We met up with college friends of mine who live near by and their adorable children, the Million Dollar Man and his precious sister Sun Beam who will smile her way right into even the smallest heart. We joined up outside at the main entrance and walked right in (no admission fee!) and straight passed the Chocolate Lab, where you can experiment and design your own treats with Hershey's best loved ingredients, to the Chocolate World ride.
Miss Sun Beam uses a wheel chair so I also want to highlight the wonderful accessibility available at Chocolate World. There is a velvet rope right by the beginning of the main line that holds the accessible entrance to the ride. Polite and efficient guides help you access the ride including the rotating platform and the cars.
The ride has recently been refurbished and now boasts computer generated graphics that are projected throughout as well as the beloved singing Hershey cows complete with an upgraded barn scene. The ride gives the basic run down of how chocolate is sourced and manufactured, so your littles get a bit of learning in before a picture is snapped of your experience and you disembark with a fist full of what ever small Hershey treat is being handed out that day. Did I mention there is no cost for this ride and the candy is free?
We then headed to the food court to sample yummy lunch items all with a signature Hershey flare. I recommend Thai peanut soup made with Reese's peanut butter, or pulled pork sandwiches seasoned with a little Hershey cocoa! We finished lunch with a trip across the food court for Hershey ice cream sundaes and milkshakes.
The kids enjoyed playing some interactive video games near by and checking out the cool chocolate sculpture while the parents caught up and relaxed in this family friendly atmosphere. Off in the distance strains of brass music began to echo through the hall and grew louder and louder until the Hershey Marching Band paraded in, complete with all your favorite candy in character form. A full volume dance party erupted with cheering children and tons of photo ops for parents.
The band finished up their gig and the children followed after them as they marched back towards to main entrance, allowing us to corral the kids into the Candy store section of Chocolate World. This is probably the most candy for sale under one roof that you average human will come across in their lifetime. It is divided into sections so I could easily find peanut butter cup related items for our oldest son, and Twizzlers related items for boy #2.
If you are a Hershey super fan, or know someone who is, then you have found a paradise of memorabilia for all ages and tastes. There are so many neat clothing items and novelties for sale that represent almost all of their most recognizable brands. I picked up two kits (exclusive to the Chocolate World store) modeled on the chocolate lab's "design your own chocolate bar" experience that are definitely going into the Easter baskets of my little nieces.
Check out is simple and efficient, and honestly for being children who had just consumed 3 times the daily recommendation of sugar, they all behaved remarkably well. Everyone left with a smile on their face and a full belly. Mom was thrilled that all the candy was sold at market price and no amusement park up charges had been added.
As we ambled towards to door, we made a note to hit up the 4D movie experience on our next jaunt up to Hershey.
This day was as action packed as we wanted it to be, but could have contained many more off season adventures, or even some outlet shopping, if the kids were a little older. For us it was just perfect for a day of fun and a light impact on the wallet.
Nova Mom On The Go ranks this one as a favorite day spot for sure!
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