30
December
2021
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13:00 PM
America/New_York

5 New Hersheypark Happy Experiences in 2021

A Sweet Year at Hersheypark with New Dining, Ride Anniversaries and More

Hersheypark opened for its 115th season in 2021 with more operating days than ever before as part of four distinct seasonal events - Springtime In The Park for April weekends; summer lasting May through September; Hersheypark In The Dark; and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Take a look at the  five new experiences that helped create Hersheypark Happy memories for generations of guests who visited this year.

1. Two New Dining Experiences Opened in Hershey's Chocolatetown  for Springtime In The Park

Hersheypark debuted Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor and The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen in the new Hershey’s Chocolatetown region on April 2, 2021, for the start of Springtime In The Park. The new dining experiences are inspired by the vision of chocolate entrepreneur and founder Milton S. Hershey.

Milton's Ice Cream Parlor is inspired by Mr. Hershey's early ventures in sweetness that came before his famous chocolate factory. Guests can enjoy custom house-made ice cream creations crafted by expert Ice Creamologists complete with Hershey’s candy toppings, decadent sauces, and more. Savory offerings are also available from a shareable menu.

The Sweeterie is a new confectionery kitchen where guests can experience a curated collection of mouth-watering confections including chocolate-dipped treats, decadent desserts, signature hand-crafted fudge, and more.

Both locations are open in early 2022 while Hersheypark is closed, so plan a visit for some delicious eats this winter.

2. The Chocolatier  Restaurant, Bar + Patio Opened Memorial Day Weekend in Hershey's Chocolatetown

Memorial Day Weekend 2021 was an exciting one as Hersheypark opened The Chocolatier, an all-new, full-service restaurant, bar and patio with a Fun to Table menu showcasing classic family fare with a fun spin and hints of chocolate served from an open kitchen. The largest restaurant in Hershey features nods to past and present elements from the Hersheypark ride collection, one-of-a-kind views of neighboring attractions, and two bars - The Carrousel Bar inspired by one of the most-storied Hersheypark attractions and a second story patio with a bar that provides panoramic views of Hersheypark including Candymonium, the Carrousel and Kisses Fountain.

The Chocolatier celebrates the life and legacy of our founder, Milton S. Hershey, by continuing to bring people together for happiness, fun, and of course, chocolate. The Chocolatier is open this winter for lunch, happy hour and dinner with reservations available here.

3.Comet  Turned 75 and Received Prestigious Recognition This Summer

Comet, the oldest coaster at Hersheypark, marked its 75th anniversary in May 2021. The classic wooden coaster is best known for several airtime-producing bunny hills and its long reign inside Hersheypark. Comet climbs 96 feet and reaches a top speed of 50 miles per hour during its 3,360-foot ride.

During Coaster Con 43 at Hersheypark in June 2021, American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognized Comet as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.

     

2021 also marked special anniversaries for some of the other most iconic mild to wild rides at Hersheypark.

  • Skyview turned 55 in April 2021. The gondola-style ride is a guest favorite during Christmas Candylane to watch the NOEL light show featuring more than 250,000 dancing lights synchronized to holiday music.
  • Dry Gulch Railroad turned 60 in April 2021. The ride is a miniature reproduction of a 19th-century, steam-powered railway, operated by real steam engine engineers. Like Skyview, it provides guests with a spectacular view of the lights during Christmas Candylane.
  • Sidewinder presented by Penn State Health turned 30 in May 2021. The steel, boomerang coaster has a total of three loops each way, which means a single ride involves being turned upside down six times.
  • Wildcat turned 25 in May 2021. The classic wooden coaster sends riders barreling over hills, bumps and turns at speeds of 45 miles per hour.

4. Food Network Debuted New Show Featuring Hersheypark In The Dark

Hersheypark was the star of Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey’s After Dark on Food Network in September 2021. The new, four-episode series features skilled pastry chefs who enter Hersheypark after dark to create mind-bending chocolate showpieces to compete for a year's supply of Hershey’s candy, a Hersheypark vacation and a $10,000 cash prize.

Host Sunny Anderson challenges contestants to take chocolate creations to the next level, using Hershey favorites such as Reese’s Pieces and TWIZZLERS Twists within Hershey’s largest candy store, Chocolate World, while riding coasters and completing challenges in Hersheypark. And once the clock runs out, judges Ralph Attanasia and Maneet Chauhan determine which contestant masterfully molded their favorite Hershey treats into a true work of art, crowning a champion at the end of each episode.

5. Hersheypark  Celebrated 25 Years of Reindeer at Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane features five million lights, select rides and coasters, hot chocolate, Santa AND all nine of his reindeer! 2021 marked the 25th year of Rudolph and his friends making their annual stop at Christmas Candylane. Hersheypark is the only place in the Northeast with all nine live reindeer up close for guests to see during the holiday season.

On December 23, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill to meet Santa and his nine reindeer at Hersheypark to announce that the reindeer received a clean bill of health and were cleared for take-off on Christmas Eve.

Check out 8 things you didn't know about reindeer here.

Let's not forget some other exciting happenings at Hersheypark in 2021 including the unveiling of a new, immersive Pepsi Pop Star experience, delicious fall and winter food offerings and the addition of two new seal pups to Our Friends from the Sea.

We hope you'll join us for another year of fun in 2022! Season Passes are available for purchase now with 2022 admission tickets on sale in February 2022.