Sesame Place

[TiggerPU88]

We had a great time in Lancaster, PA. Amish country is beautiful and they have a super little amusement park just for little ones called Dutch Wonderland. No, it is not WDW, but it is really good for little kids (our DS is almost 3 and could go on all but three rides!). They have a small water park area, but the rest of the park is pretty extensive.

And in that area are also the Choo Choo Barn, the National Toy Train Museum, the railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the Strasburg Railroad for all those train fanatics out there.

Enjoy your non-WDW closer alternative.... <g>

 

[Magalex]

Hi!

We were in the same situation. We live in Pittsburgh, PA and we were planning on taking our son to Sesame Place but I came across reviews about it being small and a water park. So we decided to visit Hershey park instead. We were so happy that we did. My son at the time was close to 4 years old and loves amusement rides. He is tall so he was able to go on some bigger rides just not kiddie rides(for example the scrambler and a small roller coaster). It was also his first time visiting a hotel. This was a trial run for Disney(Disney trip in 2005). I do recommend the hotel (The White Rose Motel). Small/older but rooms updated and very clean and cute little pool. Owners are nice and helpful. We also visited Dutch Wonderland. It was cute but extremely crowded. We have a small children's park like that closer to Pittsburgh called Idlewild which we enjoy better. There is a zoo also attached to Hershey Park. Also try to take advantage of preview night at the park

Have Fun!
Magalex

 

[DisneyDW]

We were there this year with a 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old. I really wanted to go last year when they both loved Sesame Street - this year my 4 1/2 year old will still watch it but prefers other things. And he has figured out that the characters aren't real.

We were there in July with bathing suits on but it was 72 degrees and very overcast. Thankfully it didn't rain! But I'm almost happy that we didn't use up our time in the water because we still had a full day with the shows, Elmo's world, Big Bird's Beach something or another - I think there were 3 or 4 shows to try to get in. They also have a great play area with a huge net to climb around in that my kids loved. We also did the dinner with the characters, ice cream in the afternoon, checking out the stores on the "real" Sesame Street and a roller coaster ride that we couldn't get my little one off of. My DD (2 1/2) loved, loved, loved the characters and I'm so glad we went when she still "believes" and had so much joy in running to Elmo and giving him a tackling hug! If they enjoy Sesame Street - by all means go! It is definitely not Disney - my DH even mentioned how it made him appreciate Disney quality but it is a great experience for the kids if you have the opportunity. Don't expect to eat very well! I was very tired of "fast food" after that weekend! The closest place to stay is a Sheraton right acroos the street.

 

[skiwee1]

I responded to this post earlier about possibly going to Dutch Wonderland. We ended up doing just that and had a wonderful time! We took kids ages 4 and 5 who thought this park was the greatest. My 5 y/o veteran of WDW just loved Dutch Wonderland. She wants to go back. We stayed two nights at a nearby Holiday Inn that had indoor and outdoor pools which we used in the evenings. We got to DW around 5 pm on the first day and was let in free til closing, 3 1/2 hours, when we bought the next day ticket. During those 3 1/2 hours we did most of the fun stuff with no lines. We also grabbed some food while there and compared to WDW it was CHEAP! I mean one of us got a basket of chicken tenders for $3.99 and it was filled with them and very good. We couldn't get over the low cost of food here. I also found out from a worker that Hershey bought this park last year. So far they have only given new ride signs and painted the log flume ride. Other then that I thought I was in a tiny version of WDW with all the beautiful flowers and landscaping. The entire park was clean and picture perfect. Hershey doesn't have to improve a thing at this park. The second day was a full day and we did all the rides again and again that the kids loved and did the other rides that we didn't get to the night before. They have a few cute shows with the high dive show being the highlight. My DD still talks about this show. We stayed until 5pm the second day. I give this park a high rating for the 7 and under set. Everything except one roller coaster was perfectly suited for the the two kids we had. We never once thought this place was cheesy or expensive. I think it makes a great family trip for young ones. We even spent part of the day at the water area they have. There is no pool or swimming but lots of fun splashing areas and drenching fountains and waterfalls. The kids loved this and spent a good amount of time there. We packed their bathing suits and left them in the van until we needed them. At that time one of us ran out to the van and got them. This park is nice and compact and it is nothing to run out to the van for something. I can't say enough about this park. As you can tell by my long post! LOL!

 

[tombob]

thought I would throw in my 2 cents....we just came back from our First trip to WDW last week...I have 2 daughters 8 and 6....it was great as everyone here knows and you can't compare any of the smaller theme parks in this area (NY/NJ/Penn) with it....

we go to hershey,DW,Six Flags,Dorney Park,and Sesame at least once EVERY summer....we had season passes for Sesame place for 4 or 5 years and went an avg of 5-10 times each summer...the kids loved it...the sesame characters have their own appeal for kids, the parade is great, lots of water rides, a decent number of shows, a few dry rides...all in all a fun day!!! you should defintely go at least ONCE!!!

their is a red roof inn and mcintosh inn right next to sesame where we always stay...very convenient....

we do a whole theme park tour through Pennsy every summer...hit all of the above mentioned parks...Dorney park is alot of fun also...but Hershey park is the cleanest,safest,nicest park of them all in that area.....we spent 11 hours there one day a few weeks back...tons of rides...some shows....characters....etc....also you can spend a 1/2 day at chocolate world right next door....great family atmosphere all throughout Hershey...I highly recommend it....

also since some folks were talking about the Lancaster area....do yourself a favor and check out Cherry Crest Farm in Strasbiurg...great place for kids...lots of activities including a corn maze......also nearby is the choo choo barn with an incredible miniature train set-up....

enjoy!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

My brother and his family were considering Sesame Place and changed to Hershey at the last minute and LOVED it! It's no Disney, but he said it is a very nice park, bigger than he expected and they had a great time. His two year old little boy went on his first ride by himself and Hershey and had a great time. They liked it so much they want to go back next summer for a couple nights.

I'm so jealous....I've always wanted to go to Hershey!

The character meals look hilarious! A great big Reese Cup and Hershey Kiss come to your table! LOL!


Lisa

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We're leaving for Hershey early Saturday morning & spending 2 nights in Lancaster. I feel a bit guilty. The weather is supposed to be beautiful up here while Florida is going to be hammered.

 

[kimbac3]

We LOVE Hershey. We go to Chocolate World at least 2 times a year. Don't forget that there is a 3D show in Chocolate World - it's very inexpensive. Also they have a free Chocolate Making tour too. We are going the end of Sept. Hershey Park will be closed but Chocolate World will still be open and fun. We also plan to go to Cherry Crest Farm's "Maize Maze" and the Noah show, along with the train and wax museum.

Have Fun!!!!
Kimba


"It's a Hershey's Chocolate World........"
(Ride the free ride...the song is sooo catchy!)

 

[Papa Deuce]

Originally posted by POOH&PIGLET
Does anybody have any tips / information about Sesame Place amusement park in Pennsylvania?

We are hoping to make a weekend trip in September. Does anyone have any good tips for us?

Will my two older "WDW veteran" DDs (ages 2 & almost 5) be bored compared to WDW?

I would try www.knoebels.com

A local family owned park in Elysburg, PA.

Lots of rides. A nice water park, clean. And, most importantly, family friendly. Oh, and prices are TERRIFIC. Average ride is about $1. Plus, they don't charge parents while riding certain rides with their kids.

Finally, Knoebels was voted to have some of the best food in any amusement park in the country,

My wife and I took our 3 y.o. twins there for a day and we spent less than $25 on EVERYTHING! They have lots of areas for barbecuing. And they have a campground if you have interest in that.

Enjoy.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

kimbac3 - I'll have to look into Chocolate World - thanks for the tip.

Papa Deuce - After seeing the previous posts here, we are going to do knoebels next summer!

 

[Jennifer S]

FYI - if you are doing BOTH Hershey and Dutch Wonderland in the same season you can buy tickets that get you into both parks- DW is owned by Hershey.

I have been to all three DW, Hershey & sesame- by far Hershey is the best. DW is a little expensive for what you get. Admission for adults is $26.95 - I went on 4 rides and went to the diving show (excellent btw). But if you can get a combo ticket it's better.
Have fun! I think you made the right decision not going to sesame. Sesame Street is for little kids but clearly the park is more for kids who already outgrew sesame St.

Chocolate World is great - free admission, get a free Hershey bar and you can buy there chocolate at a great discount! Get a peanut butter/chocolate milkshake in the food court- out of this world.

 

[2Disneybuggs]

I have a few friends who have gone with their toddlers. They came home and had the hand foot and mouth disease. I wouldn't go to Sesame Place because of this. None of them would go back either.

 

[phoebeandjakesmom]

We have a 4 yr old and a 1 yr old and live right by Hershey. We just went to Dutch Wonderland and loved it! Many rides were good for my daughter - there were only 2 she couldn't go on.

Hershey was harder because she saw so many rides she wanted to go on but couldn't. So we felt our money was better spent on DW. Also in Hershey - many of the younger rides were no longer interesting to her.

As for Sesame Place - I hated it. DH waited with DD for 45 minutes to go on 1 water ride and then we went to the rest of the park. The high point was the roller coaster for DD and there was no line there. She rode it about 10 times. Other than that, it was quite a bust.

Enjoy your visit to central PA.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by phoebeandjakesmom
We have a 4 yr old and a 1 yr old and live right by Hershey. We just went to Dutch Wonderland and loved it! Many rides were good for my daughter - there were only 2 she couldn't go on.

Hershey was harder because she saw so many rides she wanted to go on but couldn't. So we felt our money was better spent on DW. Also in Hershey - many of the younger rides were no longer interesting to her.

As for Sesame Place - I hated it. DH waited with DD for 45 minutes to go on 1 water ride and then we went to the rest of the park. The high point was the roller coaster for DD and there was no line there. She rode it about 10 times. Other than that, it was quite a bust.

Enjoy your visit to central PA.

I felt the same way comparing Hershey to DW. We have been to Hershey probably 20 times over the years but DW only this past month. Hershey is such a pain to walk all over to find the rides that your reeses cup or hershey kiss can ride. The park is much larger then DW and this is not a benefit! We loved DW for our age kids because they could go on all rides but two. We could easily double back and do the rides again. We went on a buggy ride the next day and met a family that went to DW and Hershey that week and preferred DW for the same reason. The place is a bargain.

 

[frstimer128]

I love Sesame Place! My DD4 and I go every summer for a long weekend and we always have the best time.
I always make sure we have breakfast and/or dinner with the characters. They get a lot of attention from each one and we will see about 7 different ones each meal. The meals are buffet so we fill up on good food. We love the breakfast with french toast sticks, ABC potato puffs, muffins and bagels...cereal too.
I love that the park is small enough to do in a wekend. It's not too everwhelming and they have things for big and little kids. The shows are included in the price of admission and they are pretty entertaining. The park tickets you get are good for 2 days so it is really affordable.
I have always brought the stroller along just to use as a place to leave our things while we are on rides. I have never had a problem with theft.
We stayed in downtown Philly and we went sight seeing one day which was a lot of fun. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown and I got that hotel at 50% off with our Entertainment Book card.
I am a SP lover and I would alway recommed going there if you have little ones.

 

[Gales4Goofy]

My family lives about 20 min from Sesame Place. At that distance. with three kids under 8 you'd think we'd be regulars, but have only been one time.

There are a LOT of water activities. On a hot day they are all PACKED. On a cold day you don't want to be there.

By comparison, DW is a treasure! Definitely worth the trip, and very age appropriate. Hope you have a good time -- let us know what you decide to do!