Sesame Place Review, Pennsylvania Children's Theme Park | SeaWorld's Cash Cow

[@violetlight1548]

I've been wanting to take my son here for quite some time now, but the pandemic hit when he was 4. Now he's 7, and I hope he'll still be interested. You should also mention that this was the first theme park in the world to be certified Autism-friendly, a great boom for families with kids who may need a break from the hustle, whether they're on the spectrum or not. I wasn't aware of just how expensive this park is, so thank you for the heads' up.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That is a good point about it having autism certification.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

Check to see if your platinum pass gets you preferred parking at all the parks. My platinum pass through San Antonio does. So at Sesame Place, I go to the parking lot on the same side of the street as the park, just to the west. That's the preferred lot, and I've been able to park there both times. It probably doesn't save many steps, but it's another option, especially if the main lot is getting packed. I realize that this is a great park for kids, but that's also why I haven't spent much time there, especially when OWT wasn't open. I was also in shock at their full priced one day ticket, thinking that there must be a lot of discount options out there.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The first time I went there with a platinum pass, they actually made me pay even for general parking. I'll try parking across the street next time, but the regular lot isn't too far away.

[@davidlins5689]

This was were I rode my first coaster!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@CoasterHorizons]

i think mine was at gillian’s wonderland pier

[@Lucky_9705]

I have a love and appreciation for Jim Henson’s work. When I was 9 years old, I did a research project on Jim Henson and his legacy in the entertainment world. His contributions to Sesame Street were some of the most vital for any program on television. He was the soul and heart that powered Sesame Street to what it is today.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I loved Sesame Street as a kid.

[@Lucky_9705]

@@CanobieCoaster same here

[@Joypyf]

My 5 month daughter is already a fan of Elmo so I expect this park to find its way onto our bucket list 😅

[@CanobieCoaster]

Makes sense.

[@jonathansima7591]

That moment when Six Flags Great Adventure is the discount option to Sesame Place. It confounds me how it is smaller than Del Grosso’s in Tipton, PA, (and that one is still free admission) yet three times the price of an all-day ride-and-slide wristband.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The Sesame Street IP prints money.

[@boogerbrains138]

I grew up around here, alot of my childhood friend's first jobs were there. Last time I was there was in 5th grade, the school gave everyone in my grade a free pass for the day for "graduating" the D.A.R.E. program (lol). I think I was 12 at the time, I would definitely say that was too old to really enjoy it. If I had small children I would definitely take them here. With the decline of shopping malls, There has been rumors that they are going to rip down the Oxford valley mall that's right by sesame place and put a busch gardens theme park in its place. Seaworld owns busch gardens, right? I'm unsure if that would be big enough spot but that would be cool.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Or Sesame Place could expand.

[@tex4568]

Do you have any info about the sesame places that existed in Texas and Japan? I live in Dallas and went to the one here when I was like 4 years old. I remember it being such a fun place and I always wonder why it never succeeded here.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I do not, sorry!

[@coastercloudy]

I like how this park doesnt have a kiddie coaster i love that tbh vapor trail is like in the mix but not super kiddy

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's fun for all.

[@coastercloudy]

@@CanobieCoaster Yes very nostalgic

[@johnnywishbone.]

3 years old are allowed to ride on the vapor... it doesn't get much more kiddie than that.

[@Coyotek4]

Among kid-friendly options in the northeast, I would give another shout-out to Knoebels; there's a LOT for kids to do.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's true!

[@johnnywishbone.]

i've never been to knoebels but i've heard good things about it. the problem is that its over 2 hours away, whereas langhorne is less than 45 minutes.

[@Coyotek4]

@@johnnywishbone. Knoebels is about a 2 1/2 trip for me (vs 1 hour for SFGA or Dorney); believe me when I say, it's worth the extra distance and tolls.

[@queenofdisaster3480]

2:56 that’s because they’re all high schoolers. They basically pay local high schoolers low wages to staff the park. Maybe in the summer, you will see college kids helping out, but most of them don’t stay that long. Source: I’m a local and knew many sorely underpaid theater kids in hs

[@CanobieCoaster]

I know it's hard for parks outside peak season.

[@DepthTravel]

to be honest, i LOVE sesame place, it's the closest park to me that's not an hour drive and i'm a big Jim henson fan! my favorite memory there is when it was raining, they had a snuffy meet and greet inside paradise theater, and to my suprise, big bird was there! so that was one of the only two times i got two see those two together, apparently when they do a snuffy meet and greet, it's elmo and snuffy instead of big bird and snuffy. elmo's nice and all, but it would be nice to keep the integrity of the character, snuffy being big bird's best friend.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It definitely is great for Sesame Street fans.

[@maxhagenauer24]

A fun lace for kids but honestly I'd still go here for Oscar's Wacky Taxi. That and that junior coaster that is actually quite intense.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a very good ride when it's open.

[@AliJaeJR]

What tips can you give regarding their parking situation... is it a good idea to pay 30 for their parking ticket or would it be a waste... I have a toddler and a 5month old

[@CanobieCoaster]

Are you visiting for just the day or staying overnight? There's a hotel across the street that you can stay parked at if you stay there.

[@mitchellries256]

I think it is a great idea to for SeaWorld to use the Sesame Place IP at more of their parks but I can't say I was happy to hear them turn the former Aquatica San Diego into another Sesame Place simply because I am a sucker for the Aquatica waterparks and I can't see myself going back there unless I had little kids who enjoy it nore than I would.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It makes sense for them to make more parks.

[@urbex_coasters]

The conversation of "Is Sesame Place worth it" STARTS with the assumption that you're ok walking from the strip mall down the hill where you can make Chipotle your lunch, ie they can't tow your car for not being a customer, food is probably better and less expensive than Sesame Place food and either way it's cheaper than parking at Sesame Place and you get a meal with it AND that your ticket is discounted. At that point I say it's very worth it to visit once for Oscar's Wacky Taxi but once you have that credit do yourself a favour and go to Dutch Wonderland instead. I'd say their wooden coasters, designed to appeal to both enthusiasts and families, are of similar callibur. But Dutch Wonderland definately has a better supporting coaster (Merlin's Mehem>Vapor Tail) and in flat ride selection...well when Hersheypark got big they sent their older flat rides to Dutch Wonderland rather than scrapping them (so...much more rare flat rides you'll probably want to get on rather than Zamperla filler you can find anywhere).

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the cheesesteaks at Curley's nearby when I go to Sesame Place. I don't like to try parking in the lots for other businesses. I'm used to cars getting towed growing up near Boston.

[@urbex_coasters]

@@CanobieCoaster Understandable. The strip mall down the hill has so much more parking than it needs and is hard to trace so they won't be towing cars (and in my case I was a customer. I just stayed parked longer than a typical Chipotle customer would). However, if you have a Seaworld Platinum Pass that covers parking I say use it as the strip mall parking does require a short stretch of walking on the busy road which has no sidewalk that paralells the park. To further elaborate on your point about guest/employee interaction, I reserved my cursing relating to cost vs service for that section of road in my "Sesame Place RANT" video (heck, at Six Flags the day before I was given a "you good? There are kids around" when I said "f*€kin' scam" to the locker policy), however there was one guest that called one of the operators on Oscar's Wacky Taxi "f*€ker" because he had been stapled in a way that crushed his $500 perscription glasses. The employees acted as if it was normal (I think he was definately in the right to be mad like that personally since he couldn't see without them but I'm surprised he wasn't disciplined since it's a children's park).

[@Coyotek4]

My wife and kids have had season passes for a few years (it helps to live virtually within walking distance); I've tagged alone for a few days to get my fill. One MAJOR issue I have regarding cost: if you're going to do any of the water-related stuff (this place is mainly a water park, IMO), you pretty much have to rent a locker for the day, and those cost $35 per visit, even if you have a season pass. That adds up *quickly*. While I'll miss the lazy river (my favorite activity as there's seldom a line and I can get numerous trips on it) and I do like OWT, I don't see myself getting closer to SP going forward than passing the parking lot on the way to the Oxford Valley Mall.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's $35 for a locker? Yikes!

[@willt6970]

$35 for a locker is ridiculous

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

That’s the most I ever heard or for a locker

[@genedilorenzo713]

They need to build a new seasme place near Busch Gardens Williamsburg, this would be a great 3rd gate for one of Sea World Parks flagship parks. PLUS at the seasme parks they need a darkride at both parks in Philadelphia and San Diego and in Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Because Legoland has this and legoland is seasme place chief comp.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've heard a rumor they may turn the Sesame Street Forest into a separate park, but that would hurt BGW's kiddie offerings.

[@NostalgiawithJack]

If you visit Sesame Place San Diego, you should make a review about it and see how it compares to Sesame Place Philadelphia.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope to visit it at some point.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

Went here my first time when I was 3 or 4 with my first coaster I haven’t been back since

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a long time.

[@twistedwhiskers8776]

3:15 surprised school or work didn’t teach that that happens

[@CanobieCoaster]

The swinging stick?

[@twistedwhiskers8776]

@@CanobieCoaster other people not getting in trouble

[@aaronjackson5967]

I am heartbroken over the latest revelations. I hope Sesame place does better!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope so!

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

If this occurred in Sesame Street you would get a pretty good scolding

[@CanobieCoaster]

True.

[@racheljackson4428]

The employees did'nt do anything when it comes to people breaking rules? at least the Disney Theme Parks know how to deal with customers that are hard to get sometimes.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think the lack of action may have been caused by the employee who got hurt in 2020.

[@johnnywishbone.]

we come here for vapor and oscar's taxi.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I mainly come to Oscar's and pray it is open.

[@boardwalker1997]

I work there and I still have no idea why the park is open year-round, especially in the winter months? The park's been closed on either Saturday or Sunday ever since the start of 2022 due to the freezing temperatures and inclement weather. The park barely even has any crowds during this time!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Is Oscar's Wacky Taxi supposed to run this time of year when the park can open?

[@boardwalker1997]

@@CanobieCoaster No, the coasters don’t open until late March. Way too cold for them to run now!

[@lorancefile9557]

I work for sesame place San Diego as guest arrival, I’d say the reason why a lot of staff in the park don’t do much is because of how the SEAWORLD company as a whole is recently. The company itself isn’t as professional or mature as it was once viewed as. And instead the lead here don’t really care and so does corporate for the way a staff impresses a guest. It’s sad but true. However there are some staff members here at the San Diego park that try to make some people’s day much brighter. But I do have to say it has to do with corporate just hiring anyone and not training them well because SEAWORLD is in it’s cheap era I’d say.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love when employees go above and beyond. I did hear after this review, the staff members were told to not confront guests over issues after one was punched during 2020 over masking.

[@MegaGamer-hr5us]

I really love this park BUT my ONLY COMPLAINT is that they REMOVED THE RUBBER DUCKY

[@CanobieCoaster]

RIP rubber ducky.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

Probaly the best Childrens park to date way better then Peppa Pig World over in Legoland.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Legoland to be honest.

[@skyguyismyguyr12turn]

8:57 OMFG ABSOLUTELY!!! You got that 100% right!! Next time I go to this park, I expect it to be LITERALLY THE WORST PARK IN THE WORLD(tries to insert dreaded emojis)!!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's probably the worst park for coaster enthusiasts in that case, but it still at least serves its main audience.

[@thegreatpacoasters3134]

Sesame place at sea world Orlando is significantly better

[@CanobieCoaster]

I haven't spent too much time in that area.

[@thegreatpacoasters3134]

@@CanobieCoaster lol mako is a bit distracting

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

The employees are so lazy

[@CanobieCoaster]

It may have been orders after the punching incident in 2020.

[@randomaccount2311]

Honestly true the only employees that do their job right is entertainment

[@mspplanet7410]

BOYCOTT stop spending your money with company who are clearly. It is time. It took this to happen out loud and in your face type of racist to children, not just one child on one day. What about the other days? BOYCOTT wake up and smell the BS.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That was awful what happened.

[@johnnywishbone.]

@@CanobieCoaster nothing happened. i've been coming here for years and never seen any racism. the 3-second clip everyone is going nuts over was taken out of context. quite honestly the employees are too apathetic to care about race, they are kids and all they care about is moving people along and getting thru their shift so they can go home.