Anyone been to Sesame Place? About This Page:

[korki-rad]

So, after reading a post here about the cool Crayola factory in PA, I checked out it's web site and saw that it isn't too far from Sesame Place. DH and I have been trying to figure out where we want to go next year for our family vacation (we'd hoped to go on a Disney cruise, but want to wait until DS is a little older so he can do the kids' activities and DH says we can't go to WDW every year). DH has family just outside of Philadelphia that we haven't seen for quite some time, so we're thinking PA might just fit the bill, but we'd like a little more info.

Has anyone been to Sesame Place? Is it worth a stop? Obviously, it's not going to be WDW, but is it clean and safe? We are larger people -- are the rides accommodating for Pooh-sized people? We saw that they have a 2-day admissions package -- is that necessary, or can you do everything you want to do in just one day?

I'd also like some info on Hershey, PA and their amusement park -- pretty much the same questions -- is it clean and safe? How are the rides for Pooh-sized folks?

Anything else you'd do if you were in PA for a week with a 6-year-old and 2-year-old? We will probably make it a road trip (so we'll have a car), stay in hotels wherever we need to (we can stay in a different one each night if need be), and plan one or two days to spend with DH's family.

TIA!

[Yensid Srevol]

We took our kids to Sesame Place waaaaay back in 1986 and they loved it as we did too! I just saw a segment of the tv show "Jon and Kate plus 8" and they took all the kids there and its really improved since we went back in the day. I can't remember if they accomodate pooh sized people though...I'm pooh sized now but I really don't remember going on too many rides back then. Have fun!

[lukeandbrookesmom]

We've been to Sesame Place and Hershey Park - both are wonderful family parks! Obviosuly Sesame Place is geared toward the younger children and the water park is perfect for this age group There is a lot for families to do and see at Hershey Park as well but I find the rides geared a bit more toward older children, but there are rides for the little ones as well. Just not as many.

[mom2twingirlies]

My girls LOVED Sesame Place. We went the last 2 summers when they were 18 months and 2 1/2. We didn't go back this summer, because we are saving for 2 weeks in January at WDW

It is especially designed for little children. We found both times we needed both days of the 2 day pass, as there are a lot of water activities and this tires them out. I am fairly pooh sized myself and I didn't have any problem on most of the rides I went on. OK - getting my knees into the balloon ride was a little tight, but we did it.
They too have character meals - I would recommend spending the money for the indoor one as it gives a nice break with the air conditioning. Also the park allows in/out privledges in both the parks and the parking, so this is a nice option to go back to the hotel and rest. Check out their website with packages, we found a deal at the place we stayed at, that was better than a AAA rate. We stayed a little bit further away (Princeton NY), but we had a room with a separate living room, so we could stay up while the girls went to bed, and a full hot breakfast included each morning.

Hershey - we also stopped here, although we didn't go to the amusement park. For the age of our girls, it didn't seem worth it. We did go the Hershey exhibits and take the trolley tour though. We all enjoyed it.

Also in the Philly area. We went to the Children's Museum in Philly too. A totally hands on experience that the girls really loved. We also planned on visiting the aquarium that was right across the river in Camden NJ, but due to a sick child we were a day late leaving and had to cut this one out. I really wanted to see this as they have a tunnel that goes through (or under) the shark tank, so you can watch them overhead. We also drove out to Atlantic City, took a walk down the boardwalk and went out on the beach (which was a first for my kids)

If you want more details or more information, just let me know.

[Lemap760]

Sesame Place is a lot of fun. I'm in the plus sized category and have no problems with the water slides and sharing a raft with DS. The two day admission is worth it since you only have to pay for one day. I think it's called the Elmo's pass or something. Even if you don't use the second day, you didn't pay any extra for it. The lines can get pretty long in the summer so I would plan for a second day. The only thing I don't like about SP is that most of the food places close early. So I would pack a picnic for lunch and dinner or take advantage of the many places right in the area.
I would say that the Crayola Factory is at least 1 1/2 hour drive from the SP area.

[CaseyC]

As someone who used to work/live in this area, I can say that Sesame Place is a fun place for the little ones. It is definitely clean and safe. Since I grew up there, I spent some time there as a kid. I had fallen off of a ride and the medical staff was quick and effective in treating me and of course taking care of my parents and letting them know what was going on. I too am Pooh sized and don't remember having much of an issue going on the rides with my young neices.

Hershey- This is an amusement park more for older kids than the younger ones. However, there are some rides geared towards the younger kids. I participated with Magic Meets (Disney Fan Meet) last year and one of the things they do is a trip to Hershey. I found it difficult to get on a lot of the rides do to being Pooh sized (specially roller caosters). It was really quite embarrasing. The water park is a good size with lots to do as well.

As for other younger kid experiences, you could visit Dutch Wonderland amusement park, which is completely for young kids only. There is the Philadelphia Zoo, The Camden Aquarium (be careful, Camden is a bit of higher crime/drug type area). There is less crime by the water area but it is still considered a bit dangerous. The museum the previous poster was talking about is the kid's Please Touch Museum. This museum is geared for kids approximately aged 2-7.

[jenntyl]

I lhave been to both and live in the area. We went to Sesame Place last year and while it is a nice park, beware of going on a weekend. It gets very crowded because everyone goes on the weekend. It was difficult for us to get our kids on rides and even in the water area. If you are going, go on a weekday to both parks. The crowd is smaller and it is more manageable.

As for cleanliness, both parks are kept very clean and are family friendly. I think Hershey is a tad more friendly than Sesame Place but that's because we went on the weekend. I cannot say much for the rides at Sesame Place because most are geared toward kids. I would imgaine to some degree they are accommodating. However, most of the rides at Hershey do accommodate. My hubby is larger in size and we went on many rides. I am not sure about the new Fahrenheit ride but it's worth a try. You will find that Hershey is a nice park and if you can get a deal on tickets it is worth it. We get tickets from work for $27, which is half the cost. SO that make sit worth it for us. Also, the nice thing about Hershey is that it now has a new water park which is included in the price-The Boardwalk. In addition, Hershey is closer to other attractions-Lancaster (home to the Amish-if you are going here and want a great buffet eat at Shady Maple-not only is it large and good eats but it is the cheapest buffet to eat at), the outlets (great shopping here and in Lancaster), several museums in Harrisburg (only a 15 min drive from Hershey), and even Valley Forge.

If you have any other questions please ask. I live and work near Hershey. Good luck in your planning.

[disney]

Originally Posted by korki-rad

So, after reading a post here about the cool Crayola factory in PA, I checked out it's web site and saw that it isn't too far from Sesame Place. DH and I have been trying to figure out where we want to go next year for our family vacation (we'd hoped to go on a Disney cruise, but want to wait until DS is a little older so he can do the kids' activities and DH says we can't go to WDW every year). DH has family just outside of Philadelphia that we haven't seen for quite some time, so we're thinking PA might just fit the bill, but we'd like a little more info.

Has anyone been to Sesame Place? Is it worth a stop? Obviously, it's not going to be WDW, but is it clean and safe? We are larger people -- are the rides accommodating for Pooh-sized people? We saw that they have a 2-day admissions package -- is that necessary, or can you do everything you want to do in just one day?

I'd also like some info on Hershey, PA and their amusement park -- pretty much the same questions -- is it clean and safe? How are the rides for Pooh-sized folks?

Anything else you'd do if you were in PA for a week with a 6-year-old and 2-year-old? We will probably make it a road trip (so we'll have a car), stay in hotels wherever we need to (we can stay in a different one each night if need be), and plan one or two days to spend with DH's family.

TIA!

seseme place is geared to the little ones they will all love it deffinitly.
hershey is great family place no need to say why. but as for rides the last time we went for a day, we did it thru our kids we did not go on any rides it was around christmas time it was sooo beatiful. but there is soo much to do there i'm a king size mickey and i know what you mean about the rides .
here are 2 other suggestions too hershey has a brothered company it is about 40 minutes away it is dutch wounderland
it was really nice because when we did hershey we did this too and all the kids absolutly loved it they have a 2 day ticket iday each park.
here is another suggestion dorney park and wild water kindom . it is between crayola and hershey it is my absolutly favroite park it has 2 parks for the price of one .
rides and water park we usually hit the water rides all day then hit the dry rides as many as possible before we get very tired .
i will give you links for them here is dutch wounderland
Dutch Wonderland A Kingdom for Kids