HERSHEY’S Chocolate Tour — Attraction in Derry Township

If you live in the Central PA area, Hershey's Chocolate World is a right of passage. For over 50 years, Hershey's Chocolate World has been welcoming guests to get a fun behind the scenes look at how Hershey's Chocolate is made. I've been here many times but it had been over a decade since my last visit and I was thrilled to take my own children to experience this piece of my childhood. Since my last visit the indoor queue has been significantly improved and the wait was absolutely minimal. The ride has changed some as well, but the singing cows from the major update probably 15 years ago are still there and I was also surprised to see a new addition of the baby cow, Buttercream. Later on in the ride there was also the addition of brand specific animatronic characters.

While the ride was fun and a joy to share with my family, this particular visit I noted that multiple moving parts of the ride show were broken and in disrepair and the trademark chocolate smell in the conching room was completely absent. While this wasn't a deal breaker, it did take away a bit of the magic that I would normally expect.

As you leave the ride, you are still given a small piece of chocolate which is always a welcome surprise for the uninitiated. And you will eventually wind your way back out to the expansive gift shop where you can find all kinds of Hershey's food products and branded merchandise for sale. Additionally, there are other paid add-ons like the Reese's Stuff Your Cup or Create Your Own Candy Bar experience.

While we did not need it, the space appears to be accommodating for those with accessibility needs and I did note a ride car that appeared to allow for wheelchairs although it was unclear if any transfer would be required.

Parking here is simple and signed well. The first 3 hours are free, but as of this writing the price then goes to $60 for the day. You'll want to keep an eye on your time, but if you're just stopping by for Hershey's Chocolate World, you should be able to cover most everything in that window without much trouble.

If you happen to be visiting Hershey Park for the day, this is a nice way to soak in some air conditioning and get "one last ride" on the way...

OMG, you guys, the Hershey's Chocolate Tour is basically my new religion. Forget your fancy cathedrals, I've seen the light, and it's MILK CHOCOLATE. Five stars, ALL the way. I went in expecting a slightly educational, vaguely factory-ish experience, and I came out a changed woman, fueled by sugar and the sheer joy of animatronic cows.

Let's talk about those cows. Those. Cows. I'm not going to lie, I teared up a little. They sing! They probably judge you silently for how many Kisses you've already inhaled (no regrets). It's like a bovine barbershop quartet, but instead of harmonizing about barbershop-y things, they're belting out tunes about…chocolate. It's surreal, it's magical, it's everything I never knew I needed in my life. I’m pretty sure I saw one of them wink. I’m considering starting a fan club. "Moo-Town Harmony," maybe?

The tour itself is a delightful little tram ride through the (sanitized, health-code-approved, I'm sure) chocolate-making process. You learn stuff! Like, where chocolate comes from (spoiler alert: not the grocery store). And how they make those perfect little Kisses. The whole time, you're breathing in the sweet, sweet aroma of cocoa, which is basically aromatherapy for the soul. Forget lavender, give me the scent of roasting cocoa beans!

And then, the grand finale: the…fun-size Hershey bar. Oh, the fun-size Hershey bar. It's presented to you like the holy grail of chocolate. Okay, maybe not quite that dramatic, but it's definitely a welcome treat after learning all about the chocolate-making magic. I may or may not have devoured mine in approximately 3.2 seconds. Don't judge me.

Seriously, if you're within driving distance of Hershey, Pennsylvania, you NEED to do this tour. Bring the kids, bring your grandma, bring your weird uncle who only eats chocolate pudding. Everyone will love it. Just be prepared to leave with a sugar rush and an overwhelming desire to buy all the Hershey’s...

I finally made it to where I wanted to be!!.3-18-25...didn't want the amusement park or anything others have done I just wanted all the chocolate Candy!! Lol...My Loove took me to Hershey!! I was so hype! & the happiest!!. This store had Every Chocolate Hershey Brand could make and then exclusive stuff!! like strawberries & creme Hershey's candy bar, PB&J Reese Cup with both kinds!! Strawberry and Grape jelly inside!(definitely grabbed them!). I was like a kid I even got excited because the light fixtures outside the building were made into Hershey's kisses!.. they had a create your own bag!, the Harry Potter New Butterbeer Kisses/Popcorn & graham crackers, Mocha, Chocolate truffle and Hazelnut exclusive Hershey kisses. We went on a walking tour then the Chocolate Tour inside with a roller coaster type ride and animatronics in all three hersheys candies and some farm cows!. Cupcake was scary! & looked crazy!. Matt Customer Service went above & beyond, he was Very helpful every step of the way from helping me along with my love downstairs and to ride because under my feet it moved in a circle so you had to be careful your foot didn't slip!. and after the ride to help me off safely so I can't thank him enough for saving my life! Lol... We went on the ride it was cool and a little traumatic lol cause everything moved! and talked ( past childhood Chuck E. Cheese trauma). Overall I loved that they had so much different candies, a theatre you could watch , a candy making station at the Reese's station. They had an actual chocolate making & tasting you could do next to the entrance when you walked it!, definitely a tourist attraction spot for sure!!!!.. I'd return and I am so I can participate in everything and have more fun and time!!. I'm coming back very soon!!.. I got a few exclusive candy items!! & got my sister some too!! Hopefully next time I'll see...