Sweet relief: Hersheypark reopens for summer season

One of Pennsylvania’s sweetest amusement parks reopened Friday, with new treats and covid-19 mitigation measures in place.

Hersheypark was scheduled to be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

The park is closed on most weekdays until June and a full calendar is available online.

Zoo America is open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be open on weekdays as well.

Hersheypark is unveiling a few additions this year.

On Friday, they launched Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor, located in their Hershey’s Chocolatetown area. Milton’s will serve up local dairy house-made ice cream, with menu options including sundaes and milkshakes.

The Sweeterie Confectionery Kitchen also opened Friday in Hershey’s Chocolatetown. The new attraction will offer chocolate-dipped treats, desserts, hand-crafted fudge and other sweets.

A new full-service restaurant and bar dubbed The Chocolatier will open for Memorial Day Weekend.

Guests will also see new covid-19 guidelines in place at the park.

All guests with tickets must reserve a date for their visit and the park strongly encourages visitors to purchase add-ons online or in the Hersheypark app in advance to limit face-to-face transactions. Tickets and add-ons, including pre-paid parking, dining and drink deals and ride photo passes, can be purchased on the park’s website.

Prior to entering the park, guests will undergo a touchless temperature screening.

Hersheypark employees will sanitize high-touch areas frequently, and sanitization stations will be available throughout the park. Social distancing will be enforced with signage, ground markings and redesigned guest spaces.

Social distancing and sanitizing requirements have been determined on a ride-by-ride basis.

Masks are required throughout the park, except when guests are in the water or on water attractions at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark.