Credit: HersheyparkFew things can shut down a major theme park outside of scheduled maintenance windows, but the massive winter storm currently pummeling the eastern United States has proven powerful enough to close Hersheypark’s retail locations and ZooAmerica for multiple days.
The Pennsylvania amusement park announced on X that Hersheypark Supply Co., Ticketing, The Sweeterie, and The Chocolatier will remain closed from January 25 through January 28, while ZooAmerica faces an even longer shutdown from January 24 through February 1.
This extended closure comes as the historic storm dumps heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain across 40 states, affecting roughly 245 million people and forcing emergency declarations in 24 states including Pennsylvania.
The timing feels particularly cruel for a destination gearing up for its 120th operating season in 2026, with exciting plans for a new hotel, restaurant, water park enhancements, and patriotic summer celebrations already generating buzz among theme park enthusiasts.
OPERATIONS UPDATE: Given the upcoming forecast, #Hersheypark Supply Co., Ticketing, The Sweeterie and The Chocolatier will be closed from Jan. 25 through Jan. 28: https://t.co/18abxi8zUS#ZooAmerica will be closed from Jan. 24 through Feb. 1. pic.twitter.com/RorWz9T1Ju
— Hersheypark (@Hersheypark) January 24, 2026
But right now, those future plans take a backseat to immediate safety concerns as the storm creates dangerous conditions that make operating any guest-facing facilities simply impossible.
Storm Forces Multi-Day Closure
Hersheypark’s announcement on social media laid out the closure timeline clearly. The main retail and ticketing operations will shut down for four days, while ZooAmerica, the park’s 11-acre walk-through zoo, faces a nine-day closure extending into February.
These aren’t typical winter closures either. Hersheypark operates year-round holiday events and maintains certain facilities even during off-season periods, making weather-related shutdowns relatively rare.
The decision reflects the severity of conditions in central Pennsylvania. With the park located in Hershey, roughly two hours from Philadelphia and three hours from New York City, the area sits directly in the path of the winter storm’s most intense impacts. Heavy ice accumulation combined with frigid temperatures creates hazardous conditions for both staff and any potential visitors who might attempt to reach the destination.
ZooAmerica’s extended closure makes particular sense given the welfare considerations for the animals in the facility’s care. Extreme cold weather requires additional resources and staff attention to ensure proper animal care, while also creating unsafe conditions for zoo staff navigating outdoor exhibits during the storm’s duration and immediate aftermath.
The Storm’s Unprecedented Scale
More than 700,000 customers have lost power across affected regions, with over 15,000 flights canceled as the storm system continues its destructive path. The scope reaches from New Mexico and Texas all the way to New England and the South, creating what meteorologists are calling a potentially historic weather event.
Pennsylvania joined 23 other states in issuing emergency disaster declarations ahead of the storm, along with Washington, D.C. The National Weather Service warned that impacts from snow and ice would cause power outages, widespread travel shutdowns, and school closures throughout the affected areas.
Post-storm conditions promise to be equally challenging, with bitterly cold temperatures hampering cleanup efforts and prolonging infrastructure impacts and hazardous travel into at least early next week.
For a destination like Hersheypark that depends on visitors traveling from major metropolitan areas across the Northeast, these travel shutdowns effectively eliminate any possibility of guest attendance even if the park could safely operate certain facilities. The emergency declarations in neighboring states including New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware mean potential visitors from Hersheypark’s primary market areas face their own local travel restrictions and dangerous conditions.
What This Means for Planned Visits
Anyone holding tickets or reservations for Hersheypark during the closure period should monitor the park’s official social media channels and website for updates on refunds, exchanges, or rescheduling options. Theme parks typically offer flexibility for weather-related closures, understanding that guests cannot control natural disasters that prevent travel or park operations.
The closure announcement specifically mentioned retail and ticketing operations, suggesting guests who planned to purchase tickets on-site or visit the park’s chocolate-themed retail locations will need to adjust their plans. Those hoping to visit ZooAmerica face a longer wait, as the zoo won’t reopen until February 1 according to current projections.
The extended ZooAmerica closure into February likely reflects both the storm’s immediate impact and the additional time needed for cleanup, path clearing, and ensuring all animal care facilities can operate safely after the extreme weather event passes.
Looking Ahead to Hersheypark’s Big 2026
Despite this weather setback, Hersheypark has ambitious plans for 2026 as the destination celebrates its 120th operating season. The park will kick off operations on April 3, 2026, with several major additions already announced.
Hershey Inn & Suites, a new select-service hotel, is currently accepting reservations for its spring 2026 opening. The four-story property will feature 130 rooms including seven suites, becoming the first select-service option among The Official Resorts of Hersheypark.
Family suites will accommodate groups of six with a first-of-its-kind room configuration including bunk beds, perfect for families visiting the chocolate-themed destination.
Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar will also debut in spring 2026 near the iconic corner of Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey. The new restaurant promises bold flavors, shareable appetizers, signature cocktails, and chocolate-inspired desserts in a casual setting designed for families and friends to gather.
Summer 2026 brings water park enhancements to The Boardwalk At Hersheypark, with two new water play areas featuring 45 aquatic elements.
The Inlet at Bayside Pier will offer a shade-filled zone with water-spouting dolphins and fish, while The Island at Bayside Pier will debut 10-foot-tall palm trees that tip buckets of water onto delighted guests below. Both areas will feature rubberized decking and shaded canopies for additional comfort during hot Pennsylvania summers.
Hersheypark will also host themed activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary from June through July 2026, featuring special entertainment, ride overlays, and fireworks. Hersheypark Stadium continues its Summer Concert Series with acts ranging from Guns ‘N Roses and Chris Stapleton to Forrest Frank and Pitbull, with a new Premium Viewing Deck offering exclusive amenities.
Building on Recent Momentum
These 2026 additions build on a successful 2025 that saw Hersheypark debut Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, the tallest Screamin’ Swing in the world at 137 feet. The attraction reaches speeds of 68 miles per hour while delivering multiple zero-gravity moments. The Hotel Hershey also expanded The Villas At The Hotel Hershey, doubling luxury accommodations with 19 Villas offering 98 new premium rooms.
The destination’s continued investment in new attractions, accommodations, and dining options demonstrates confidence in Hersheypark’s ability to attract visitors from across the Northeast corridor. Centrally located within driving distance of five major metropolitan areas, Hershey offers a unique blend of theme park thrills and chocolate-themed experiences that can only be found in The Sweetest Place On Earth.
Weather’s Impact on Theme Park Operations
This storm closure highlights how even well-established year-round destinations must respond to extreme weather events. While Hersheypark doesn’t typically operate its full amusement park during January, the closure of retail, ticketing, and zoo facilities shows how severe weather can impact every aspect of a destination’s operations.
The park’s proactive approach to closing facilities ahead of the storm’s worst impacts prioritizes staff and guest safety over potential revenue from winter visitors. With 245 million people across 40 states affected by the weather system, even destinations in typically moderate climates must prepare for unprecedented conditions.
Pennsylvania’s central location in the storm’s path means Hersheypark faces both the immediate weather impacts and the secondary effects of regional travel disruptions. Even after conditions improve locally, visitors from surrounding states may still face travel restrictions or dangerous road conditions preventing them from reaching the destination.
When Operations Resume
Hersheypark’s stated reopening dates of January 29 for retail and ticketing operations and February 1 for ZooAmerica remain subject to actual weather conditions and cleanup progress. Theme parks must ensure parking lots are cleared, walkways are safe, and all facilities can operate normally before welcoming guests back.
The National Weather Service’s warning about bitterly cold temperatures hampering cleanup efforts suggests that even after snow and ice stop falling, the recovery period may extend longer than typical winter weather events. Infrastructure impacts and hazardous travel conditions persisting into early next week could potentially affect the planned reopening timeline if conditions remain unsafe.
If you had plans to visit Hersheypark during the closure period or you’re wondering how this storm might affect your upcoming trip, drop a comment and let us know your situation. Are you dealing with rescheduling headaches or just waiting to see when things return to normal? Share your experience because other people are probably in the same boat trying to figure out their Hersheypark plans right now.