Went to Sesame Place yesterday...some observations

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

So I finally took the kids to Sesame yesterday. I say finally because we live literally 10 mins away and I pass by it all the time (I know - very bad LOL!) So since my husband was working I took my dad to tag along and help out. We all had a great time. The park was very clean! We got there at about 4:00pm (did the twilight admission) and stayed till closing. The crowds were thinning out by then so we got to do everything we wanted twice. It is a GREAT park for little kids just getting used to water and water rides. They have awesome kids areas as well as dry rides and big water slides. I refuse to compare it to WDW because it's like apples and oranges so I won't even go there. There are plenty of lifeguards and they're all very helpful. The whole thing is run very smoothly and there is plenty to do for a whole day. We didn't eat there but I know there are plenty of places and food if you get hungry. It was a really nice way to spend an afternoon off from work with the kids just enjoying ourselves.

One of the things that put me off were rude people - which you will find everywhere of course. Since Sesame is so clsoe to all points in Philly, and since Philly has some very bad neighborhoods, it seemed like a lot of people from those areas went there. Dont' get me wrong, it did not affect our time in the least but it was just an observation. Other than that, I would say if your kids are under 7 or 8 and you're thinking of going - do it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask or PM me.

 

[hentob]

One of the things that put me off were rude people - which you will find everywhere of course. Since Sesame is so clsoe to all points in Philly, and since Philly has some very bad neighborhoods, it seemed like a lot of people from those areas went there.

Yep I agree 100%. You were spared b/c you went for Twighlight Hours. Had you been there during the daytime hours

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Yep I agree 100%. You were spared b/c you went for Twighlight Hours. Had you been there during the daytime hours

OMG, I can just imagine!

 

[Donna2105]

Because we all know how horrible people from Philly are....

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Because we all know how horrible people from Philly are....

LOL, is that all you got from my entire post? Did you not read the part where I said that there are many bad neighborhoods in Philly and that those were the types of people I was talking about? You can interpret it any way you like, but a fact is a fact. And believe me, I know plenty about Philly since I grew up in the NE, went to school in the NE, and went to college at Temple U (lovely neighborhood don't you think?). I also work in Philly so believe me, I do know what I'm talking about.

This thread was not intended as a debate on Philadelphia, or its people, heritage, culture, or neighborhoods. It was just an informational thread on our experience at Sesame Place.

 

[MandM-Mom]

We have not been in quite a few years, we took oldest dd when she was younger and it was just her, we had a great time! We thought it was a great time for a toddler, we went on a midweek day and crowds were good. I have thought many times about going back and just have not done it yet, I have seen some bad reviews on here, glad to see a good one too

 

[BellAbbeys Mom]

I would like to chime in here for a sec.

I have been going to SP every year for the last 4 years and you do get your ups and downs (just like everywhere) Even though there are rude people, you do encounter them everywhere. I myself think it is a great park for smaller children and if you can go during off peak season or during Mid week it is great. However, during the summer they do bus in a lot of local day camps and it could get a TAD crowded and crazy.

We usually do the dining with the characters and the food was not THAT bad..the interaction with the characters was great every time we do go. I would have to say the BEST time we have went so far is the first week after Memorial Day weekend..it was a little chilly in the afternoon, but it was EMPTY. So empty, my 4 year old got to ride the roller coaster 4 times in a ROW. Without even getting back on the line. Needless to say after that my husband said "OK enough Bella, please, Daddy's head can't take it any more"

I happen to love that place, but CANT wait for 115 days when my family and I will be attending the GREATEST park in the world !!!

 

[mrsltg]

I agree with the OP. We went to Sesame a couple of years ago and some of the people there were, well, ! It's not a geographical thing but and attitude and entitlement mentality.

 

[vcgirl925]

I agree with everything you said. Except in the about 20 plus times i've been there i've never noticed rude people. Either i'm completely in my own world or i've gotten lucky on the days i've been. However i know what you mean, it is the exact reason i NEVER go to six flags anymore.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I agree with everything you said. Except in the about 20 plus times i've been there i've never noticed rude people. Either i'm completely in my own world or i've gotten lucky on the days i've been. However i know what you mean, it is the exact reason i NEVER go to six flags anymore.

I used to LOVE six flags before I had kids. I always made it a point to go there every summer with friends, but I haven't been in about 8 years. As far as the rudeness, I think it was more like uncontrollable kids running wild through the lines with parents in their own world and completely clueless. But like I said, that did not hinder us from having a grea time!

 

[Donna2105]

I agree with the OP. We went to Sesame a couple of years ago and some of the people there were, well, ! It's not a geographical thing but and attitude and entitlement mentality.

Exactly...I've been to SP more times than I can count and I know exactly what the OP meant. However, I was making a point that one shouldn't assume it's a "Philly" thing...unless of course, she asked every rude person she encountered that day and they all said there were from Philly,

 

[Tinkerbell1108]

I used to get season passes to Sesame. I live about 15 minutes from there, but in NJ. I loved it. We never went on the peek days though or on weekends. The month before schools are closed for the summer and the month after everyone is back. Some weekdays in the morning. I only had one time that I ran into extremely rude people. But that is everywhere you go!!

Now about six flags, never again. I have not been there in over 12 years and am never going back. It is horrible and the price is way to much!!! I also hate how everyone drives so crazy on 195 trying to get to the turnpike the fastest. Every Friday and Saturday night like clockwork they are really bad. Take your time before you kill someone!!

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Exactly...I've been to SP more times than I can count and I know exactly what the OP meant. However, I was making a point that one shouldn't assume it's a "Philly" thing...unless of course, she asked every rude person she encountered that day and they all said there were from Philly,

Wasn't this already clarified by the OP?

Anyway - we go back and forth on SP. It was on our short list of summer destinations for this year, but we threw the list out when we decided to do Disney. So it's on our short list for next year. We have friends who went in June, and we not impressed (but between you, me, and the wall, they never seem impressed with anything). We have other friends who are hoping to squeeze in a trip this summer, so we're waiting on their review.

Thanks for your feedback! I think you're going to get rotten "entitlement" apples whenever you go to a place where you have to pay admission. Even the movie theater - I've permanently retired my "SHUSH!!!" and opted to wait for DVD.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Exactly...I've been to SP more times than I can count and I know exactly what the OP meant. However, I was making a point that one shouldn't assume it's a "Philly" thing...unless of course, she asked every rude person she encountered that day and they all said there were from Philly,

I'm from NYC and we get the same thing...so many stereotypes about New Yorkers, and well, when I was at Disney I did encounter come rude people, and let's just say they did not sound at all like they were from the Northeast! And yes, they were certainly from the US! So to me, there are nice people everywhere and there are also rude people everywhere. There are also parents who keep an eye on their kids everywhere and parents who are mindless and let them roam around uncontrollably everywhere!

 

[WDWDecember]

They were probably from NJ!

Pssst, I'm from NJ so I would know.

 

[mrstomrice]

We have found that SP has been getting better. It is definitely to be avoided on the weekends. For some reason, that seems to bring out the worst case scenerio parents. If you are planning on going, they have a deal now (as they do every August) that with a purchase of a season pass for this year, you can come the rest of the season, as well as all of next season...pretty good deal!

 

[mdurette]

We went in early June - the 1st day was a Friday and although the park was very nice I was very turned off by some of the crowds. Loud and dirty. I saw many groups under an umbrella with more half eaten food around them (on the ground) and the dirty diapers everywhere! We won't even talk about the bathrooms - ok I will - there was more toilet paper on the floor than on the rolls. Seriously - PILES of used toilet paper. It was so bad we weren't going to go back - but the tickets were already purchased - we had dining with the charachters that I couldn't get a refund for - so we went on Saturday. HUGE difference - the crowds were different - their was more staff - the place was clean. So nice - we went back again on Sunday.

 

[ehrn]

My ds and I were there on Tues. It was HOT and fairly crowded, but we got there soon after it opened and left around 2:30. The best time to go is about 5p when the busloads pack up and move out! Overall, it wasn't bad. I'm so busy worrying about my kid getting hurt or being rude to someone else that I guess I don't notice other people as much. I actually met a really nice woman in a line and we had a nice conversation. The price of food was insane though! Of course Disney isn't any better, at least we can stop off at the Taco Bell across the street on the way out of SP, lol.
DS LOVED the little bird rapids...

 

[mrstomrice]

We went in early June - the 1st day was a Friday and although the park was very nice I was very turned off by some of the crowds. Loud and dirty. I saw many groups under an umbrella with more half eaten food around them (on the ground) and the dirty diapers everywhere! We won't even talk about the bathrooms - ok I will - there was more toilet paper on the floor than on the rolls. Seriously - PILES of used toilet paper. It was so bad we weren't going to go back - but the tickets were already purchased - we had dining with the charachters that I couldn't get a refund for - so we went on Saturday. HUGE difference - the crowds were different - their was more staff - the place was clean. So nice - we went back again on Sunday.

I am glad you ended up having a nice time! Early in the season they seem understaffed on weekdays while school is still in session, as many employees are still in school. The weekends in the heart of the summer should be avoided due to massive crowds, many of whom do not know where to find a trash can.

 

[dreamalittledream]

My ds and I were there on Tues. It was HOT and fairly crowded, but we got there soon after it opened and left around 2:30. The best time to go is about 5p when the busloads pack up and move out! Overall, it wasn't bad. I'm so busy worrying about my kid getting hurt or being rude to someone else that I guess I don't notice other people as much. I actually met a really nice woman in a line and we had a nice conversation. The price of food was insane though! Of course Disney isn't any better, at least we can stop off at the Taco Bell across the street on the way out of SP, lol.
DS LOVED the little bird rapids...

next time stop by the Chick Fil A by the entrance. I know the owners of it and they are great people!