Hersheypark vs. SFGAdv

[scooterdoug]

Hello fine TPR-esque people,

Well, I'm busy planning a little coaster excursion this June with my cousin. My plan is to arrive in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 30. Sunday, May 31 and Monday, June 1 will be spent at SFGAdv and Hersheypark (one park per day).

My question falls into the very unclear realm of crowd prediction. I'm trying to figure out which days to hit up the parks: SFGAdv on Sunday and Hersheypark on Monday, or Hersheypark on Sunday and SFGAdv on Monday. Like I alluded to, my goal is (and always is) avoiding crowds. So, my question is: Which order of parks do you think would give me the best chance of lower crowds? I imagine that Sunday would be the busier day at either park. However, SF offers the Gold FlashPass. Would Sunday at SF with the FlashPass and Monday at HP get me more manageable crowds? Would a FlashPass even be necessary on a Sunday at SF?

These are my burning questions. I'm well aware that predicting crowds can be like trying to count the grains of sand on a beach. But, I'm curious as to TPRs experience with these parks. I've checked online and found that all of the local (and not so local) metropolitan school districts will still be in session at that time. So, which park order do you knowledgeable people think would be best? Thank you all in advance.

-Doug

P.S. - I did a search on this and found nothing. If this topic already exists, please feel free to lock the crap outta this thread

[dougstanton]

I experience with Hershey Park is that it is busy no matter what day or what month of the summer. Both of my recent trips were mid week and the park was still busy. If you are willing to pay for the flash pass, go to Hershey on Monday, but honestly, it won't make much of a difference.

[dj snow]

Check to see if there are any big concerts or other major events going on at the Giant Center or Hersheypark Stadium/Star Pavilion on either day. If so, go to Hersheypark the other day. An evening concert will often mean a full park during the day.

 

Here's a handy link for May!

Here's a handy link for June!

 

At the moment it doesn't appear there are any major events either day, so if I were you I'd go to Great Adventure on Sunday with a Gold Flash Pass, then hit Hersheypark on Monday. Hopefully there won't be too many school groups in the park on Monday, but even if there are, remember that they usually have to leave in the late afternoon, and the park is open until 10pm. Have a good time!

[SharkTums]

^I totally agree.

 

Gold FlashPass at SFGAd on Sunday, then perhaps you can even get a bit of time at Hershey that night with their "get in the night before with a next day ticket" deal if you've conquered SFGAd!

 

And yes, Hershey is pretty much always crowded!

[VGplay]

I'll agree with Hersheypark on Monday. I went last year on June 9th and the park was absolutely dead. Everything was a walk on except Storm Runner and Fahrenheit, which were both about a 10 minute wait.

[scooterdoug]

Thank you all for your helpful input. I was also leaning towards SFGAdv Sunday, then HP Monday. So, I have a few questions now about SF and their Gold FlashPass. On the day I will be going to SF, there is a Ronald McDonald House "Walk With Ronald" fundraiser, with free entry for every pledge of $50 or more. So, this could very realistically drive up the crowds (though, we'll see how philanthropic people are in this economy).

 

Here are my questions:

1. Should I simply buy a Gold FlashPass online before I go, or wait until I get there and gauge the crowds before spending all that money?

2. If I wait to buy the FlashPass, is there any particular sign that any of you TPRers look for when deciding to buy the FlashPass (as in, "when such and such coaster's line is x minutes long, I know it's going to be a busy day")?

 

Those are my burning questions. Thank you all for your helpful advice. I've never been to SFGAdv or HP before, so I want to make the most of my time there. Thank you again.

 

-Doug