Why Hersheypark Works for Families
Most amusement parks cluster kiddie rides in one corner while adults go elsewhere. Hersheypark deliberately mixed thrill rides and family attractions in the same zones. That means parents riding a coaster and kids on a nearby ride can meet back at a central spot without a 15-minute walk. For families with a wide age spread, this design choice matters more than almost anything else.
The park has 70-plus rides including 15 coasters, 28 dedicated kiddie attractions, an 11-acre water park called The Boardwalk, and ZooAmerica — all on one admission ticket. That's a full day for any age group.
Kids Under 36" (Hershey's Miniatures Category)
The youngest guests have 28 attractions built for them. The concentration of rides for this group is genuinely impressive compared to most regional parks.
Best picks:
- Cocoa Cruiser — the gentlest steel coaster in the park, just enough speed to feel exciting without any drops. Great first coaster.
- Frog Hopper — small drop tower just scary enough for a 3-year-old who wants to feel brave
- Scrambler — classic spinning ride scaled for little ones
- Traffic Jam — slow-speed vehicles in the Founder's Way area, great for toddlers who want to "drive"
- Trailblazer — the classic family coaster with gentle turns through a western themed area
For the water park crowd, The Boardwalk added two new splash areas in 2026: The Inlet and The Island at Bayside Pier, with 45 aquatic play elements including water-spouting dolphins and tipping palm trees.
Kids 36" to 48" (Kisses and Reese's Categories)
This is where the park's family depth really shows. Kids in the 42-48" range can ride the Comet, which has been delighting families since 1946 and is celebrating 80 years in 2026. It's a classic wooden coaster with genuine airtime and no inversions — an excellent step up from Cocoa Cruiser.
Best rides for this group:
- Comet (42"+) — wooden coaster, smooth for its age, good starter thrill
- sooperdooperLooper (48"+) — Pennsylvania's first looping coaster, one complete loop, very rideable
- Lightning Racer (48"+) — dual racing wooden coasters, pick a side
- Coal Cracker (42"+) — log flume through coal mine theming, guaranteed soaking on hot days
- Tidal Force (46"+) — bigger water splash ride, bigger soaking
- The Carrousel — no height requirement, 66 original horses on a historic wooden carousel, parents love it too
Kids and Adults 48"+ (Hershey's Chocolate and Up)
At 48 inches, the park opens dramatically. Wildcat's Revenge is the biggest surprise in this range — it's a hybrid coaster that runs over the old Wildcat wooden structure but with a steel track, delivering airtime and speed that rivals parks twice the size.
Best family coasters at this height:
- Wildcat's Revenge — the hidden gem of the park, three-train operation means short waits
- Great Bear — inverted coaster, feet hanging, good intensity without being brutal
- Lightning Racer — low-key the most fun you'll have waiting in a 15-minute line all day
Nap and Rest Strategy
The park has real hills. If you're pushing a stroller, the terrain is noticeable between zones. Plan a midday break around noon to 2 p.m. when lines peak and younger kids fade. Accessibility Services near the front gate has information on quiet rest areas in the Pioneer Frontier section.
If you're staying at a Hershey resort, use the hotel pool or room during peak afternoon hours and return for the 5 to 9 p.m. window — crowds thin, temperatures drop, and kids get a second wind.
Character Meets
Hershey's brand characters (Hershey Bar, Reese's Cup) make appearances in Hershey's Chocolatetown near the main entrance. Check the daily schedule in the app — they're not on a published fixed timetable but appear multiple times throughout the day. The meet-and-greet area is near the Chocolatetown fountain and doesn't require waiting in a formal line.
Kiddie Swap
Any ride with a height requirement offers Kiddie Swap. One adult rides while the other waits with a child who can't board. After the ride, the second adult boards immediately without re-queuing. Tell any team member at the ride entrance before you queue.
What to Skip With Very Young Kids
- Skip Candymonium, Skyrush, and Fahrenheit until kids hit 54" — these are legitimately intense and the 54" minimum is not negotiable
- Skip the Boardwalk's major water slides until 48"+
- Skip the park's scare zones during Halloween season entirely if you have kids under 10 — Dark Nights is adult-oriented