Sesame Place

[Jasminesmommy]

I am thinking of going here this summer and was wondering if anyone has gone and what there opinion of it is also how many days do I need there, what crowds are like. Any info greatly appreciated.

 

[aprilgail2]

I take my daughter there every year...it is pretty nice but around 10 it seems that bus loads of camps and city kids come in and it is crazy there until they all leave! A lot of the big kids seems to hang out in the little kids pools and they run through and knock the little ones over and splash them but once they all leave in the early evening it is nice! One day there is more than enought! We usually stop there on our way to Hershey for the day.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We live about 5 minutes from Sesame Place. It does get incredibly crowded in the middle of the summer. If you can try to go early in the season, its perfect. We have a season pass and that is the only the only time I will go, May and early June and then end of September-October. Depending on how crowded it gets you can do everything in 1 day.

Have fun!! Maybe we will see you there this year

 

[Razor Roman]

You can definately do it all in a day. Its great fun, because grown ups can go with even the littlest of little ones.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

We went once..I'll never go back. It was a complete disappointment compared to Disney or even Hershey Park. The quality of the shows, food and parades was not worth it IMHO. Additionally, I found it very bad in the sense that there isn't much for adults to do...even with your kids, the kids go on their own for most of the rides/attractions. That in and of itself is a problem as many parents I found would let their kids roam free doing as they pleased which is tough on smaller kids (mine was 4 at the time).

Also, I didn't like the wait on line for 40minutes to get into a water pool/attraction that was kicking you out 4-5 minutes later - limited shade by the way.

The cast members are not well trained in crowd management - example - we went to the Elmo live show and waited 40 minutes to get in...the last minute louie's showed up and the CM's were telling those of us who were sitting center stage to move to the ends to let the late arrivers sit - UHHH Hello, I waited in line for 40 minutes to get a good seat how about they sit on the ends with a view of only half the stage.

Finally the Big Bird and Friends dinner was a buffet (free for all), they ran out milk, and had to be coaxed to "open up" the milk for tomorrow's show and the show was at ground level not on a stage, meaning it was constantly being interrupted by people getting up to go get their food.

It was by far the worst park experience I had in my life, we had planned on 2 days there and we drove back home after the 1st day, no point in throwing good money after bad on a hotel if we weren't staying.

 

[goodstarr]

The park is wayyyyy overpriced for what they offer. in my opinion, they should charge less for the adults because we can't do a lot of things. It was wayyy crowded during the summer. If you do go in the summer, I'd suggest you come in the afternoon (when the camps are leaving and the people who have been there all day are fed up). Everybody thinks they're getting there early, so there's really no point anymore. Hey since you'll be in the area, Dorney Park is a better bet (for activities and for your money) I guess I should say something nice about the place (since both DH, DD and I all shot the commercial for the place), but I just can't seem to do it. Oh wait, here's one- their commercial is really cute

 

[always quiet]

If memory serves me, they were offering a "bounce back" program last summer (go 1 day/2nd day free). I'll have to ask my nieces husband if they are offering anything like that this year. He works there, maintaining the water slides (she got a summer job there when she fresh out of high school - her DH actually worked for the company that built the park - they met and have been together for 18 yrs now!). The only time we go in once a year - her DH gets us free opening day passes!

Just checked - they are offering the same deal as last year -

2004 Elmo's Passport - 2 Days of Fun for the Price of 1



Provides 2 days of Fun for the price of 1! Valid any day during the 2004 operating season.
type price qty

Ages 2 & Up $38.95


One interesting note, they also now offer an "annual pass" which offers admission to all Anheisuer Busch parks like Sea World or Busch Gardens. If you are planning to go to Sea World during a disney vacation, it might be worthwhile!

Here's that info -
2004 Super Grover's Passport



All of the exciting benefits of Big Bird Passport plus unlimited admission to Sea World and Busch Gardens and Ride Again Privileges (Click on more information below).
type EZpay price qty price qty

Adult (Ages 2 & Up) 3 pmts. of
$48.31 $144.95

 

[Gupsmom]

We used the bounce back last summer and it was great!!! We had a wonderful time and so did our kids (age: 3, 5, 6). We have been to Disney many times and still had a wonderful couple days at Sesame Place.

What we did...since we had 2 days for the price of 1: We live about 6 hrs from Sesame Place. We left home around 9am. We walked into the park at about 3:30pm. The crowds probably thinned out a lot (it wasn't crowded). That allowed us to do a lot of the water stuff with little wait and be fresh enough to enjoy the evening parade. The parade was cute but definatley not in line with Disney. The next morning we were at the park when it opened. We accomplished everything we didn't the night before plus re-did a few favorites. You could definately do it all in one day. Since you get 2 days for the price of 1, I'd say that doing it the way we did allowed us to avoid the crowds and take things at a nicer pace.

Overall, I'd say $40 for 1 day is overpriced....but if they offer the bounceback again (and they are according to their web site), I think it's worth it.

Jess

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Thanks for your responses. I was going to visit Hershey as well. I just started a home day care and don't think I can take a week off for Disney so I want to do something during the weekend so my kids still get a vacation.

 

[knucklehead]

Best of luck with your home day care!

My $.02 on Sesame Place.......

Top ten reasons why we won't go back to Sesame Place:

1. Hershey Park or the Jersey Shore are just two better options.
2. Very little shade, hot like a parking lot.
3. You call that a parade?
4. Alcohol served in a primarily child themed park.
4a. The beer ain't cheap!
5. Wide cross section of inappropriate behaviour of guests both young and old.
6. Too crowded too fast.
7. Thrill rides with absolutely no thrill factor.
8. Loads of bad choices in bathing fashion.
9. Had a "skeevy" feel and atmosphere.
10. Non Disney experience at full Disney prices.

Results may vary, your experience may differ, make the best of it!