Hersheypark Announces New Coaster, Chocolatetown Area for 2020

Hersheypark today unveiled plans for Chocolatetown, a $150 million new area of the park that will feature a new roller coaster, park entrance, restaurants, shops and more.

The 23-acre addition to the park is scheduled to open in the summer of 2020.

Hersheypark Chocolatetown Features:

New front gate and entrance experience
Hersheypark’s 15th roller coaster, which will be the park’s fastest, tallest and longest
Hersheypark’s largest full-service themed restaurant in Hershey, will include a bar and patio
Ice Cream Parlor and Confectionary Scratch Kitchen
Starbucks 2,200-square-foot location
Largest Kettle Corn location at Hersheypark
Hershey Kisses-inspired fountain
A new home for the Carrousel, which turns 100 years old next year
Flagship store with the largest collection of Hersheypark merchandise

New Hersheypark Entrance

One of the most noticeable changes to Hersheypark in 2020 will be the new front gate entrance.

According to Hersheypark, “Chocolatetown will create a unique sense of place and seamless passageway between Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark.”

The centerpiece of the entrance plaza will be a Hershey Kisses-inspired fountain. Hershey characters will greet guests as they enter the park.

The park’s iconic Carrousel ride, which turns 100 years old next year, will find a new home just inside the park entrance.

Hersheypark’s 15th Roller Coaster

One of the most exciting components of Chocolatetown will be the park’s 15th roller coaster, which appears to be a Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coaster.

The currently unnamed coaster will be the Hersheypark’s longest, tallest and fastest.

The park’s Skyrush and Storm Runner are tied for the fastest at 75 mph. Skyrush is the tallest at 200 feet and longest at 3,600 feet.

The park will likely announce more details about the coaster in the coming months.

In July, we predicted that Hersheypark would be one of three U.S. parks receiving a B&M hyper coaster in 2020 based on preliminary plans the park released in July.

New Dining and Shopping Options at Chocolatetown

Hershey’s Chocolatetown will offer at least five dining locations, including the largest themed restaurant, bar, and patio in Hershey with one-of-a-kind views of Hersheypark.

The restaurant, which will remain open year-round, will feature a second-story patio and bar.

On the menu will be chocolate-inspired items, craft cocktails and desserts.

Chocolatetown will also include an ice cream parlor with “personal ice cream-ologists serving up exclusive ice cream creations.”

Coffee lovers, rejoice. Chocolatetown will also be home to a full-service, 2,200-square-foot Starbucks with indoor and outdoor seating areas will also find a home at Chocolatetown.

Finally, the area will also feature a new confectionary scratch kitchen and the park’s largest kettle corn location.

Flagship Hersheypark Store

Chocolatetown will also be home to a new 10,000-square-foot flagship store featuring the largest selection of Hersheypark apparel, personalized souvenirs, and toys.

The store will also house “interactive boutique shopping experiences.”

The investment of $150 million into the 23-acre Hershey’s Chocolatetown area is the largest capital investment and expansion in Hershey Entertainment & Resorts’ history.

Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2019. The park will remain fully operational during the 2019 season during Chocolatetown construction.

Take a look at a video rendering of Chocolatetown below:

The area is inspired by the legacy of Hershey founder Milton S. Hershey.

“We are incredibly excited to enter this next chapter in the rich history of Hersheypark. Hershey’s Chocolatetown will mark the true intersection where fun meets chocolate,” said John Lawn, president and CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.

“Chocolatetown will be a place where chocolate-inspired attractions will transform the guest experience in new and engaging ways.”