Hersheypark, the 121-acre Hersheys chocolate brand theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has revealed details of its expansion plans,
which were first unveiled last year.
The 23-acre expansion of Hershey’s Chocolatetown will include rides, dining and shopping and is set to open in Q3 2020.
"Hershey’s Chocolatetown will mark the true intersection of where fun meets chocolate," said John Lawn, president and CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R).
"Chocolatetown will be a place where chocolate-inspired attractions will transform the guest experience in new and engaging ways."
New additions include Hersheypark’s 15th rollercoaster – its "fastest, tallest, longest, sweetest ever", according to the park – a new arrival experience and front gate; a new home for the Carrousel, which turns 100 years old in 2019; a flagship store with the largest collection of Hersheypark merchandise; and a fully licenced restaurant, bar and patio.
Other features include an ice cream parlour and confectionary scratch kitchen, a 2,200sq ft Starbucks and the largest kettle corn location at Hersheypark.
An investment of US$100m (€130m, £113.5m) has been ploughed into the venture, which is the largest capital investment in HE&R history.
Construction is due to begin in January 2019 and Hersheypark will remain fully operational during the 2019 season until the opening in 2020.
"This will be a definitive project for Hersheypark, HE&R and our destination," said Lawn.
"Inspired by our visionary founder, Milton S. Hershey, we are so proud to be able to leverage our remarkable history and our shared iconic brand in creating a sense of place that you can only find in Hershey, Pensylvania."