Sesame Place (Pennsylvania)

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Sesame Place

Location	Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States (Langhorne postal address)
Coordinates	40°11′06″N 74°52′19″W / 40.18500°N 74.87194°W / 40.18500; -74.87194Coordinates: 40°11′06″N 74°52′19″W / 40.18500°N 74.87194°W / 40.18500; -74.87194
Status	Operating
Opened	July 30, 1980; 41 years ago (1980-07-30)
Owner	SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (under a license from Sesame Workshop)
Operated by	SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Theme	Sesame Street
Slogan	Go Before They Grow
Operating season	Year Round
Area	14 acres (5.7 ha)
Attractions
Total	27
Roller coasters	2
Water rides	9
Website	Sesame Place Home Page

Sesame Place is a children's theme park and water park, located on the outskirts of Philadelphia in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (Langhorne postal address).^[1][2] It is one of two theme parks in the United States based entirely on the children's educational television program Sesame Street and includes a variety of rides, shows and water attractions suited to young children. It is also the first theme park in the world to become a certified autism center.

Sesame Place is one of the 12 theme parks owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, which operates the park under an exclusive license from Sesame Workshop, the non-profit owner of Sesame Street.

Overview[]

Sesame Place first opened in 1980 near the Oxford Valley Mall and initiated the expansion of the commercial complex in the vicinity. It was designed by Eric McMillan, a Canadian designer, Sandra Hanna of Lambertville, New Jersey and several other designers. The park is open from early May through Halloween for The Count's Halloween Spooktacular, and mid-November through December for A Very Furry Christmas. The original park was 3 acres (1.2 ha) and featured play areas and large computer labs where kids could color their favorite Sesame Street characters. Since then, it has expanded to 14 acres (5.7 ha) with rides and water attractions. The expansions included the construction of Cookie's Monster Land in 2014 - the park's largest renovation to date.

The theme park is described as having implemented features to make it accessible to children with autism, and on World Autism Awareness Day in 2018 was announced to be the first theme park that is a Certified Autism Center.^[3] Certified Autism Centers "[help] businesses better serve guests and clients with cognitive disorders, including autism".^[4]

In 2007, it became the first theme park in Pennsylvania to become completely smoke-free.^[5]

Beginning in January 2021, the park began year round operation.^[6] The previous operating season of Sesame Place was April through early January, however, 2021 was the first time the park has ever been open during the winter months. Each weekend was a limited capacity event that featured rides, dance parties, and a parade.

Related parks[]

Sesame Place is one of 13 parks operated by SeaWorld Entertainment. Others include its sister park Sesame Place San Diego, alongside SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Discovery Cove, Aquatica Orlando, Aquatica San Antonio, Adventure Island and Water Country USA.

Anheuser-Busch was the park's original owner, operating it under its Busch Entertainment subsidiary. In 2008, Anheuser-Busch was purchased by InBev to form Anheuser-Busch InBev, which then sold its theme park division to The Blackstone Group in 2009. Under new ownership, from 2009 into 2010, children's areas in Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks were converted to Sesame Street-themed areas. SeaWorld Orlando, however, was the lone holdout until its Shamu's Happy Harbor area was converted into, and reopened as, "Sesame Street Land" in 2019.^[7]

Sesame Place (Texas)[]

A second Sesame Place park opened in Irving, Texas in June 1982. The $10 million Texas park was located on 30.3 acres (12.26 ha) near State Highway 183, and differed from the Pennsylvania location in that most attractions were indoors. The Texas park never reopened after the fall season ended in October 1984 and was shut down permanently in January 1985 due to unprofitability and declining attendance.^[8][9]

Tokyo Sesame Place[]

A third park in Tokyo, Japan was open from 1990 until December 31, 2006.

Sesame Place San Diego[]

In 2017, a fourth location was announced, to open "no later than" mid-2021.^[10] In 2019, it was announced that Aquatica San Diego near San Diego, California would be replaced by a new Sesame Place theme park by spring 2021. However due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing construction to pause, the park wouldn't open until the following year in March 2022.

Other Sesame Street related parks and areas[]

In 1994, a Sesame Street themed amusement park called Parque Plaza Sesamo (Plaza Sésamo) was opened in Monterrey, Mexico. According to TEA's Global Attractions Attendance Report, Parque Plaza Sésamo is one of Latin America's highest ranking theme parks by attendance, with 1.2 million visitors per year.^[11]

Universal Studios Japan has a Sesame Street themed section in their Universal Wonderland themed area.

In Salou, Spain, the PortAventura Park has a Sesame Street themed area called Sésamo Aventura, which opened in 2011.^[12]

Attractions[]

Each attraction is split into a category. Dry rides are open during Elmo's Springtacular, the summer season, The Count's Halloween Spooktacular and A Very Furry Christmas. Water rides are open only in the summer season (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Other rides are only operated during Elmo's Springtacular, The Count's Halloween Spooktacular, or A Very Furry Christmas.

Sesame Plaza[]

The front entrance.

Name	Manufacturer	Opened	Description
Vapor Trail	Vekoma	1998	a Super Grover-themed custom Vekoma family roller coaster with several helixes.

Sesame City[]

An area themed to mass transit and a big city.

Name	Manufacturer	Opened	Description
Oscar's Wacky Taxi	The Gravity Group	2018	a Gravity Group family wooden roller coaster featuring a crazy taxi ride with Oscar, it is located near the front gate. [13]
Big Bird's Tour Bus	Zamperla	2022	a crazy bus ride themed to a tour around the city with Big Bird.
Slimey's Square		2021	A children's play area designated for children 5 and under.

Twiddlebug Land[]

An area themed to the Twiddlebug characters.

Name	Opened	Description
Mix n' Match Twiddle Tracks	1993	a children's railroad.
Sky Splash	1995	a large raft water slide that stands more than six stories high, it is designed to look like it is made out of giant toys.
Slimey's Chutes	1993	two spiral tube water slides. Single and double tubes are used.
Teeny Tiny Tidal Wave	1993	a 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) wave pool formed from Ernie's wild garden hose.

Sesame Island[]

An area featuring water-based attractions.

Name	Opened	Description
Abby's Paradise Theater		a covered outdoor theater that currently shows Let's Play Together.
Big Bird's Rambling River	1990	a slow-moving, 1,000 ft (300 m) waterway winding through Sesame Island.
Ernie's Waterworks	1990	a small water play area.
Sand Castle Beach	1990	a giant beach-like sandbox and playground.

Sesame Neighborhood[]

A full-scale replica of Sesame Street. Opened in 1988.

Name	Opened	Description
Sunny Day Carousel	2008	a carousel with Sesame Street-designed horses. Its location was formerly the home of the Big Bird Steps.
Sesame Studio	1980	an indoor theater currently featuring Meet and Greets with various Sesame Street characters.
Sesame Place Neighborhood Theater	1980	a large outdoor theater that currently shows The Magic of Art.

The Count's Court[]

Themed after Count von Count and features water rides. The special Count-themed dry attractions only operate during special events and are listed below.

Name	Opened	Description
The Count's Splash Castle	2009	a multi-level, water park attraction features over 90 play elements, including a 1000-gallon tipping bucket.
Sesame Streak		a pair of tube water slides, one for single riders and the other for double riders.
Abby's Fairy Falls		four short vertical water slides that drop into a three-foot pool. (Formerly known as Slippery Slopes until Mid-July 2021).

Elmo's World[]

Themed after Elmo, more specifically the Elmo's World segment.

Name	Opened	Description
Elmo's Silly Splashy Slides	1985	two intertwining body flumes that empty into a splash pool. (Formerly known as Bert & Ernie's Slip & Slide until Mid-July 2021)
Peek-A-Bug	2006	a Rock 'n Tug themed to a bug in a garden.
Blast Off	2006	a tower drop ride in which riders travel to Planet Elmo.
Elmo's Cloud Chaser	2011	riders fly around in swings.
Flyin' Fish	2006	an aerial carousel ride, similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Snuffy's Slides	1980	two long dry tube slides for kids 12 and under. This is the last vestige of the Big Bird Bridge system.

Cookie's Monster Land[]

Named after Cookie Monster. Opened in 2014.

Name	Opened	Description
Captain Cookie's High C's Adventure	2014	pirate ships circle a rising and falling track.
Oscar's Rusty Rotten Rockets	2014	a whip-like ride, but with hanging garbage can-shaped rockets as vehicles.
Honker Dinger Derby	2014	a Tivoli Orbiter. Formerly operated at Busch Gardens Tampa as Sandstorm.
Monster Mix-Up	2002	a teacup ride. Formerly known as Grover's World Twirl.
Flying Cookie Jars	2002	a 40 ft (12 m) high tower ride that affords a view of the park. Formerly known as Big Bird's Balloon Race.
Monster Clubhouse	2014	a net-climbing attraction.
Mini Monster Clubhouse	2014	a play area for smaller children.

Special Event Rides[]

These rides only operate during specific seasonal events.

Name	Description
The Castle Swing	a swing ride.[14]
The Count's Fly By	a smaller version of Elmo's Cloud Chaser, themed after the Count.[15]
The Count Around	a ferris wheel.[16]
The Count's Cruisers	a carousel-type attraction with 4x4 cars.
Sesame Place Furry Express	a locomotive train.
Twiddlebug Gingerbread Factory	a retheme to Twiddlebug Land.

Former attractions[]

Name	Opened	Closed	Description
Adult's Oasis	Unknown	Unknown	An area for adults.
The Amazing Mumford's Water Maze	1980	2004	A maze attraction consisting of tubes with water sprays. The spot where the attraction once stood is empty, being used as a simple pathway.
Anti-Gravity Mirror
Balancing Buoys	1981	Circa 1982
Bert's Balance Beams	1980	Unknown
Big Bird Bridge/Steps	1980	2007	The original park icon, consisting of a large Big Bird head and a long bridge, which led to various slides, although near the end of it's life it only led to the tube slides. The bridge was removed in the Late-90's and Big Bird's mouth was closed up, which left the steps for photo ops. The steps and head were fully removed in 2007 to make way for the Sunny Day Carousel.
Big Bird's Court	1980	2013	A small play area featuring large padded grounds and blocks. Only children under 5 were permitted inside the attraction. It was removed to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Chat Lag
Cheshire Cat	1982	Unknown
Circle Theatre	1983	Unknown	A theatre that presented an animal show. The theatre's building later became home to the 1, 2, 3, Smile with Me! Photo-op.
Circus Mirrors
The Computer Gallery/The Games Gallery	1980	2001	This attraction housed an area featuring many computers, allowing attendees to play simple educational games featuring Sesame Street characters. In 1993, the area became The Games Gallery, with arcade games replacing computers. In 2001, the attraction was converted into a quick-service restaurant, known as Cookie's Cafe.
Cookie Mountain	1980	2013	An inflatable mountain where kids could climb on their own. Only children under seven were permitted at this attraction. It was removed to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
The Count's Ballroom	1980	2006	A large ball pit containing over 80,000 balls. It was removed to make way for Elmo's World, with this attraction replaced with Blast Off.
The Count's Fount	1985	2008	A water play area. It was demolished to make way for the larger Count's Splash Castle.
Create a Muppet Show	1980's	Unknown
Crystal Climb	1982	Unknown	A set of geodesic climbing mazes. It was soon relocated to another area, before being removed entirely. The original location later became home to Adult's Oasis, while the relocated version became home to the Sesame Slab Slides.
Elmo's World Live	2001	2016	A live show based on the segment of the same name. It was replaced with Elmo: the Musical - LIVE!.
Ernie's Bed Bounce	1980	2013	An inflatable, springy air mattress. For two years in 1981, a second mattress was also added in the spot where the Circle Theater later stood. The main Bed was removed to make way for Cookie's Monster Land in 2013, with Honker Ginger Derby sitting where this once stood.
Everyone is You and Me	1983	1990's
Foot Notes
Grover's Rubber Band Bounce
Herry's Hand Over Water	1980	1984	A playground set over a pool of water. It was later replaced with the Sesame Construction Company attraction.
Kaliedoscope
Little Bird's Birdbath	1990's	2008	A sprinkler play area made for young children. It was demolished alongside its sister attraction Little Bird's Rapids to make way for The Count's Splash Castle.
Little Bird's Court	1980	2001	A sand-focused playground. It was later moved to Sesame Island. The spot where the original version stood was replaced with Grover's World Twirl.
Little Bird's Rapids	Unknown	2008	A water play area. It was demolished alongside it's sister attraction Little Bird's Birdbath to make way for The Count's Splash Castle.
Mirror Mirage
Mix and Match Muppet Totem Poles
Monster Maze	1980	2013	A small, sand bottom pit with large "monster" bags kids can run around in. It was removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Multiscopes
Nets & Climbs	1980	2013	Hundreds of yards of cargo netting connected by 200 ft (61 m) of suspended net tunnels. It was removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Oscar's Balance Beams			A set of balance beams.
Oscar's Obstacle Course	1980	Unknown	A twisty maze in a sand box.
Pedal Power and Cycles	1980	1999
Pin Tables
Pitch Switch
Rainbow Room	1980	1999
Rainbow Pyramid	1980	2001	An attraction that taught kids about air pressure. It was replaced with Sesame Playhouse.[17]
Rubber Duckie Pond	1980	Unknown	A giant water bed that kids could jump on. It was later redeveloped into a water play area under the same name.[18]
Rubber Duckie Pond	Unknown	2010	A water play area that replaced the above water bed. It was demolished in 2010 to make way for Elmo's Cloud Chaser.
Runaway Rapids	1984	2008	A tube water slide. It was demolished to make way for The Count's Splash Castle.
Sesame Beach	1980	2006	A sandbox area. It was demolished in 2006 to make way for the Elmo's World area, with this attraction replaced with Peek a Bug.
Sesame Construction Company	1985	2001	A play area featuring giant building blocks that can be used to create structures. It was removed to make way for Big Bird's Balloon Race.
Sesame Dream Network
Sesame Garden	1981	1980's	A flower garden.
Sesame Slab Slides			A set of slides that go from the top of the Nets & Climbs to the bottom.
Sesame Production Company
Shadow Room	1980	2001
Silly Sand Slides	1993	2019	Three giant slides modeled after; A large watch, a spoon on a bag of marbles and a dumped bucket of sand. The attraction was removed in 2019.
Slippery Slopes	1980	1985	A set of foam-covered slides. It has no connection with the water slide of the same name that resides in the park today. It was later replaced with Sesame Streak.
The Snake Tube	1981
Snuffle Ball	1981
Super Grover's Cable Glides	1980	1986	A set of rope swings.
Talking Picture Show
Teleidoscope Temple	1980	1999
Touch of Spring	1983	Unknown
Tunnels of Fun	1980	2013	A set of tunnels. Removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Twiddlebug Hop	1980	1986	A large rope swing. It was later replaced with a garden area.
Twiddlebug Tunnel	1980	unknown	A tunnel for kids to crawl through where "mysterious colors and sounds await".
Whisper Walls	1980	2013	Removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Zoetrope
Zoom Flume	1983	1986	A water slide. it was demolished in 1986 due to low capacity and the additions of other water attractions, with it's spot being replaced with Little Bird's Birdbath.

Entertainment[]

• Neighborhood Street Party Parade - A parade with all costume characters and has dance stops throughout the parade route. (2011-present, anniversary: 2015, 2020)
• Elmo the Musical! - Magic, mayhem, and music add up in Elmo the Musical - Live at Sesame Place! Join Elmo as it's time to raise the curtain and light the lights, when this brand-new show takes over the Sesame Studio at Sesame Place.^[19] (2014–present)
• The Magic of Art - Abby Cadabby is getting ready for the art show on Sesame Street. Abby isn't sure what to create. Abby asks for help from Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover and Telly. She then learns art comes in all shapes and sized, with paintings and sculptures. They inspire Abby to use imagination and create your own masterpiece.
• Our Street is Sesame Street -Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Big Bird! Sing, dance, and clap along as you watch the show at the Sesame Street Neighborhood.
• ALL-NEW Sesame Place 40th Birthday Drive-Thru

Holiday shows and parades[]

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular Shows/Parades:

• The Not Too Spooky Howl-Ween Radio Show! - A show starring the "Sesame Street" characters that they performed at the WSME theater and our Halloween broadcast. Located in "Abby's Paradise Theater".^[20] (2010–present)
• Who Said Boo?! - A show at Sesame Place where Sesame Street characters went to the Count's Halloween Party but they hear an eerie BOO! Shows in the "Sesame Street Neighborhood Theater" (formerly "Monster Rock Theater").^[21] (2014–present)
• Elmo the Musical- A Halloween Adventure! - Magic, mayhem and music add up in Elmo the Musical - Live at Sesame Place! Join Elmo as it's time to raise the curtain and light the lights, when this brand-new show takes over the Sesame Studio at Sesame Place.^[19] (2014–present)
• Neighborhood Halloween Street Party
• Not-Too Spooky Halloween Drive-Thru

A Very Furry Christmas Shows/Parades:

• Christmas Storytime - Enjoy a Christmas story in Mr. Hooper's Emporium.
• Elmo the Musical- A Christmas Adventure! - Magic, mayhem and music add up in Elmo the Musical - Live at Sesame Place! Join Elmo as it's time to raise the curtain and light the lights, when this brand-new show takes over the Sesame Studio at Sesame Place.^[19] (2014–present)
• A Sesame Street Christmas - Visitors can join their Sesame Street friends to help Abby Caddaby learn about the December holidays.
• Neighborhood Christmas Street Party
• Elmo's Christmas Wish
• 1-2-3 Christmas Tree
• All-New Furry & Bright Drive-Thru

Costume characters[]

Families can dine with some characters at Dine with Elmo and friends (or one of its seasonal variations). This is not included in the regular admission price and takes place at varying times depending on season. The characters at the dine change seasonally. Many of the Sesame Place characters strut down "Sesame Street" in the "Neighborhood Street Party" parade (or one of its seasonal variations). This features 15 Sesame Place characters, large floats, dancers and music. The park also features character meet and greets that vary through the year. During the holiday season, characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer appear in the park, thanks to a licensing agreement between Seaworld Parks and Entertainment, and Character Arts LLC. The characters that feature in the park include:

Current characters[]

Sesame Street[]

• Abby Cadabby (regular, parade)
• Baby Bear (regular until 2018, seasonal since)
• Barkley (parade only)
• Bert (regular, parade)
• Big Bird (regular, parade)
• Cookie Monster (regular, parade)
• Count von Count (regular, parade)
• Elmo (regular, parade)
• Ernie (regular, parade)
• Grover / Super Grover (regular, parade)
• A Honker and a Dinger (seasonal)
• Julia (regular)
• Murray Monster (random, parade)
• Oscar the Grouch (regular, parade)
• Prairie Dawn (random, parade)
• Rosita (regular, parade)
• Snuffleupagus (regular)
• Telly Monster (random, parade)
• Zoe (regular, parade)
• Gonger (seasonal)
• Chocolate Chip Cookie (seasonal)
• Lightning the Reindeer (seasonal)
• Santa Claus (seasonal)
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (seasonal)
• Clarice (seasonal)
• The Bumble (seasonal)

Former characters[]

• Hoots the Owl (removed in 2009)
• Jackman Wolf (removed in 2010)

References[]

Further reading[]

Wikinews has related news: Abby Cadabby debuts at Sesame Place today as a walkaround character

Wikinews has related news: Wikinews attends Christy Carlson Romano concert Sesame Place

• Chris English (May 3, 2007). "What's new at Sesame Place?". phillyBurbs. Calkins Media, Inc. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
• Manasee Wagh (November 5, 2008). "Variety Kids Celebrate Halloween at Sesame Place?". phillyBurbs. Calkins Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011.
• Crissa Shoemaker Debree (August 18, 2008). "Psst…Oxford Valley isn't closing". phillyBurbs. Calkins Media, Inc. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008.
• Jo Ciavaglia (August 28, 2008). "Abby Cadabby…a baby girl born at Sesame Place". phillyBurbs. Calkins Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011.
• Jacqueline Burt Wang (August 8, 2008). "We're Outta Here! Four Fantastic Day Trips For Families". New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc.
• Kristie Rearick (June 27, 2008). "'Hip Hop Harry' takes stage at Sesame Place". South Jersey News Online.
• Kara Mcguire (May 2, 2008). "Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Place?". Star Tribune.
• "Durham-Wahlberg family at Sesame Place". People Magazine. August 20, 2007.

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sesame Place.

• Sesame Place official site
• Sesame Place (Pennsylvania) at the Roller Coaster DataBase