Sesame Place Philadelphia

Visited for the first time this summer! All my girls had a blast.. (ages 21 months, 12, and 38 😆) characters were nice and engaging.. rides look fun; Count's Splash Castle for the win! Loved dining with Elmo and his friends, though some of the food could use some work.. Park was clean and employees were helpful. Will definitely be visiting again!

I had an AMAZING time with my little one at the Sesame Place. This theme park is full of colorful fun packed streets. We did not cover all but the bit we covered was memorable. Things are a pricey like the parking, food and most items at the gift shop. But nonetheless, it is a MUST SEE especially for kids. The parade was our highlight. I highly recommend for tourists and even locals. 💯 Kids Friendly ✅ Paid parking✅ Gift shop✅ 🚻 Restroom ✅ Lovely Ambiance ✅ Good Music ✅

I’ve been here 3 hrs and only enjoyed 2 rides. Now at Big Bird’s Burgers and Bites. Currently standing in line at Big Bird’s Burgers and Bites with about 150 other people. Only two cashiers are taking orders and two staff members are handling pickups. I’ve been in line for over an hour and have barely moved — maybe advanced 1.5 yards, if that. Entering the park was easy and orderly. We enjoyed the parade. The group water experience as fine. The water rides WERE STAFFED! Suggestions: Skip the dining vouchers. They’re a waste of money and time. You’re better off leaving the park to eat and coming back. It’ll save you frustration and give your family a much better experience. Maybe time to get two more rides in since majority ride have one staff on duty to greet riders, double check safety of each rider and operate ride. You would think after all these years of operation, someone would have the consumer in mind. The quantity of guess per day deserves a better experience than I had today.

We visited for the first time and really enjoyed our time with kids. Nothing much for teenagers but they can still have some fun on the rides. Some of the rides were not functional as you can read in most of the reviews. I visited on a weekday and didn’t experience any wait time. Parade was the most amazing experience for my kids. Salute to the artists who were performing with such an enthusiasm on a super hot day

This experience was everything I wanted it to be. Food- I purchased the food pass for the 3 main places to get food from (ABC, Big Bird's, & Elmo's). Preparing in advance for the food I would highly recommend as theme park meals are expensive. The pass offered one entree, one side or dessert, and one drink ( no alcohol ) every 90 minutes. In my eyes for 3 adults and 2 kids it was worth it and at about $137 vs an approximate $375 Rides- I am no thrill seeker... but my kids (18 & 10) enjoying plenty of them with shorter wait times averaging around 4 to 15 minutes depending on the ride and the time of day. Oscar's coaster had the longest line at about 30 minutes, however it had an delayed open at around noon. What I did notice about the rides, is that they do not all start at the opening of the park. I'm not sure if this is due to staffing, maintenance, closure or whatever else one could think of but there is so much to explore that by the time you make it back around to a ride that was "closed"... it may be open. Characters- the meets for the characters were pretty easy going. The lines were tolerable and were consistently moving. Not all the characters were available for meet and greets but there is a way to find all of this stuff out. Parade- We went due Labor day weekend & 45th Birthday celebration. The parade was awesome. The songs were catchy and not the normal songs we all know! With some ABC'S & 123's, floats, bikes, and dancers... you can bet that they all did great! All of the characters were in the parade. Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, Oscar, Zoe, Kelly, Cookie monster, Bert, Ernie, and the count. What really tied this whole experience together was the Sesame Place App. This app held my tickets and passes, had a in depth map of the park, and give you a schedule. You can navigate the App to pull up your passes for easy convince instead of navigating through emails or printing out passes and tickets. The map will offer you directions to and from different areas. If you're looking to find a shop or the playground the map will give you directions on how to get there. The schedule is a little wonky and my best guess is because the characters are human and there is some error in all things human. With that being said characters are subjected to change without notice. So dont get your hopes up looking to see someone and they're not there. This disclaimer is also on the app. The schedule will help you plan your day based on what you like to do. For us it was helpful because we were able to plan for the little one to meet her favorite friends while the others were able to play until meeting for food, parade, or at Count's castle in the water. There are plenty of things to do and a variety of foods to eat. The park was clean, colorful, and encompasses people of all ages and races to come and enjoy. Not quite as diverse as Disney but its not as popular. I will be going back with my kiddos because they want to go back to Sesame Place!

The firework show over Labor Day weekend was exceptional! It far surpassed my expectations - both in how enormous and bright fireworks for and how long the show lasted ( I might go as far as to say that it was even a little better than the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom Disney World). I purchased the "Sweet Treats & Fireworks" Add-on and it was worth every penny! My DD has been in love with Sesame for the past 5 years and so we've done character dinners and breakfast - I never had great expectations for the food; afterall, that wasn't what I was really paying for. I was paying for special time with the Sesame characters. These desserts we're not at all like the other dining experiences - 🎂🍰🍮🍦🥧 there was such a variety of desserts served (petit fours, eclairs, cupcakes, four different flavors of French macaroons, lemon squares, cheesecake, chocolate mousse...and more😋) and how very well all were prepared / presented. And, the Sesame staff had no problem with everyone not only eating all they could, but taking as much as they could carry along with them. Better than all the yummy treats though, was how much time Elmo spent with each group. The Sesame employees generously took at least 15 photos on my phone - and they offered ( instead of trying to steer me towards purchasing pictures)! I don't think the pictures I posted do justice to how incredible the fireworks were, or how perfect the reserved seating was. We literally were eating desserts (and packing up desserts) until we were all given a 5-minute warning and then a 3-minute warning so we wouldn't miss the start of the fireworks. Rather than waste an hour, and I think closer to 2 hours last New Year's just so we could hold for ourselves a decent spot to see fireworks, we were having fun literally until the spectacular show begin

Never too old to enjoy Sesame Place! 😂 It has always been a dream to work at a theme park and I am glad that came true. ❤️ One of the best places to work is here. I had never been to Sesame Place before I started working here I actually never knew there was a real park. 😊 However, for the first time I had the chance to come into the park on one of the hot days. Make sure to apply your sunscreen and get some shade! I may be an adult but it was quite fun even though I went alone. Most rides don't have too much of a wait except for maybe the tall water slides. It was fun getting to meet all the characters too.❤️❤️❤️ Hope to meet more of the characters! Just a suggestion: If you're going to be at the park all day and you didn't bring food, you should consider getting a meal pass for the day 😊. I'm not quite sure if they have one but it'd be cool if they had a little autograph book that you could get and it has a page for each character. So when you meet that character you can get them to sign the little book for you.

Lovely place for the little ones, especially the ones that fear big rides and heights. Take an umbrella for shade while the kids run and have fun. The water park was closed, and I still give it 5 stars. The parade was the best for me. The Sesame staff really got into it, and all the characters were jamming two during the parade. Overall wonderful place for kids and the family.

My kids just love this place. We've come here both in the summertime and in the winter for their Very Furry Christmas. Each time, it's been such a special experience. And I have to to admit, while cold, the holidays are a wonderful time to visit. About half of this amusement park is dedicated to their pool and water activities. But the winter was such a nice time with the smaller crowds and photo opps. My kids love meeting their favorite characters, especially Big Bird. He's the star of the show. But we also loved the encounter with Bert and Ernie. As gay dads, we loved that they upped the camp for this greeting. It felt so special and normalized that there were two muppets that shared such affection like us. The kids had such a blast. And we went on the roller coast at least 10 times. They couldn't get enough of it!

PROS: FUN Amusement Park for Toddlers. Playgrounds, A Variety of Rides, and, Activities included in Each Designated Section. Delightful Meetings of Sesame Street's Characters. CONS: AWFULLY LONG LINES!Rides and variety shows doesn't start early in the day. Expensive school cafeterias tasting food all around. TIPS: Purchase Tickets Online! Bring Swimsuit and Change of Clothing! Consider purchasing tickets for Dining with Elmo and Friends: great party atmosphere and each Sesame Street character comes to every table for hellos & photos! CHEERS!

I am in between 3 and 4 stars. The kids enjoyed and had a great time. However, we went to guest services to make sure our tickets were valid and active so we would not have any problems at the gate. Once we got to the gate it said invalid and not active. I had the confirmation number and email that we just purchased tickets and it still said invalid. We stepped out of line no problem and it finally came up and they check again but only 2 out of the 4 tickets populated as valid. Other two tickets said already scanned which was when we went to the guest service to check. Went to verify that is what happened and then they allowed us to enter after all of that. I take stars away because about 4 attractions were closed and not in use out of 13. Of course one of them being the Elmo slide that my son wanted to go down. The park attendants on the rides were not the friendliest. We definitely take the height requirements seriously and appreciate when they let us know if a child doesn't meet the requirements but not rudely. Seemed like a lot of workers did not want to be there. Kids love the meet and greets. The long lines moved pretty fast with all characters so that was a plus. Hopefully things gets better with the staff and they get the attractions back up and running.

Sesame Place is one of those 'Must Visit' places when your kids are young! We especially loved the parade that the sesame characters do. I was impressed with how large this park was & all the different ages they accommodated. We didn't visit the water park area because it was a bit too chilly when visited! Highly recommend!

It was good maybe for 8 and under? A bit worn out, not updated, run down. All the food places except two were closed and it was crowded. 90% of the workers obviously hate their jobs and children. Not a smile or upbeat attitude to be had there with the workers. One playground was enjoyable but you can do that at home. I would say go to the boardwalk, lots of delicious food, and the same rides. It was a Halloween theme when you walked in the gate but that was it. Parking is VERY expensive - it should be much less

My family was staying at the Jersey Shore and took a day trip here because our 3 year old son loves Sesame Street. The whole family had an excellent time. Loved that the rides were big enough to keep my tween (and adults) entertained, but that were made so that we didn't have to separate from our toddler. Loved how much of the park was water attractions since it was a hot day. We did the character lunch which was great to meet the characters without a line, and the food was really good. Unfortunately I had to miss my son seeing a few of the characters because I was stuck in the food line. I'd recommend if you go getting to the lunch early.

Trust me and buy the season pass. Its well worth the purchase considering parking alone is $35. We like to venture here on the weekdays when it's a little bit less crowded. We typically avoid the morning traffic ans arrive around 12. We pack our own lunches and snacks to have more healthy options but there are plenty of food places inside. Bring extra clothes if your planning on participating in the swimming attractions . They also have showers here too if you want to wash up before heading home. Tip: there is a lot more seating near count Dracula water park area

Super pricey ! $15 for soda - crazy. Super pricey ! Too many people for such a small park - long lines that don't move as fast as it should. Family day with nieces and nephews. Great time though

Sesame Place Philadelphia is a family theme park and water park that opened in Langhorne, Pennsylvania in 1980. It was founded by Anheuser-Busch in association with Sesame Workshop. The park is based on the popular longtime children's educational television program "Sesame Street". A second Sesame Place opened in Irving, Texas in 1982, but it shut down within three years. A third Sesame Place opened in Tokyo, Japan in 1990, but it also closed in 2006. A fourth Sesame Place opened in Chula Vista (near San Diego), California in 2022. Anheuser-Busch sold off Sesame Place, along with other parks, in 2009. The current owner of the park is United Parks & Resorts. My family and I recently visited Sesame Place Philadelphia for the first time. Several months earlier, I thought it might be a good idea for my wife and I to take our two sons to see "Sesame Street Live". My wife said, "I've got a better idea... let's go to Sesame Place!" The park is located right outside Philadelphia. We were even able to book a fun Sesame Street-themed AirBnb nearby for our stay. We ended up spending two full days at the park. It's much smaller than Disney World or Six Flags, but it's still a lot of fun. Some of the different sections include Sesame Neighborhood (a full-scale replica of the Sesame Street set), Sesame Plaza, Sesame City, Elmo's World, Cookie's Monster Land, Big Bird's Beach, Sesame Island, and The Count's Court. The latter three all feature water-based attractions. It was VERY hot on our first day in the park, so we spent most of it in the water area to cool off. There was also plenty of time for Meet and Greets with the characters, dance parties, story time, character brunch, and a fun parade! All four of us had a blast! We all enjoyed seeing our favorite Sesame Street characters; mine is Cookie Monster. We give Sesame Place our seal of approval!

I feel terrible having to rate this so lowly but the system has to be equitable. It's basically on the same weekend that the CPB has to shut down. But then again, I don't feel too terribly when the likes of Sea World that owns the licensing of the Sesame Workshop are running this place into the proverbial ground. What was supposed to be several fun days at Sesame Place turned into a comedy of errors and overpriced nonsense, poorly trained staff, and a park full of trash by the end of a Saturday. It pains me to say that there are hardly any redeeming qualities about this place to make it enjoyable. Your young kids are hardly going to notice or mind, but from the person paying for everything, it ALL matters. To start, paying almost $40 to park with no tram services is a travesty. Charge $5 more per ticket or something and bring parking down to half that, it's a ridiculous way to generate revenue. Luckily we realized this after the first day and took an Uber from our nearby hotel the next time we were there which was just $9 each way. On our first day, a fairly busy Thursday....at least three rides were shut down and I've posted photos of them all. It's fine things are shut down because they need to be worked on, but I got confirmation that at least Wacky Taxi was down because of low staffing. WHY would you ever shut down the best ride in your park when staffing is low?? Then two waterslides were also not open on a day where the heat index reached almost 100 degrees. The humidity was up so the skies also opened up, we were at least able to score a free weather pass to return on our trip after only getting to spend a few hours there but we still had to drop the money on parking. During that visit, I had an inedible chicken sandwiched that was cooked until zero juices remained in it. The only highlight of the food was the nice fresh fruit that came with it. My wife's fries were pretty disgusting that came with her burger, that also looked like an overcooked puck when it came out. It's an amusement park, I'm less upset about the prices when the quality at least matches what you are getting but this sandwich I had shouldn't have cost more than $4 with how bad it was. We did get on a decent amount of rides but those we did, there is just no training of the ride staff in terms of making sure things happen efficiently. My young son sat out in the 100 degrees for like 15 minutes while a ride waited to fill. Yet, the one that ran right before him went on with just two people in it. The Grover coaster line still backed up because the staff couldn't get trains out on time and never seemed to care to have any order to it. Most trains (I timed them in line) would take close to 5 minutes in between launches. The next day we were there was Saturday and OH MY GOD THIS PLACE. It was crowded and that's fine....but the speed of staff remained. Why couldn't they run two trains on either of the coasters at the front? I could see an area that likely held additional ones in the Grover side area. This line was almost unbearable for a mini amusement park, things simply need to improve and get people boarded much quicker. They would have to search for people to fill a train after it's mostly loaded, even though the line is probably 150 people deep. QUEUE THEM UP IN ADVANCE. Then the trash around the time of closing was unbearable in areas. You can tell they weren't ready for the crowd to descend upon them for the day when they can't keep up with cleanliness. How can it be this gross? I truly don't get it. To top off the day of disappointment, the parade got stuck in place for almost 10 minutes and I still have no idea why. After everything else I witnessed, this also isn't even remotely surprising. Never again, Sesame Place, never again.

Love this place. Great for kids! Rides were great and children loved the Sesame characters. Luncheon with characters was great ! Plenty of time for children to meet, greet and pictures. Food for buffet was surprisingly good.

Thank you, Sesame Place, for making our 3 year old son's first amusement park and first roller coaster memorable! We got his first roller coaster photo corrected and sent to us by Sesame Place, after their mistake of printing wrong one! So grateful to Pam Nuzzo for that! Prices for everything are extremely high; food is terrible, but there are Groupon deals, and the memories are priceless!

Three stars is more than generous. No cash is accepted. Regular parking is $38.50. A hot dog and Mac and cheese are over $15 each. I recommend getting a locker for $35 so you don't have to carry everything with you. The lines for food are long. The lines for the rides are longer. My kids had a fantastic time. Make sure to watch the parade at 3pm. I have no desire to ever return.

We came here in the off season for the Halloween spooktacular. The park was really nice and had a wide range of rides still open despite all the water rides being closed for the season. However this park is definitely worth it to go in the summer to experience everything. There was a puppet show we tried to watch but was having technical difficulties so it was canceled. Some of the staff at this location were questionable as they smelled of Marijuana and or seemed really immature to be operating machinery for rides. We got a cookie monster cookie which was pretty awesome. The parade was really amazing. If our kids were smaller we would come back in the summer for the water park rides.

I spent my childhood here and Had a great time with my family also. Came to celebrate Father's Day here but came during a weekday and thankfully we did. The weather was great. It was not overly crowded and we did not wait long for anything except for the lazy river. Rides were very nice and the pools were really cold but not complaining. We paid to eat with the characters which was amazing. The characters were very friendly and so were the staff. My son had a great time. My only complaint is that my son suffers from food allergies, and they weren't super clear about the options that were allergy friendly. His options were pretty limited, but I prepared with my own snacks so he wouldn't feel left out. We also purchased popcorn and soda at the park, which was great. Would definitely come back.

I actually had really low expectations after reading all the negative reviews, but we were pleasantly surprised when we visited. We came during the summer and again for Halloween and both times we had a great experience!! Both kids and adults enjoyed all the rides, characters, shows, and parade. I read a lot of reviews prior to coming so this is what help our visit be a great one: - arrive by 9:30 am so you have time to park (closer to the entrance) and walk to the gates before it gets crazy busy. Pay for the parking in advance to avoid delays in line. - bring lots of snacks/lunch since food lines are way too long, and apparently food isn't great. We brought pb&j sandwiches both times, had no issues and found shaded seating to eat our lunch. - find a spot for the parade 30 min before it starts to ensure a good spot (shaded), bring a towel if you can so kids can seat comfortably. - download the app so you can see the itinerary for the shows and pictures with the characters, it's helpful and we barely had to wait for pictures since we knew when and where the characters would be. - in my opinion, magic queue is not needed - have fun!

My family and I are season pass members for the last 5-6 years. The park was open today when it was raining and closed after it stopped raining and the sun appeared. When we arrived at the park around 2:15pm we were told by the staff and security that the park was closed. As shocked as we were because the weather was beautiful and it was open in the morning when it was raining ?? This was unacceptable and concerning because many children are special needs or not and just don't understand why the park is closed on a beautiful day. I only understand that it was a gross opportunity by corporate the close the park because it was not getting as many one day pass clients because of the morning weather. You should have just let the park open for the remaining 3-4 hours.

I took my son to Sesame Place and it was so cute. We went in the month of October so everything was Halloween themed which was so nice! They have something for every age. My toddler enjoyed seeing all the characters, the storytime and parade. They have schedules for everything which is helpful when planning out your day. The lines for the rides were pretty long because it was a nice day but it's expected. We only got on a couple and it wasn't too bad.

My 3yr old son loved sesame place. From the time we arrived at the park he was excited. He met big bird, and took pictures with him. He also also saw his two favorite characters cookie monster & elmo. It was like a dream come true. From riding the horse carousel to the parade, he was blown away. He also loved the water park with the sprinklers plus the little pool. The look on my son face was priceless at the parade. We had to pull him back over the yellow line he wanted to join the parade. When elmo ran up the float my little guy wanted to chase elmo. The food and souvenirs were pricey, so make sure you have enough money for that alone. Because you can't bring your on food inside the park. But you are allowed to bring baby or toddlers juice bottles. You are also allowed to go back to your car in the parking lot at any time. Yes it was hot outside and the sun was beaming. So wear some lose fitting light clothes. Some comfortable sandals shorts tank top ,Swim wear for the pool. Me my wife and son would definitely go back. But we would go in October when it is cooler outside. Plus they have a nice Halloween parade there as well.

We had such a wonderful time at Sesame Place with my family. The park is perfect for kids. It's colorful , clean and filler with friendly staff and familiar Sesame Street characters. The parade was the highlight and heartwarming for my son when Elmo and big bird walked by. I didn't try the food but everything looks like from the carnival menu. You can get out and come back to the park. Just to make sure you get a stamp on your hand so you can reenter. Parking was a little bit pricey for my opinion. You can get some discount if you use the website. Overall it was a magical place for families and Sesame Street fans.

We brought our tiny tot here for her birthday week a couple of years ago and had a gest time, until she became ill. She slowly developed a fever and we had to cut our visit short. During our time at the park, we paid for the preferred parking which is closest to the entrance. It was definitely worth it because we brought lunch and snacks that we left in the car so that we were able to head back and eat for a bit. If you can get to the park early enough, you can score general parking nearby as well. We bought our tickets on Groupon and entry was seamless. They check bags and will not allow glass or an excessive amout of food but we were able to bring in a small cooler that had water, snacks and drinks for us and our kid. The staff was friendly and we didn't feel rushed. At the entrance, there's a bathroom and locker room lockers. We decided to pay for a lock but honestly, if you're bringing a stroller anyway, your best bet is to wear your bathing suit, a cover up and water shoes so you don't have to waste the 40 bucks on a locker. Just make sure you have a towel for the dry rides because the operators won't allow you to ride if you're still wet. The park is fun but some of the park goers are pushy and don't respect personal space. We were able to view the parade and again, visitors tended to be selfish and pushy, positioning themselves at the front with huge stroller carts that take up space for other visitors. It's kind of ridiculous. The parade occurs throughout the day and there are schedules. We came back to the park this year and it was an anniversary year so they had special concerts that took place throughout the day. Big Bird Beach, their kiddie wave pool, was closed for most of the day but we're not sure why. We were able to enjoy it for ablut an hour before they closed it up. Some of the rides were not working and that made the wait on line a bit crazy. It pays to get the fast pass. The lazy rive became crowded because the wave pool closed down. Luckily, we were already in our donut tubes by the time people started to rush the river. The food here is not appetizing. We were into able to bring any lunch with us on this visit, so we settled with their pizza restaurant. I had their footling hotdog but its grayish brown color was very off-putting. I would suggest bringing a cooler and keeping it in your car, park under a tree with shade and halfway through your visit, heading to the parking lot, where they have tables and chairs/benches, to have your lunch. Then you can go back in the park and enjoy the rest of your day. I don't know if we would come back. Maybe if our kiddo was still free but she's 6 now and the Pre-K pass is only eligible for 35- year olds. Our next visit this year will be Dorney Park.

Took my grandson to Sesame Place for his 4th birthday...We had a fun time...It's been yearssss that I've been here. Soooo many lil ones running all over the place lol. My nephews (teenagers) even enjoyed the water rides. What I appreciated the most was the parade that they had for the kids as they was dancing, singing and having a good time. Ohhhhh and the funnel cake was ON POINT!!! DEFINITELY worth the trip!!!!

We recently visited Sesame Place Philadelphia, on the fourth of July this year, and overall, it was a wonderful experience for our family -- so much so that we now have Platinum Season Passes! What We Loved: * Preferred Parking: Worth every penny. Super convenient, and the process was smooth from start to finish. * Characters & Performers: Every character was friendly, warm, and so interactive. During the parade and the Dine with Elmo & Friends experience, they really took the time to engage with each child. My daughter is now convinced Elmo and Abby are absolutely real and asks for them every day. * Dine with Elmo & Friends: Such a fun, almost exclusive-feeling experience. The characters came to each table for one-on-one photos, and there was even a little "march" around the room. * Staff in Marketing & Guest Services: Extremely helpful in explaining how to get the most out of our season passes and all the perks they include. What Could Be Better: * Cabanas: Prices are way too high -- $700-$900 feels excessive. * Seating in Pool Areas: Limited chairs and shaded spots, especially around Big Bird's Beach. * Vendor Service: Some of the younger food stand staff seemed distracted and were a bit unprofessional with the guest in front of us. * Dining Seating Arrangement: Initially, our family of four adults and one toddler was split between two tables at Dine with Elmo & Friends. Thankfully, the staff inside worked it out so we could sit together, but that should be standard for families. Bottom Line: If you have young children who love Sesame Street, the season passes are absolutely worth it -- not just for Sesame Place, but for the partner perks too. The magic and nostalgia here are real, and despite a few hiccups, it's a place we'll happily keep visiting.

Sesame place can be a hit or miss but for me it was a hit this time around ! I've been here once before years ago and it was a miss due to the fact that I came during the weekend and it was a summer holiday weekend - don't do that . It was very crowded and endless lines for everything. This time around I went on a Tuesday in the summer and it was perfect . Minimal lines for the food and rides, there was 1/3 of the people I saw last time and in July they do Christmas in July theme so we even saw Santa. I can tell you my 3 year old had the best time ever . She got on all the kids rides (they're for her age) and the wave pool and lazy river. Her favorite was the splash park with the huge water bucket. We got her face painted , watched the parade and took pictures with all her favorite characters. We spent the whole day there from opening to closing . Check for their special ticket sales during holidays , we got our tickets during Memorial Day as they were half off for the summer time and that was a great deal. So we bought way in advance . We also did the dinning meal pass where you can get food every 90 minutes, the food was okay nothing crazy just burgers and pizza but when hunger hits we thought it was worth it . Safe to say we will be back !

Not the biggest amusement park, but that's perfectly fine because there is still LOTS and LOTS of Sesame Street fun for the kids and family. I hadn't been to Sesame Place since I was a little kid, so, in terms of scale, the park looked extremely different on my return with my own family. We arrived at about 10:15am on a hot Friday morning in early June and we were greeted by a very long line of cars trying to get into the general parking lot. Luckily for us, we were able to sneak in quite quickly because there was a lane to the left of the parking lot entrance that no one realized was being manned (so for you folks stuck on the parking lot line remember the lane on the very, very left). Once parked and ready to go, the entrance to the park is just right across the street from the general parking lot and, from there, off you are!!! Like most parks, it's designed in a circular shape with most folks making their way around left to right. I won't go into every single ride and water area, but there are PLENTY of both - as long as they are open - as, unfortunately, a lot of the water play areas were closed on the weekend we went :( Still, we had PLENTY of rides to keep our kids occupied, including the daily 3PM Main Street parade. As for food, no food is permitted inside, but there are multiple fast food joints to choose from, which you can expect very long lines at during peak dining hours. The lines did die down quite a bit around 2pm, so if you can hold out for an early or later lunch, do it! In addition, with the shorter lines came more availability of open tables to sit at. Also, as the closing time neared, we noticed that all of the characters made their way out for photo ops, to the delight of many. As expected, the most popular characters (e.g. big bird) commanded the longest lines to take a photo with, but, still, it was only about a 5-10 minute wait max. Plus, there are typically 2 Sesame Place employees helping to take photos - 1 for the photo to purchase and the other for your own personal phone photos. We did wish there were more water attractions open during our last visit, but I can assure you we will DEFINITLEY be back when they are. Honestly, our kids had so much fun and we did make our way around the entire park, we didn't feel like we missed much still. For those thinking of doing the 2 day tickets, I would absolutely advocate for it if you want to really take it easy and do water attractions one day and dry rides the next. Also, if you buy your tickets during one of their many deals, coming here is quite affordable - and who doesn't like that?!?!

It was pure hell today. The wait lines I kid you not were about an hour for every ride. Just to get pizza I stayed on line for like hour and half. In totality after the pool we just did 4 rides. This is my 3rd time and probably last. I understand they want to sell tickets but you can't sell that many so that experience is horrible. The whole park was on the edge, several altercations took place where security had to get involved.

Went last month with three kids ages 4-9 and they all had a blast. Food is overpriced so thankfully I prepared in advance and packed our small cooler with water, juice, snacks and lunch. We mostly hung out at the water park as it was extremely hot. The pool could be better but the kids enjoyed it. We did the lazy river a few times and the loved the parade. They should add shade here for really hot days. We left after the parade as sitting in the sun wore everyone one during the parade. Would return with my own food again.

We had a great time here this past weekend 9/20/2025. We took my son here for his 6th the rides were not packed and we got the unlimited abbey pass so we skipped the line everytime. If your kid has a disability like mine I suggest you get it. The water rides were closed but other than that it was a great time. The parade is a big deal so get to the route early. It's worth it

Do not visit prior to June 14. Your experience will be lackluster and you will feel like you did not get your monies worth! I thought it would be good to visit at the start of the season and during the week but nope. The waterpark which makes up a good majority of the park was closed. They had signs posted that the waterpark is open on the weekends only until June 14. After that date the waterpark is open daily until the park closes September 1. As if the water park being closed on an 86 degrees day wasn't bad enough, there were numerous rides closed as well. I felt so bad for all the children, there were school bus loads of children all in swim wear with no waterpark to enjoy. I kindly asked one of the staff why so many things were closed and was told that they only had two employees show up to work that morning. I clutched my pearls in shock!! Apparently, high schoolers make up a majority of the parks staff and they are all still in school during the parks hours of operation! Some come after school lets out and they are able to open additional rides around 3pm ish. Unreal! So me (the consumer) pays full price for my family to visit a park that's not properly staffed and is not able to open rides due to staffing issues?! The park should not be opened if they cannot properly staff it, either that or offer bigger discounts because there's no point in visiting. General parking alone is $50 per vehicle to come to a ghost town park?! What sense does that make!! So note to self if I ever visit again I will never come at the start of the season.

Rating: 2.5/5. Given how far away it is, I doubt we'll return--and honestly, even if it were local, it wouldn't be a priority. The place fell short in many ways, and I would recommend exploring other options. The place has so much potential, but a staffing and/or management overhaul is desperately needed. Parking: Parking is expensive and confusing, especially for first-time visitors. There are different tiers and lots with little direction. I know price gouging on parking is common in places like this, but it was still frustrating. Tickets and Speed Pass / Abby's Magic Queue: The speed pass (Magic Queue) varies in price depending on the day, but it was $80 per person during our visit. Normally, I wouldn't pay for it, but we were pressed for time and wanted to ensure our child could ride a few attractions more than once. Although the park was packed, the pass wasn't necessary for most rides, and when it was, employees weren't enforcing the special lines. It seemed like anyone could join in, which defeated the purpose. Rides: We were there on a hot summer day, and most of the water slides were closed. Even the slides in the splash pad areas were marked off-limits, leaving our daughter disappointed. The biggest coaster was actually pretty decent, even for adults, and the blue coaster is a decent mid-sized coaster falling in a size category that many parks fail to offer -- that's the only plus. Food: Food lines were long, and some of the online ordering options weren't even working--they showed as closed. Ordering chicken tenders? Expect to wait an hour. The chicken tenders weren't terrible for an amusement park, but Id also suggest bringing your own snacks. The staff didn't seem to care about enforcing the no outside food policy. Security / Safety: There were "Exit Only - No Re-Entry" doors near the entrance, but we saw people going through them repeatedly while waiting at customer service. The staff didn't seem to notice or care much about the alarm. Many ride attendants had the same attitude--whether it was lack of oversight in the lazy river or minimal safety checks on the blue rollercoaster. The park didn't feel especially safe compared to my experiences elsewhere. Parade: The parade was one of the better moments, despite our daughter losing interest early and wanting to return to the rides. The characters were energetic, and many kids seemed to enjoy watching. Gift Shop: Prices were ridiculous, as expected, but one employee stood out. A young woman at check-out was exceptionally nice and helpful, which was refreshing given the overall lack of enthusiasm from most of the staff in the park. Management should recognize her, but alas I didn't get her name. [Young woman, far right register, maybe 4PM, August 3, 2024 if management sees this and can figure it out.] Overall: We spent $500-600 for four hours, only to have our daughter upset for most of the time due to closed rides and long lines--thanks to Magic Queue being used by seemingly everyone, even those who didn't pay for it. Not an ideal way to spend a summer afternoon.

Save your time and money! I was asked to leave at 1:30 PM due to rain, but the weather was actually perfect--no rain at all! They refused to refund our $38 parking fee. Very disappointing experience! The employees were even complaining and didn't understand why HR closed early

It's hard to rate a theme park where my daughter definitely had a blast but us adults found lacking. Overall, we had a pretty decent day even though it was hotter than expected (no one's fault, obviously). However, I did not appreciate the multiple closed rides/ food locations and lack of organization & instruction that was throughout the park. We ended up buying a platinum pass on sale a few months before we went which was completely worth the money. At the time we went, preferred parking was $58 and we got that for free. We got 50% off an unlimited Abby's Magic Queue pass for 3 people saving us $105. We got discounted dining for Elmo & Friends, saved on lunch by 10% and on merchandise, too. We had to stop at guest relations outside the entrance (but after security) in order to get our guest passes from our season pass. The lady that helped us was super hard to hear - none of them had microphones. There were multiple miscommunications during the interaction. We thought she said Dine with Elmo was sold out but she said 6 o'clock. But then when we confirmed, oh, it's sold out? She didn't correct us. Then we asked about the fast pass for lines and she said it was free and didn't provide further instruction which would have useful. Over all, bad start to the day. We got in our first line which was deceivingly long. While waiting, we looked up the magic queue. I didn't like was that there were QR codes everywhere advertising Abby's Magic Queue but it didn't state that once you bought it, you needed a wrist-band from guest relations. We bought the pass online once inside the park, got in line for a ride my 2.5 year old reeeeally wanted to ride then was turned away when it was our turn in line because we didn't have wristbands. Oh the disappointment! It was heartbreaking. And this is from a place which advertises its app & that can you link your season pass to the app but apparently can't have your magic queue tickets on there. Throughout the park, there was multiple rides that weren't open and some food places that weren't either. The staff didn't know how to control a crowd. The entirety of our experience at Dine with Elmo & Friends was tragic. You have to check at the entrance & the two people checking you in together have printed out names which seem to be in no logical order. Kids get a special cup and you're told what table you're at. But then you just get in line for the buffet all at once. The show started before everyone could get their food. Hell, characters were meeting with tables before we got out of line. The food was subpar and the line was incredibly slow moving. Meeting the characters was the highlight for sure & they were great. The theming was pretty fun & on point. The merchandise is expensive (but I expected that). There was a lot more water rides that I thought there would be. My under 36"inch daughter was able to go on a lot of the rides (but not all). Phone weren't allowed on rides to take pictures which was very strange- though some staff cared more than others. The fireworks were pretty decent but not extravagant. They get set off from the grass by the preferred parking lot so there's lots of good places to stop & view them but since they're so close, they are very loud. I didn't expect them to be that loud or I would have brought headphones for my kid. Did my daughter have a great time? Yes. Do the parents want to go back? No. Will we? Maybe. If we do, we'll just to lower our expectations.

We took my 18 month old to Sesame Place over the summer, and as a family we had a really nice time. Here are my takeaways if you're considering going, from the POV of a mom of an 18 month old. . . --He was too young for the rides. Even though he was allowed on many of them, he was afraid of most. But every child is different, so others might like them. --He loved seeing the characters, but the lines to meet them get pretty long, so planning out who you want to meet and when is handy. I believe the app let's you know. --He loved the shows and parade. Definitely worth it if your little one loves singing and dancing. --His favorite parts of the park were the playgrounds. Take what you will out of that statement, haha. I'm a teacher, so I have the teacher season pass, so I'd definitely bring him back. If I had to pay for admission, though, I'd wait until he was a little older (maybe 3 or 4) so he'd get a lot more out of the experience. We also didn't get to enjoy the water portion of the park (which is a big part of it). It was abnormally cold for an August day when we went. But I think he would have loved that if we could have added that to our experience.

I visited Sesame Place during the Halloween festivities, and while the kids had fun, the experience left a lot to be desired. There are definitely more cons than pros, and the park could benefit from some serious updates. Young children are thrilled just to be there--they love the characters, the decorations, and the general excitement. The parade was a highlight, with great energy and fun performances. Areas That Need Attention: Limited Attractions: Many water activities are closed during the fall, which shrinks the list of available rides. The few remaining dry rides, like the carousel, have extremely long lines. More carousels or similar attractions spread throughout the park would help. Dining Challenges: There aren't enough tables, especially shaded outdoor seating. Food locations don't allow strollers inside, which is frustrating in a park designed for young children. Facilities: Several bathroom sinks were out of order, paper towels weren't restocked, and the cleanliness was lacking. Food Service: Long lines at restaurants due to understaffing. The food is okay, but overpriced if you don't have a meal plan. Funnel cakes, in particular, are shockingly expensive. Parade Viewing: It's chaotic. Adults crowd the front, blocking kids' views. A designated 3-foot zone along the blue street just for children--no wagons or strollers--would make a huge difference. Water Stations: The free water from outdoor soda fountains tastes awful, and the area is swarmed with bees. If you're allergic, bring your EpiPen. Final Thoughts: Sesame Place has potential, especially for families with toddlers, but it's in serious need of an overhaul. Better crowd management, more kid-friendly infrastructure, and improved maintenance would go a long way in making the experience enjoyable for everyone. Seniors should be allowed in for free or for a minimum small, priced ticket with family members since basically they just there to babysit infants and watch belongings since they don't go on rides or any of the other activities.

Not one to leave reviews, however I couldn't hold back. I sent corporate an email and have yet to hear back from them. I've attempted multiple calls that were unsuccessful. My email says it all. To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my deep disappointment with my recent visit to Sesame Place Philadelphia. I came to your park on June 5, 2025 and arrived at 9:50 AM for a park opening at 10 AM. I traveled from Florida and brought my family--including my two young children (4&6) and my elderly mother (67)--for what we hoped would be a fun and memorable experience. Unfortunately, our visit was anything but. The website clearly stated that the park would open at 10 AM. However, upon arrival, we were shocked to discover that only five rides were operating. I was told by staff that this was due to "staffing issues"--a problem that should be managed internally, not passed on to paying guests. This lack of transparency amounts to false advertising. Nowhere on your website did it state that most of the attractions would not open until after 3 PM. We planned our trip around the information provided online, and the actual experience did not reflect what was promised. As a result, my children were incredibly disappointed, and we were left feeling that the visit was a waste of both time and money. Not only was this just a waste of money however it was a waste of an hour and a half time spent in the car to get here and the money used travel here. I attempted to resolve the issue through Guest Services and spoke with a gentleman R***** (parks operations), but the response was dismissive and unhelpful. Offering a return ticket to someone who lives out of state is not a viable solution. I also contacted your customer service line, only to be met with the same lack of support. This experience fell far short of the standards one would expect from a family-focused destination. Given the misleading information, the severely limited attractions, and the lack of effective customer support, I am requesting a full refund for the four tickets purchased. Please contact me directly to resolve this matter. I hope Sesame Place takes this feedback seriously and makes the necessary changes to avoid disappointing more families in the future.

Total Scam! They charge you $45 to park then tax on the parking fee which is not lawful. I heard they have new owners now. The place is depressing half the food and stores are closed! We got a deal package with free lunch and they were supposed to give us the wrist bands when we went through the gate but they don't tell you or let you know. Then all the workers are unbelievably slow and Depressed. They have no signs for restrooms. Theirs only one inside it's near the Elmo's pizza kitchen outside. Other than that if you ask any of the workers they tell you that you have to leave the gate and get a hand stamp to go back in. Everyone was aggravated to have to leave the park to go to a bathroom. The food stands had no food most were shut down. Cold coffee not hot dogs, $10 for a soft pretzel that was made from bread not dough. I dread the experience and it's a shame they take this from the kids like this. Then when you leave they close the gates and force everyone through the gift shop to leave the prices are INSANE. Gift shops have picture frames and shirts all with years 2023 and 2024 in late of year 2025 since no one will dare buy anything since prices are so high. I should have gone years ago now it's just a SAD hoodwinked scam that uses your children's dreams to rob and take advantage of you

I had the unfortunate experience of going to Sesame Place twice at the end of August. The first time was a Thursday, and almost every water attraction was closed. I understand if you can not staff the waterpark then, with colleges kids leaving. But if that is the case, just CLOSE the water park. Based on your website I had every expectation that those rides would be open that day. The second time i went was the following Sunday. With many more guest, longer lines for rides and refreshments became an issue. But that is understandable. What was RIDICULOUS was the line cut off at the end of the night. We were in line for Oscar's taxi for nearly an hour. Then my kids had to go the bathroom. Since they added a shop at the front enterance, and eliminated the bathroom in that area it was a treck. We ran to the nearest bathroom and back. When we got back we were denied entry (8:02). I understand that they close at 8pm. But the person closing the line literally saw us leave 4 minutes earlier. My wife was still holding our spot in line. And to add insult to injury, she said she say the staff let someone in right in front of us, after 8pm. RIDICULOUS

Bought a season pass and came here for the first time with my toddler. Overall my toddler had a fun time. Likes: -park is small enough to go through with a toddler -lots of activities that u don't need to wait on line for (wave pool, splash pads, giant bounce house, playground). My toddler loved the splash pad and would've stayed there the whole day if I didn't drag him away -family center available to nurse/pump in private -lots of photo ops with sesame place characters and they have an app that gives u schedules/time/location -a good amount of perks for passholders including free and discounted guest tickets Downsides- -expensive shopping. $27 for a cookie monster kid's baseball cap! They also don't put prices on alot of the items which is extremely annoying to have to keep asking a sales associate what the price is -long lines at the food court and for rides during busy weekends. That's expected with amusement parks but it feels alot slower here because only 1 person manages each ride, so the security/belt checks etc are only done by 1 person. -security line to enter the park is also huge. Need more security lines to help out with that

This park is to be avoided 1. Over this past August weekend it was extremely overpopulated 2. LInes for rides were long 3. Lines for food were absurd: at least 20 minutes for everything and twice after waiting the site ran out of food with no indication of when they would be restocked, and the general store shelves were empty 4. No water fountains or place to fill up bottles 5. Areas with shade were overcrowded with difficulty finding a place to sit 6. Staff were lackadaisical 7. Parade was great but unless you pay large amounts of extra fees, we only found one other opportunity for the the kids to see a character...they were no where to be seen other than the parade, which was great be overcrowded viewing on the sides of mainstreet I would never take my grandchildren here again. This is profit with too many attendees at the expense of a quality experience

They actually deserve 0 stars. Every time I go to Sesame Place, I get more and more disappointed in how much this place has changed. The employees are tremendously rude at all the food establishments. Waiting over an hour for an order of chicken nuggets is the most ridiculous thing I've ever done, but when the food selections are so limited, it's inevitable. Most of the food stops say they are open until 6, but the employees close at 5. The food is continuously running out while you see the employees just fooling around in the kitchen. Sesame place has become the most overpriced disappointment throughout the years and it's sad to see.

Parking is $30 & the whole park is cashless. They have a machine to convert cash to get a prepaid card (not sure if that card can only be used at the park) This is a great place to take kids. You first walk in to their gift shop then through security and ticket booth. The park is on the smaller side which is perfect for tired little feet. I went on Christmas Day so it wasn't that crowded at all and of course the water park was closed. Strollers, and bottle water are allowed and I believe I saw a few people with snacks. You can rent a stroller as well. The first ride we went on was honestly faster than expected and I'm a roller coaster junkie. My son and partner however were not very amused. There's an arcade and a lot of photo ops. My son is only 2 and he enjoyed himself. I think 4-5 is the perfect age to bring a child here. Will return if in area! Side note: we left with sooo many prizes. The games are fairly easy however pretty pricey to play.

Clean, well-organized, and friendly staff everywhere. The park is super fun for kids and adults alike. Highly recommend!

They said Philly, but we barely left New Jersey. The location was great. Not really in the middle of nowhere so there are several places to go afterward for food and lodging. The children had so much fun! There were characters dancing in the street, walking around to take photos with guests. They even had a parade down main street with all our favorite sesame Street characters. I was sad the water park closed so early but I can understand with having to clean it and reset for the next day trying to get that done before it gets dark. But when it's 97 and a real feel over 100, no one wants to get out the water. They had rides, slides, pools and a lazy river for us to enjoy. After the water park closed we got on a few rides that my 4 yr old absolutely loved. She went from one ride to the next. Then to the carousel and then the gift shop before heading home after a great day.

Family came here for the day. My kid love Sesame Street, so we came here half the day. The lines weren't too long. The parade was the best part! Don't eat here! Huge waste of money and calories! Get the vip access to avoid lines. Overall, spending 4 hrs here was more than enough time!

The absolute WORST experience! $600 on admission and all day dining, it was a 13 hour ride. All lines over 2 hours, no accessible food or drinks, even from gift shops or stands. All life jackets in bad repair. We were not able to ride 1 single ride, see 1 attraction, couldn't see the parade or performances, and the characters ran away as we approached them. My nonverbal autistic son was beyond devastated and heartbroken, we took this weekend trip for his birthday and thanks to the false advertisement and poor services offered, I'm out thousands of dollars for a worthless trip. Complete WASTE!

Trashy and terrible beyond compare. This was undoubtedly the worst day of my parenting career, probably by a considerable margin. Traveled 2 hours each way, and my kid managed to go on exactly one ride in four hours spent at the park. Every other line was way too long for whatever meager carnival ride payoff awaited. Dismal food options. Pizza line was over an hour long. Overall, feels like a grimy and unorganized obvious cash grab. Numerous unflushed and/or overflowing poop filled toilets. Unmotivated teenage workers barely paying attention. Not a grownup employee in sight. There must have been a thousand people crammed into the "lazy" river. Seems like a ln all-around dangerous situation. It's only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs, I'm afraid to say. Attend at your own risk. Or, better yet, please do not go here. Your dignity is worth so much more.

We had high expectations for our family vacation to Sesame Place from June 19 to 21, but sadly, the experience fell far short of what we hoped for. Several major issues turned our trip into a stressful and disappointing ordeal. Our problems began even before we set foot in the park. When we arrived around 7 p.m. on June 19th, severe storms had caused a power outage at the hotel where we were booked to stay. I asked the front desk if they had an estimated time for power restoration and was told it might be back by 9 p.m., but nothing was certain. Concerned about traveling with our 4- and 6-year-old children, I tried to contact Sesame Place Vacations--the company through which we booked--to see if they could assist in finding another hotel with power. Unfortunately, the customer service center was closed by then. Moreover, there is no clear information on the Sesame Place vacation website regarding what steps to take or who to contact if lodging issues arise, which is disappointing for a family-focused vacation provider. Ultimately, I had to make hotel arrangements on my own. After returning home, I contacted Sesame Place Vacations to request a refund for the unusable hotel stay. The information I received was inconsistent and confusing. The first representative was helpful and promised a callback the next day, which never came. On a subsequent call, after long holds, I was told that I needed to request a refund directly from the hotel, not Sesame Place Vacations. None of this was outlined anywhere on their website. Our second issue was with the park itself. We faced extremely long wait times--over an hour--just to enter on both days of our visit. The process was disorganized and slow, with minimal signage and too few staff members to manage crowd flow. Once inside, things didn't improve much, especially in the water park area, which was clearly understaffed. Most water attractions were closed, lines for those that were open were excessively long, and staff appeared indifferent when asked whether more attractions would become available. The whole area felt chaotic and poorly managed. Additionally, the food and beverages were outrageously overpriced. While we expected theme park prices, paying $16 for two 20-ounce sodas was excessive, especially given the mediocre quality of the offerings. In summary, our visit to Sesame Place was frustrating and not worth the expense. The park has serious problems with staffing, organization, and customer service--issues that are particularly disappointing for families relying on vacation packages. I would not recommend this destination unless significant improvements are made.

Sesame Place is paradise for my Sesame crazed two year old! The best part about Sesame Place (well at least for my daughter, not my wallet) is the gift shop. You can find tons of Sesame items that you'd never be able to find online. Any and every type of clothing, stuffed animals for every character and just the most unique toys. My daughter could spend her entire day in the gift shop if we let her. There are plenty of rides to check out, and you can of course expect waits. It is generally pretty crowded. We once visited on a summer weekend which was of course packed, but even during a recent visit in April it was very crowded. If you want to beat the crowds a weekday visit, or a ride fast pass could be the move. There are lots of other activities in addition to rides like shows and parades. Downloading the app to keep tabs on the schedule is helpful. The parade is really fun and definitely a can't miss if you visit the park. In the summer there are pools and water rides too. Food and drinks (like at any theme park) are low quality and high priced. Packing plenty of drinks and snacks is the way to go if you are planning to spend the whole day! Overall the major pro is it's a fun and unique experience for a Sesame Street loving kiddo, and the cons are pretty in-line with anything you'd expect to see at an amusement park (crowds, high prices, etc). Good luck!

Staff is very rude! Manager Maria is extremely rude but it makes sense why, as I spoke with the General manager Emily who was also rude. I was asking about a 5% surcharge added to all credit card purchase and wanted to pay cash elbow was told they're cashless. How do you have a charge for all credit card purchases but don't allow cash? Maria was rolling her eyes and making snarky comments when I asked to speak to her manager she told me she was the manager and the highest person working that day. So I asked the general managers name then Emily came out (oh now magically Maria isn't the highest manager on?) Emily was also rude and condescending. Staff isn't trained everyone has a different answer for everything. And there's no where to eat all the food places were closed we went on a Monday and only place we could find to eat had almost an hour wait for chicken tenders and a personal pizza. The lazy river is DISGUSTINGLY DIRTY! Which is a shame because are the water park has actually came a long way.