Busch Gardens - Seseme Street

[JulieSharp]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone had recently been and thought it was worth a visit. I see they also do a character meal. Do you need to book ?

Ds is autistic and loves Cookie Monster, he doesn't mind noise.

Thank you in advance.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I have a 10 year old autistic son who LOVES big bird, and a 4 year old. It is the highlight of the trip. The sesame street section is awesome. There's tons of rides, character meetings, shows etc. We have gone 3 years in a row now. There are 2 types of character meals now. One is just walk up and a little cheaper, I think they do this one during during. Its a buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit, cupcakes, others I can't remember. The other had a little better food, and was a reservation or prepay at front of park. But it was a bit more expensive. Both are great and lots of fun. The characters visit a lot, they dance around and sing, and its a pretty small area so very personal. My kids look forward to going to Busch gardens the entire week at Disney, we usually go mid week through our Disney trip. We live in OH, so sesame place is close, but we like this better because my 15 year old ( as well as myself) have big rides to enjoy, as well as some family things to do.

 

[JulieSharp]

Sounds great. Probably best if we book the meal.

Never been to Busch gardens in all our 15 trips to florida. Now I can't wait to see our ds face when he see's the characters.

Thanks

 

[dixonsontour]

We went to Busch last year for the first time - think it was our 12th time to Florida.

There was a small coaster - air grover - like the shamu express that DD loved.

There was a show by the characters and some of the characters out for meet and greets. We went mid week in October and the park was really quiet - mainly British in. Most of the characters were being ignored as the little kids didn't know who they were.

I made DD have a photo with big bird - she had no idea who it was.

Some of the rides in the sesame area are aimed at pre schoolers. DD was 5 and too big for one swing ride I remember.

 

[Button]

We love Busch and now with Sesame area it's perfect for our DS (2).

They have two rooms where you meet Elmo individually so no other families crashing in and making you feel pressured. We saw Cookie in one of these rooms too. They have a little show which is cute. Other characters we had pics with out and about were Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Grover, Abby and Zoe and the best The Count. Downside of the room is no personal cameras so you have to purchase pic from them but it's on a green screen so they overlay a background.

There is some cute water areas there too. With the mix of thrill rides, kids rides and animal attractions I think the park is perfect for mixed aged families and gets overlooked.

We love it.

 

[LeaversOnTour]

We have done Busch Gardens a few times and love it.

We always went even before we had kids, because of the coasters, but now we have a 3 year old and a 1 year old we love it for the sesame Street bit.

Our 1 year old couldnt get enough of Elmo and Big Bird. We went in February this year and private room mentioned had been closed. There is now an outdoor area where you can take your own photos as well as buy the park photos.

The park was so quite when we went our two daughters spent a good 30 minutes mucking about with Elmo before another child appeared.

They are very excited about going back next year.

I have also seen that Seaworld are also doing character meals with sesame street and a show, i think this is in January/February time but may run throughout the year. If you didnt fancy the trip down to Tampa, might be worth checking out.

Busch Gardens had also just opened a 3D show of sesame street which has the obligatory water features Which my kids hate, but the rest of it they love. I have a 3 year old who loves rollercoasters including flight of the hippogriff, cried because she wasnt allowed on cheeter hunt (massive coaster in BG)- but crys when squirted with water

 

[dixonsontour]

Seaworld had a sesame street show for halloween last October - called countdown to halloween. Was on at the weekends.

DH and I loved seeing the Count!