Hershey’s Chocolate World is the largest Hershey’s Chocolate store in the world and a destination for families visiting Hershey, Pennsylvania. I’m sharing tips for visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World and what you need to know to have a sweet visit.
Hershey’s Chocolate World offers fun treats and Hershey inspired merchandise, but it also has fun and exciting entertainment options to spend your day. It is a great place to visit in Hershey, PA with kids.
Things to Know When Visiting Hershey Chocolate World
Is Hershey Chocolate World Free?
Hershey Chocolate World is free to enter and visit. They offer paid experiences like the 4D show, chocolate making classes, and a bakery. The Hershey Chocolate Factory Tour is free to ride.
How Long Does it Take to Tour Hershey Chocolate World?
Hershey Chocolate World can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an entire day to tour. It all depends on what you would like to do during your visit.
If you plan on doing all the Hershey Chocolate World attractions it will take you more time than if you stop in to explore the gift shop.
I would plan an hour to explore and ride the Hershey Factory tour. If you have reservations for attractions this will take longer. The wait times for attractions will also depend on the crowds.
What is the Difference Between Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark?
When planning a visit it is important to understand the difference between Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark. They are different destinations but are within the same parking/entertainment complex.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is located in the same complex as Hersheypark. When you visit you are directed at the parking ticket booth to the Hershey’s Chocolate World area or Hersheypark parking.
Hersheypark is an amusement park that you need a ticket to enter. Learn more about planning your visit to Hersheypark.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is a large visitors center that offers paid attractions and a gift shop but does not charge admission.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Parking
Parking can be confusing because of the location of the attractions. If you are visiting Hersheypark you would park in the Hersheypark parking area. From there you can visit Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World. If you are visiting ONLY Hershey’s Chocolate World, use the Hershey’s Chocolate World parking area.
Parking Prices for Hershey’s Chocolate World
- 0-3 Hours Free
- 3-5 Hours $15.00
- 5+ Hours $40.00
What Is There to Do at Hershey Chocolate World?
Hershey’s Chocolate World has around 9 attractions depending on the season you visit. They range from trying different Hershey inspired treats to watching a 4D show or going on a trolley tour.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Attractions
- Hershey’s Chocolate Tour
- Create Your Own Candy Bar
- 4D Chocolate Movie
- Hershey’s Unwrapped
- Hershey Trolley Works
- Hershey’s Chocolate World Bakery
- Hershey’s Photo Studio
- Food Court
- Seasonal Events: Breakfast with Santa
Hershey’s Chocolate World Ticket Prices
The Hershey’s Chocolate World attractions can be purchased individually or bundled based on what attractions you are interested in visiting. The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour is free of charge and open to all guests. All prices listed below are as of May 2019. Check the website for the most up to date pricing.
Adventure 1: $40.00 Adults/$33.00 Children
- 4D Chocolate Show
- Create Your Own Candy Bar
- Trolley Works
- Hershey’s Unwrapped
Adventure 2: $30.00 Adults/$26.00 Children
- 4D Chocolate Show
- Create Your Own Candy Bar
- Hershey’s Unwrapped
Adventure 3: $23.00 Adults/$22.00 Children
- 4D Chocolate Show
- Create Your Own Candy Bar
Adventure 4: $15.00 Adults/$11.00 Children
- 4D Chocolate Show
- Hershey’s Unwrapped
Trolley Tours: $13.00 Add On
The Trolley Tours offer a unique tour of the town of Hershey. I share more details in our post: Best Hershey PA Attractions for Families.
You can purchase tickets for all of these attractions on the Hershey Chocolate World website. They also offer a discount if they are bought as a bundle and on the website.
If you are buying your tickets when you arrive, the ticket counter is to your right when entering the building. (The restrooms are on your left! I find it’s always helpful to know where they are!)
How to Plan Your Day at Hershey’s Chocolate World PA
We have visited Hershey’s Chocolate World numerous occasions and we always start with a ride on the Hershey Chocolate Tour. It is free and a fun way to start your visit. At the end they also give out a sweet treat!
Before we ride we make sure we have our tickets and check the showtimes for the attractions we want to experience.
4D Chocolate Movie
My kids absolute favorite attraction is the 4D Chocolate Movie. When you enter you wait in a room that has different pictures of Hershey, Kiss, and Reese at different landmarks in the USA.
It is really neat to walk around and see all the pictures. During this waiting time a host talks to the kids and asks them about themselves, their names, and what they like to do.
When seated in the theater, an animated Reese comes on the screen and interacts with the audience and uses the information from the pre-show. My kids were in awe of how they knew about them and they did an awesome job of talking to most of the audience.
From there they start the 4D show. There are a few surprises but no really scary parts during the show. If your kids get scared they can always remove the 3D glasses.
During parts of the show Reese continues to interact with the audience. The show is about 30 minutes and is a Do Not Miss Attraction!! It entertained my kids and the grown ups. Huge hit!!
Hershey’s Chocolate World Factory Tour
Our family tradition is to ride the Hershey’s Factory Tour first!! This is a free attraction. You board carts that take you on a tour of a chocolate factory.
My family of five fit on it together. This is not the real chocolate factory but it doesn’t have to be!! The smell of chocolate is piped through the attraction.
In 2016 they added projections and animatronics of Reese, Hershey and Kiss. My son loves Reese and this was so exciting for him. Reese smiled and waved and he felt like it was just for him. Pure magic!!
At the end of the attraction you get a free sample of chocolate!!! We have had Kit-Kats, Hershey bars, and Kisses in the past. Honestly we ride this so many times that I usually come home with lots of sample size bars…if they make it home!!
Create Your Own Candy Bar
Guests pick their ingredients and wrappers in this create your own candy bar experience.
Hershey’s Unwrapped
Enjoy an entertaining experience of where chocolate starts. From bean to a chocolate bar, this show experience will be a family fun time.
Hershey Trolley Works
Hershey Trolley Works offers different tours of Hershey depending on the season. They have historical and holiday tours that are all family friendly and fun.
Character Meet and Greets
When we visited in November 2015 we were able to meet the characters dressed up for the holidays. We met Twizzler, Hershey, and Reese! It was really cute and they have photographers there to take the pictures. They also let me take pictures with my camera. There was not a lot of pressure to buy any pictures.
Our August visit didn’t have a place for characters to meet. I think the meet and greet is part of the holiday events but always check during your visit.
In November they didn’t have a schedule out either. We had to ask the employees. The characters high-five and interacted with the kids and the costumes were adorable. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
Where to Eat at Hershey Chocolate World
There is a food court, a bakery and an ice cream parlor to choose from when you visit. So many yummy goodies. Every time we go we try something different! This time we tried an old fashioned chocolate milk shake.
I wanted to add a quick note about strollers. Stroller parking is located outside the entrance. You are allowed to bring strollers into the center but you are not allowed to take them into/on attractions.
Stroller parking for the attractions is outside, not outside the ride, outside the building. Save yourself some time and park your stroller before entering. If you have a little one that need a stroller consider using a baby carrier and a backpack for your things.
Hershey’s Chocolate World is so much fun! It is a great stop for a quick sweet treat or an afternoon of Hershey inspired attractions. If you are visiting during the holidays be sure to check out Hersheypark in the Dark: Celebrate Halloween at Hersheypark and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane Tips.
Read Next: Overview of the Hersheypark Hotels
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was the $10 meal ticket add-on worth it?
Hi Alyson- We have never added the meal ticket as an add-on. I don’t think it save you much money and we don’t always eat at Chocolate World… other than a treat from the bakery.
We went through Hershey last month on our way to Gettysburg from Missouri. We just did Chocolate World, and we thought it was cute and fun. We bought our magnet, as we do for every attraction we visit, but we also bought a Christmas ornament. In June! I would love to see Hershey at Christmas. Maybe someday. It sounds like you had a nice visit!
We always get an ornament too! Even in the summer!
Pinning this bc I loved Hershey as a kid and can’t wait to take my family!