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Owned by the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, the Hersheypark is located at 110 acres of land at Hershey, Pennsylvania. The park opened in 1907 and was formerly a leisure area for the... |
Owned by the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, the Hersheypark is located at 110 acres of land at Hershey, Pennsylvania. The park opened in 1907 and was formerly a leisure area for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. Eventually, the park opened to the public as decided by the company.
Upon admission to the theme park, visitors can also tour the ZOOAMERICA, which is located adjacent to the park. There is also a visitors’ center, also adjacent to the park that is home to a number of restaurants, shops and a chocolate-themed ride.
Riding and Dining at the Theme Park
The Hersheypark theme park is home to over 60 rides and attractions, 11 of which are roller coasters.
During the 100th anniversary of the park, the Boardwalk was opened as a new addition. The structure is the theme park’s water park and includes a funnel slide, tube slides and a kiddie pool.
In the year 2007, the same year the park introduced the Boardwalk, the owners announced another roller coaster called the Fahrenheit. The ride is located at the former area of the Western Chute-Out. It opened in 2008 and features the steepest coaster drop in the United States. The roller coaster can reach a speed of 59 mph and also has a track length of 2,700 feet.
Also recently, the park added the Howler that is situated where the former ride, namely the Conestoga, was located.
Aside from the rides and attractions of the park, visitors are also provided with a number of dining options through the park’s food stands and restaurants. There are also other facilities that cater for people with specific dietary needs, including a kosher restaurant and an assortment of other restaurants that offer gluten-free bread and rolls.
Bringing food inside the park is prohibited unless the guest has a food allergy. However, food is allowed at the parking lot – where picnic tables are available – and outside the gates. There is also a casual restaurant located outside the park called the Tudor Grill where guests can dine after a day of riding and touring.
Security and Safety Measures
Aside from being a spectacular theme park, the Hersheypark is also known for having an excellent record for safety, as well as security services. The park holds ride inspections a minimum of twice per day on all the rides; the inspections are performed by the park’s maintenance personnel.
A First Aid team is located at the park’s entertainment complex. Also, there is a licensed and certified Ambulance company in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Aside from ensuring the safety of its guests, the park also focuses on the security. After the terrible 9/11 incident, guests who enter the park or any proper of the Hershey Entertainment Complex is subject to a search. Weapons and alcohol are also not allowed inside the park. This kind of ban at the park is also applicable to police officers since they are required to surrender their weapons to security personnel upon entering the theme park.
The Hersheypark is also certified as storm-ready. In addition, the park is also credited for its excellent radar, weather radio, lightning detectors, CCTV Security Cameras and a number of highly-trained security staff, all of whom are dedicated in protecting the welfare of the guests and maintaining the safety of the park.