Hersheypark, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a premier destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. Known for its chocolate-themed attractions and world-class entertainment, the park offers an array of exhilarating roller coasters that cater to riders of all ages and thrill levels. Whether you're a seasoned coaster enthusiast or a family with young children, Hersheypark promises an unforgettable experience filled with excitement and fun. In this blog post, we'll explore the best age to visit Hersheypark for roller coaster enthusiasts, provide a detailed breakdown of rides by height requirements, and highlight some must-ride coasters that you won't want to miss.

Hersheypark Roller Coasters: A Sweet Adventure

Milton S. Hershey, the visionary founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, created Hersheypark amusement park in 1906 as a leisure park for his employees and the residents of Hershey, Pennsylvania. Known for his philanthropy and innovative spirit, Hershey wanted to provide a recreational space that embodied the same quality and care as his chocolate products. Over the years, Hersheypark has evolved from a simple picnic and pleasure grounds into a premier family theme park, offering a wide array of thrilling rides, entertainment, and dining options. Today, Hersheypark stands as a testament to Milton Hershey's legacy, continuing to delight millions of visitors with its blend of fun, history, and, of course, chocolate. Grab your Hershey park tickets today and find Hershey fun that awaits!

Best Age to Visit Hersheypark for Roller Coasters

The best age to visit Hersheypark for roller coasters largely depends on the height and thrill tolerance of the rider. Generally, children around the age of 8 and up can enjoy a significant number of the park's roller coasters, as they are more likely to meet the height requirements for many rides and have a higher tolerance for thrills. However, Hersheypark offers a variety of coasters that cater to different age groups and thrill levels, ensuring that even younger children and more cautious riders can find something to enjoy.

Rides Broken Down by Height Requirements

Hersheypark uses a color-coded system to help guests easily identify which kiddie rides to thrilling options are suitable for their height. Here's a breakdown of some of the park's roller coasters categorized by height requirements.  I will feature the coasters on this post, but if you are looking for more tame easy rides be sure to read this post for the kiddie rides and family friendly rides!

Under 36" Hershey Miniatures

36" - 42" Hershey Kisses

42" - 48" Reese's

• Sooperdooperlooper: Experience the first-ever looping coaster on the East Coast! The famous vertical loop on sooperdooperLooper® coaster is just part of the fun. Riders also enjoy a family-friendly course of small dips, drops, and bunny hills on this classic steel coaster. After your ride, don't forget to pick up an "I survived the sooperdooperLooper" shirt - it's the most popular shirt ever sold at Hersheypark®!

• Comet: The oldest coaster at Hersheypark®, Comet℠ roller coaster is best known for delighting generations of families with several airtime-producing bunny hills for 75 years. The coaster climbs 96 feet and reaches high speeds of 50 miles per hour during its 3,360-foot ride.

48" - 54" Hershey's Milk Chocolate

• Jolly Rancher Remix: The Hersheypark® skyline just got brighter with Jolly Rancher Remix™ attraction. This reimagined coaster takes you and your senses forward and back on the same flavorful track. Blast through the flavor tunnel, invert 6 times in 90 seconds, and jam to sweet tunes. The best part? Each ride is different in this one of a kind thrills experience.

• Lightning Racer: Experience the first racing/dueling wooden coaster in the United States, Lightning Racer® coaster. This double-track wooden roller coaster features two staggered lifts and a thrilling element of competition.

• Storm Runner: Storm Runner® coaster launches riders from 0-72 maximum speed in 2 seconds flat and that's just the beginning. This one-of-a-kind coaster takes riders through a thrilling 135-foot cobra loop, barrel rolls, a dramatic flying snake dive, and a screeching halt before slowly gliding back into the station.

• Wild Cat Revenge: Wildcat's Revenge coaster takes riders through one-of-a-kind thrills found only at Hersheypark amusement park. Climb a 140 foot hill, hit max speeds of 62 MPH, dive into an 82-degree drop, invert 4 times, and stalk your prey through the World's Largest Underflip on three custom trains.

54" and Above Twizzlers

• Candymonium- 97 degrees and falling fast! Climb the steep, 121-foot lift hill before plummeting down the signature Fahrenheit® coaster 97-degree drop. And that's just the beginning, next, fly through a memorable course of loops, corkscrews, dives, and plenty of thrilling airtime.  Savor a heart-pounding, 210-foot ascent up the tallest hill in Hersheypark. Then, dip into thrilling drops including 7 camelback hills that serve up the ultimate feeling of freedom with the most airtime in Hersheypark. Hold on tight! Candymonium reaches max speeds of 76 MPH in this one of a kind coaster.

• Fahrenheit: 97 degrees and falling fast! Climb the steep, 121-foot lift hill before plummeting down the signature Fahrenheit® coaster 97-degree drop. And that's just the beginning, next, fly through a memorable course of loops, corkscrews, dives, and plenty of thrilling airtime. This fun ride has a track length of 2700 feet and lasts 1 minute, 25 seconds. 

• Great Bear:  This guest favorite, inverted steel coaster leaves your feet dangling as it lifts 90 feet off the ground and launches into a thrilling, yet graceful course of drops, loops, corkscrews, and a zero-g roll that gives riders a scenic view of sooperdooperLooper®, Spring Creek, Skyview, and more! The ride experience provides high speed turns of 61 mph.

• Sky Rush: Skyrush® roller coaster takes a First Class flight 200 feet into the air before flying downhill at 75 mph. Experience 4 high-speed turns, 5 zero-G airtime hills, and all-new upgraded seats and restraints - all from a thrilling, winged-seat coaster train!

The larger rides has bag drop area for leaving loose articles so you do not lose them!  Enjoy the best coasters that 

Is a Fast Pass Necessary for Hersheypark?

When planning a visit to Hersheypark, one of the key considerations is whether to invest in a Fast Track Pass, Hersheypark's version of a fast pass. This pass allows you to skip the regular lines on many popular rides and attractions, potentially saving you a significant amount of time. Whether a Fast Track Pass is necessary for your visit depends on several factors:

Factors to Consider

1. Time of Year

   • Peak Season: During the summer months, weekends, and holidays, Hersheypark can get very crowded, leading to longer wait times for popular rides. A Fast Track Pass can be a valuable asset during these times, helping you maximize your time in the park.

   • Off-Peak Season: If you're visiting during the off-peak season, such as weekdays in the spring or fall, the park is generally less crowded, and wait times are shorter. In these cases, a Fast Track Pass may not be as necessary.

2. Day of the Week

   • Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays typically see higher attendance, which can result in longer lines. A Fast Track Pass can help you avoid spending too much time waiting in lines.

   • Weekdays: Weekdays, especially outside of peak season, usually have lower attendance, making a Fast Track Pass less critical.

3. Park Hours and Special Events

   • Extended Hours: On days when the park has extended hours, you might have more time to experience the rides without needing a Fast Track Pass.

   • Special Events: During special events like Hersheypark in the Dark, an 

   • immersive haunt experience

   • (Halloween) or Christmas Candylane, the park can be busier, and a Fast Track Pass can help you enjoy more attractions without the long waits.

4. Group Composition

   • Families with Young Children: If you're visiting with young children who may not be able to ride all the major attractions, a Fast Track Pass may not be as beneficial.

   • Thrill Seekers: For groups who are eager to ride all the big coasters and thrill rides, a Fast Track Pass can help you get the most out of your visit.

5. Budget

   • Cost Consideration: Fast Track Passes are an additional expense on top of your regular admission ticket. It's important to weigh the cost against the potential time savings and the number of rides you plan to experience.

A Fast Track Pass at Hersheypark can be a great investment during peak times, weekends, and special events, helping you make the most of your day by reducing wait times for popular attractions. However, if you're visiting during the off-peak season, on a weekday, or if your group includes young children who won't be riding the major attractions, a Fast Track Pass may not be necessary. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific circumstances, preferences, and budget.

To make the most informed decision, consider checking Hersheypark's crowd calendars and reviews from other visitors who have visited during the same time period you're planning to go. This can give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of crowd levels and wait times.

Hersheypark has awesome water rides as well and these are popular attractions.  There are so many awesome new rides in the water park I am going to dedicate a specific post to this!

Hersheypark's diverse collection of roller coasters ensures that visitors of all ages and thrill levels can find rides that suit their preferences. From gentle, family-friendly coasters to intense, high-speed thrillers, the park offers something for everyone. Planning your visit around the height requirements and ride preferences of your group will help ensure a fun and memorable experience. Whether you're making your first trip to Hersheypark or returning for another round of sweet adventures, the roller coasters at Hersheypark are sure to leave you craving more.

So, gather your family and friends, prepare for an adrenaline rush, and embark on a roller coaster adventure at Hersheypark!