Back in 1980, a small theme park opened in a small town north of Philadelphia. Growing from 3 acres and just 119 staff, to 14 acres and 1500 employees last year, Sesame Place has withstood the test of time, proving just as evergreen as the show it was based on.
Designed specifically for young children and their parents, it has three-dozen activities specifically designed for the age group, including rides, a roller coaster, water attractions, choreographed stage shows, a musical parade, and a meet-and-greet.
The park isn't cheap, if you only intend to visit one day: $53 a person. But the “Elmo's Any Two Day Ticket” costs $53 as well, so you might as well stay for a while, explore other area attractions on day two. The park is 30 minutes north of Philadelphia. A base season pass, $89 per person, gives unlimited admission plus 30% off food and merchandise.
But most valuable? The concerts and events scheduled throughout the season. Jack Hanna, The Doodlebops, Hip Hop Harry, and Dan Zanes lead the lineup, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Plus, the park offers three different live shows each day featuring the Sesame Street characters, one of those being new, and a parade.
More information is available by calling 1-866-GO4-ELMO or visiting www.sesameplace.com
Live shows, including new “Elmo Rocks!” production
New this season at Sesame Place is a musical called Elmo Rocks! The show features Elmo, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie become “The Rockin' Elmo Band!" The show is described as being “hilarious” and “high energy”. Returning daily are the Rock Around the Block parade, Elmo's World: Fishes live show, and musical Abby Cababby's Treasure Hunt.
Doodlebops, Dan Zanes headline concerts
Concerts at the park include the reggae/rap/folk/funk/calypso blend of Father Goose (May 15 and 16), Grammy-nominated Ralph's World (May 22 and 23), and Choo-Choo Soul with hip-hop train conductor/singer Genevieve and her beatboxing/engineer/dancer, D.C. (June 5 and 6).
The biggest names are stacked later in the schedule: Dan Zanes & Friends (June 12 and 13), The Doodlebops (June 26 and 27), and Hip Hop Harry (September 18 and 19, three shows daily).
There are also two weekends, June 19 and 20 and September 11 and 12, for which the concerts have yet to be announced. Reservations are required for all concerts.
Special events certain days
The park has fireworks set to, what else, a Sesame Street soundtrack on the evenings of May 30, July 3 and 4, and September 5, each marking an American holiday. There's also a special July 30 fireworks show, marking Sesame Place's 30th Birthday.
Character dining is available all year at Dine With Me, a relatively new restaurant at the park, serving food and the experience all three meals of the day. On special days throughout the year, even the off-season, Sesame Place offers special character dining events including Oscar (June 6), Zoe (September 25), and Abby Cadabby's birthdays (October 23), and a Mother's Day Lunch (May 9).
Animal expert and TV regular Jack Hanna brings his animals to Sesame Place May 8 and 9, for live, interactive shows.
Two evenings, July 25 and September 25, the park is open exclusively for season pass holders, for a kids dance party with live DJ. Similiar exists for middle school students, through the specially-ticketed Friday Nights — Summer Nights Series, June 11, July 9, and September 10. Each runs from 6:30 to 10 pm, and offers a DJ'd dance party, dance contests, water rides, and prizes.
During the late spring and the fall, the park also has Scout Days, with discounted admission and a limited edition scout participant badge.
The park also has adult-targeted events, like the 12th Annual Courier-Kiwanis Sesame Place Classic, a race held rain or shine May 16. Oscar's Green Expo, meant for the whole family, happens on June 5; details have yet to be announced.
Halloween Spooktacular returns
The park celebrates Halloween, weekends from Saturday, September 25 to Sunday, October 31. The Count's Halloween Spooktacular includes stage shows Countdown to Halloween (starring the Count, Elmo, Zoe, and Prairie Dawn) and Elmo's World Live: Halloween Show, and the Rock Around the Block parade (seen all-season long). On both October 9 and 10, celebrate Count von Count's birthday at The Count's Halloween Party, and on October 31, there's a costume contest. The characters themselves even dress up, to get kids into the spirit of things.
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