Looking for trip info for Donrey/Kennywood/HersheyParks??

Im going to visit Dorney/Hershey and Kennywood parks the first week of
August and im looking for any info that might be helpful. Ive never been
to these parks so any plan of attack so i can ride all the
coasters,.good places to eat in the parks or any other information you
have would be appreciated . Also any discounts available and how do
these parks handle carry-ins, ie snacks/water bottles etc.

For Kennywood, if the crowds are light...Just take your time...There's no need to rush. If not, I can't help, because I always get the light days.

For Dorney, Just work your way around, I had a day with moderate crowds, and there was enough time for some re-rides. (1998). Don't know how it is now though.

Hope I gave a little help.

- Josh *** Edited 7/21/2005 11:07:14 PM UTC by J Bird***

Having just been to Dorney and Hershey for my first time exactly a month ago, be prepared for some hilly walking, especially at Dorney since it's built on the side of a hill.

For Dorney I would suggest either hit Talon first since it's right there at the front or head back towards Steel Force/Thunderhawk and get rides on there while the lines are nonexistent. Most people will turn right at the gate and head into Wildwater Kingdom first thing.

Hershey, if you can get your ticket prior to getting to the park, the gates open at 9:00 AM with Founders Circle and Comet Hollow open to guests. Get your rides on Comet and Sooperdooperlooper first thing then head over towards Storm Runner at 10:00 and get in line before the crowds arrive. I also suggest getting over to Midway America for Wildcat and Lightning Racer as soon as you can as that area will be relatively dead at opening.

Kennywood, if it's not too busy, take your time and enjoy the park's surroundings. If it's somewhat busy, don't be discouraged by some of the coaster lines except for Exterminator and Racer, which experience slow moving lines (from some of my past visits).

Be aware that Thunderbolt does not allow single riders but don't miss it either.

X Factor

Coasterbuzz's Trip Report section could be a HUGE help to you...

Dorney has a very large waterpark, and in my experience the waterpark is very busy. I once waited 1.5 hours just to go down a waterslide. In the morning, when a lot of people are at the waterpark, the ride side is nice and slow. It is easy to have the entire ride side of the park done in 3 or 4 hours.

Kennywood is great. Make sure you eat a lot of their delicious food. The fries and chicken stand across from the Wave Swinger in Lost Kennywood is my favorite place to eat, and a lot of others here would say the same.

Kennywood has free parking and prefered parking. Don't overlook the Exterminater, which is in the back of Lost Kennywood. It usuially has the longest lines, in my experience (30 minuts or more). Kennywood is small, but has a lot to do. You won't be walking around a lot like...

Hersheypark, Which is very large and hilly in some places. You asked about discounts...Giant grocery stores are the cheapest place to buy HP tickets. I don't know about now, but early and late in the season they go for $24. They might be $30ish now in the peak season.

I do not know about coolers/pic nic lunches at any of these parks. Try to eat at KW. Do not buy a "shaved Ice" at Dorney because it is just a snowcone and not made with shaved ice. At Hersheypark, eat lots of chocolate. You'll be a loyal customer of Hershey's for the rest of you life, if you are susceptible to corporate brainwashing techniques like me.

Adult tickets for HP are now 29.95 at Giant Food Markets. Senior and Junior tickets are $1 off the regular rate. Check http://www.giantpa.com for store locations. There is one in the town of Hershey about a mile or two from the park.

All packages will be checked by security at the gate at HP, but I don't know whether they'll hassle you for bringing in any "outside" food or water. I don't see how or why they would, but who knows.

Best places to eat in the park-- the Country Grill and Freeman's Texas BBQ. Both are located across from the entrance of Trailblazer and under Storm Runner's top hat. Honorable mentions: Bricker's fries and Decades in Midway America.

There are some newer places that I haven't had a chance to sample yet. And each themed area of the park has a place that offers the standard park fare. For "snacks" beyond the chocolate, try the Kettle Corn or else the cinnamon covered nuts-- the aroma will get you.

For sitdown eating, there's the Tudor Grill just outside the gate, and Chocolate Town restaurant inside Chocolate World. Never been to either of those (who has the time to sit down when there's coasters waitin' to be ridden?)

Check out either Chocolate World or the Chocolate House. They sell varieties of candy that you don't see in the stores, yet. (I just bought Orange and Cream Kit-Kats, and Nuggets in Dark Chocolate and Almonds-- OMG!)

For Dorney discounts, I know a lot of Wendy's and Burger King restaurants in the area offer coupons for $8 off, I believe (weekday, $5 on the weekends.) One place I know definitely has them is the Burger King just off of the Pottsville exit of I-78 (North Route 61, across from Cabela's). I think it's Exit 29.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Tudor's grill is no longer Tudor Grill. I mean there is still a restaurant right outside the HP gates, but it has a different name...at least it did last year. I still consider that to be the best place to eat in/around the park. Second best would be the complex rght across from Great Bear (again the name escapes me). What do both places have in common? Indoor seating, air-conditioning, and beer (Hooray BEER!)

As for Dorney, I'd go to the TGIFriday's down the street!

lata, jeremy

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RatherGoodBear said:

Check out either Chocolate World or the Chocolate House. They sell varieties of candy that you don't see in the stores, yet. (I just bought Orange and Cream Kit-Kats, and Nuggets in Dark Chocolate and Almonds-- OMG!)

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Just getting the orange kit-kats out there heh, I bought some a couple months ago here in Iowa, it is weird how they distibute that if you're just getting those out there.

They are different but delicious.

Shur Save Supermarkets sell Dorney Park tickets for around 25 or 30 dollars. I'm not sure if there are any near the park.

Jeremy, then they must have changed the name back again, because it's listed that way on the park map for this year. :) (I had to look at the map because I forgot the name of it myself). As far as the other place, you mean the Minetown Restaurant, or the one with Wok 'n Roll and the Loft catering in it?

c4c, maybe they've been around in stores and I just didn't notice them. We've just had the white chocolate, triple chocolate, and dark chocolate varieties. Once I see something in dark chocolate, I usually don't look further.

Hersheypark (from their Guest Relations) said that you can get discounts from CVS, Sunoco, Popeye's and Wendy's.

Going there August 7, so we've already checked that out. ;)

I suggest going to Hersheypark for 2 days, plus the preview, or 1 day plus the preview the night before.

Our favorites for eating during our 3-day stay a few weeks ago at Hersheypark were Wok & Roll (Chinese...all items $8.95), Famous Famiglia Pizza (we even took home an entire pizza for $21), and Decades (*the best char-grilled angus burgers and the absolutely BEST EVER steak fries!..mmm) were the best food IMO in the park.

We went to a catered picnic at Kennywood, so I can't get into detail there.

RGB: Mea culpa!
You are right, Tudor's Grill is what they changed the name *to* not from. The old name was Pippin's. The food didnt change *too* much, but I do believe the Pierorgi stir fry didnt make it to the new menu. (what a shame).

As for the other place, I dont really know the name. All I know is this is more like a food court. They have a pizza place there that is actually one of only two park pizzas I can stand (Holiday World being the other). But of course, you can never go wrong with a good corn dog :).

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Wok & Roll

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I'm eating there just because that name is so AWESOME.

Swoosh, I gotta tell you, go with Giant. You actually buy the tickets there for 29.95 each-- it's not a coupon for X amount of dollars off. That's a 10 dollar savings off regular park admission. Plus, when you get to the park, you just get in the pre-paid ticket line and don't have to wait for everyone else's credit cards to go through.

What the other places have are discount coupons. I see you're going on the 7th, which is a Sunday. The discount offered is less on the weekends. I think it's like $5 instead of $7. Plus you still have to wait in line at the gate to buy your tickets.

Trust me on this one, I would not steer you wrong, and it's worth it. Go to http://www.giantpa.com
Scroll over the "Savings" tab,
Click on "Special Offers"
Enter "PA" then "Hershey" on the Store Locator-- write down the address and phone number to get directions to the store from where you are
Click on "Current Promotions" it will tell you about the Hersheypark discount tickets.

I may be there myself that day, depending on whether I go to PKD the day before and how I feel after driving back to PA.

Jeremy, if you mean food court, it's the Minetown restaurant. I've been there a few times. I like sitting out on the terrace above Comet Hollow, taking in the music from the Amphitheatre.

There is also a deal between Hersheypark and Dutch Wonderland where you can visit both parks for $56.95 on two seperate days.

How is Hershey on weekday nights? I am going this Wednesday night for the Sundown Plan. The main reason I am going is for SR. How are lines at night for coasters and big flats? Also, is there any cheaper way to get Sundown tickets? Thanx. *** Edited 7/25/2005 12:20:18 AM UTC by coasterniece***

The lines should be pretty minimal in the evening, except maybe for Stormrunner. I haven't gone yet this year on a weekday evening (except opening day and Stormrunner was down) but last year the wait was still pretty lengthy for it right up until closing. Besides that, everything else should pretty much be a walk on the last couple of hours.

The Deal for both parks isnt all that bad, but i think Dutch Wonderland is more geared toward kids. They have like shows and things, so if you have kids that looks like a safe bet.

I also must mention that i heard, that the tour of the factory or chocolate world or whatever starts at nine. So if you dont have passes for hotels or something as stated then why not go for some good ol chocolate. So with that in mind hopefully it doesnt last too long, and hit stormrunner up, that looks wild, and a sure bet for the best at the park.

As for Dorney i went in the early summer, but it seemed to me that the park was less full than the water park. I suggest going to rides in the front first. Talon is worth a ride, If you have been on inverts it offers you something different, than most. The dive loop or immelman whatever it is striked me as a great menuever for that coaster. Hydra is alittle bit of a different experience with the jo jo roll. It wasnt a great coaster, but its worth a ride and people might be willing to try it so hit it up early. Then go to the back as suggested to hit Steel Force and Thunderhawk. I would do steel force first, but thats just me. Thunderhawk is a little rough. Then hit up some flats there. Dont miss out, on Dominator, Meteor, and the Log flume at least. That was the best log flume ive been on nice surprises on that one. Then hit up the rest of the coasters and things, nothing much else to state on some of ther other ones. Just Lazer and Wild Mouse not much to these ones in my opinion. *** Edited 7/25/2005 3:15:41 AM UTC by MagnunBarrel***

I think what Magnun is saying is that Chocolate World, which is outside the park entrance itself, has different hours than the park. I think it does open before the park and also closes before it. I believe it closes at 9. So if you're planning on staying late in the park and hitting Chocolate world on the way out, you'll be disappointed. Found that one out the hard way. :( No chocolate for you!

Dutch Wonderland has an excellent family woodie, Sky Princess. It was the first coaster ever built by CCI. I had a blast on it so I just thought I'd mention it, but yes DuWo is more of a children's park so you will probably not want to spend more than a couple of hours there if you do decide to go. It does have one of the few gravity house rides too.

For Dorney, I'd say hit the mouse as soon as you get there. Lines for it are very slow moving and it has very little shade. After that, everything else was almost a walk on when I visited.