Hersheypark has released the details about the 2024 season pass program. New is the Pre-K Pass and Giant Size.
One of the big wins in my book is the addition of the Pre-K Season Pass, which is sort-of a tier but also is included free with some levels of passes. Bridges the gap between 2 year olds and the 5 year olds, where they start being tall enough for some of the rides. I know this is done at other parks including King's Dominion, although their pass seems a lot more simple with the terms - Hershey's version per X is for kids "5 years old, born after July 1, 2019," although this text is missing from the site.
Also confusingly, they still list passes as "Ages 3+" and it doesn't appear that you can outright purchase Pre-K Passes by themselves on the web site.
The Giant Size pass is now the top-tier pass, and includes a single-use Fast Track per visit (excluding Boardwalk or Dark Nights attractions), access to an exclusive passholder lounge, and three snack vouchers. The rest of the perks are larger discounts for things like additional tickets or Fast Track purchases. This is a whopping $350 online, or $415 at the gate. There's a $200 split between the Bite Size and Giant Size pass, and even if you're looking for the Full Size pass with parking included, that's $175 apart.
I'm also a bit confused how the Fast Track discounts will work. You do get a discount of $150 off the all-season Fast Track (which would mean that the $123 increase from the King Size to Giant Size would pay for itself), although that removes the big selling point of one free Fast Track per visit. That was $940 this season, and it's unclear if it will get more expensive.
Additionally, if you want to keep paying more for dining plans with the Giant Size pass, here are your current prices:
Additionally, a new add-on this year is "Season Pass Plus" which will give you the rest of the current year plus all of next year. Right now, this looks to be $65 online, but that may go drop in price as the season continues and gets smaller. This used to be a free thing, where it was included as a bonus (we used this in 2019 with a 2020 pass), but I'm not sure when this stopped - although I think last year the season passes "started" on Jan 1st (also closing day), but I can't find this info online.
I don't have 2024 prices for this, but current Add-On prices for 2023 for things like the Hershey Gardens and Hershey Story Museum are $40 (almost their own pass already).
This isn't even all the add-ons and upgrades you can do with Hersheypark, but it's enough to make your head spin. I can't think of another single theme/amusement park with so many options, and the only one I can think of off the top of my head that's more expensive is Universal Hollywood - which is also open 356 days a year and in the middle of LA. Almost all over top tiers at other parks include multiple properties, be that water/theme/amusement parks in a chain.
One of the big wins in my book is the addition of the Pre-K Season Pass, which is sort-of a tier but also is included free with some levels of passes. Bridges the gap between 2 year olds and the 5 year olds, where they start being tall enough for some of the rides. I know this is done at other parks including King's Dominion, although their pass seems a lot more simple with the terms - Hershey's version per X is for kids "5 years old, born after July 1, 2019," although this text is missing from the site.
Also confusingly, they still list passes as "Ages 3+" and it doesn't appear that you can outright purchase Pre-K Passes by themselves on the web site.
The Giant Size pass is now the top-tier pass, and includes a single-use Fast Track per visit (excluding Boardwalk or Dark Nights attractions), access to an exclusive passholder lounge, and three snack vouchers. The rest of the perks are larger discounts for things like additional tickets or Fast Track purchases. This is a whopping $350 online, or $415 at the gate. There's a $200 split between the Bite Size and Giant Size pass, and even if you're looking for the Full Size pass with parking included, that's $175 apart.
I'm also a bit confused how the Fast Track discounts will work. You do get a discount of $150 off the all-season Fast Track (which would mean that the $123 increase from the King Size to Giant Size would pay for itself), although that removes the big selling point of one free Fast Track per visit. That was $940 this season, and it's unclear if it will get more expensive.
Additionally, if you want to keep paying more for dining plans with the Giant Size pass, here are your current prices:
Additionally, a new add-on this year is "Season Pass Plus" which will give you the rest of the current year plus all of next year. Right now, this looks to be $65 online, but that may go drop in price as the season continues and gets smaller. This used to be a free thing, where it was included as a bonus (we used this in 2019 with a 2020 pass), but I'm not sure when this stopped - although I think last year the season passes "started" on Jan 1st (also closing day), but I can't find this info online.
I don't have 2024 prices for this, but current Add-On prices for 2023 for things like the Hershey Gardens and Hershey Story Museum are $40 (almost their own pass already).
This isn't even all the add-ons and upgrades you can do with Hersheypark, but it's enough to make your head spin. I can't think of another single theme/amusement park with so many options, and the only one I can think of off the top of my head that's more expensive is Universal Hollywood - which is also open 356 days a year and in the middle of LA. Almost all over top tiers at other parks include multiple properties, be that water/theme/amusement parks in a chain.
