For more than a century, visitors have come to Hershey with one simple curiosity: how does chocolate come to life? What began as a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the original Hershey Chocolate Factory has grown into one of our most beloved and enduring guest experiences — the HERSHEY'S Chocolate Tour Ride.
The Ride You Know and Love with a Fresh Twist
This summer, we’re celebrating that legacy by bringing a fresh twist to your chocolatey memories, while staying true to what guests love most. Hop aboard between Memorial Day and Labor Day for a limited-time seasonal update featuring:
- The return of the original song, with a refresh of its iconic sounds
- Americana-inspired touches, celebrating the “Year of Hershey”
- A new look for the cows (even more personality for your favorite characters!)
And as always, you’ll follow cocoa beans on their journey from tropical farms to delicious chocolate — an experience that continues to delight first-time visitors and longtime fans alike.
Where It All Began
How the original factory tour sparked the creation of HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD.
Almost as soon as the original Hershey Chocolate Factory began operating in 1905, guests wanted an inside look at how HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate was made. By 1910, formal tours welcomed visitors into the factory, guiding them through real production areas — from bar molding and wrapping to HERSHEY’S KISSES chocolates depositing and label printing.
As the decades passed, the tour became a must-see experience. By 1970, nearly one million guests a year were visiting the factory — so many that it began to overwhelm downtown Hershey and the facility itself. To preserve the experience while safely accommodating demand, a new vision was born: a separate, dedicated visitor's center.
On June 30, 1973—just one day after the final factory tour—HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD opened its doors. At the heart of it all was a reimagined experience: a simulated chocolate-making tour ride that brought the magic of the factory to life in an entirely new way. Guests could now follow the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar in an engaging, family-friendly format.
The response was immediate. Within five months, more than one million visitors experienced the new attraction. From its earliest days, the tour ride combined storytelling, music, and imagination, complete with murals celebrating chocolate history and exhibits honoring Milton Hershey’s legacy. It quickly became a tradition for generations of families visiting Hershey.
A Tradition Worth Riding Again
What makes the HERSHEY'S Chocolate Tour Ride so special isn’t just how it tells the story of chocolate; it’s how it connects generations.
Parents who once rode it as children now share it with their own families. Guests return year after year, not just for the chocolate, but for the feeling—that unmistakable mix of curiosity, nostalgia, and joy. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, this summer is the perfect time to experience the ride in a new way, and revisit the tradition that started it all.
Share Your Tour Ride Memories with Us
Share your favorite pics from the tour ride over the years! Use #ChocolateWorld on Instagram for a chance to be featured or upload your image below.
Join us on more Adventures in Chocolate!
Milton Hershey's vision - that chocolate should be for everyone - lives on in our other attractions, too!
Take a trip down memory lane to learn other moments that make up our rich story.
Join us on more Adventures in Chocolate!
Milton Hershey's vision - that chocolate should be for everyone - lives on in our other attractions, too!
Take a trip down memory lane to learn other moments that make up our rich story.