How Long Is The Hershey Chocolate World Tour? Our Family’s Complete Guide!
If you’ve been following the DoubleDeckerFam on Instagram or YouTube, you know we’re always on the lookout for fun, family-approved adventures—especially ones with tasty perks! Our latest stop? The iconic Hershey’s Chocolate World Tour in Hershey, Pennsylvania. But before you go running for your shoes (or your RV keys), there’s one question practically every family asks:
How long is the Hershey Chocolate World Tour?
In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know about timing your visit, what to expect, and our best tips for making the most of your chocolatey trip—especially if you’re hitting the road as a big family like ours. Ready? Let’s unwrap the secrets of the sweetest tour around!
Quick Answer: How Long Is The Hershey Chocolate World Tour?
The classic Hershey’s Chocolate World Tour ride itself lasts about 30 minutes from start to finish (the ride portion is around 15-20 minutes, with loading and unloading adding a few), but you should plan at least 1.5 to 3 hours at Hershey’s Chocolate World to get the most out of your stop. Trust me, your crew will want plenty of time for tastings, shopping, and all the photo-ops!
What Is the Hershey Chocolate World Tour?
Before we get into logistics, here’s a quick primer for anyone planning their first visit:
- Location: 101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033 (right next to Hersheypark)
- Main Attraction: The Hershey Chocolate Tour is a whimsical, family-friendly ride that takes you behind-the-scenes of how Hershey’s famous chocolate is crafted, from cacao bean to candy bar. Spoiler: You’ll get FREE chocolate at the end!
- Cost: The ride itself is free, but many other Chocolate World experiences (like Create Your Own Candy Bar, 4D Chocolate Movie, and Tasting Adventure) ticketed separately.
Our Visit: DoubleDeckerFam’s Step-by-Step Experience
1. Arrival and Parking
We rolled up in our Double Decker RV, parked in Hershey’s massive lot, and loaded up our six kiddos. (Handy tip: Hershey has designated RV/bus parking—there’s a charge, so factor that in. Also check their official parking information for the latest policies!)
2. Entering Chocolate World
Even on a weekday, the entry had a bit of a buzz—especially from the twins, who couldn’t wait to meet the Hershey’s characters at the doors. We zipped through the big, bright Chocolate World entrance, grabbed a map (trust me, it helps with so many kids), and made a beeline for the Chocolate Tour.
Pro Tip: Coming early or late in the day can mean shorter lines, especially during summer or on weekends.
3. The Chocolate Tour Ride: How Long Does It Really Take?
The Queue
Depending on when you arrive, the line for the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour can be less than 10 minutes or up to 40 minutes on peak days. We visited on a Wednesday morning in late spring and waited about 15 minutes.
The Ride Itself (15-20 minutes)
Here’s the sweet spot: the ride is a continuous conveyor, with cars seating up to 4-5 people—perfect for grouping your little ones (don’t worry, they won’t split your family unless you have a super massive crew).
- Duration: The ride portion runs about 15 minutes.
- Experience: Animatronics, catchy music, and fun chocolate “wonders,” including cows that sing and giant vats of swirling chocolate. Even our teenagers were smiling!
Exiting & Free Chocolate (5 minutes)
At the end, you hop out and, YES, every rider gets a sample Hershey’s treat. (Try not to snack on it before snapping a family pic—we learned the hard way!)
Total time inside the Chocolate Tour area: Usually 20-35 minutes, depending on lines and photo ops.
What Else Is There to Do at Hershey’s Chocolate World?
Honestly, so much! The Chocolate Tour is just a part of the experience, and if you’ve got hungry, curious kids like ours, you’re going to want more time for:
- The Bakery (try the s’mores!)
- Shopping for exclusive Hershey’s merch
- Create Your Own Candy Bar (about 45-60 minutes)
- Hershey Trolley Works ride
- 4D Chocolate Movie (lasts about 30 minutes)
- Tons of photo-ops with the Hershey’s characters
Plan at least 1-2 additional hours if you want to enjoy these bonus experiences!
Sample Schedule: How Our Family Times a Visit
To help you maximize your day, here’s how we, as an 8-person RV-traveling family, timed things:
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Arrive & Park | 15 min |
| 10:15 AM | Enter/Restroom Break | 10 min |
| 10:25 AM | Chocolate World Tour Line & Ride | 30 min |
| 10:55 AM | Free Sample/Photos | 10 min |
| 11:05 AM | Browse Store | 15 min |
| 11:20 AM | Create Your Own Candy Bar** | 45 min |
| 12:05 PM | Lunch or Treat in Cafe | 30 min |
| 12:35 PM | 4D Chocolate Movie | 30 min |
| 1:05 PM | Head back or explore more | —- |
Total Time: ~3 hours
Honestly, with younger kids (our twins included), bathroom stops, and snack breaks, it’s easy to spend even longer. We never feel rushed—there’s always something new to discover!
Tips for Visiting Hershey’s Chocolate World With Kids
Because we’ve done Hershey’s with six kids (ages 5 to 10), here are our best real-life family travel tips:
- Arrive Early (Especially Weekends): The earlier you go, the shorter the lines. If you can, opt for a weekday.
- Make Reservations for Paid Experiences: For things like Create Your Own Candy Bar or the 4D Movie, book ahead—especially during summer.
- Budget for Extras: While the Chocolate Tour ride is free, souvenirs, photos, and special activities add up. Set a family budget so you don’t end up with four bags of peanut butter cups before lunch.
- Bring a Stroller: Even our “big kids” (aged 7 and up) needed a break—Hershey’s Chocolate World is surprisingly spacious!
- Allergy Note: Chocolate samples are typically nut-free, but always double-check at the entrance if your family has allergies. You can find official Hershey allergy information here.
Is the Hershey Chocolate World Tour Worth It?
Our whole crew says: YES! Whether you’re a chocolate lover or just want an easy, low-stress family adventure that fits every age, Hershey’s delivers. The tour’s combination of education, entertainment, and indulgence is a rare gem.
Plus, it’s so affordable (read: free). For any family balancing budgets with fun, this is one of the best deals on the east coast. Check out what other families have to say on TripAdvisor—you’ll find we’re not alone in loving it!
FAQ: Hershey’s Chocolate World Tour
Do you need tickets for the Chocolate Tour?
Nope! The main ride is completely free and doesn’t require advance reservations.
Can you do the Chocolate World Tour more than once?
Absolutely. We’ve done it twice in the same day (nobody complained about extra samples)!
Is the tour stroller and wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the entire facility is fully accessible—a win for big families.
What’s the best age for the tour?
We’ve taken kids from ages 5 to 10, and all had a blast. Even adults get a kick out of the behind-the-scenes chocolate magic.
Is there an actual chocolate factory tour?
The Chocolate World Tour is a simulated “factory” ride. For real factory tours, check Hershey’s official FAQ page for updates (actual manufacturing tours are not currently available to the public).
Final Verdict: How Much Time Should Families Set Aside?
For just the Hershey Chocolate World tour ride, 30–45 minutes is enough. But for the ultimate family day at Hershey’s Chocolate World, block out at least 1.5 to 3 hours. If you want to try all the extras, half a day is even better.
Don’t forget to check the Hershey’s Chocolate World events calendar for seasonal happenings!