Once inside, my oldest made a dash for the Vapor Trail, the park's roller coaster. It was a perfect start to the day, as we loved it! Next, we visited Elmo's World where many of the dry rides are contained. Elmo's Cloud Chaser, also known as the swings, were a big favorite for the kids. My oldest got a thrill out of the nets and climb area, as you are suspended above the Monster Maze and Cookie Mountain areas and climbing your way through tunnels and net ramps to get from end to end.
All along the Sesame Place entry and throughout the park, you see really unique topiaries of the various Sesame Street characters, which I could appreciate as an adult but my kids also loved to see, too. They made for some great photo opportunities.
We took a break from the rides to catch a special guest, Strawberry Shortcake's Musical Playdate, over at the Monster Rock Theater. Lucky for us, they admitted guests from the standby line for the show, and the girls were able to rock out with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends in a fun and music-filled, upbeat adventure. The kids were so happy to see Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, and another new friend from Berry Bitty City. Strawberry Shortcake will return to Sesame Place again on September 22nd and September 23rd, so you can check out details at this link to make reservations for the show if you have a Strawberry Shortcake fan at home.
While we were in the standby line, we had to take a quick run back over by 123 Sesame Street in Sesame Neighborhood, as we saw Oscar come out in his trash can for photos. The first character of the day that we saw, the kids were so excited to get a photo with Oscar right on Sesame Street. While in the Sesame Neighborhood, the kids got into the Sesame Fire Truck for some pictures, stopped in the vegetable market to work the cash register, visited Hooper's Store, and stood on the stoop of 123 Sesame Street for some fantastic and memorable pictures.
As a parent, I love the fact that most of the characters could be found throughout the day in the Sesame Neighborhood area. In between going on the dry and water rides, we could pop back to Sesame Street and see who might be out for a photo. We met Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Oscar, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Super Grover, and Count Von Count along the main street and in the Sesame Neighborhood.
We got to meet Elmo, the grand highlight of the day for my youngest, at the 1-2-3 Smile With Me location in Elmo's World. She had to give him "a squeeze hug" and both girls colored a picture on the drive up and gave it to him when they were able to meet. Elmo loved their pictures! He appeared there throughout the day for pictures. We also met Murray at that location, too.
We grabbed lunch at Elmo's Eatery, which ended up being a great choice. The line was a bit long, but we also went during peak lunch hour so that's to be expected. As a parent, I liked the fact that they offered healthy alternatives such as apple slices and applesauce as the standard with the kids meals and you had to request french fries as a substitute. The kids were so excited that their meals came on collector Elmo plates and with a cool Sesame Place cup, both of which they could take home after lunch and keep as a souvenir. The main highlight for the kids, though, was the delightful Elmo cupcakes they had after their lunch. They spotted them the minute we entered the eatery and finished them even faster!
After cooling down in Ernie's Waterworks for a bit, which is a sprayground splash pad area, we caught the afternoon Neighborhood Street Party parade. Really fun floats, great music, and the characters all together singing and dancing right in front of you made for a very enjoyable parade. We were able to see Big Bird, who doesn't come out to meet and greet, in the parade dancing with Telly, Prairie Dawn, Rosita, and all of the other Sesame Street friends. All of us were glad we made time in our day to see the parade...it's definitely not to be missed when you go visit Sesame Place.
We spent much of the afternoon enjoying the various water attractions throughout the park. The Count's Splash Castle had some really fun water slides inside that were managable for both of the kids and the adults could join in the fun, too. Big Bird's Rambling River, the park's lazy river, had to be revisited a couple of times because the kids loved it. The Sky Splash was a unique and fun family raft ride that ends in a great big splash ramp. It was one of our favorites. All of us were able to ride in a large tube together, and boy was it exciting!
Our favorite show of the day was Elmo's World Live! in Sesame Studio. I really can't say enough just how very well done this show was, as it kept both the adults and kids entertained. It included some audience participation but Elmo and Mr. Noodle still stole the show. Inside the studio is the stage exactly as Elmo's World appears in Sesame Street's show, with the colored in furniture and shades that open to see Mr. Noodle. My oldest was in awe at trying to determine how Elmo filmed the audience with his camcorder at one point during the show, while my little one went running after Elmo as he exited the studio at the end.
Of course, we couldn't conclude our day without a souvenir from Sesame Place. Mr. Hooper's Emporium was definitely the largest souvenir shop with the biggest selection in the park, so if you want a lot of options, this is where you want to stop for your shopping time. We left with an Abby Cadabby frame for my oldest to put a special photo in her room to remember the day as well as with a large plush Elmo for my little one to "snuggle with since he looks just like Elmo looks when I met him today."
Sesame Street comes to life at Sesame Place through whirling rides, water slides, exciting shows, and endless giggles. Dance and sing-a-long with everyone’s favorite furry friends in the amazing Neighborhood Street Party parade. Learn about letters, numbers and friendship in 3 street-stopping performances that include 11 larger-than-life floats and a night parade that lights up the sky. Join the fun and celebrate being a kid – or being a kid again! Sesame Place is located just 30 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes south of New York City. For more information, call 1-866-GO-4-ELMO or visit www.sesameplace.com.
Sesame Place is welcoming a number of special guests this summer, namely Dan Zanes & Friends in concert, a PBS WHYY kids weekend with Sid & Buddy, Imagination Movers live in concert, Jack Hanna, Caillou's Musical Playdate, and Strawberry Shortcake's Musical Playdate.
Since we are located just about an hour from the park, if you plan to visit two times or more, it's definitely worth a season pass for you. A Sesame Season Pass is $94.99 (plus tax) and pays for itself in less than two visits. Enjoy unlimited admission to Sesame Place through the regular 2012 operating season, admission to exclusive Season Pass member events and a 30% discount on food and merchandise at Sesame Place. There are a few other levels of Season Passes depending on your preference and what you'd like access to, so you can check them all out at this link.
Ticket prices for the one day admission and Elmo's any two day ticket are the same at $57.99 (plus tax). Children 23 months and younger are free. Seniors aged fifty-five and older are $52.99 (plus tax). The AAA walk up discounted rate is $54.99 (plus tax).
Last weekend, my family and I were hosted by Sesame Place and we want to extend our experience and share it with you! One very lucky Macaroni Kid Lincroft-Holmdel-Tinton Falls subscriber will win a family four pack of one day admission tickets to Sesame Place!! Simply click here to enter for your chance to win. All entries must be received by June 27th at 5:00 p.m. to be eligible for the drawing. One entry per person, per day. Good luck!
