Sesame Place Season Pass is it worth it?

[minnie1012]

I have 2 girls one will be 2 and the other almost 7. I was wondering if I should get the 2011 Sesame Place Season Pass? I see that you get the rest of this year free plus all of next year. My little one loves Sesame Street and we live about 40 minutes aways. Its really expensive to go just for the day with the price of tickets and parking. I was on the website and it doesn't have the season price pass (I guess because they aren't on sale til 7/30) I was wondering if anyone has done it and is it worth it? Also is it crowded on the weekends in the fall? I was thinking maybe doing the dry stuff and shows in the fall to really get our money's worth. Do the kids get tired of going since its not that big or do they still have fun?

 

[badblackpug]

We did this when the bigger kids were small. It was definitely worth it if you live close enough. We always went during the week when it was less crowded and packed a lunch, as park food is expensive. They never got bored. The weekends in the fall depend on the weather. If it is still hot, then, yes, they are crowded. When it gets cooler, no.

 

[bigmama67]

Absolutely worth it! We had passes a few years back with DS (now 7) and have them again because of our 1 y.o. DD. Even DS has a blast there and we recently took a friend of his and the boys were SO into the characters! (It was really funny to see them get excited about the parade and try to trade Silly Bandz with Ernie!) Even DH and I have a few rides we love to do every time. In fact, we're going Saturday and I'm looking forward to it. Try to catch the fireworks sometime (they do them in the parking lot). They were really fun too.

The fall is not bad. We are planning to go as much as possible for the Halloween stuff. The shows are really cute and they set up a hay maze in one of the pools, had a hayride, and the kids trick-or-treated.

One tip: get the cheapest passes for you and the older DD, and get a mid-level (Big Bird) passport for the younger DD because you are not likely to go without her and it includes parking. You get 30% off merchandise and food
(10% off character meals) and it is SO worthwhile!

If, on the other hand, you will be going to Williamsburg or Florida next year, get the expensive ones because they include free admission to ALL the Busch parks through the end of December 2011! We did this in '07 and went to Sea World for free (parking too!)

Definitely pack a lunch. The food lines are ridiculous and it's not worth it. Some nice snack options around though.

 

[Tes Ko]

From my research, it's not worth at all. It costs you and your kids $157 (including free parking) Do kids need free parking? 2010 season pass was $63 in its promotion period in November last year for your kids, $89 for adult which include free parking (Big bird season pass).

And it is not free for all of 2011. It is valid only for 365 days from the date you purchase.(Read important product information carefully)

Freaking EXPENSIVE!

 

[bigmama67]

From my research, it's not worth at all. It costs you and your kids $157 (including free parking) Do kids need free parking? 2010 season pass was $63 in its promotion period in November last year for your kids, $89 for adult which include free parking (Big bird season pass).

And it is not free for all of 2011. It is valid only for 365 days from the date you purchase.(Read important product information carefully)

Freaking EXPENSIVE!

sorry, but this is incorrect. The Big Bird season pass includes parking but you don't ALL need to get Big Bird passes - we bought 1 for my 7 y.o. because we figured we wouldn't be coming without him, and DH and I got the cheaper ones which don't include parking. Also it IS valid through the end of 2011 at ALL Busch parks so if you were planning, say, to go to Sea World and/or either Busch Gardens park you would get the discount tickets (with Big Bird) or free tickets (with Super Grover) through the end of 2011 also.

No, kids don't need free parking but someone in the family could use it.

You also get 30% off food and merchandise, as I said, and that adds up fast! Today alone, just buying snacks, sodas and a small stuffed toy, we saved over $5.

 

[TSUalum93]

We had one two years ago. We got one of the top ones (Super Grover?) and then a lower one for my son. I liked the free parking and the discount but we did not go as often as I had hoped. If you live close enough and plan on going a few times then it is worth it . . . We were going to at least go once this summer but decided to go to WDW in late August. Which is what brought me here to this forum

Maddy

 

[TSUalum93]

I forgot to add . . . I was pleased that with our passes we got to each bring in a friend during the Halloween festivities. I brought my husband and my son brought his half brother. They had set up booths to get candy at and a costume contest. It was fun but not something I would run to again especially since it is over an hour and a half for us to drive to from NYC.

Maddy

 

[ferrytale]

From my research, it's not worth at all. It costs you and your kids $157 (including free parking) Do kids need free parking? 2010 season pass was $63 in its promotion period in November last year for your kids, $89 for adult which include free parking (Big bird season pass).

And it is not free for all of 2011. It is valid only for 365 days from the date you purchase.(Read important product information carefully)

Freaking EXPENSIVE!

Yes the above is incorrect - when you buy the 2011 pass this year you get all of next year. They have run this promo for years - I have taken advantage on several occasions as we live only 10 minutes away(& I actually used to work there - LOVED IT!).
It is totally worth it. You only need to get one pass with parking, get the cheaper ones for the others. Parking is $15 for general and $18 for preferred, so getting one pass with parking is more than pays for the difference in the pass.
I love Fall at Sesame, it is muchless crowded, and fun. Now that there are more dry rides its even better, and the trick or treating gives the kids bunches of treats.
If you can afford it I would splurge and get them.

 

[sahm2kaitlyne]

Wow, we're getting ready to move up to Cherry Hill, NJ area within a month and I'm really excited to hear about this deal! I think it would be totally worth it, especially if you are going to visit even one of the other parks during the time. I've already talked to my hubby about it and we're planning on doing it for our family for sure.

What were the prices last year for the Super Grover pass? I'm trying to get a ballpark idea of what they may be this year.

 

[kelly1218]

We have Busch Gardens Platnium passes.... my girls are 11 and 14.

We STILL go to Sesame place just for the waterslides.

We go right at park opening (10am), and then stay until lunch... only about 1.5-2 hours.

The summer camp kids start showing up about 11-11:30.

My girls get a couple hours of waterslides....then we come home and eat. (we only live about 10 minutes away though)
Sometimes we hit the dollar menu at Burger King, McDonalds or Wendy's though too.

Up until last year....they still enjoyed the Halloween activities that they offer in the fall. we would make one trip there just so they could check it out. Now we head to Busch Gardens for that.

If you plan to go at least 3 times, the passes are worth it. If you need any local information, just PM me.

 

[kelly1218]

From my research, it's not worth at all. It costs you and your kids $157 (including free parking) Do kids need free parking? 2010 season pass was $63 in its promotion period in November last year for your kids, $89 for adult which include free parking (Big bird season pass).

And it is not free for all of 2011. It is valid only for 365 days from the date you purchase.(Read important product information carefully)

Freaking EXPENSIVE!

Sesame passes have ALWAYS expired at the end of the Sesame season....that's why I go to Williamsburg to buy our passes....we get a full 2 years out of them.

Copied right from www.sesameplace.com

2011 Season Passes go on sale July 30, 2010.

Get the rest of this season, plus 2011 for FREE!*

Also, get 30% off food and merchandise at Sesame Place!

*Restrictions apply. Prices and products subject to change. Not valid at Sesame Place after 10/30/11.
**Not valid on character dines, games or rentals.



If I remember correctly....the passes ran about $100-$160 depending on the pass you bought.

 

[kelly1218]

Wow, we're getting ready to move up to Cherry Hill, NJ area within a month and I'm really excited to hear about this deal! I think it would be totally worth it, especially if you are going to visit even one of the other parks during the time. I've already talked to my hubby about it and we're planning on doing it for our family for sure.

What were the prices last year for the Super Grover pass? I'm trying to get a ballpark idea of what they may be this year.

I logged on the pass member page, and
The only price I can find right now is for the Discovery Gold passport (admission to Sesame and The Please Touch Museum)

It's $157. I guess they won't list the other prices until Friday when the 2011 passes are available.

 

[bigmama67]

Sesame passes have ALWAYS expired at the end of the Sesame season....that's why I go to Williamsburg to buy our passes....we get a full 2 years out of them.

Copied right from www.sesameplace.com

2011 Season Passes go on sale July 30, 2010.

Get the rest of this season, plus 2011 for FREE!*

Also, get 30% off food and merchandise at Sesame Place!

*Restrictions apply. Prices and products subject to change. Not valid at Sesame Place after 10/30/11.
**Not valid on character dines, games or rentals.



I realize this is confusing, but they say that because Sesame Place closes after Halloween (except for special holiday dining and shopping opportunities). However, the parks which are open year round still accept Sesame Place passports if they apply (for instance when we had the Super Grover ones we were able to use them to get into Sea World free at the end of November that year, including all the discounts and free Preferred Parking).

The passes that we have right now which are 2 basic ones and one Big Bird (mid-level) one say that they are accepted through December 31, 2010. The only reason the website said they aren't accepted AT SESAME PLACE after 10/30 is because it is no longer relevant; they aren't needed until the park opens in 2012 and they are making it clear that they don't extend.

I hope that makes sense/helps.

 

[kelly1218]

I know that..... I was trying to point out that they don't expire at 365 days.

They will be good for Sesame admission until they close at the end of their season in October. The other perks are good through the end of the year, which if bought in July...with go past the 365 day mark.


It also works the other way....if you wait until next May to purchase.... you don't get a full 365 days out of them. You STILL only get until December 31, 2011.

 

[bigmama67]

Interesting, Kelly! Thanks for the info. I think we may consider the two-year Platinum passes as well, since we plan to do the Florida parks between June '11 and October '12...I am sure it would be less $ than two years of Super Grover passports. Interesting...;o)

Do they still "lock in" the prices you join at, as long as you continue renewing?

 

[kelly1218]

Interesting, Kelly! Thanks for the info. I think we may consider the two-year Platinum passes as well, since we plan to do the Florida parks between June '11 and October '12...I am sure it would be less $ than two years of Super Grover passports. Interesting...;o)

Do they still "lock in" the prices you join at, as long as you continue renewing?

Yup...they still 'lock in' the price. We found the best deal at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It is now 12.49 a month per pass for 2 years...and as long as you don't cancel the pass.... you are locked into that price.

We got our newest passes about 4 years ago.... I think I'm paying $8.90 a pass per month.

My boss just got them though.... so I helped him research ( I was hoping to find a better deal for him). You don't have to go to Busch Gardens to 'activate' the passes, as long as when you purchase them online.... you select to have them mailed to you. If you print out the vouchers they need to be used at BG first.

 

[sahm2kaitlyne]

Yup...they still 'lock in' the price. We found the best deal at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It is now 12.49 a month per pass for 2 years...and as long as you don't cancel the pass.... you are locked into that price.

We got our newest passes about 4 years ago.... I think I'm paying $8.90 a pass per month.

My boss just got them though.... so I helped him research ( I was hoping to find a better deal for him). You don't have to go to Busch Gardens to 'activate' the passes, as long as when you purchase them online.... you select to have them mailed to you. If you print out the vouchers they need to be used at BG first.

Thanks for all the great information. I have a (possibly stupid) question about the payment process. Do you pay all at once upfront or do you pay per month? Thanks!

 

[PrincessPeyton]

We have had them for 3 years now, we started going when my DD4 was a year old.
It's def worth the price for us! Like PP wrote we usually get 2 passes without parking for me and DH and one with parking (Big Bird)for my DD. This year was the first year we all have the Big Bird pass and have enjoyed extra perks that came with it. We have been able to meet all the characters before the parade and a couple of weeks ago we got to meet the Fresh Beat Band....my DD4 was in heaven!
I was so excited when they started offering the 30% off food and merchandise. Sometimes we pack food to take with us but if we don't then the prices really aren't bad. Example, $1.50 for an Elmo cupcake and $1 for our refillable soda cups. Now they are offering food combos, 2 adult meals, a drink, and snack for $20, probably can't use the passport discount but still not a bad price.
And finally, Fall is my DD4's favorite time of year to go. She has been asking already how long until Halloween at Sesame!!!

 

[kelly1218]

Thanks for all the great information. I have a (possibly stupid) question about the payment process. Do you pay all at once upfront or do you pay per month? Thanks!

The Busch Gardens Platinum passes are monthly. That's why we got those....I don't miss the $36 out of my account as much as I would miss $800 (well $1200 now)

I think Sesame Place will break their premium pass into 3 payments.

I'm pretty sure it's one payment for the normal season passes. I haven't worked there in years....and we have had the Platinum passes for over 6 years now.

 

[kelly1218]

We have had them for 3 years now, we started going when my DD4 was a year old.
It's def worth the price for us! Like PP wrote we usually get 2 passes without parking for me and DH and one with parking (Big Bird)for my DD. This year was the first year we all have the Big Bird pass and have enjoyed extra perks that came with it. We have been able to meet all the characters before the parade and a couple of weeks ago we got to meet the Fresh Beat Band....my DD4 was in heaven!
I was so excited when they started offering the 30% off food and merchandise. Sometimes we pack food to take with us but if we don't then the prices really aren't bad. Example, $1.50 for an Elmo cupcake and $1 for our refillable soda cups. Now they are offering food combos, 2 adult meals, a drink, and snack for $20, probably can't use the passport discount but still not a bad price.
And finally, Fall is my DD4's favorite time of year to go. She has been asking already how long until Halloween at Sesame!!!

Sesame is the only park offering 30% too.... Busch Gardens and Seaworld are still 10% discounts