Hershey's Dystopian Chocolate Ride

I think it'd be a lot of fun if an "educational" ride like this suddenly turned into a thrill ride after they were done teaching you

Hey there! Hershey native, here. Nice overview of the ride. As someone old enough to remember the original iteration (I had a vinyl place mat with the cocoa plantation scene on it, it is now framed and on display at the Hershey Historic Society), I'd like to add some notes and observations: - There are a lot of people who fondly remember the original iteration. Pretty much everyone local universally loathes the current version. The animatronic cows are terrifying, and we're all mad the original Worlds Fair mural in the boarding area was painted over. The test kitchen mannequin WAS animated at one time. She would turn her head, and her arm would move back and forth as if spreading frosting on the cake. - Chocolate was considered "nutritious" from its inception in the 16th c until about 1980 when people became deeply anti-sugar. It was the RedBull of its day, providing a burst of energy from the sugar and minor nutrition in the form of milk protein. To my knowledge, Hershey is still contracted to provide desserts for rations for the US military. - The cue line has also been updated multiple times along with the ride itself. The current version is three times the size it once was. Originally, it loaded near the "Make your own chocolate bar" area and took you up an incline to an elevated cue that featured jungle theming, and later monitors of people harvesting cocoa beans. It overlooked the retail area and you had to watch your head. I once had a kid drop his lunch box and it came within millimeters of hitting me. - No one likes the new "Taste the Love" song. As obnoxious as the old "Hershey's Chocolate" jingle could be, there is a fond nostalgia toward it much as there is toward the "It's a Small World" theme. - The retail area is also three times the size it once was. The atrium where the fountain and banana and cocoa trees are used to be all there was. The food court and extended retail area were all added in the early 90s. I worked there for two summers. It was not one of my better summer employment experiences. - Re Child labor: I'm sure this was an ongoing issue, but it's actually worse now than it was years ago. If you visit "The Hershey Story" museum, there is a whole sub-section about how Milton Hershey built company towns for all his workers-- this included exotic locations like Cuba and Africa. Not only did he provide housing, but also schools, hospitals, and orphanages after the tradition of the local Milton S Hershey School. Sadly, not much of these company towns survive today. I am given to understand there is only a single building surviving in Cuba, and it is currently a canteen for the Cuban military. - You used to be able to tour the original (now demolished) 1909 chocolate factory. It remained open to the public until the mid-1980s. My second grade class was one of the last public tours to go through in 1987. I still get people asking if they can tour the factory. For obvious health/safety/accessibility issues, this is no longer an option. - Hershey DOES still have a factory, but it's built behind the original site nearer to Hummelstown across the street from the Hershey recycling center. The 1909 factory simply could not be renovated any more, and was eventually torn down in 2012, much to the outrage of the locals. The HERSHEY smoke stacks and barberry bushes are still there. A delusional developer entertains dreams of turning the old cocoa bean silos into apartments. No one thinks this will actually work. - There is a tile mosaic from the old Hershey Dairy on display near the bathrooms in Chocolate world. It's become a sort of Easter Egg for those who are interested in local history. - The 1990s extension of Chocolate World is partially on land that was once the site of the old Hershey Swimming Pool (1911 - 1971). This was quite an extensive complex, and is still in place, just back filled with soil. The light house that stood near the old chute slides is still there.

Honestly, I really enjoyed this ride when I went to Hershey. It is pretty much like what the original EPCOT pavilions were when they were heavily sponsored.

the current version almost feels like parody of a corporate themed ride

I feel like Hershey doesn’t get the same amount of love like this compared to other theme park history channels, Hersheypark is super nostalgic for me since I’ve lived less than an hour away from the park my whole life. I’d love to see a Knoebels video at some point from anyone. You’ve gotten a well deserved like and subscribe!

Fun fact about Hershey in general: Milton S. Hershey originally booked passage on the Titanic, but cancelled at the last minute because it wouldn't arrive until later than he wanted. He cancelled his ticket, then booked passage on the German Amerika, which arrived back in America on the 7th of April instead of the 12th. In fact, the Amerika sent a warning to the Titanic that she passed several icebergs on the route Titanic would later take.

As somebody who frequents Hershey, I remember what a big deal the last renovation was in 2016 and how it upset a lot of people. The original 3 cows (which had been added in the 2006 renovation) had been at the end and had a catchy song that would play until you got off the ride, but after the renovation, they were removed and the 6 new ones were added to the beginning and given a new song. That was done to make way for all the new digital projection screens which really seem unnecessary compared to the old ride. Either way, it's free so anybody that goes to Hershey/Hershey Park should check it out - at the very least just to get the free piece of chocolate at the end!

Yet again expanding your content far beyond the limits of Disney and Universal bringing more attention to lesser known attractions and theme parks. Quality channel good sir!

the queue before the 2016 changes used to be immersive into the jungle and then the docks where cocoa beans were shipped out. Now it's just industrial / brick walls and less interesting to look at.

Oh wow, I haven't seen those original Chocolate World scenes in decades. There was another short lived version where a human worker taught an alien robot about chocolate, where each car had a small television monitor. I think it only lasted about a year in the early 90s.

From the looks of it, the best effect in the many versions of this ride are the one way mirrors that give the illusion of a vast expansion of machines at work. That's a neat trick, and I love it every time I see something like that implemented.

I grew up in Central PA (now live in Central FL), and I've done version all versions from 1990- 2016. I'm a 1990's baby and never did do the versions pre 1990. Out of all the versions, the 2006 version is my favorite. I always loved smelling the chocolate in the refining room. I vaguely do remember smelling chocolate while visiting Hershey from 1995-2005. But now it's very rare that you DO smell chocolate. What you'll smell likely is roasting peanuts at the Reese's plant.

As a Central PA resident who grew up riding this and witnessing all of its transformations (1990s version will always triumph) I am so glad to see someone cover this!!!! Edit: when they got rid of the classic “Hershey’s Chocolate” song at the end and replaced it with whatever generic song plays now, I wanted to revolt.

A dark chocolate ride, if you will.

I used to go to Hershey Park a lot and never thought of this as a dystopian ride. I always saw it as a nice ride to escape the summer heat and get a free piece of chocolate at the end.

I remember riding this and being hypnotized by the pure unadulterated commercialism. Hershey, PA is a really fun place to visit. I really does feel like a real world Wonka Factory, down to the smells that permeate the city. Another great video💜

As a Disney fan that grew up like 30 miles from Hershey Chocolate world, I rode this many many times as I couldn’t go to Hershey Park because it’s mostly rollercoasters and I can’t ride thrill rides or rollercoasters, thanks for making this on a dark ride I’ve ridden too many times to count, and for anyone coming to Hershey, I HIGHLY recommend during your stop at Chocolate World going to the cafeteria and getting a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup milkshake, they are to die for

An extra tip...if you don't like chocolate they will give you something else at the end of the ride...usually an individually wrapped twizzler.

Very informative video; with the Omnimovers system this ride looks like what would happen if Hershey sponsored the Land at EPCOT.

Been going to Hershey Park every year since the early 90's. I love this ride as a post park tradition, it's a great way to cool down after a long day in the sun. Though I strongly prefer the pre-2010 ish renovations. Back in the 90's and early 2000's, the entire park/town and building smelled of chocolate since the actual chocolate factory was still open back then