus new this year is the Character Glow Dance Party! Guests can join a variety of Hershey’s Characters for dancing and fun over in the Midway America area next to Dispatch™ Pizzeria. The Party takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 PM.

And if dancing is your thing… don’t miss Full Moon Fridays at Hershey’s Chocolate World! Dress up and enter Hershey Hallow for spook-tacular entertainment with the Hershey’s Characters and more ghostly activities including dancing!

Also for families to enjoy is the return of the 13 candy locations in Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, with many stops over in 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 just love the whimsical Halloween village that Hersheypark creates. Each stop has a different theme and characters. You never know who you might meet!

The Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail is fun any time of day… But I definitely recommend you wait till dark! 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. We always enjoy checking out all the different decor and scenes at each stop. Be sure to stop and take photos by your favorite scenes!

I said it once and I’ll say it again… 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!

At the end the trail in Treatville, make sure you stop and get your photo taken with a Hershey Character! That way you too can be part of the #HersheyBooCrew.

There are also stops in ZooAmerica, Midway, and Hershey Hollow in Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction.

For all you music fans, don’t forget to check out Screaming Mummies! Once night falls, this band of misfit mummies, will perform throwback Halloween tunes! My son loves their show. We caught it once Friday night, and then again Saturday night while waiting to ride the Monorail. They mix up some of their lineup of tunes, so not every set is the exact same.

Make sure you also stop by the light up jack-o-lanterns and singing pumpkin near Laff Trakk! Whether night or day, you can hear your favorite Halloween tunes with synchronized lights in the pumpkins.

Once night hits, all the light up displays really come to life! I think they add a great ambiance to Hersheypark In The Dark.

Seeing the Ferris Wheel lit up against the dark sky is one of my favorite sights!

I love that many of the Hersheypark carnival style games are open for Hersheypark in the Dark! What’s even cooler, is that you could win Halloween themed prizes. I won’t tell you how many Monsters we walked away with this weekend, but definitely enough to have a Monster Mash!

Now as I mentioned above, access to ZooAmerica is included in your Hersheypark in the Dark admission. Make sure you have your flashlight handy as you navigate through the zoo.

Zookeepers will have animals on hand to show guests, that normally prefer the night. Plus you can also get up close and TOUCH a reptile or two!

Above you can see my son petting a Chuckwalla! However, he actually was able to hold the Chuckwalla on the Early Bird Tour at ZooAmerica, which I highly recommend for any future zookeepers! A post on our Early Bird experience is coming soon…

Don’t forget to get your official Hersheypark In The Dark photo in front of the fountain! We always like to turn these photos into key chains.

Check out our highlight video!

I have to say that Hersheypark in the Dark is our favorite time to visit the Park. We always have such a blast. 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 haunts.

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, while the Museum hosts Chocolate Monster Mischief! on Saturday, October 27.  Children who visit the Museum Experience can create their very own monster pop using a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar, Twizzler’s Pull ‘n’ Peel, decorative icing and edible candy eyes. Guests will also receive a vintage Hershey’s mask to assemble.

Furthermore, on October 27 and 28, from 6 to 8:30 PM, Hershey Gardens lights up the night with more than 150 carved, illuminated pumpkins with Pumpkin Glow! Plus, discover a unique collection of live spiders and insects on display in the Creepy Crawly Gallery in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, and see pumpkin-carving demonstrations, too! Kids ages 12 and younger are invited to bring a flashlight, come in costume and trick-or-treat throughout the Gardens.

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

Get Ready for the Happiest Halloween at Hersheypark in the Dark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
S’moosh Your S’mores at HERSHEY’S Chocolate World
Reese’s Cupfusion Coming to Hersheypark in 2019! ~ #Hersheypark2019
Experience Sweet Candy Creation Fun: Create Your Own Candy Bar at HERSHEY’S Chocolate World
Beat the Summer Heat at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
New Lemon-Barry Wave Flavor Available at BBLz™ at Hersheypark!
New for #Hersheypark2018: The Swirl King Size Shakes!
Get #HersheyparkHappy This Summer: 4-Pack Ticket #Giveaway! ~ #SweetestMoms
Enjoy Food Truck Fun at #HPFoodTruckFridays in Hersheypark!
Experience Unlimited Sweet Fun with a 2018 Hersheypark Season Pass! ~ #HPSeasonPass
Food Truck Fridays Come to Hersheypark! ~ #HersheyparkHappy
Hersheypark Springtime In The Park Opens March 30
A Sweet Year of Fun with 2018 #SweetestMoms!

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