Ninety-six feet. That is the drop on the Comet, a wooden classic that has been rattling bones and making kids scream since 1946. If you are taking a 9 year old to Hersheypark, that number matters. Everything at Hershey is about numbers, specifically inches.
Honestly, 9 is the magic number for a Hershey trip. Why? Because most kids this age have finally hit that coveted 48-inch or 54-inch mark. In the world of Milton Hershey, that is the difference between being a "Reese’s" and a "Hershey’s Bar." It is the difference between watching from the sidelines and actually being in the front row of a coaster that goes upside down.
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The Great Height Debate: Reese’s vs. Hershey Bar
Most 9 year olds fall into two categories. Some are Reese’s (42–48 inches), while the growth-spurt winners are Hershey’s Bars (48–54 inches). This is not just cute branding. It is the law of the land.
If your kid is a Reese’s, they can finally tackle the sooperdooperLooper. It was the first looping coaster on the East Coast. It is smooth, it is iconic, and for a 9 year old, that single vertical loop feels like a massive rite of passage. They can also do the Laff Trakk, an indoor spinning coaster that is basically a neon fever dream.
But if they’ve hit 48 inches? The park opens up.
Suddenly, Wildcat’s Revenge is on the table. This is the hybrid RMC (Rocky Mountain Construction) coaster that replaced the old wooden Wildcat. It is fast. It is aggressive. It is arguably the best ride in the park right now. A 9 year old who survives Wildcat’s Revenge basically earns "cool kid" status for the rest of elementary school.
Where Most Parents Mess Up
They go straight to the back. Or they stay right at the front.
Hersheypark is shaped like a giant, hilly horseshoe. If you enter and immediately hit Candymonium—that massive hypercoaster towering over the entrance—you might spend 90 minutes in line before 10:30 AM. That is a day-killer.
Instead, walk past the tempting chocolate smells. Head toward Kissing Tower Hill. Most people ignore this area early on. Your 9 year old can hop on the Twin Turnpike antique cars and actually "drive" you around. It sounds cheesy, but kids this age still love the illusion of control. Plus, the lines are non-existent in the morning.
The Boardwalk: A 9 Year Old's Survival Guide
The Boardwalk is Hershey’s water park. It is included in your ticket. It is also where your patience goes to die if you don't have a plan.
- The Pavement is Lava: The fake boardwalk wood gets hot. Like, "searing-your-soles" hot. Bring cheap flip-flops or water shoes.
- The "Vortex" Trap: This is the funnel slide. It looks awesome. The line, however, moves at the speed of a tectonic plate. If you see a line longer than 40 minutes, skip it and hit the East Coast Waterworks. It’s a giant structure with buckets and smaller slides. It keeps them moving.
- Intercoastal Waterway: It’s just a lazy river. But for a 9 year old who has been walking up Central Pennsylvania hills all day, it is a 15-minute nap on a tube.
Eating Without Going Broke
Hershey is expensive. A burger and fries can feel like a car payment.
The All-Day Dining Plan is actually decent if your 9 year old has the appetite of a teenage athlete. You can get a meal every 90 minutes. If you have two kids, you can honestly share one plan and just alternate who eats at each window.
Whatever you do, don't buy the bottled water. Every single concession stand will give you a cup of ice water for free. Just ask. Save that $5 for a King Size Shake at Simply Chocolate. They are ridiculous, topped with entire cupcakes or candy bars, and one is enough for three people.
Beyond the Coasters
Sometimes a 9 year old gets overstimulated. The noise, the heat, the "Am I tall enough?" anxiety.
Walk into ZooAmerica. It is attached to the park and included in your admission. It is quiet. It is shady. You can see North American animals like wolves, bears, and otters. It provides a much-needed sensory reset before you head back out to tackle the Great Bear.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- The Night-Before Preview: If you have a ticket for tomorrow, you can enter the park for the last 2.5 hours of tonight for free (3.5 hours if you stay at a Hershey resort). Use this time to get measured at the official station right inside the gate. They get a wristband. No more height arguments with ride ops.
- Download the App: Do it now. Not when you're at the gate. It shows real-time wait times. If Storm Runner drops to 20 minutes, you need to move.
- Start at the Back: When the gates open, run (okay, walk quickly) to the Lightning Racer in the far back. You can often ride it three times in a row without getting off while everyone else is stuck in the 2-hour line for Candymonium at the front.
- Pack a "Dry Bag": If you're doing the Boardwalk, bring a small cinch bag for dry clothes. Most 9 year olds hate walking around in damp denim for the rest of the evening.
Hersheypark with a 9 year old is about managing expectations. They are old enough to be brave but young enough to get tired. Keep them hydrated, watch the height requirements, and for the love of everything, eat the chocolate.