My husband and I are going to Sesame Place this weekend with our 4 kids (ages 7, 5, 3 and 2) we are also taking my inlaws for help. Has anyone ever been there and have any suggestions to ease the days or must do's? We are scheduled for a character lunch and got the ultimate pass so we can by pass the lines. We will be there 2 days. We are also driving down which will be about 5 hours in the car. I'm not too worried about that part.
We just went this past weekend! I have 2 kids - 2 & 4. They loved, loved, loved it!! Can't say enough good things! It is the perfect park for little kids. You are going to have a great time!! Enjoy it!!!
Get a few maps when you enter it has the day's schedule on it and if it gets busy they could run out, your older kids will want one, too. Get there when it opens not so busy! Evenings are nice too, are you staying close if the little ones need to nap or will they nap in a stroller? Can you pack lots of snacks, sandwiches, etc. even buy sandwiches at a sandwich place, the food there is expensive, not so great and you have to wait in lines to get the food. You can bring a small cooler in to the park. I Think you can leave a bigger one at the picnic area )check web site) love the parade, a half hour before the parade set up a blanket and sit and take a rest with whoevers tired then Dad and rest can join you on the blanket and you'll have a good spot to view the parade. then once you've seen the parade it will be a good time to ride popular rides while others are watching the parade (it doesnt change and is at least twice a day.) Elmo's World is great show and air conditioned, nice break in middle of day. Have Fun!
Grab the map just as you pass the entrance--on the back, you'll see a schedule for the day. There are the showtimes and parade times. The shows are really cute. The Elmo's World show is indoors, with A/C! The Elmo Rocks and the Abbie's Treasure Hunt are outdoors.
We did the giant rope-climbing net one day and our hands got all sore from it, it really hurt. I got some cheap gardening gloves to wear for next time--not sure if it will work.
If your kids care about the parade, be aware that people start grabbing spots along the parade route around 30 minutes or more before it starts. You can spread out your towels to sit on, get ice cream, etc. and watch the parade. If you wait too long, it's a real pain to try to see the parade.
Be prepared to walk round in your bathing suit all day. Rent a locker for valuables. There is not a lot of shade - so it will be hot and sunny!
Did you pick a hotel yet? We stayed at the Marriott right across the street and it have a shuttle. So we never had to pay for parking. It was awesome. It ran every 1/2 hour or you could call and they would come and get you. IT was the best thing EVER!!
Rent the locker and the double stroller (if you aren't taking your own stroller(s)). The strollers keep the kids rested when they are tired, and you can also load your stuff onto it. We went two years ago when our girls were 3.5. It was hot and crowded, but it was a nice time. Nice tip on the baggies - there are lots of different things to do , adn lots of chances to cool down via the water. But it is more than just a "glorified water park". Also, try to attend some shows - the kids will love it. Also - try to get pictures with the characters. You could devote day 1 to trying to ride all the rides, and day 2 to getting character pictures etc. in between rides. The character dining is a great place to get the opportunities to meet the characters as well. Have fun!!!
It's basically a water park, I went there with my kids and didn't realize how much of the activities are water based. make sure you bring bathing suits and sunscreen. we had a lot of fun! It was almost 7 years ago though so i'm sure lots has changed..
I planned a trip there a few years ago and had so many people tell me NOT to go. Dutch Wonderland is right there and everyone said it was a million times better. We ended up at Busch Gardens in VA and they have a Sesame Street so the kids still got to see Elmo but it was much better.
Don't agree to have your child be in the parade! It takes forever and eats up a huge chunk of the day.
4 kids that young? See if you can bring another adult to assist. I found the park to be overwhelmingly crowded and it was hard to let my kids do stuff and still keep on top of them. The 7 and 5 year old will want to do things the little ones will not be able to do expect to be separated. Dad takes two you take two.... Keep your expectations reasonable.
Expect to be wet bring baggies for your cell phones. Have fun!
I don't have advice for you (sorry about that but I haven't been there since I was a kid myself), but I can tell you that my sister & husband went once last summer & once this summer & are going back on the 31st through the 3rd. They've got a 5 year old & a 1 year old & they all seem to have an absolute blast every time they go. She swears by the lazy river and taking a big cooler with sandwiches. My kids are a little older (10 & will be 12 on 3 August) but we're meeting them up there on their last day, the 3rd, my son's birthday. I went to the website to see if it would interest my kids (even though sis swears they'll love it) & it does look like a good time. It helps that military families get in free once a year *wink wink*!
