Busch Gardens Williamsburg or Hersheypark

[Clyde4]

(I posted this in BGW section too)

ive been to disneyworld, universal orlando and six flags great adventure in NJ.

Ive never been to busch gardens williamsburg or hershey park and thinking about going to one of them.

Just wondering, how do these parks compare to the others?

Are they kind of somewhere in between six flags and universal?

Also how do they compare to each other?

Hershey is a 3 hour drive, BGW is a 6 hr drive. Not sure if the drive is worth it.

I know it depends on what im looking for, but i guess i mean just in general.

(Family includes a 10 year old)

 

[horsesboy]

ive been to disneyworld, universal orlando and six flags great adventure in NJ.

Ive never been to busch gardens williamsburg or hershey park and thinking about going to one of them.

Just wondering, how do these parks compare to the others?

Are they kind of somewhere in between six flags and universal?

Also how do they compare to each other?

Hershey is a 3 hour drive, BGW is a 6 hr drive. Not sure if the drive is worth it.

I know it depends on what im looking for, but i guess i mean just in general.

(Family includes a 10 year old)

I would say both fall in that in-between category. Honestly I don't believe BGW is significantly superior enough to justify double the drive from Hershey on it's own. That said the Hampton Roads area as several other attractive places to that might make for a good combined family trip if you are looking for multiple days trip and water country is also right around the corner. Kings Dominion would also likely be right on your route if it's theme park only related trip.

 

[Clyde4]

Yes it would be a multiple day trip so thanks for the suggestion! Also apart from the roller coasters, i enjoy (sometimes) the entertainment. Magic shows, acrobat shows, musical theater productions, etc.... I was actually shocked when i saw some very entertaining indoor shows at six flags. Also is BGW and hershey both a one-day kinda park? I spent 4 days at universal last year and it was not "too long".

 

[Nicole]

It really depends on what you are looking for.

Hershey is more of a rides-focused amusements park, but they also have Chocolate World, a resort, and some other attractions. It also has an integrated water park.

Busch Gardens is more of the theme park, but there is an increasing focus on thrill rides. Water Country USA is also nearby and part of the same company.

You can buy front of the line at both parks, which could make it feasible to visit both and/or Kings Dominion, which is another great option.

 

[horsesboy]

Yes it would be a multiple day trip so thanks for the suggestion! Also apart from the roller coasters, i enjoy (sometimes) the entertainment. Magic shows, acrobat shows, musical theater productions, etc.... I was actually shocked when i saw some very entertaining indoor shows at six flags. Also is BGW and hershey both a one-day kinda park? I spent 4 days at universal last year and it was not "too long".

They are both doable in one day depending on crowds if you are going a peak time and and not planning on fast passes I would probably plan a day and half. I would plan a day just for the water parknif you are planning on doing Water Country USA as well. I have never done more then walk past Hershey water area so I can't advise on that. Hershey didn't really have any shows during my last visit BGW has several including Celtic Fyre which has won USA Today's most favorite theme park show award 7 years straight and is excellent. Also in Williamsburg is Wagsters Magic Theater which is a great family run magic show and I highly recommend it. If you do that show early ticket purchases are a MUST as till they move into their new venue they are limited to about 30 people for a show and do sell out frequently.

 

[GAcoaster]

I recommend BGW if you want to do other stuff besides the park-- the Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach areas all make a well rounded trip.

 

[warfelg]

They are both doable in one day depending on crowds if you are going a peak time and and not planning on fast passes I would probably plan a day and half. I would plan a day just for the water parknif you are planning on doing Water Country USA as well. I have never done more then walk past Hershey water area so I can't advise on that. Hershey didn't really have any shows during my last visit BGW has several including Celtic Fyre which has won USA Today's most favorite theme park show award 7 years straight and is excellent.

Hershey isn’t really a one day anymore unless you plan to basically do just coasters, even then you have to rope drop.

They have one indoor show that’s finally back since COVID but I’ve heard very mixed reviews.

The water park is nice but it’s PACKED almost every day. The best advice is to try to get a cabana because it at least makes it more tolerable (no shade+all concrete=very hot). It’s what makes Hersey 2 day anymore to spend most of one day at the Boardwalk and hit up Midway on that day. Stay Fronteerland forward on the other day.

 

[bill s]

Hershey is great but tends to be more crowded. I'd pick BGW this week (and neither on the 4th). The nearest park to HP is Knoebel's, a nice contrast and combination.

Coaster-wise HP has more and a wider range. BG is very close but you may want to look at what a 10 year old is willing to get on; fewer flats as well. HP has a single-use Fast Track that I first was tempted by the price and then turned off by the single use, but actually it makes a lot of sense: there is no disadvantage to waiting a bit to buy it, because you shouldn't even start using it until after noon for the most part.

 

[Bring Back Questor 87]

Just coming off a trip to Hershey - go to Hershey. It was incredible.

I adore my home park, but there is so much more to do at HP these days. Candymonium and Wildcat's Revenge are not to be missed. Food may be a tad better at BGW, but ticket prices alone are far cheaper.

 

[cricket]

Busch Gardens is a more complete experience in my eyes. Hersheypark feels like a glorified boardwalk that happened to get good coasters. BGW has great shows, better food, a more complete coaster lineup, and is a much cleaner park.

 

[Bring Back Questor 87]

Busch Gardens is a more complete experience in my eyes. Hersheypark feels like a glorified boardwalk that happened to get good coasters. BGW has great shows, better food, a more complete coaster lineup, and is a much cleaner park.

When was the last time you were there? It is a fully wooded, thoughtfully nestled park with lots of shade and an excellent variety, especially flat rides that BGW lacks... having 3 drop towers alone is quite a boon for the park where you can choose your own adventure.

I love BGW but as of late, its dirtier and more expensive than ever before.

 

[willrobs3]

When was the last time you were there? It is a fully wooded, thoughtfully nestled park with lots of shade and an excellent variety, especially flat rides that BGW lacks... having 3 drop towers alone is quite a boon for the park where you can choose your own adventure.

I love BGW but as of late, its dirtier and more expensive than ever before.

Hersheypark is a great amusement park and does have a lot of variety - but it's asphalt everywhere, the flats look like they were just plopped down with zero effort and only looking to fill space. The last time I was there in December there was trash blowing around all over the ground, the food was edible, and every table was sticky and dirty.

None of this is to say that I didn't have a great time at Hersheypark, and whatever park that OP decides to go to I'm sure they will have a great time too. But heaven forbid anyone talk well about or have a positive opinion of Busch Gardens Williamsburg in this forum - they will be told swiftly how wrong their opinion is.

 

[warfelg]

When was the last time you were there? It is a fully wooded, thoughtfully nestled park with lots of shade and an excellent variety, especially flat rides that BGW lacks... having 3 drop towers alone is quite a boon for the park where you can choose your own adventure.

I love BGW but as of late, its dirtier and more expensive than ever before.

The way many of you feel about the BGW decline is how I feel about Hershey. It’s not as wooded as it used to be, missing the shade, makes BGW look flat (seriously HP’s terrain is no joke).

I’d also add caution on the 3 drop towers: it’s 3 different heights and they operate differently. They are 80 feet high, 131 feet high, and 189 feet high. Kisses shoots up, then soft bounces down (80 feet), Reeses does similar to Kisses but taller, and Hershey’s does the Turbo Drop which uses the air pressure to launch you back down.

 

[Zachary]

The core of the matter is that Busch Gardens Williamsburg is still a theme park and Hersheypark is still an amusement park. BGW does most everything a theme park does better and Hersheypark does most everything an amusement park does better. Coasters? Hershey. Atmosphere? BGW. Operations? Hershey. Entertainment? BGW. Flat rides? Hershey. Leisure rides? BGW.

If you're looking for a more expensive, more complete-package-type experience, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is correct. If you're looking for a notably cheaper, more rides-focused visit, Hersheypark remains one of the strongest amusement parks in the country.

I do think Kings Dominion is the wildcard in this debate though. It really feels like it slots right between Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Hersheypark in just about every category nowadays. Its "Themed Amusement Park" nature makes it a bit of a jack of all trades but a master of none. Don't sleep on it as an option—especially if you have kids.

 

[Bring Back Questor 87]

Agreed on Zachary's points 200% - variety awaits at all of these parks.

 

[warfelg]

Agreed on Zachary's points 200% - variety awaits at all of these parks.

Exactly. I feel like when you are cross comparing these parks which live in different but similar area's it really comes down IMO to these few things:
1 - Cost. How much are you willing to spend?
2 - Time. How many days do you want to spend there?
3 - Extras. How many other things within a reasonable distance would you like to do?

For example:
I would need to check in on cost, but I feel it's about the same, maybe slight edge to BGW (if you don't include WCUSA as it's own ticket).
Hershey, IMO, needs at minimum 2 days, but some accommodations and tickets offer an evening pass for your arrival day that can give you 2.5 days overall.
BGW can be done in a day and WCUSA can be done in 1/2 day, so you might need less overall time.
BGW has WCUSA as a separate gate and KD isn't far away.
But Hershey has Dorney, Knobles, and Dutch Wonderland a similar drive time away as BGW to KD.

In the end of BGW or HP I don't think there's a "winner" or "loser", I think it comes down to end of the day what are you looking for out of a trip.

 

[dawno]

Sounds like you live fairly close to where I do. We're 6 hours to BGW, about 2 1/2 to Hershey. Both my husband and I have been going to BGW with our families since we were kids, thus are partial to BGW, had season passes for years, made 3-4 trips there annually.

That said, Hershey is a great deal of fun, even more so if you stay at the Lodge or Hershey Hotel. The pool / waterpark at the Lodge would be fabulous for a 10yr old. There are more thrill rides at Hershey - and they are fabulous. My daughter and I were last there in October for the Halloween event, and it was insanely crowded - we did buy their version of quick queue for the rides. Expensive, but since we had just one day there, we would never have been able to ride the ones we wanted to without them.

My husband and I were last at BGW in December for Christmastown. We were fortunate to have two days there and Pantheon, the coaster we most wanted to ride, was open. We also spent time in Colonial Williamsburg. There is no onsite hotel / resort which is something we enjoy on a trip. We always stay at the Doubletree which is closest to BGW, but it's more of a convention hotel than a park resort.

As others have posted, the best choice depends on what you want from the trip. I plan to return to BGW soon with my husband and my daughter and I have decided we are going to make an annual October trek to Hershey Park After Dark, this year will be a two night stay.

 

[Clyde4]

Wow thanks for all the great info!! It sounds like i would probably prefer bgw for the full theme park experience but the issue would be how far i want to drive. Hershey still sounds good though if i nix the driving idea. Interesting to hear about the lack of shade and hot concrete at the waterpark. It sounds like volcano bay at universal!!! I absolutely hated volcano bay, it was my worst waterpark experience. The unrelenting heat with no shade, the scalding concrete burning my feet, horrible signage, crazy crowds and insane lines. I liked just "one" slide and of course couldn't repeat it bc of the dumb fast pass rule. (The "fast pass" that didnt even shorten the wait anyway!) If anyone can compare volcano bay to either hershey's or bgw's waterpark that would be great. Such a shame about volcano bay bc universal studios is so amazing and well done.

 

[netdvn]

Since Hershey is closer, I'd say do Hershey and do BGW when you have time for a longer trip.

Hershey always has random promos to give away the gate. They recently did a buy 2 get one free ticket deal, You might get lucky with their promotions and score a good deal. Hershey is also a tourist town so can easily do multiple days there.

Yeah Hershey has its share of problems. The park layout is confusing, there isn't much shade, operations are awful and the park can't handle the crowds it normally gets. The park has plenty of positives though. The coaster collection is basically unmatched in the area, the desserts are always better there, Chocolate World is one of my favorite attractions, and the park isn't too far so you could easily take a day trip instead of driving 6 hours and having to book a hotel room.

 

[ciffar]

Hersheypark has more attractions for all height ranges. BGW is better in terms of theming and is much more memorable/nostalgic for me. I wouldn't drive twice as far for BGW if you haven't been to Hershey yet.