Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?

I saw a few threads about Hershey Park, but I'm hoping for some additional info. I'm looking into it for next year.

DS will be 6, DD will be 3.

I know there are a lot of benefits to staying at a Disney hotel when going exclusively to WDW. Is it worth it to stay at a Hershey hotel, or will the cost savings of staying outside the park be worth it?

Are there other activities tied to Hershey, or just nearby that are worth seeing?

Things to make sure we do, make sure we avoid?

Thanks!

ETA: I realize that this may get moved to Travel, but it's more of a Parent asking other Parents what I can do there with DC....

Message edited 3/3/2008 8:18:58 AM.

Re: Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?

We go every year and stay at an outside hotel...I think it's the Sheraton, I'll check...

There's the park an also the "factory" where you can take a tour of how it all works......you can separate that into 2 days if you want.....

Your 3 year old may not be able to go on rides, not sure if there's really little ones......
There's a whole new water jammie that's pretty cool too, just make sure you watch like a hawk, it's pretty crazy and a few kids were lost......

I'll find out the hotel for you too, it was pretty reasonable and 10 min from the park.
I would actually stay at the Hershey Hotel if I was without kids, it's really nice apparently.......

Re: Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?

That's some very useful info!

From the website, they have some rides that are for kids under 36". When it gets a little closer, we'll have to see how tall she is, and how adventurous she is. If she keeps up with the way she is, she may be trying to make stilts so she can sneak on the super scary roller coasters with me....

Usually, when we go on trips (including Disney), the hotel is just where we sleep and store all our stuff. We're not looking for a whole lot of amenities or activities in and around the hotel, so if we can save $$ by staying off-campus, that would be great.

Re: Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?

Do the Hershey Tour - lots of fun for all ages!
The Hershey Lodge is very nice, but pretty costly from what I remember. If you plan on going that way for a few days, definitely plan on going to Lancaster too - LOTS of fun stuff for kids!

Re: Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?

I love the hersehy Lodge

Re: Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?

Shawn, it's the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey.......

Great for the $$$, there's a diner anf a Chili's down the block and a strip mall behind it that could be helpful......

Re: Hershey Park rants/raves/to-dos, etc?