In today’s digital world, buying tickets online has become the norm for many events and attractions. With just a few clicks, you can purchase tickets from the comfort of your home and avoid lines at the box office. This convenience comes at a price though – online ticket sellers often charge extra fees that can drive up the total cost. So is it actually cheaper to buy Hershey attraction tickets online or direct from Hershey?
The Hershey Attractions
First, let’s take a quick look at the main Hershey attractions that sell advance tickets online and at the parks:
- Hersheypark – Hershey’s theme park with rollercoasters, rides, shows, and more.
- Hershey’s Chocolate World – Interactive chocolate-themed rides, shops, and attractions.
- The Hershey Story Museum – Tells the history of Milton Hershey and the rise of his chocolate empire.
- Hershey Gardens – 23 acre botanic gardens with themed areas and seasonal displays.
- Hershey Trolley Works – Narrated trolley tours of Hershey attractions and chocolate town sights.
- ZooAmerica – 11-acre zoo focused on North American animals and wildlife.
Most of these attractions offer a standard gate price that lets you access everything for the day. Some also offer timed entry tickets for specific rides and attractions if you don’t need the full day.
Buying Direct from Hershey
You can purchase tickets directly from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts in several ways:
- Online – Hershey’s main website allows you to buy tickets online for all attractions and then print them at home or redeem at the gate.
- Phone – Call their toll-free line to purchase over the phone with an agent.
- In person – Visit the box office windows outside each attraction to buy same-day tickets.
- Resort guests – If staying at one of the official Hershey resorts, you can buy discounted tickets as part of a resort package.
The main gate prices when buying direct are:
Attraction | Gate Price |
---|---|
Hersheypark | $74.95 (ages 9-54) |
Hershey’s Chocolate World | $15.95 (ages 9 and up) |
Hershey Story Museum | $10.50 (ages 3 and up) |
Hershey Gardens | $13.50 (ages 3-54) |
Hershey Trolley Works | $9.75 (ages 3 and up) |
ZooAmerica | $11.95 (ages 3-54) |
These are the main public gate rate prices (excluding taxes/fees) for buying at the park or online directly through Hershey. There are sometimes discounts available for buying tickets as part of a hotel package or special promotional offer.
Buying from Third-Party Resellers
In addition to Hershey’s official website, there are many third party online resellers that sell tickets to the Hershey attractions. Some popular sites include:
- Ticketmaster
- Viator
- GetYourGuide
- Orbitz
- Expedia
- TripAdvisor
- Groupon
These sites make it easy to compare and buy tickets online all in one place. However, the prices on third party sites often come with extra fees and handling charges. Some common fees include:
- Processing fees – $5-$10 per ticket
- Service fees – 10-25% of the base price
- Shipping fees – $10-$15 for printed tickets
- Taxes
These fees are in addition to the gate rate price, quickly increasing the total you’ll pay. Let’s compare some example ticket prices:
Seller | Base Price | Fees | Total Price |
---|---|---|---|
Hershey (Gate) | $74.95 | $0 | $74.95 |
Viator | $74.95 | $22.49 fees | $97.44 |
Ticketmaster | $74.95 | $15.99 fees | $90.94 |
As you can see, the fees on third party sites result in a 25-30% higher total ticket price compared to buying direct from Hersheypark. This pricing difference applies for most major attractions like Hersheypark and Chocolate World.
When Buying Third Party Makes Sense
While buying from Hershey directly is cheaper overall, there are some cases where using a reseller still makes sense:
- Hard to find or sold out tickets – Third party sites may have tickets when Hershey is sold out.
- Package deals – Bundles with hotels and other perks can provide extra value.
- Coupons and promos – Look for discount codes to offset the fees.
- Credit card rewards – Points or cash back can cover some of the fees.
You can minimize the fees by comparing prices across multiple sites and being flexible on your dates. For popular peak days, paying a premium for one of the few remaining tickets could be worth it.
Tips for Saving Money on Hershey Tickets
If your goal is to pay the lowest price, here are some ways to save on Hershey attraction tickets:
- Buy early – Tickets tend to get more expensive closer to your visit date.
- Visit off-peak – Avoid summer and holidays when gate prices are highest.
- Look for promotions – Hershey occasionally offers limited deals on tickets.
- Skip extras – You can bring your own food and pay for add-ons separately.
- Buy in bulk – Tickets for groups of 15+ often have discounted pricing.
- Consider memberships – Yearly passes can pay for themselves with repeat visits.
Following some of these tips can lead to significant savings versus just buying at the gate. For example, buying Child tickets (ages 3-8) early in the season can drop the price to around $35 per ticket.
Conclusion
When comparing all the costs, buying Hershey attraction tickets directly from Hershey is generally cheaper than going through third party resellers once you factor in all the fees. However, third party sellers provide convenience and can offer access to hard-to-get tickets. With some strategic planning and searching for deals, you can still find reasonably priced tickets for your Hershey trip through resellers. But for most visitors looking to pay the rock bottom price, going straight to the source at Hershey will usually be the most affordable option.