Rita's stand within Hersheypark

I've seen it mentioned a few times that there is a new Rita's stand within Hersheypark. It's often mentioned with a tone of enthusiasm, but I have no idea what Rita's is all about. We don't have them where I live. Is it ice cream or slush of sorts? Could someone please explain what they sell at the stand and where it is located. I looked at their website, but is the one in HP just like a real Rita's store outside of the park with the same selection? I have no idea what frozen custard is.

Rita's is a (mostly) very finely crushed flavored ice. It clumps or is thicker than a typical slushy. The flavor also doesn't thin out or get watery when it melts. Custard is like a mix of ice cream and whipped cream. Easily compared to frozen yogurt - don't know if you remember TCBY from the 90s.

As for how the stand compares to those outside of HP: prices are pretty good. They aren't nearly as expensive as other things in the park. The selection is ok...their most popular flavors are included. But that list doesn't seem to change like the chain stores do everyday. Did anyone else notice if they do?

Hope this answers your questions


EDIT: Forgot to tell you where it is. The stand is right at the Boardwalk banner entrance on the left side. If you head back there or to Midway, look where you enter for the lazy river and you will see it. Rita's is a bright red big stand.

Here's a pic I took on opening day:

I'm sure if you try it out you will like it, the chain is rediculously sucsessful because everyone can find something they like. I would sugest the Swedish Fish Gelati(mix of ice and custard) everyone I talk to thinks it is amazing.

ChiefRedskin89 wrote:I'm sure if you try it out you will like it, the chain is rediculously sucsessful because everyone can find something they like. I would sugest the Swedish Fish Gelati(mix of ice and custard) everyone I talk to thinks it is amazing.

He is right. I had that this past weekend. However, do not expect this flavor at Hershey. They have the more traditional flavors...Cherry, Rootbeer, Lemonade and Mint Chocolate Chip (I think that one is a flavor, but can't remember). They don't have this year's flavors...Swedish Fish and Pear. At least not that I've seen.

Hard to believe that there is not a Rita's stand located near you. They are popping up everywhere. There is one near where I work (which is only 30 minutes east of Hershey). And they have one in Palmyra, about 15 minutes from the Park.

A gelati is the way to go for sure. I always like the rootbeer one. The prices aren't bad either. They are rather close to the prices of rita's outside of the park which is nice.

Thats amazing that it's near the prices outside the park! I really thought it would be through the roof like dippin' dots. Also are you sure they won't have Swedish Fish? This is the second summer they've had that flavor and its pretty popular, anyway I'll go to choice B;lemonade.

There are at least two Rita's here in York. It's been awhile since I've been to either of them.

They are correct. They do not have Swedish Fish. I was very disappointed as well
On the bright side I was talking to my one friend who works at a Rita's outside the park and they are raising their prices so the prices inside the park are only like 25 cents more than normal!

HPfangirl4life wrote:Rita's is a (mostly) very finely crushed flavored ice. It clumps or is thicker than a typical slushy. The flavor also doesn't thin out or get watery when it melts. Custard is like a mix of ice cream and whipped cream. Easily compared to frozen yogurt - don't know if you remember TCBY from the 90s.

My parents actually own a rita's and i work there. Custard has nothing to do with whipped cream or frozen yogurt. Custard is just like soft serve but it is much richer and creamier than regular ice cream because it has a much higher butterfat content. The ice isn't even crushed. It's actually just the flavor, frozen together with sugar and water.

But i live down in Maryland so i don't know anything about the one in Hershey. I always thought they should put one in though.

^What Rita's do you work at? I'm actually a manager at the one that just opened in Lakeland, FL. At least until I get a decent job in a theme park.. I'm sure the Rita's in Hersheypark is a huge hit!

It's in Laurel, Maryland. I'll probably manage there too by next year.

Thanks everyone for the responses, but I noticed the sign in the photo says "ice custard happiness." Does the Rita's stand in HP sell different products like their website describes...cream ice, gelati, frozen custard, Italian Ice, etc.?

I looked up Rita's website, and they have only one location here in Massachusetts. That's why I've never heard of it. Chains like TCBY, Carvel, Cold Stone Creamery, and Baskin Robbins come and go, but they don't last long around here. Here in central New England we have lots of old fashioned, family owned, independent ice cream stands that have mostly been around for decades. They generally make their own product. New Englanders eat more ice cream than any other part of the country, and we like the old fashioned home made stuff.

I'm looking forward to checking out the Rita's at HP, but I really lolve the Turkey Hill soft serve. I hope they still have that in the park.

That stand in the park is definitely more attractive to the eye than any that I have been to. It fits pretty well with the scenery there, too. I haven't been to a Rita's in about 2 years, but I come across one every so often when I travel out.
I would believe they sell as much as they can of what the website advertises. I'm not 100% sure, but someone else who has been to the stand can probably answer your question better.
Now if only there was a Dairy Queen that isn't troublesome to get to.

I had a friend take a picture of the prices (since the owner at my Rita's has the territory for Legoland) and it looks like the stand at Hershey offers the Italian Ice and Custard. So you can get ice, custard, or Gelati (Ice and Custard layered). I don't think they offer Misto's or Blendini's because they require more time to make.

My kids convinced me to try the stand at HP a couple weeks ago. They offer ice, custard and gelati. As stated before, the prices are very reasonable. I was thinking they would be outrageous like everything else, and was plesantly surprised when they were not.

i have a TCBY and a Rita's really close to my house and they both taste delicious! I cant wait to try them at HP

Mango all the way!!! Best flavor there is, in my opinion. Every single person I know (with the exception of a couple of you) agrees.

The Storm Runner wrote:Mango all the way!!! Best flavor there is, in my opinion. Every single person I know (with the exception of a couple of you) agrees.

Swedish Fish is pretty tasty! But Mango is the winner.

Swedish Fish:Bizarro :: Mango:Nitro.

Is Mango one of the flavors in the HP Rita's stand? I never bothered stopping to see what they had there.

Mango is pretty much sold at every Rita's everywhere on every day of operation, including Hersheypark's.

I go for the classic Raspberry or Cherry sometimes. When I feel a little daring, I get the Pineapple or Pina Colada. I don't know if the one at HP has the latter, but I'm always willing to try whatever different flavors they might have.