Hersheypark

TO: Hersheypark
FROM: JP Weidemoyer
DATE: January 14, 2020
SUBJECT: Costs

On December 27, 2019, I attended Hersheypark Christmas with my four-year-old son. This would be my first year attending this with my son, so we were both quite excited to see all the sights and sounds that the park had to offer with Christmas as a wonderful backdrop. The combined entry fee totaled $67 (with amusement park tax), but this did also offer access to ZooAmerica which we took advantage of. However, this seemed quite high with what little was available at the park. Many of the rides I’d looked forward to riding with my son were unavailable, counting only four rides available during the time of our visit, with most of which had over an hour wait, which I timed while waiting for ours. Dutch Wonderland had 20 rides available during their Christmas celebration by comparison. We rode two rides during our visit, as we also stopped to grab dinner at Overlook Food Court, the only meal option available during our visit. A small meal between the two of us (grilled cheese, hot dog, milk, and iced-tea) totaled $28.65.

The colorful and decorative lights were a nice touch, but we only got to view them as a blur as I rushed us back to the parking lot to ensure that we did not exceed the 5-hour parking as it shot up to an astounding $40 for the next tier after 5-hours. We got to the park at 2:10 PM, and got back to my vehicle at 7:05 PM, arriving at the gate just in the nick of time at 7:08 PM. $15 for the 3-5 hour parking tier. It seems unjust to me that the price would more than double had I been just a few more minutes in arriving at the gate. So if you’re staying with me, that’s $110.65 for a 31-year-old father and his four-year-old son in under 5-hours, mind you. I believe Milton Hershey, a man who started this very park for his family and employees, would be turning over in his grave if he knew what an outrageous cost it was for such a brief outing for a father and his son.

In conclusion, I won’t be coming back to Hersheypark until a father and his son can afford a much more reasonable price of family entertainment. If I spent $110.65 between a young adult and a toddler, I don’t even wish to consider what a family of four or larger would have had to have spent on this very day. I grew up going to Hersheypark with my parents and younger brother, and extended family and friends, and I have many fond memories over the last few decades in and around the park. But these memories will remain just that unless something changes. Until then.

Sincerely,

A former client,