Sesame Place

[kaleighmariesmom]

Hi all. I am not sure if this is the right place to post this... but here goes. Has anyone ever been to Sesame Place? we are going in 2 weeks and want to know what to expect. Do yuo go on the water rides as well as the other rides?? please any info will help!!

 

[brymolmom]

PM me with your email address and I will send you my write-up review from when we went in 2005 and again in 2007...some good information even tho it is a little outdated.

 

[christa112]

I was very disappointed in Sesame Place. My friend raved about the place she has been a couple of times, so we were visiting family in NJ so we decided to spend a day there with our three kids. I was not impressed to say the least. The water slides had a very distinct urine smell to them which was disgusting!!! The lines were so long and there was no shade at all you were waiting in line and the sun was just beating down on your head. The workers were unfriendly and very, very slow moving. I must of took us 20 mins waiting in line to get food, that was pretty gross. By the end of the day my dh and I couldn't wait to leave and stopped at Wendy's for food on the way home because we were starving and didn't want to eat the food they were serving.

Needless to say I will never go back. I think it was a complete waste of $300 and will never recommend anyone to go there.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

We LOVE Sesame Place!!! We have went three times in the past two years and have always found the park very clean. I think it is important to try to go during the week because the weekends are packed.
It is a small park and it is great for little ones. We did the one night package through Sesame Place website, I believe it was for one night hotel and 2 day tickets for a family of four. We are a few hours away and could have made it a day trip but it was nice to be able to sleep and go back in the am for an extra day of fun. I recommend the character dinner, the food was good and my DS's got to see about 7 or 8 characters and take their picture.
The shows are cute and the parade was enjoyed by all.
The park is mostly waterpark things. We would arrive at opening and do the land rides first and than head over to the water park area.

 

[chloe770]

I don't like Sesame Place at all. It's really gross. We went once and will never go back. Check out the web sites for Dutch Wonderland or Hersey park. DS just turned 5 and we love Dutch Wonderland. If your kids are older, I have heard great things about Hersey Park( and really, how bad can a place be that is themed after chocolate ).

 

[vcgirl925]

We love Sesame Place!

We had a season pass last year and went several times (probably 7 times) and we just went monday. It's an hour and half ride for us or else we would go more. If you have young children it's one of the best parks.

We have gone so many times and have never found it to be dirty. We do both the water rides and the dry rides. Usually start off with the water rides and then change and do the dry rides at night when there aren't any lines. We always go on weekdays because i hate crowds and when we had a season pass we would go at night after 3 when crowds we less too. It's great for little ones because they can do practically every ride. Plus it's not too small and not too big so you aren't exhausted walking around it. There are character meet and greets, character meals, and shows as well.

My only issue with Sesame Place is the expense. If you don't have a coupon its about $48 per ticket for ages 2 and up. Plus $13 parking and $12 for a locker. A lunch for four is 2 kid meals and 2 meals for adults is about $50. We really enjoyed our lunch. We got a ham and turkey club sandwich and it wasn't cold cuts it was carved ham and carved turkey. Very yummy.

 

[brymolmom]

We love Sesame Place!

We had a season pass last year and went several times (probably 7 times) and we just went monday. It's an hour and half ride for us or else we would go more. If you have young children it's one of the best parks.

We have gone so many times and have never found it to be dirty. We do both the water rides and the dry rides. Usually start off with the water rides and then change and do the dry rides at night when there aren't any lines. We always go on weekdays because i hate crowds and when we had a season pass we would go at night after 3 when crowds we less too. It's great for little ones because they can do practically every ride. Plus it's not too small and not too big so you aren't exhausted walking around it. There are character meet and greets, character meals, and shows as well.

My only issue with Sesame Place is the expense. If you don't have a coupon its about $48 per ticket for ages 2 and up. Plus $13 parking and $12 for a locker. A lunch for four is 2 kid meals and 2 meals for adults is about $50. We really enjoyed our lunch. We got a ham and turkey club sandwich and it wasn't cold cuts it was carved ham and carved turkey. Very yummy.

Yes - for one day it is very expensive....just like WDW is way expensive that way. But these tickets do get you in for the 2nd day for FREE - so I look at it that way $24 per day isn't too bad. The food is expensive and the lines are usually long - we bring lunch in a cooler and have it in the picnic area outside the gates. A very nice, clean picnic area and the park is so small it is not a big deal to go out there to eat - I'm certain we usually are eating before the people who are waiting in line for their food.

We like Sesame Place and would go again.

 

[peach3es]

We went to Sesame Place in 2004 and we loved it! We took our 5 and 3 year olds and stayed from park opening until about 10 minutes before closing. None of us wanted to leave! We found it was clean and the workers were helpful. We didn't wait too long for anything, and some rides we rode several times in a row without waiting.

Just be prepared for the fact that the park is entirely mixed, meaning the wet rides and dry rides are together. We wore water shoes at that time, but I'd for certain wear crocs if we ever went again. You walk around wet most of the day. We wore our bathing suits with light shorts over them, and the kids wore t-shirts. We were wet.

My kids absolutely loved it and hope to go back, though I think by the time next summer rolls around, my oldest won't be so interested in it at age 10 as he was at 5!

This trip was a gift from the ladies' group at my church that I led for 3 years before we left the US. They paid for everything, including parking, tickets, and meals! It was a wonderful day and I'd go back if given the opportunity!

 

[Gillian]

You have to get there before they open. Check out a map before you go to see what you might want to go on. The family raft ride is close to the entrance. it's very slow loading and the builds very quickly. If the line is halfway down the stairs, don't bother waiting.

You can bring in a stroller and most people just park them on the side of the paths. You can leave it for a little while and then move it to a new section when you move on. Don't bring any valuables so you won't have to worry about them. I use one of those waterproof holders that goes around your neck and just carry the minimum (some cash, a credit card, id).

We usually wear crocs and bathing suits. DD and I throw cover ups over ours, DS wears a rash guard type of shirt. There are only a very few rides that you can't go on when you're wet. Most of the "dry" rides can be done when you're damp.

They let you bring food, but I don't remember the exact policy. Soft cooler maybe?

Even if you don't really need a stroller, it's good to have one for the towels and snacks.

Have fun!

 

[emma'smom]

We've been here twice and both times found the park to be very dirty and expensive. That said, my girls loved the Sesame theme.....but I was surprised at how dirty is was.

 

[Renee845]

We really enjoyed ourselves, we went the second week of July on a Thursday, after all the really bad reviews I was worried, but surprised by how well it went. I did not find anything dirty or smelly, the changing room was wet but I guess that is to be expected in a water park. Yes, shade was limited but you can find it when you needed it. I will say this, the food was TERRIBLE, we did a character breakfast and lunch and while the lunch was better it was not good. We enjoyed ourselves despite that and my dd(4) have such a wonderful time with the characters it made everything worth it! I am pretty sure that we will go back - but we will bring our own food!!!

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

we are going on a weekend... my DH took a long weekend to go... I hope it is not too busy!!! I wasnt even thinking about that!!!

 

[PEANUT1]

I have to admit, I used to be grossed out too at Sesame Place. It used to be very dirty. I think management changed this year and we noticed a huge change. We were there last friday and it was super clean.

As for food, its ok. It's fast food. We tend to bring a small cooler with sandwiches and snacks.

We now have season passes (its only about $70 for the season and we live 25 minutes away). We really enjoy going.

In the summer it can be very busy in the middle of the day. We like to go in the evening. My kids also really enjoy doing the things that don't really have lines like the dry slides, kids water areas, twiddle bugs, etc.

Def bring bathing suits for all. You will have a nice time if you go into it with a good attitude.

Have fun

 

[MemoryMaker711]

We went in 2006 with our two boys who were 4 and 2 and loved it! Yes, it is small and can get crowded, but overall we thought it was a great experience and did not encounter anything mentioned in the bad reviews. The character interaction was fantastic! We recommended it to our good friends who took their DS 2 1/2 there last week. They also had a great time-no complaints.

 

[nikkers]

We went to Sesame Place 2 years ago. My son was 3. He loved it. I did not find the park to be dirty at all. We went on a Thursday and Friday. Friday was a little busier than I like. We went to all of the character shows. Very entertaining for a 3 year old. I think the park is the perfect size for small children. We are planning on going back next summer. Enjoy:0)

 

[vcgirl925]

Yes - for one day it is very expensive....just like WDW is way expensive that way. But these tickets do get you in for the 2nd day for FREE - so I look at it that way $24 per day isn't too bad. The food is expensive and the lines are usually long - we bring lunch in a cooler and have it in the picnic area outside the gates. A very nice, clean picnic area and the park is so small it is not a big deal to go out there to eat - I'm certain we usually are eating before the people who are waiting in line for their food.

We like Sesame Place and would go again.

Yes there is a picnic area and its fine. I've never understood when people said that its dirty there. Have you ever found it to be dirty?

 

[Gillian]

It doesn't seem dirty to me. The bathrooms are wet. You need to wear shoes. The water probably has lots of chemicals in it (I hope). There are a few older ride operators who move very slowly, one guy in particular. I just know it's a long wait if he's running a ride! But they rotate through stations so you can always go back later.

 

[brymolmom]

Yes there is a picnic area and its fine. I've never understood when people said that its dirty there. Have you ever found it to be dirty?

PM me your email address if you want my full write-up if wanted. For cleanliness, not 100% spotless, but you can't, IMO get 100% spotless in a waterpark - everyone is soaked and dripping everywhere and let's face it, not everyone is as clean as everyone else. But I did not find it any dirtier than any other waterpark.

 

[mrstomrice]

If you can avoid the weekend, please do. Saturday and Sunday bring the biggest, rudest, sloppiest crowds. We live just a few miles away. I have noticed that the park has gotten better each year as far as employee attitude. The weekend crowds flock in from Philly and NYC and the kids aren't very well monitored. We went on a whim 2 Saturdays ago, just for the evening, and we were so disappointed. Trash was all over the seating areas of the pools, including a used diaper. There are trash cans everywhere and some people just don't use them. We have never seen it like this on the week days.

Friday and Monday are much better than Sat and Sun.

The theming is fun and the characters are great. DOn't miss the shows. You can bring a cooler but it has to be smaller...think wall-e size.

Have fun!

 

[blessedby3]

I just saw this park on an episode of Jon and Kate plus 8 and they both raved about how clean the park was. Im not sure when their visit took place, but they seemed to like it a lot as well as the kids. Granted they probably didnt have to pay a dime, but I dont think Kate would say positive things about something she didnt like just because it was a free trip. I had forgotten there even was a Sesame Place Park and my 18 year old wanted to know why we had never been there when she was little!!