Listen … not everyone loves thrill rides, baby! And that’s okay! I’m a scaredy cat myself! But sometimes we scaredy cats still wanna hang out with our friends and family members when they visit theme parks (like Hersheypark), even if we hate roller coasters and don’t plan on getting on any. Blame it on FOMO! Blame it on the fact that we just LOVE you guys SO much, that we can’t help but be in your presence!
Either way … this Scaredy Cat Review is literally for us scaredy cats who have friends that love visiting Hersheypark, so we don’t have to miss out on the fun! Whether you’re going for the chocolate, the shows, or just to stroll around, hold bags, and eat snacks … this scaredy cat theme park review lists a few things you can do at Hersheypark without getting on rides. Plus a few tips so you can enjoy the park, hang out with your crew, and survive the trip—no thrill-seeking required.
Halloween + Dark Nights Guide: You’ll also learn how to skip the scares during Halloween time, for when your friends insist on attending Dark Nights. (Because as if scary roller coasters weren’t enough … they just HAD to include creepy costumes and characters that get a kick out of scaring you. *sigh*)
So yeah … we’ll talk about that here too!
Disclaimer: While Hersheypark provided me with free tickets so I could visit the park to write this review, and check out Dark Nights — all thoughts and opinions here are my own.
Now let’s get into it …
Should You Go To Hersheypark If You Hate Roller Coasters?
The short answer is: yes.
Even if you’re not a fan of thrill rides (like moi), you can TOTALLY go to Hersheypark and still have a ton of fun with your friends!
Would I suggest a solo trip? Nope! But if you wanna visit because your friends are going, you should! Tickets aren’t THAT expensive … currently Hersheypark Halloween 1-Day tickets are $54.99, which isn’t too bad for a day out with friends. Of course, that’s not including all the snacks you’ll probably buy while waiting for them to get out of line.
However, there are a few other things included with your ticket. (Like taking silly photos!)
Things to Do at Hersheypark (If You Hate Roller Coasters)
Yes, Hersheypark is kind of known for its roller coasters … but you can still have a fun day at this theme park, even if you hate roller coasters! I know, because I’ve done it … multiple times.
Not-So-Scary Hersheypark Attractions & Experiences
- Chocolate World (free entry to park, but attraction costs vary)
- Hershey’s Chocolate Tour (FREE gentle dark ride)
- Make Your Own Candy Bar experience (starting from $29.95)
- HERSHEY’S Great Candy Expedition (starting from $19.95)
- Exclusive treats and shopping
- ZooAmerica (included with Hersheypark admission)
- Arcade (game costs vary)
- Founder’s Way – Walk through games, food stalls, and live entertainment
- Quiet Corners – Benches and shaded spots perfect for snacking or people-watching, which I did a lot of on this trip
Shows and Entertainment at Hersheypark
- Hershey’s Character Encounters – It’s FREE to snap photos with the Hershey Chocolate Bar, Reese’s, and seasonal characters, but keep in mind there’s an extra fee if you want photos printed.
- Live Shows & Performances – FREE music, dancing, and family-friendly entertainment
Water Fun at Hersheypark (Summer Only)
- The Boardwalk’s lazy river and wave pool – Perfect for chilling out without any adrenaline.
Hersheypark Food and Drinks
Hersheypark is great for theme park foodies! I’ll never leave without a funnel cake, but I recently had a Reese’s funnel cake and WOW, I would go again JUST to get that!
- King Size Shakes – Piled high with chocolate and toppings
- The Chocolatier Restaurant – Sit-down dining with themed dishes, cocktails, and mocktails
- Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor – Hand-crafted ice cream in a charming old-school setting
- Snack & Treat Spots –
- Chickie’s & Pete’s crabfries
- Gourmet s’mores stations
- Rita’s Italian Ice
- Funnel Cake
- Seasonal treats throughout the year
If you’re going to snack … download the app, so you can easily find the food your heart desires!
Hersheypark Shopping and Souvenirs
Of course, shopping isn’t free … but the Hersheypark Spirit Jerseys are super cute, and it is something to do. For those of you who love shopping.
- Hershey’s Largest Candy Store – Walls of candy, exclusive flavors, seasonal goodies
- Park Merch Shops – Plush candy characters, apparel, and home goods
- Chocolate World Exclusives – Personalized candy bars, limited-edition flavors
So, How Do You Survive Hersheypark If You Hate Roller-Coasters?
Easy! Do what you want! Seriously! Do whatever YOU want!
While your friends are standing in line for their roller coasters:
- get in line with them and talk to them, if you want
- go grab a snack, if you want
- watch the babies cry as they realize the park is filled with scary people, if you want
But whatever you do, make sure it’s something YOU want — and I promise you, you’ll have the best time ever! And now that you’ve got a list of things you can do, while you’re in the park, all you have to do is …
Stay Black and die. Just kidding! Enjoy your trip!
Got Anxiety? That’s fine, so do I, which is why I’m telling you to do whatever you want. I remember how anxiety would make me so uncomfortable roaming alone. Would I find my way back? Would I hold everyone up because I took too long to get back? Would I be okay sitting alone? But on this trip, I didn’t think about what I could or couldn’t do … I just did what I wanted! I got on the rides that I wanted, I stood in line when I wanted, and most important of all … I got snacks and sat whenever I wanted. And I had a blast!
Bonus: Surviving Hersheypark During Halloween (Tips for Scaredy Cats)
So, if you visit during Halloween time, Hersheypark adds a little extra “seasonal magic” and extra scares for those who want to experience some spooky season fun safely.
But if you’re looking to avoid the scares …
- Leave the park early! Dark Nights starts at 6pm, and that’s when the creatures start stirring. I saw a lot of kids crying, because they accidentally saw someone scary. So go early, and leave early.
- Grab a map and walk around the Scare Zones. I sat directly in the middle of a scare zone by accident, and no one bothered me, BUT that doesn’t guarantee the same experience for you. So if you’re not looking to be scared, you can avoid these areas altogether.
- Skip the Haunted Houses. Yup, they have them, and unfortunately, the waits are just as long as the rides. But the haunted houses are more intense than the scare zones, so beware!
- Buy a “No Boo” Necklace. Although I HATE that Hersheypark makes customers BUY something extra to avoid being scared, I do like that there’s a necklace that “keeps the monsters away”. I’m not sure how well they work, and you can probably just not engage with the actors so they don’t follow you. But it is an option for those who want a little extra “protection”. And it’s a cute souvenier!
- Don’t run! Seriously! Do NOT run! I’ve been saying this tip for the last few years now because my friend is a “scaredy cat” but doesn’t mind attending scary events. However, she ALWAYS runs! And guess what the actors who are paid to scare you do? Yup. Chase you! So even if you ARE scared, pretend you’re not and keep walking, but whatever you do, do not run!
Escapism Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫 out of 5 chocolate bars — a sweet, low-stress escape from adulthood.
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