Some sweet park developments
Hershey to welcome new hotel and water park expansion. Plus new Port Aventura attractions
I’m sweet on Hersheypark. It’s got a great vibe that’s part traditional amusement park mixed with a unique theme that celebrates the Pennsylvania factory town’s yummy chocolate origins. Hersheypark has a great collection of coasters, including the RMC redo, Wildcat’s Revenge and the B&M hypercoaster, Candymonium. There aren’t any new coasters on the way in 2026, but the company is introducing a number of new developments. Let’s get to them.
In addition to the historic and refined Hotel Hershey (where, among many other nods to the company’s signature confections, guests can enjoy a chocolate-infused spa treatment), the Hershey Lodge, and the Hershypark Camping Resort, the resort will welcome Hershey Inn & Suites. Folks looking for a place to stay when they visit the park will be able opt for the new, moderately priced property when it opens this spring. The hotel will include a complimentary hot breakfast and provide shuttle service to the park. As with all resort guests, perks will include early admission to the park during the summer season, extra evening hours at the park, and free admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum Experience. The exterior of the new hotel will be decked out in candy bar-chocolate. And get this: All guests receive free chocolate treats at check-in.
Younger visitors at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park, which is included with general admission, will have new ways to get wet this season. The Bayside Pier section of the park will welcome a new play zone with water spray elements as well as tipping buckets. Among existing attractions at The Boardwalk are the Breakers Edge water coaster, the Tidal Force shoot-the-chutes boat ride, and the Intercoastal Waterway lazy river.
Located in nearby downtown Hershey, near the corner of Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue, the company will be opening the Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar in the spring. In addition to signature cocktails (which, I’m guessing, will include chocolatey concoctions), hearty fare, and gooey desserts, the new eatery will also include “interactive darts” (not quite sure what that means), trivia competitions, and other ways to get, you know, social.
Adventure awaits at PortAventura World
Spain’s premier theme park resort, PortAventura World, will debut two attractions this season. Kids will be able to tackle rope bridges, climb structures, and otherwise explore the new play area, Makamanu Jungle: The Adventure Trek. It looks like it will be a great place for niños to run around and expend some energy. Located in the Polynesia land, Makamanu Jungle will join other play spaces at Port Aventura Park, including Área Infantil in the China land and El Huerto Encantado (The Enchanted Garden) in the Sesame Street-themed SésamoAventura land.
The resort’s separate-admission Caribe Aquatic Park will welcome Coral Bay: The Lost Legend, a 6,000-square-meter expansion that will include new slides, an adventure pool with a water obstacle course, and a splash pad. PortAventura is also teasing that the water park addition will introduce a “unique water attraction in Europe that will leave you speechless.” More to come on that announcement I guess.
Have you been to Hersheypark? How about PortAvetnura?
If Hershey Social is anything like The Chocolatier at the entrance to the park, they have a winner on their hands! Some of the better park food I’ve found at a regional park, with lots of unique takes on main dishes, desserts, and drinks!