10 Things to Expect at Chocolatetown at Hersheypark

I am so excited for Chocolatetown at Hersheypark

I learned so much about Hersheypark attractions this past weekend, as part of Sweet Welcome (where 8 bloggers were hosted for a complimentary stay at Hershey Lodge with tours of Hershey attractions). One of the most thrilling annoucements was the coming of Chocolatetown at Hersheypark. Chocolatetown will be like a destination within a destination and it will completely change how families vacation at Hersheypark. It’s where fun will meet chocolate in a whole new way. With an ice cream parlor, confectionary store, flagship store and more, Chocolatetown is going to offer non-ride experiences that everyone in the family will appreciate. 

The younger child who doesn’t like rides, the grandparent who isn’t able to ride the coasters or walk around a themepark will have new interactive experiences and things to do at Hersheypark that they never could before. And for the riders looking for the newest most thrilling rolling coaster, Chocolatetown will offer that too.

There will be so many things to look for and expect when Chocolatetown at Hersheypark opens for summer 2020. Take a look at the new video and inspiration for Chocolate at Hersheypark. Read up on what we’ve discovered and come back to this post often as we keep it updated with the latest news about Chocolatetown.

New Arrival Experience and Front Gate

The current Hersheypark entrance has been closed. A new temporary one is open. Coming will be a whole new welcome experience and a new colorful, vibrant, welcoming front gate. One of the details, not yet published, that we learned was about the creation of a mural that will lead to the entrance to Hersheypark. This mural will tell the story of Milton Hershey and his incredible legacy. You may even see signs of it this summer as it starts going up.

Think of Chocolatetown as an inviting space that rests between Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark with part of Chocolatetown on both sides of the Hersheypark gates.

Hersheypark’s 15th Roller Coaster

Hersheypark may have 14 roller coasters, but that doesn’t mean it can’t add one more. This still-to-be named roller coaster will be the fastest, tallest, longest, and sweetest yet. It will be part of Chocolatetown and will require a Hersheypark ticket to ride.

Restaurant, Bar & Patio

Walking around Downtown Hershey and Hersheypark can build up quite the appetite. Hershey’s Chocolate will be ready with a brand new full-service themed restaurant that promises to be the largest restaurant in Hershey. There will be more than five locations to eat, drink and hangout at in Chocolatetown. This new restaurant will feature panoramic, one-of-a-kind views of Hersheypark from a a second-story patio and bar. Like other Chocolatetown attractions the restaurant will be open year round with an innovative menu of chocolate-inspired entrees and signature desserts.

Ice Cream Parlor

Take your sweet experiences to a whole new level in Chocolatetown’s interactive ice cream parlor. The staff will include personal ice cream-ologists ready to serve up exclusive ice cream creations. The ice cream parlor will be open year-round. So yes, when you’re visiting Hersheypark for Christmas Candylane you just might be able to get an ice cream sundae infused with candy canes and other holiday-inspired flavors.

Confectionary Scratch Kitchen

Ever wonder how Hersheypark makes some of those yummy treats that end up in their restaurants and at their concession stands? At Chocolatetown at Hersheypark guests will have the chance to find out as they watch candy makers at work. Sweet delectables, mouthwatering treats, and hand-crafted seasonal delights will be made fresh daily and available year-round.

Starbucks

If you need a little extra caffeine to get you through your Hersheypark experiences, Chocolatetown’s Starbucks will be there for you. This Starbucks store will be a full-service 2,200-square-foot location, with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Get ready for some unique chocolately coffee combinations.

Largest Kettle Corn location at Hersheypark

Do you love Hershey’s Kettle Corn? There’s just something about that smell that makes it hard to just walk by that stand. And the taste, oh my goodness, I could finish off a bucket by myself. No longer will you have to wait till you’re inside the park to buy your favorite Hersheypark treat. Hershey’s Chocolatetown will be home to the largest kettle corn location at Hersheypark! The Kettle Corn stand will be located outside of the front gate so you can easily grab a bag or a bucket before heading into the park or walking around Chocolatetown.

One-of-a-Kind Kisses Fountain

In what’s sure to be the most Instagramable spot at Hersheypark, Chocolatetown will have a one-of-a-kind Kisses Fountain. It will sit beyond the Hersheypark entrance ready to great guests as they enter the park.

The Carrousel’s New Home

The iconic Hersheypark Carrousel, marks its 100th anniversary in 2019, before it moves to a new home in Chocolatetown. While it maybe moving Hersheypark operators are working hard to keep the Carrousel open as long as possible for the 2019 season, including the holidays. On our tour of Hersheypark and the construction site for Chocolatetown, we learned some fascinating facts about the Carrousel.

Fascinating facts about the Hersheypark Carrousel

• The ride itself (PTC #47) is 100 years old as it was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) in 1919, but it has not been operating at Hersheypark for 100 years.
  • 1945​: The Carrousel began operating in ​Hersheypark ​following stints at two other amusement parks – Liberty Heights Park in Baltimore, Md., and Enna Jettick Park in Auburn, N.Y.
  • 1971/1972​: In the winter, the Carrousel was carefully dismantled, partly renovated and moved from its Spring Creek location to the existing Carrousel Circle area of the Park underneath a large metal canopy painted red, white and blue.
  • 1975 and 2018/19​: The Carrousel organ was completely restored.
  • 1978​: Artistic restoration of the hand-carved wooden horses, chariots and ride decoration was completed by ​Hersheypark ​Maintenance personnel.
  • Every year, the horses and other details of the Carrousel are meticulously touched up with new paint and restored during the off season.
• The Carrousel features ALL 66 original, hand-carved horses – 24 stationary horses and 42 jumpers (meaning they go up and down).

• The traditional music sound of the Carrousel is provided by a 153-duplex Wurlitzer Military Band Organ that houses 164 pipes, 54 keys and 16 bells. The organ has been restored in preparation for the 100th anniversary.

• Since the Carrousel was built right after WWI, the ride design reflected the sentiments of the day and includes Miss Liberty and American flags on the outer rim.

Scavenger Hunt on the Hersheypark Carrousel

There are a few unique features on the Carrousel that might be hard to spot. See if you can find them.

• The horse that has his mouth closed. There’s only one.
• The horse that was painted chocolate brown and gold in honor of the Milton Hershey School.
• The horse with a snake painted on it.
• How many American flags can you count on the Carrousel?

A New Location to buy Hersheypark Merchandise

Chocolatetown will be a whole new space for visitors to experience Hersheypark. If your kids are anything like mine they are going to want souvenirs and swag to help them remember all those great times. From magnets to apparel and I am sure everything inbetween you’re going to want to make sure you visit the Chocolatetown Flagship Store. With the largest collection of Hersheypark merchandise, there will be something for everyone and every budget.

The store will be a 10,000-square-foot flagship retail space featuring the largest collection of apparel, personalized souvenirs, and toys exclusive to Hersheypark. Guests will even be able to enjoy interactive boutique shopping experiences.

5 More Things to know about Chocolatetown at Hersheypark

To help answer the questions you may have about Chocolatetown at Hersheypark, we have a few more things you should know.

• The development of Hershey’s Chocolatetown at Hersheypark represents the largest financial investment, $150 million dollars, made in the resort’s history.
• Hershey’s Chocolatetown will cover 23-acres between Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World with areas overlapping both parts of the Hersheypark entrance gate.
• Construction began in January 2019 and will be completed by the summer of 2020.
• Hersheypark will remain fully operational during the 2019 season.
• For more information follow #HPChocolatetown across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit the Chocolatetown website at www.hersheypark.com/chocolatetown.

While Chocolatetown won’t open till summer 2020, if you want to know what’s new at Hersheypark now, click over and read our What’s NEW at Hersheypark? update.

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