2022 Groups Guide to Hersheypark

Hersheypark amusement park in Hershey, Pa., is an ideal destination for groups of all sizes, from businesses and community organizations to sports teams and schools. With more than 70 rides and coasters, a water park and a zoo, there is no sweeter place to reward the team with a fun day or make learning more enjoyable on a school field trip. Seize the summer and utilize this guide with the top 10 tips to start planning your group outing to Hersheypark today.

1. Determine your group size and type

The Hersheypark Group Sales Team works with groups of 20 or more people broken up into three categories: General, School and Corporate. General groups include churches and religious groups, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, camps, sports teams, community organizations, large families and reunions. School groups include public and private elementary, middle and high schools, PTO/PTA, colleges and universities, and daycares. Corporate groups include businesses and workers' unions.

Once you know this information, you can complete an online form to receive more information about planning your group’s visit. The Hersheypark Group Sales Team is also available by phone at 1-800-242-4236 (Option 1) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or via email at Hersheyparkgroups@hersheypa.com. 

2. Choose your preferred group visit date

General group and school group 1-day tickets are valid any day during the 2022 public operating season through January 1, 2023. Corporate groups can purchase undated tickets with flexibility for employees to visit any day they choose. The other option is to select an outing date in advance. Tickets that can be returned are picnic admission and dated outing admissions.

Tickets include three parks in one with more than 70 rides and coasters, The Boardwalk water park (open through Sept. 5, 2022) and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park only when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours.

3. Purchase group tickets in advance to save

One of the biggest advantages of visiting Hersheypark with a group is the discount on pre-purchased tickets. School groups and general groups of 20 or more can save more than 40 percent on pre-purchased 1-day Hersheypark tickets. Plus, school groups are invited to participate in five yearly Education Days. Corporate Groups can save up to 60 percent on Hersheypark tickets when hosting a picnic

As a bonus, general and school groups receive one free ticket per every 10 purchased admissions, with a minimum of 20 or more admissions required for complimentary group tickets.

Start by filling out the 2022 pre-purchase general group, school group or corporate group order form to purchase group tickets. If you’re paying by check, you can mail the order form and organizational check to Hersheypark Group Sales at 108 Chocolate World Way, P.O. Box 866 Hershey, PA 17033. Another option is to call 1-800-242-4236 to pre-purchase with a credit card.

The Group Sales Team recommends purchasing group tickets a minimum of two weeks before the visit date. UPS sends all orders with a signature required. New this year, groups also have the option to select Email Order with electronic ticket delivery. The maximum number of tickets that can be delivered electronically is 500. You will need to have them mailed if you purchase more than that.

4. Buy last-minute group tickets online

If you wait to plan a group visit until the last minute, you are still in luck, as it's not too late to purchase 20 or more Hersheypark group tickets! Hersheypark is now offering convenient online ordering with the ability to add on parking passes, dining deals and more.

5. Save big with deeply discounted dining deals

Groups can save with exclusive dining deals like catered picnics, meal tickets or snack vouchers - all at a special rate. A catered summer picnic is the sweetest value, starting at $19 per person. This option allows your group to have fun riding coasters while the experienced Hersheypark staff prepares a delicious, all-you-care-to-eat picnic for your group of 40 or more at one of five private catering areas conveniently located inside the Park. Vegetarian, Kosher and specialty-themed menu options are available upon request. 

Groups can also pre-purchase a Hersheypark Single Use Meal Deal for $13.99 per person, which includes an entrée, a side and a choice of a large fountain beverage or regular hot beverage at select food locations. Hersheypark Snack Vouchers valid for one snack at select food locations are also available to pre-purchase for $4.50 per person.

6. Take advantage of the free Preview Plan

The Preview Plan is a sweet way for a group to explore Hersheypark for two hours on the night before a full-day visit day by presenting the tickets at the main entrance. 

7. Download the official mobile app

The official Hersheypark app is packed with tools to help you plan a group visit and maximize your day. You can view an interactive map, real-time ride availability and wait times, Hershey Character locations, Our Friends from the Sea show schedule, and more. If it is a busy weekend and ride wait times are longer than anticipated, Fast Track passes are available for purchase inside the Park. A tip: start in the back of the Park and work your way to the front. The Boardwalk is also less crowded at the start of the day if making a splash is on your to-do list. Here are some other tips to save time and money at Hersheypark. 

8. Pack light for the day

Guests are allowed to bring a small bag or backpack to Hersheypark. Outside food is not permitted, but each guest is allowed one sealed water bottle or a reusable empty water bottle upon entry. There are water fountains throughout the Park, and guests can receive free cups of water at Hersheypark-owned dining locations. Learn more about what to pack for a day at the theme park here.

9. Hersheypark is cashless

In an effort to create more convenient dining, retail and gaming experiences for our guests, Hersheypark is now cashless and accepts all major credit cards, debit cards and Hersheypark gift cards, as well as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay. 

Guests who may not have credit or debit cards can convert cash to prepaid debit cards at the Cash-to-Card kiosks stationed around the park for no fee. For games, guests need to purchase a separate Gaming Card at gaming locations and load them via a cashless payment at in-Park Gaming Card Kiosks.

10. Have fun

We hope your group creates Hersheypark Happy memories during your visit. Don’t forget to snap some photos and tag @Hersheypark on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.