Hershey's Chocolate World facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hershey's Chocolate World |
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Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2012
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| General information | |
| Type | Visitor center/Indoor attraction center |
| Location | Hershey Paradise Niagara Falls Times Square Singapore |
| Opening | June 30, 1973 |
| Owner | The Hershey Company |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
Hershey's Chocolate World is a fun place to visit for anyone who loves chocolate! It's a special visitor center where you can learn all about The Hershey Company and its yummy chocolate products. There are five of these centers around the world, but the first and biggest one is in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States.
At Hershey's Chocolate World, you can find shops filled with chocolate treats and places to eat. You can also enjoy exciting attractions like the free Hershey's Chocolate Tour ride, where you learn how chocolate is made. Other popular activities include Hershey's Great Candy Expedition, Create Your Own Candy Bar, and Hershey's Unwrapped: A Chocolate Tasting Journey.
The main Hershey's Chocolate World in Pennsylvania is part of a big entertainment area. This area also includes Hersheypark, a famous amusement park. Even though they are close, Chocolate World and Hersheypark are run by different groups. However, both are owned by the same company, the Hershey Trust Company.
You can visit Hershey's Chocolate World almost any day of the year, except for Christmas. The opening hours change depending on the season, so it's a good idea to check before you go.
Contents
The Story of Chocolate World
Hershey's Chocolate World was built because the old chocolate factory tours became too popular. So many people wanted to see how chocolate was made that the factory couldn't handle them all! The new visitor center opened its doors on June 30, 1973. It was designed to feel like the cool pavilions you might see at a World's Fair.
In its very first year, over 1.4 million people visited Chocolate World. That's a lot of chocolate lovers! In just 13 years, the center welcomed 20 million visitors. Over the years, the main chocolate-making tour ride has been updated several times to make it even better. The latest big update happened in 2016, changing some parts of the ride.
The building itself is special, too. It uses brownstone rock that came from a nearby town called Hummelstown. In 2014, the main shopping area got a big makeover, and the entrance to the Chocolate Tour ride was also improved.
Hershey's Chocolate World has grown beyond Pennsylvania. In 2014, a new location opened in Paradise, Nevada. After that, all the other visitor centers around the world were given the "Hershey's Chocolate World" name. In 2017, another location opened in Times Square in New York City.
In 2022, a popular attraction called the "4D Chocolate movie" closed. It was replaced by a new and exciting experience called "Hershey's Great Candy Expedition." This new attraction was part of Chocolate World's 50th birthday celebration!
Fun Things to Do
Hershey's Chocolate World offers many exciting activities for visitors of all ages. Here are some of the main attractions you can enjoy:
Hershey's Chocolate Tour
This is a free ride that takes you on a journey through the chocolate-making process. You sit in a special car that moves along, showing you how cocoa beans become delicious Hershey's chocolate. The ride has been updated over the years, and now it even features singing cows! At the end of the tour, you get a free sample of a Hershey's product. This ride is only available at the Hershey, Pennsylvania location.
Hershey's Great Candy Expedition
Opened in 2023, this is an exciting new adventure. You get to travel through different candy worlds on a "cinematic train." It uses cool special effects and projection mapping to make you feel like you're really there.
Create-Your-Own Candy Bar
Have you ever wanted to make your own chocolate bar? Here's your chance! You put on a hairnet and apron, just like a real factory worker. Then, you choose different ingredients to add to your chocolate bar. As your bar moves down the assembly line, you get to design its wrapper. In the Las Vegas location, you create your own wrapper for a pre-made Hershey's Bar.
Hershey Trolley Works
Look for the green, old-fashioned trolley outside Chocolate World. This trolley takes you on a fun tour of the town of Hershey. Friendly conductors sing songs and tell you interesting facts about the town's history. There are different tours available, including a "History and Chocolate Tour" and special holiday tours. This attraction requires a paid ticket and is not available in Las Vegas.
Hershey's Unwrapped: A Chocolate Tasting Journey
This attraction, added in 2019, is a 30-minute show. You become a student at the "Hershey Academy" and learn how to taste and appreciate different types of chocolate. It's a fun way to discover new flavors!
Besides these attractions, Hershey's Chocolate World has many shops. You can buy all kinds of Hershey's souvenirs and chocolate products. The main candy store is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. It sells new items and special chocolate brands. There are also places to grab a quick meal or a sweet treat, like the Bake Shoppe and Hershey's Ice Cream Shop.
