In September 2024, our family of 5 visited HersheyPark Halloween. Roller coasters are our favorite, so we like to find out what coasters are at each park before we arrive. We always check out a theme park’s website and watch some Youtube videos about the coasters and rides in advance. Ian (age 10) can’t ride every ride in the park (because he isn’t tall enough) so it is best to plan our day and decide how we are splitting up to get on as many rides as possible.
Because it is Halloween, there are a lot of family-friendly rides, shows, and activities that we can all enjoy together at HersheyPark.
Quick Thoughts About HersheyPark Halloween:
- HersheyPark Halloween (Also known as “Dark Nights”) is family-friendly, featuring a dedicated Trick Or Treat Trail for kids 12 and under with 13 candy stops, and family-friendly shows and dance parties.
- The park offers both thrilling night rides and immersive haunted houses, but the scares are tailored to ensure a safe experience for younger visitors.
Hershey Park Halloween and Dark Nights guide
Where to stay while visiting Hershey Park:
There are plenty of resorts run by Hershey, nearby hotels off-site, and some RV parks in the area. We stayed on a friend’s property in our travel trailer, BUT if you have flexible dates, you might consider finding a pet sitting opportunity in Hershey, Pennsylvania – care for someone’s pet while they’re away, and enjoy their home as your accommodation in return. Click here for petsitting in Hershey, PA.
Is there trick or treating for kids at HersheyPark?
HersheyPark offers trick-or-treating, providing a delightful experience for kids. The Trick Or Treat Trail, also known as Treatville, is designed specifically for children aged 12 and under. With 13 candy stops along the trail, kids can collect their favorite candy and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The trail operates daily during the event but has limited hours, so plan your visit to coincide with its schedule.
The Trick Or Treat Trail is a highlight of the HersheyPark Halloween event. It provides a safe and fun environment for younger guests to embrace the Halloween spirit. Families can walk together through the trail which is a path around the waterpark (since the waterpark is closed for the season), and it will take you 10-15 minutes to walk through the entire trail as you collect candy along the way.
It’s called trick or treating, but it’s mostly just collecting hershey candy!
Experience Dark Rides and Coasters at HersheyPark Dark Nights
Thrill-seekers can enjoy the unique experience of riding coasters and dark rides under the night sky at HersheyPark. Many of the park’s popular rides, including Candymonium, Comet, Wildcat’s Revenge, and Lightning Racer, feature lights-out rides during the last hour of operation, while Laff Trakk features lights-out rides the whole day.
Rides can still be enjoyed in the dark, even if they don’t feature lights-out rides. We rode on CandyMonium, Skyrush, Storm Runner, and Great Bear in the dark and they were especially fun at night.
Ian loved Jolly Rancher Remix at Hershey Park
What are Dark Nights at Hersheypark?
Dark Nights at HersheyPark is where the true terror begins. Dark Nights focuses on facing fears and experiencing new, blood-curdling frights each Halloween season. Dark Nights offers an immersive haunt experience designed to thrill and scare attendees, making it a must-visit for those who love a good fright.
HersheyPark transforms into a startling experience during Dark Nights, featuring haunted attractions and terrifying scenes that unveil hidden terrors. New horrifying elements are introduced each year to keep even the bravest guests on their toes. Besides attractions, there are also Halloween themed food options exclusive to Dark Nights.
Scare Zones
Dark Nights’ scare zones are not for the faint-hearted. These areas feature specific themes that amplify the haunting experience. One such zone is the Fallout Zone, where rogue radioactive materials create an eerie green fog and a deeply unsettling environment. We liked how green bubbles were floating through the air while we walked through the Fallout Zone. When popped, these green bubbles turned into smoke. Each scare zone is meticulously crafted to ensure nightmare-fueled fun and terrifying scenes.
The fallout zone at Hershey Park Halloween
HersheyPark features three scare zones located throughout the park. Unique elements in these areas heighten the chill of the night. However, scare zones are not recommended for children under the age of 13 due to their intense nature. It is fairly easy to avoid these areas of the park if you choose to stay after sunset to enjoy the rides. There are many paths around the park that don’t require you to go through a scare zone.
Pathways allow families with young children to avoid all three scare zones, ensuring most rides remain accessible without encountering frightening areas. Scare zones start at 6pm, so families should plan to ride attractions in these areas before then to avoid the scares.
Haunted Houses
Fans of immersive haunt experiences will find plenty to enjoy at HersheyPark Dark Nights. The event features five themed haunted houses, including a haunted coal mine, that transport guests into chilling narratives and eerie atmospheres. Every haunted house is designed with intricate details and terrifying elements that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a horror movie.
Each haunted house offers a unique experience, some scarier than others. For example, you might find yourself exploring mysterious tunnels or navigating through a haunted mine that pulls unsuspecting souls into its depths. These attractions are not recommended for children under 13 due to their intense nature. If you enter a haunted house but decide you need to leave it, a Dark Nights attendant can help walk you back through the haunted house.
Each haunted house remains open for an hour after the rides close, allowing you to extend your night of fright. Whether you face them all or select a few, every haunted house at HersheyPark Dark Nights offers a spine-tingling adventure.
How does HersheyPark Dark Nights compare to Six Flags Halloween & Cedar Fair Halloween?
HersheyPark Dark Nights have a few differences when compared to events at Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks. HersheyPark’s Halloween decorations are primarily limited to the scare zones and haunted houses, which makes the overall atmosphere less disturbing than some of its counterparts. This is helpful for families (like ours) who want the Dark Nights experience, without seeing all the Halloween decorations.
HersheyPark does not have scare actors roaming outside designated scare areas, which is another significant difference. Families can navigate the park without worrying about unexpected frights, making it a more family-friendly environment compared to Six Flags and Cedar Fair Halloween events.
HersheyPark balances thrilling experiences for teens and adults with a safe and enjoyable environment for younger guests. This is one of the reasons we loved going to HersheyPark Halloween.
Special Events and Themed Food
HersheyPark Halloween is not just about scares and rides; it also features a variety of special events and themed food offerings that add to the festive atmosphere. Character dance parties and animal encounters ensure there’s always something fun happening throughout the park. These events provide great opportunities for families to enjoy the Halloween spirit together. There is also a fun Halloween show for families that happens throughout the day.
Hershey Park’s Halloween show for kids
Dark Nights Tasting Pass
One of the highlights of the culinary offerings is the Dark Nights Tasting Pass. The pass lets guests sample up to five specialty food items available during HersheyPark Halloween. You can enjoy exclusive treats designed specifically for the event with the Hersheypark Halloween Tasting Pass.
These creative and delicious treats add excitement to the Halloween celebration, making the tasting pass a must-try for food enthusiasts.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re like us and prefer to play ahead before your HersheyPark Halloween visit, here are some tips to help you. Try to arrive around 30 minutes before the park opens, because we found that there might be long lines to get into the park. Getting into the park right when it opens lets families with younger kids enjoy the rides and activities without the worry of encountering scare zones which start at 6 pm. We arrived early to stand in line, and surprisingly the gates opened 15-20 minutes before the park opened.
Once we got into the park, we discovered that only one section of the park was open – the rest of the park was blocked by a barrier that you had to wait at until the opening time of the park. In that front section of the park that we entered, we saw that the roller coaster called CandyMonium was already running, so we got to ride it before the rest of the park opened.
It’s also important to note that Dark Nights are included with your general admission ticket. This means you can experience all the thrills and chills without any additional cost, making it a great value for families looking for a fun and spooky outing.
Summary
HersheyPark Halloween offers a fantastic mix of fun and fright for families. From the Trick Or Treat Trail for young children to the dark rides and every haunted house for thrill-seekers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The halloween food and special events add an extra layer of excitement to the overall experience.
In conclusion, HersheyPark Halloween strikes the perfect balance between providing safe, enjoyable activities for children and thrilling experiences for older guests. It’s a great destination for families looking to celebrate the Halloween season together. So, pack your bags, grab your costumes, and head to HersheyPark for a Halloween adventure you won’t forget.
Early access will allow you to ride Candymonium at the front of Hershey Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the scare zones suitable for young children?
The scare zones aren’t really kid-friendly, especially for those under 13, but you can usually find paths to steer clear of them, or arrive before 6pm to access the rides and attractions before the scare zones start.
What is included with the Dark Nights Tasting Pass?
The Dark Nights Tasting Pass lets you munch on up to five cool specialty food items. It’s a tasty way to enjoy some unique Halloween food.
Are there any family-friendly activities at HersheyPark Halloween?
Absolutely! HersheyPark Halloween offers fun character dance parties, animal encounters, and a Trick Or Treat Trail that the whole family can enjoy together.
How can I avoid the scare zones with my children?
To skip the scare zones with your kids, just arrive early and hit the attractions before the scare zones open at 6 PM. Plus, there are pathways you can use to bypass the scary areas completely. Carry a map with you, and park staff are happy to give you directions to navigate around the scare zones.
Are all the roller coasters still open during Dark nights?
Yes! All the roller coasters are still open during Dark Nights, and select roller coasters operate with their lights off for the last hour of the park.
Things to bring to HersheyPark
Here are some things you might want to bring to HersheyPark: (Tap on any of them to go to that page on Amazon)
If you enjoyed this blog post, don’t forget to check out our Cedar Point Family Review and Our Family’s Review Of Michigan’s Adventure!
