When I mention that we’re going to Hershey Park, the response is usually “Again? You must really like that place.” I do, but unfortunately the past four times we have attempted to go, we have been thwarted at the last minute. Call it the O’Malley Curse. When we went back in October with The Neighbors, we didn’t actually make it to the amusement park because of the lousy weather. We went back in December, but only planned to do the outside light festival, so I’m not counting that visit. Then we planned to go in April, and I thought ahead and checked the weather forecast. With a 90% chance of rain (and it did rain torrents that weekend), we aborted the mission and rescheduled for June. In June, the family we were supposed to go with had a medical emergency and the trip got canceled at the last minute. This time, I didn’t believe we were actually going to make it until we checked into the hotel. For the kids’ sake, thank goodness this was finally a successful mission!
By the numbers:
5 adults
7 kids
4 boys, three of whom were named Nick
Meals for 12 at every stop
My first visit to Waffle House and Bob Evans
Madeline’s 4th visit to Hershey, PA (her first was when she was just 10 months old)
Times we had to stop on the way there? 0
Times we had to stop on the way home? 2
Hours in the park Friday night: 4
Torrential downpour while in the park Friday night: 1
Hours in the park Saturday: 12
Times Madeline rode on the “cow ride”: 2 (it’s a ride in Chocolate World that she loves, complete with happy singing cows that make delicious chocolate)
Times Madeline rode the Carousel: 4
Depth of water Nick swam in: 6 feet (so proud!)
Days my calves might need to recover from all the walking: unknown
This used to be my favorite section of Chocolate World – all the peanut butter items they sell. Now, unfortunately, in a cruel twist of fate, it’s not. All this clean eating I’ve been doing this year has really done a number on the little sweet tooth I had. Pity.
Madeline spied these monkeys in a game booth, and her monkey obsession is still apparently in full force and she was desperate for one. I played the game once with a free voucher and won a small dolphin. Nick went back and played for her, winning something else, and convinced them to trade the two smaller prizes for the equally small monkey. He came tearing across the park with the monkey, so proud to give it to her. And I was bursting with pride on what he did for her. Love him to pieces!
No fear this one!
Clearly not my hand since it is absent of chipped black nail polish!
He swam in six foot deep water – another proud moment for both of us!
This might be my favorite photo of the, um, 285, from the weekend.
If you ask at Guest Services, you can get these “Family Finders” wristbands that you write your cell phone number on the inside, so if you get separated from your kids you can (hopefully) get reconnected easily. Assuming, of course, a parent doesn’t forget their cell phone in the car the first night. Just sayin’. (And no (!), that doesn’t mean we were separated. Just means I was paranoid the rest of the night.)
This hex sign is the only one we pass on the trip from our house to Hershey, PA. Every time we go, I try and remember where it is, because I’ve been determined to get a picture of it. This time, I finally succeeded (and for those that are interested, it’s mile marker 33.9 on Rt 78).
The boy on the far right is 12 years old, Nicky. Madeline developed a raging crush on him during our trip, holding hands with him for much of the time Friday night, and asking where he was any time he left her sight. Young love.
Not quite the same as ice cream, but love the no-mess feature of Dippin’ Dots.
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Sounds and looks like a wonderful weekend! I haven’t been to Hershey Park in years. Dippin Dots are one of my favorite things to get when visiting a park like that.
We go to venues multiple times and it doesn’t bother me. With our upcoming move to San Diego, I have no doubt we will be LIVING at the zoo. Who wouldn’t?!
Great photos as always. Love the dippin dots and the swings.
Cute! I’ve never been to Hershey Park even though we don’t really live that far. I will definitely be taking my kids there!
It must have made things easier if there were so many Nicks! You only had to should one name :P
How sweet of your Nick to get her the monkey.
Great weekend! Lots of fantastic pictures.
Will be out the rest of the week for my big horse show. Will have a lot of catching up to do next week!
My sister in law lives near the park….in fact she used to work in the hotel there before my nephew was born…..looks like you had so much fun!
OMG, that looks like such a blast!!
Aww, I love Hershey Park! We went there on our eighth grade field trip, and that was the first time I was able to walk around an amusement park without adults present (and with my crush, no less!). I have such fond memories of going.
Looks like you had a lovely time, too! Great photos, and I’m still all about the peanut butter cups. Can’t resist them, no matter how hard I try… (or, OK, I don’t really try that hard at all!).