Thinking about a Hersheypark Season Pass this year? Learn about all of the benefits of a Hersheypark season pass holder!
Hersheypark Season Passes
Hersheypark is one of the sweetest places to go for family fun. While many people choose to visit one or two times a year, many others love the ability to to visit all year long by getting season passes.
Being a Hersheypark Season Pass Holder has so many benefits, but is it worth it? Read on to find out if getting a Hersheypark Season Pass is right for you and your family.
As a member of the 2021 Sweetest Families, my family and I have been gifted Hersheypark Season Passes to use throughout the year so that we could get a real taste of what it’s like to be season pass holders. All opinions are mine based on experience.
How Much Are Hersheypark Season Passes?
The price of a Hersheypark Season Pass depends on a number of things, including:
- the level of season pass you purchase
- any add-ons you purchase
Season passes can be anywhere between $154-$235 plus tax as of 2021, not including add-ons.
To put the price in perspective, it costs $74.95 plus tax for a one day ticket to Hersheypark. A season pass is basically less than the price of three visits, and you get to visit all year long and get awesome benefits!
Get a full list of what items you should and shouldn’t bring to Hersheypark.
Hersheypark Season Passes Payment Plan
Is there a payment plan for Hersheypark Season Passes? According to what I’ve read, a payment plan may be available for season passes in the fall after the summer season ends. Those passes would then be able to be used the next year.
A variety of different payment plans may be available. The option to have payment plans may end closer to the start of the summer season. More information should be available here at the end of the summer season.
Levels of Hersheypark Season Passes
There are three different levels of Hersheypark season passes:
- Bite Size
- Full Size
- King Size
Notice the reference to candy bar sizes? Gotta love that!
Hersheypark Season Pass Perks
Each pass level gets a certain number of pretty cool perks.
A Bite Size Pass is the base level pass. Included in a Bite Size Pass is:
- Unlimited Summer visits
- Unlimited Springtime in the Park visits
- Unlimited Hersheypark in the Dark visits
- Unlimited Hersheypark Christmas Candylane visits
- Unlimited ZooAmerica visits
- 50% off General Parking
A Full Size Pass is the next level up. Included with a Full Size Pass is everything that the Bite Size Pass offers plus:
- Free parking
- Access to the Season Pass Holder parking lot
- 15% off food and drink
- 15% off retail
- 1-Hour Early Access (Sweet Start)
- Year-Round Events
- 20% discount on Hersheypark tickets
- BOGO Games
- Monthly Rewards Program (extra coupons, deals, etc)
- Priority booking of Cabanas in The Boardwalk
Note: This is the level of season passes that we have.
A King Size Pass is the top level of passes. A King Size Pass includes everything a Full Size Pass offers, PLUS:
- 35% discount on Hersheypark tickets
- Free all-year drink plan
- 1 complimentary Springtime or Summer ticket
- 1 complimentary Halloween or Christmas ticket
- King Size Pass Holder Appreciation bag (drinking cup and various other items)
- 15% off All-Year Fast Track
See a complete comparison of the three pass levels here.
Bonus! Did you know that you can use your Hersheypark season pass to get a discount at Chocolate World? You can use your pass to get a 15% off discount on merchandise that isn’t already on sale.
What Can You Add On to a Season Pass?
There are a number of add-ons that can be attached to a Hersheypark Season Pass, including:
- dining deals
- Fast Track
- drink plans
- photo pass
- games value pack
- admission to the Hershey Gardens and the Hershey Story Museum
Get a full list of the add-ons here.
I added on the All-Year Drink Plan to my season pass. With that, I was given a special Hersheypark cup that I could use to fill with a fountain drink or Slush every 10 minutes at one of the various refill stations when you scan your season pass.
TIP! Fellow season pass holders have said that it’s easier to scan the pass from the Season Pass Holder Portal than the actual card. Keep that in mind if you get the drink plan!
Around Town Discounts
Did you know that you could use Hersheypark Season Passes for discounts around the Hershey area?
Here is a list of additional discounts around town:
- 15% off spa services at Melt Spa
- 10% off the Spa at The Hotel Hershey
- 10% off dining and entertainment at Hershey Entertainment & Resort properties
- 15% off merchandise and dining at Chocolate World
- 10% off dining at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark
- 15% off food and retail at ZooAmerica
Some of the dining options outside of Hersheypark or the Official Resorts include Houlihan’s, Devon Seafood and Steak, and Cocoa Beanery.
I have visited Houlihan’s myself and everything was delicious!
It’s a good idea to bring your pass with you wherever you go in Hershey in case you can use your pass for a discount!
Other Things to Do in Hershey Besides Hersheypark
Hersheypark Season Pass Self Service
To access all of the sweet perks of a Hersheypark Season Pass, pass holders use the Hersheypark Season Pass Self Service Portal. Inside, pass holders can access digital Season Passes (which yes, can be used to get in the park), link family passes together, purchase add-ons, redeem in-park coupons, update account information, and more!
For King Size and Full Size Pass Holders, discounted tickets and complimentary tickets can be purchased or redeemed through the portal.
Note: Bite Size Pass Holder? You must purchase your parking pass through the account to receive the 50% discount on General Parking.
While the Self Service Portal within the Hersheypark app can be a tad slow at times, it has all the information you need.
Can Season Pass Holders Bring a Friend?
Yes, Hersheypark Season Pass Holders can bring a friend (the more the merrier!). The friend or family member would need a ticket, and depending on the level of pass the ticket could be a discounted or complimentary ticket from the Season Pass Holder Portal (for Full Size and King Size).
Those with the complimentary tickets or the discounted tickets bought through the Pass Holder Portal may enter an hour early during Sweet Start.
Does a Hersheypark Season Pass Holder Need to Make a Reservation?
Starting in 2020, Hersheypark made it a requirement for one-day ticket holders to make reservations to the park to keep the numbers of visitors in check during the pandemic.
Hersheypark Season Pass Holders do NOT need to make reservations in order to visit the park at this time.
Does Hersheypark Season Pass Include Sweet Lights?
Want to see the Christmas lights display just outside of Hersheypark? Pass holders (all levels) can enjoy unlimited visits to Sweet Lights, a drive-through Christmas lights display!
One season pass is needed per vehicle.
What We Like about Our Season Passes
I mean, what is there not to like about Hersheypark Season Passes? There are just so many benefits!
What we like is that we can go to the park any time we like, enter using the Season Pass Holder line, gain entry an hour earlier than the public during Sweet Start, redeem some pretty sweet rewards, get discounts for the gift shop (bonus for when you have kids!), and so much more!
What Could Be Changed About the Season Passes
One thing that is often mentioned in the Hersheypark Season Pass Holder groups on Facebook is that the passholder parking lot gets filled fast, and during concert days the lots are closed. The Exclusive Season Pass Holder lot and the Season Pass Holder/ Preferred Parking lot is free to the Full Size and King Size Passholders only (although I believe those who stay in the Official Resorts of Hersheypark may be able to park in those areas too if they choose not to take the bus or tram service).
Some of the passholders argue that even though they still get free parking on those days when the lots are full or on concert days, they still should get access to preferred parking lots since that’s one of the reasons why they paid for season passes.
Another thing that is often mentioned is that it’d be nice if passholders got some sort of a discount on the lockers, especially at The Boardwalk water park area. Paying for a locker more than once a week can be pricey, considering that many passholders visit the park several days every week during the summer season.
Note: Getting a locker is optional, but often the safest way to go due to theft that can occur when you are away from your items on your chair(s), as is the case in many water parks and not exclusive to Hersheypark.
So, Are the Season Passes Worth It?
If you are planning on visiting the park 3 or more times throughout the year, I’d say they are definitely worth it! All of the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion.
Visit hersheypark.com to find out more and purchase season passes.
Do You Have Hersheypark Season Passes?
Are you a HP Season Pass Holder? What do you think?
Have questions? Feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments below!
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