In this post: A sweet filled day at Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane and what we wore to stay warm.
She Said…
Her Look: Columbia Jacket, Hat, and Scarf // Mossimo Tunic // Under Armour Mock Turtleneck SUGARFIX Earrings (similar)// Story Leather Dakota Wallet // Similar Skinny Jeans // Similar Ankle Booties
I’ve been to Hersheypark with my family more times than I can remember and we always have a fun time. Typically, we’re running from one ride to the next trying to fit in as much as possible. Amusement parks with Shaun are a little different. He gets motion sickness pretty easily, so I had a feeling our riding adventures were going to be limited with him by my side at Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane. Despite a dose of Dramamine Naturals, we only made it on maybe 7-8 rides before he said enough was enough, and yet we still had a pretty *sweet* day.
We got there in the afternoon, so first we found a few scenic spots to take photos at before we ran out of daylight. Next, we headed to the Kissing Tower, Hersheypark’s classic rotating high tower ride. I hate this ride. In fact, it’s normally one I sit out on when I’ve gone in the past because I don’t like rides that hold you up at high heights for a long period of time. But, I had a feeling we’d be able to get some cool photos and I didn’t want Shaun to think I was a wimp. After boasting about my bravery, we got down on a big s’more and the most delicious hot chocolate I’ve ever had (shout out to the dude who hooked us up with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup without charging extra!). We spent the rest of the day moseying from attraction to attraction, huddling close to stay warm and enjoying each other’s company.
Knowing it would be chilly, a few weeks before we went shopping for warm clothes, and I bought this plum Columbia jacket. I live my life in jewel tones, obviously, but they also have a black version and a pretty “oceanic” color. I wasn’t sure how warm it was going to be because it’s pretty lightweight, but boy was I wrong! It’s plush lined all on the inside, even in the sleeves, so it kept me nice and toasty. It was my chilly fingers, toes, and face that I needed to come better prepared for. Under the jacket, I wore my favorite Under Armour turtleneck that I’ve had since like high school, and this super cozy hooded tunic.
Another important amusement park fashion to consider is what kind of bag to carry all day. I prefer a little cross body so that I can keep my hands free. Don’t let a small bag fool you, it can still be hard to find everything if you just dump it all in there, which is why I brought along this travel wallet [c/o] from Story Leather. Not only does it give me a place to organize my cards and money, but it gave my phone an extra layer of protection when on the rides. Shaun has a Story Leather wallet that he uses, too!
I have to admit, I enjoyed this slowed down version of Hersheypark. We were able to take in all the holiday lights, said “hi” to Santa’s reindeer, and made plenty of hot chocolate stops. With Shaun’s work schedule, we hardly ever get to travel together, so getting to experience it with him made it even sweeter.
He Says…
His Look: Columbia Jacket // Similar Grey Jeans // Similar Black Shoes // Story Leather Wallet
As you probably gathered from what Allyn wrote, I’m not super crazy into amusement parks. Nor am I the most ideal person to go to them with. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy going to them, but the selection of rides that I’m willing to go on is typically pretty limited. None of this is by choice, mind you. My stomach just sucks. Like I literally can’t even be a passenger in a regular vehicle for long before I get uncomfortably nauseous. If I’m being honest, I felt a bit guilty even before we arrived at Hersheypark because I knew I’d be limiting Allyn’s options.
The icing on the cake was that it was supposed to be one of the coldest days of the season to date. So, not only would I be feeling guilty, but I’d also be feeling chilly. We went shopping in preparation for the cold a few days prior (on Allyn’s birthday), and I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical of the jacket I chose. It just wasn’t necessarily the typical style of jacket I wear, so I was unsure about how comfortable I’d feel in it. I prefer my warm clothing to have a hood, because I feel like it’s my armor, and this jacket did not have one. It was also rather lightweight, like Allyn’s. So, how did it fair when it was put to the test in the real world? It passed with flying colors! I was genuinely shocked by how warm it kept my upper body all day, and its lightweight build didn’t restrict my movement at all. I wouldn’t have hated it having a hood to keep my ears warm, but I should’ve come better prepared with a hat of some sort (and some more heavy duty gloves!).
As the day went by and my body adjusted to the temperature, I was able to relax my mind a bit and enjoy the experience. While we didn’t get to ride very many rides, I didn’t feel quite as guilty because a lot of them were closed anyway. I’m not sure if that was due to the temperature or in to prepare for the light show they had inside the park. We took our time walking through the park, taking in the seasonal sights that you won’t find there any other time of year. This was only my third time going to Hersheypark, but the unique holiday presentation and decorations throughout the park would’ve made this visit stand out no matter how many times I’d been there previously. To top off the evening, we unintentionally timed our ski lift ride perfectly as it coincided with one of their light shows, complete with in-sync music.
Overall, I considered the day a great success. I think my biggest takeaway was that I should be more open in the future to visiting familiar places at different times of the year. Sometimes the timing can make that familiar place feel brand new. It’s also important to share those experiences with someone you love. Just like the timing, the company you surround yourself with can also greatly impact each individual journey you embark on. I think I made a pretty solid choice on that front for this trip to Hersheypark.