Hershey, Pennsylvania.... need suggestions

[ShannonMomOf2]

We are in the process of planning our vacation which is scheduled for Dec. 15th through January 1, 2011. We are thinking of going here Dec 17-24th. My 2 kids will be 5(in Oct.) and 6 (in Nov.) and have not been anywhere other than grandma and grandpa's in San Antonio. We are wanting to take them somewhere special that they can enjoy as toddlers. I wanted to take them to Sesame Place but they will be closed in December. I noticed that Hersheys park will be having a Christmas Candyland that looks pretty fun and there's Dutch Wonderland, storybook land and the Hersheys factory. Does anyone recommend these places during this time of year. Not sure if it is real crowded or off peak season. If they seem to be good choices any suggestions on good hotels for, of course, reasonable prices around the area. (we are looking into Mainstay Inn in Grantsville...it looks nice but not sure) Thanks to all that answer

** I read the other thread on hershey/lancaster but being it is a different time of year I was not sure..

[rosebud17]

so not a place i would visit but thats cause i live here but since it will be in dec that is one of the best times to come but i am a sucker for xmas lights....there is sweet lights as well as the candylane and the cholateworld (free) also it is cold here ......closer to your time to come I can help you find good prices for your family since I will be doing the same for my family how many are in your family?

[rosebud17]

there is also off beat place like train rides ect.....I have to think what will be going on around that time. also I can tell you diners and the such to eat at.....DO NOT EAT AT HERSHEY PARK OR CHCO WORLD

sweet lights is a drive through lights display that is $15-$20 a car i think? and last year chocolate world had a house made of candy

[taylordvd]

I see you are from Louisiana. Do you have heavy enough coats, hats, gloves, etc.? A winter coat in LA is way different from a winter coat in PA. Dutch Wonderland is in Lancaster, which is about 30 minutes from Hershey.

[faeryedark]

Indian Echo Caverns is not far away (and is a constant 52 degrees) and not too expensive. You may want to check into that as well. It's open year round except holidays.

[jolly321]

This thread may help you. HAVE FUN!!!

Sesame Place, Hershey Park, ?

[Jen1]

The caverns around the area are great to visit, I agree! I've taken the kids to Hershey Park the last 2 winters. I'd go early-to 2nd week of Dec at the latest. After that it's packed. I love the lights too (seperate cost). We stayed at a regular hotel and at hershey's resort. I much prefered the hershey resort. They have characters that come out and pose with the kids. Alot of fun! A little more expensive, yes.

have fun!

[ShannonMomOf2]

Originally Posted by rosebud17 so not a place i would visit but thats cause i live here but since it will be in dec that is one of the best times to come but i am a sucker for xmas lights....there is sweet lights as well as the candylane and the cholateworld (free) also it is cold here ......closer to your time to come I can help you find good prices for your family since I will be doing the same for my family how many are in your family?

Thanks for the information...I will definatly be getting with you later...we will be a family of 6..my inlaws are coming in from san antonio to go with us. It will be 4 adults and 2 kids (5 and 6)...waht dates will you be there....we will leave here on the 17th and should get there on the 18th late in the evening...we are planing to stay until the 24th since everything will be closed for a few days..but we are open on leave dates.

Originally Posted by taylordvd I see you are from Louisiana. Do you have heavy enough coats, hats, gloves, etc.? A winter coat in LA is way different from a winter coat in PA. Dutch Wonderland is in Lancaster, which is about 30 minutes from Hershey.

We have good clothes, etc. we have gone to places like Germany and canada during the winter so we are well prepared. It is actually not as cold to us because louisiana has more of a wet winter because of the humidy...

Originally Posted by faeryedark Indian Echo Caverns is not far away (and is a constant 52 degrees) and not too expensive. You may want to check into that as well. It's open year round except holidays.

thanks for the information on this..i will definately look into it to see if it will be open at the time we go...it sounds like something the kids would love.

Originally Posted by jolly321 This thread may help you. HAVE FUN!!! Sesame Place, Hershey Park, ?

thanks for the thread..very interesting

Originally Posted by Jen1 The caverns around the area are great to visit, I agree! I've taken the kids to Hershey Park the last 2 winters. I'd go early-to 2nd week of Dec at the latest. After that it's packed. I love the lights too (seperate cost). We stayed at a regular hotel and at hershey's resort. I much prefered the hershey resort. They have characters that come out and pose with the kids. Alot of fun! A little more expensive, yes. have fun!

My husbands vacation is scheduled for the 15th through the end of the year and my little girl will be in school until the 17th..so we are kinda stuck to this time..hope it wont be to bad...


you have all been so helpful..thanks so much...if anyone had other information it is surely welcome...

[rosebud17]

I have a ton of other things to add and will do after monday

[ShannonMomOf2]

rosebud17 you are awesome...thanks so much. I have been looking into mainstay hotel in grantsville.. have you heard anything about this. Seems to be one of the only places where we can all stay in the same room (his mom wants to stay in the room with us) I have read both good and bad reviews on it...