Sesame place

[StrikersMom]

Anyone have anything to share on Sesame Place?

We're taking my 3 year old son on Friday.

Thanks!

 

[philliesflyers]

I grew up there and worked there through hs.

One, don't expect a huge park because it's not.

Two, get there early. In the summer months they can close many days because of large crowds.

Three, the shows are great. Don't miss them.

If you go in expecting a lot you WILL be disappointed.

 

[chloe770]

I took my son when he was 3 and was very disapointed. There is not a lot for younger kids to do. Check the web site for hieght requirements on the waterslides and rides. It's also very crowded. Expect long lines for food, rides, etc. other than that Have Fun!

 

[Renee845]

I am taking my dd the second week of July, to tell you the truth, any review I read has not been great, I am not really expected much, I hope I am not going to be too disapointed about this place. Of course the good news is we are leaving for WDW at the end of Aug so that should more than make up for it!! The biggest advice I have been given with regard to this place is get there early and it is much better to go during the week then on the weekend. Have fun !!!

 

[ladyandthetramp2]

I took my boys there when they were 3 and 2 and they loved it! We did dinner with characters which was great and a breakfast with cookie monster. One MAJOR tip would bring extra clothes and wear your bathing suit and coverup. It's unlike any park in that you basically walk around in your bathing suit-hit a water slide ride then the next ride is a dry roller coaster! It's really fun and a cute place for a toddler!

 

[jalaine]

We went when my daughter was 3 and my son a few weeks old. It was VERY crowded I remember which I wasn't quite expecting. We had to wait in line for 35 minutes to take her down Slimey's Chutes (the little water slide)! And then onto the next wait for the ball pit (30 minutes). I think she had the best time just wading in the Tweedlebugs (?) splash pool b/c she could just go right in and play. I was disappointed but we still had fun. I had been a few times when I was little and remembered it as being much more of a good time with more things for little kids to do...maybe I was just let down by my expectations...THey do have a cute parade if you can get a good place to see it from! Have fun...I'm sure you're little one will enjoy it!

 

[jellybeans0607]

we used to go all the time as kids and i wanted to take my kids this year, but couldnt believe how expensive it is for what you get. we opted out and went to great wolf lodge instead.

 

[lovebuzz]

Please post when you get back. We are going July 7th and i would love to here your review.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We live about 40min away and have been 6 or 7 times over the last 10yrs. It is okay but I would rank it very low on the list of all parks that I've been to.

Young kids love it. Their favorite characters are everywhere...the parade is cute and the shows entrance them.

As adults... we see that the shows are a step or two above high school productions (although a few of our recent productions at our local hs were excellent and better than SP!), that it is SUPER crowded no matter when during the week you go (weekdays have obscene numbers of camping groups and weekends are full of families), and that the park could be cleaner. We also see how high the parking fees are as well as the cost of the REALLY BAD food.

The water portions are fun and most are geared for the 4yo-10yo age group. Younger tots will enjoy the two water playgrounds and the regular pool. There is a separate water slide for little little guys that doesn't allow older kids.

The "dry" parts of the park are fun. Pretty standard kid's rides w/ the Sesame Street theming added. There is a very cool climbing section ...but it's not for little ones... Minimum of 4yo with an adult climbing with them or 7/8yo w/o an adult.

That all said, we were thinking of taking our kids (2.5yo & 7yo) to SP this summer and decided on Dutch Wonderland instead. SP was going to cost us $47.50 for each of the four of us... vs DW only charging $29.95 for me, dh and dd....and ds is FREE (under 2yo).

SOOO... we are opting for Dutch Wonderland instead of SP this summer.

 

[java]

Once again - my calling on the dis- to be the voice of HORROR at Sesame Place.
We live within an hour of it and have been 3 times. And the last 2 did us in and we swore never ever again.
It was FILTHY. And I mean the water- we saw a child throw up in the pool and the employees used a net to get out what they could and kept the pool area open!
It is so crowded that you will wait and wait and wait for a crummy little ride. The crowd one time was the "I'm on vacation" mentality and basically let their demon seeds push the little kids out of the way so that they could go first. The parents- and there were many of them that day- were in la la land.

So my quest - my mission that I have chosen to accept here on the DIS is to do my best to save people from the horror that is Sesame Place.
Now I am told that early in the season it can be cleaner- so maybe you are still ok- but I doubt it. DO NOT GO! I beg you!

 

[Renee845]

Once again - my calling on the dis- to be the voice of HORROR at Sesame Place.
We live within an hour of it and have been 3 times. And the last 2 did us in and we swore never ever again.
It was FILTHY. And I mean the water- we saw a child throw up in the pool and the employees used a net to get out what they could and kept the pool area open!
It is so crowded that you will wait and wait and wait for a crummy little ride. The crowd one time was the "I'm on vacation" mentality and basically let their demon seeds push the little kids out of the way so that they could go first. The parents- and there were many of them that day- were in la la land.

So my quest - my mission that I have chosen to accept here on the DIS is to do my best to save people from the horror that is Sesame Place.
Now I am told that early in the season it can be cleaner- so maybe you are still ok- but I doubt it. DO NOT GO! I beg you!

GREAT.....we already bought tickets and are meeting friends there....

 

[mrstomrice]

We live 3 miles away. We go on when it is less crowded...mid week, at park open and near the end of the day, which means avoid weekends at all costs! The crowds from Phila and NYC congregate there and it is too crowded. The rides are fine, the shows are cute, and the food is okay (pack lunch if you can). If you can go on a Wednesday, you may be better off, as I hear that this is the best day for crowds. Be in line by 9:40 or so to beat some of the crowds. Head to Elmo's World first, then back to Big Bird's bath and Counts FOunt...they tend to be less crowded. My son also loves Ernie's Waterworks, which is behind the lazy river, and a little less known. We haven't seen the problems of filth like a PP and we've been there over 50 times. It is what it is...a small kids amusement park run by teens...don't expect Disney! Have fun!

 

[3boysmomma]

Java- I will back you up!! A few years ago I took my sons and my 3 year old at the time ingested some of the water while there. It was a Wedneday, by Friday he had started with a stomache ache by Sunday Night and 2 trips to the ER he was finally admitted and spent 4 days there with an intestinal bacteria called Campylobacter. The Department of Health traced it back to Sesame Place. After seeing my baby in so much pain I would NEVER recommend anyone go there.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Sesame Place is one of our favorite places to go each year. I'm so sorry to hear about the experiences of some of the previous posters.

Our kids are 10, 7, 4, and almost 3. The older 2 have outgrown the characters, but have hit the stage where the water slides are tons of fun. The younger two are still into the characters and enjoy the wading pools and smaller rides. We always make it a point of getting there right at opening, and staying until closing. Don't go to the first parade..use that time to go on some of the more popular attractions. The park isn't as clean as Disney, but we've never had a poor experience with the cleanliness. Yes, the food is super expensive and not that great, but it's what we expect.

The price has gotten ridiculous! You do get to go 2 days for the price, which helps a little. Unfortunately, you have to pay to park for both days.

Go with an open attitude. Don't expect it to be perfect. It will be crowded, but most amusement parks are crowded with campers and families. There is plenty to do that doesn't require lines (wading pools/splash playgrounds) which offset the times when you will have to wait in long lines.

It's a park that all of our kids request every year. I tried to suggest a different water park this year, and got a big NO from the family LOL.

 

[gibsontrio]

I get in free at sesame place because we are military and they'd have to PAY me to go back. Crowds are horrible and there are 16 yr olds runnning in the toddler pools , no one watching or saying anything about it. The characters are mobbed and nothing like disney (a nice organized line) Its just not what you would expect it to be like.

 

[mikehn]

Anyone have anything to share on Sesame Place?

We're taking my 3 year old son on Friday.

Thanks!

For the short distance from Hamburg, it really doesnt matter. A great way to spend the day with a three year old. Enjoy!

 

[PaDisney02]

the parade is great! The shows r great! Character interaction is great! but other than that...its mostly just a water park. It is really expensive too! 2 and up is the same prices as an adult. Althogh, I love how you can purchase a 2 ay ticket for the same price as a 1 day ticket. We go every year, my kids love sesame street especially elmo.

 

[design_mom]

I'm going to give it another thumbs down. We went on a weekend in August (admittedly, probably not the best plan.) It was *so* crowded.

There were beautiful trees and landscaping -- but it was all fenced off so there was *no* shade in the guest areas.

Many of the attractions had a limit to how many kids could be on at any given time. However, once a kid was in, he could stay as long as he wanted. No other kids could go in until someone left. In those cases, we always called our children out when they'd had a reasonable "turn" but a lot of people did not...so you could stand there for 20 minutes (in the sun) and the line did not move at all.

We were surprised that, for a park themed for preschoolers, so many of the rides had height restrictions. My children are on the small side, but I think most of the rides were geared for 5+. On the rides geared for smaller kids, there were still quite a few things that my cautious 4yo could not do (and therefore chose not to ride.)

It is an older park and not at all stroller-friendly. (No automatic opening doors, no stroller parking areas.) And nearly *everyone* had a stroller. Going in and out of buildings was truly hazardous.

The day we were there it was *so* hot -- they ran out of bottled water by 2pm (and we drank what we'd brought). There were not a lot of water fountains. Your choices remaining: soft drinks.

On the good side, 1) the shows were cute, 2) the character interaction was good, 3) the park was beautifully landscaped.

But over all... a big thumbs down. We're normally open-to-close park goers... and we left by 3pm. The kids had more fun at the hotel pool.

 

[DisneyDadC]

Well since I have never personally been there,take this for what it is worth.My wife takes the kids there several times a week.We only live 5 mins away so this is easy for her to do ,if really crowded they just come home.We have seasonal passes ( which will help of with our trip to Bush Gardens/ Sea world this Aug).I just polled the kids and they seem to enjoy it very much.( ages 11/9/6/4).I will agree with pp ,IT IS NOT DISNEY.But for the most part it is seems to be a good time for the kids.
Hope you enjoy your day

 

[brymolmom]

GREAT.....we already bought tickets and are meeting friends there....

Don't worry - we all didn't have bad experiences. My kids loved it and we had a ball. A lot of it is expectations IMO.

If you want to PM me your email address, I did a review/write-up of it the last time we went - it was last year so it is a little outdated - but you can get some good info. A little too long to post in here...