Sesame Place Philadelphia

Sesame Place Philadelphia is a fun theme park and water park for children based on the popular television show Sesame Street. It is one of two Sesame Street theme parks in the United States, located near Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. This park has many exciting rides, shows, and water activities that are perfect for young kids.

Owned and run by United Parks & Resorts with a special license from Sesame Workshop, the park brings the friendly characters and learning spirit of Sesame Street to life. It was the first theme park in the world to become a certified center for families with children who have autism, making it a welcoming place for all children.

History

Sesame Place opened in 1980 near the Oxford Valley Mall. It was created by Eric McMillan, a designer from Canada, Sandra Hanna from Lambertville, New Jersey, and other designers.

The park stays open from early May until Halloween for a special event called The Count's Halloween "Spooktacular", and also from mid-November through December for "A Very Furry Christmas". It started as a small area with play spaces where kids could color their favorite Sesame Street characters. Over time, it grew and added rides and water fun. In 2014, the park added Cookie's Monster Land, its biggest update ever.

The park works to make sure it’s friendly for children with autism and was certified as a Certified Autism Center in 2018 on World Autism Awareness Day. In 2007, it became the first smoke-free theme park in Pennsylvania.

In January 2021, the park started opening all year. Before that, it closed each year in early January, but 2021 was the first time it stayed open in winter. Each weekend during that time had special events like rides, dance parties, and parades. However, in 2023, the park returned to its normal schedule and closed between mid-January and mid-February.

In July 2022, a family shared a story on Instagram saying that the character Rosita did not notice their two young children. The park said the costume made it hard for the performer to see. Later, the park apologized and invited the family back for a special meeting with the characters. The park also said its workers would learn about treating everyone fairly.

Attractions

Sesame Place has many fun rides, both dry and water rides. Dry rides work during special events like Elmo's Springtacular, The Count's Halloween Spooktacular, and A Very Furry Christmas. Water rides only open in the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The park has different areas with special themes. Sesame Plaza is the front entrance. Sesame City looks like a big city with mass transit. Big Bird's Beach used to be called Twiddlebug Land until 2023. Sesame Island has water-based attractions. Sesame Neighborhood is a full-size copy of Sesame Street and opened in 1988. The Count's Court is themed after Count von Count and has water rides, with special Count-themed dry rides only during events. Elmo's World is based on the Elmo's World segment. Cookie's Monster Land, named after Cookie Monster, opened in 2014. Some rides only work during special seasonal events.

Sky Splash (a former attraction located in Twiddlebug Land) in 2005. This attraction is now known as "Elmo's Surf n' Slide".

Name	Manufacturer	Opened	Description
Vapor Trail	Vekoma	1998	A Super Grover-themed custom Vekoma family roller coaster with several helixes.
Sunny Day Carousel	Chance Rides	2008	A carousel with Sesame Street-designed horses. It was originally located in Sesame Neighborhood before being relocated to its current spot in 2024.

Name	Manufacturer	Opened	Description
Oscar's Wacky Taxi	The Gravity Group	2018	A family hybrid wooden roller coaster featuring a crazy taxi ride with Oscar, it is located near the front gate.
Big Bird's Tour Bus	Zamperla	2022	A crazy bus ride themed to a tour around the city with Big Bird.

Name	Opened	Description
Elmo's Surf n' Slide	1995	A large raft water slide that stands more than six stories high. Formerly known as "Sky Splash" from 1995 until 2023.
Rosita's Seaside Slides	1993	Two spiral tube water slides. Single and double tubes are used. Formerly known as "Slimey's Chutes" from 1993 until 2023.
Little Bird's Bay	1993	A 10,000 sq ft (930 m²) wave pool formed from Ernie's wild garden hose. Formerly known as "Teeny Tiny Tidal Wave Pool" from 1993 until 2023.
Abby's Splash n' Sprayground	1993	A kids play area with a giant watering can. This attraction was unnamed until 2023.

Name	Opened	Description
Abby's Paradise Theater		A covered outdoor theater that currently features Meet and Greets with Snuffy, and currently shows Welcome To The Party.
Bert and Ernie's Splashy Shores	2023	A water adventure area with water umbrellas, tipping buckets, spraying jets, water bobbles, and a spraying water tower.
Big Bird's Rambling River	1990	A slow-moving, 1,000 ft (300 m) waterway winding through Sesame Island.
Sand Castle Beach	1990	A giant beach-like sandbox and playground.

Name	Opened	Description
123 Playground	2024	A colorful children's play area with classic playground elements. Its location was formerly the home of the Sunny Day Carousel prior to its relocation, as well as the classic Big Bird Steps.
Elmo’s Studio Theater	1980	(Sesame Studio until 2026) An indoor theater currently used for shows and other special events.
Sesame Street Theater	1980	A large outdoor theater that is currently used for special events, shows, and meet-and-greets.

Name	Opened	Description
The Count's Splash Castle	2009	A multi-level, water park attraction features over 90 play elements, including a 1000-gallon tipping bucket.
Abby's Fairy Falls	1983	Four short vertical water slides that drop into a three-foot pool. (Formerly known as Slippery Slopes until Mid-July 2021).

Name	Opened	Description
Elmo's Silly Splashy Slides	1985	Two intertwining body flumes that empty into a splash pool. (Formerly known as Bert & Ernie's Slip & Slide until Mid-July 2021)
Peek-A-Bug	2006	A Rock 'n Tug themed to a bug in a garden.
Blast Off	2006	A tower drop ride in which riders travel to Planet Elmo.
Elmo's Cloud Chaser	2011	Riders fly around in swings.
Flyin' Fish	2006	An aerial carousel ride, similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Snuffy's Slides	1980	Two long dry tube slides for children 12 and under. This is the last vestige of the Big Bird Bridge system.

Name	Opened	Description
Captain Cookie's High C's Adventure	2014	Pirate ships circle a rising and falling track.
Oscar's Rusty Rotten Rockets	2014	A whip-like ride, but with hanging garbage can-shaped rockets as vehicles.
Honker Dinger Derby	2014	A Tivoli Orbiter. Formerly operated at Busch Gardens Tampa as Sandstorm.
Monster Mix-Up	2002	A teacup ride. Formerly known as Grover's World Twirl.
Flying Cookie Jars	2002	A 40 ft (12 m) high tower ride that affords a view of the park. Formerly known as Big Bird's Balloon Race.
Monster Clubhouse	2014	A net-climbing attraction.
Mini Monster Clubhouse	2014	A play area for smaller children.

Name	Description
The Castle Swing	A swing ride.
The Count's Fly By	A smaller version of Elmo's Cloud Chaser, themed after the Count.
The Count's Cruisers	A carousel-type attraction with 4x4 cars.

Former attractions

Name	Opened	Closed	Description
Adult's Oasis	Unknown	Unknown	An area for adults.
The Amazing Mumford's Water Maze	1980	2004	A maze attraction consisting of tubes with water sprays. The spot where the attraction once stood is empty, being used as a simple pathway.
Anti-Gravity Mirror			Mirrors for children.
Balancing Buoys	1981	Circa 1982
Bert's Balance Beams	1980	Unknown	Balance Beams.
Big Bird Bridge/Steps	1980	2007	The original park icon, consisting of a large Big Bird head and a long bridge, which led to various slides, although near the end of its life it only led to the tube slides. The bridge was removed in the late 90's and Big Bird's mouth was closed up, which left the steps for photo ops. The steps and head were fully removed in 2007 to make way for the Sunny Day Carousel.
Big Bird's Nest	1980	2013	A small play area featuring large padded grounds and blocks. Only children under 5 were permitted inside the attraction. It was removed to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Chat Lag			A place to chat.
Circle Theater	1983	Unknown	A theater that presented an animal show. The theater's building later became home to the 1, 2, 3, Smile with Me! Photo-op.
Circus Mirrors			Mirrors for children but circus themed.
The Computer Gallery/The Games Gallery	1980	2001	This attraction housed an area featuring many computers, allowing attendees to play simple educational games featuring Sesame Street characters. In 1993, the area became The Games Gallery, with arcade games replacing computers. In 2001, the attraction was converted into a quick-service restaurant, known as Sesame Cafe.
Cookie Mountain	1980	2013	An inflatable mountain where children could climb on their own. Only children under seven were permitted at this attraction. It was removed to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
The Count Around	2015	2017-2018	A mini ferris wheel that appeared during The Count's Halloween Spooktacular. It has not returned into the park since 2017-2018, and is currently in storage.
The Count's Ballroom	1980	2006	A large ball pit containing over 80,000 balls. It was removed to make way for Elmo's World, with this attraction replaced with Blast Off.
The Count's Fount	1985	2008	A water play area. It was demolished to make way for the larger Count's Splash Castle.
Create a Muppet Show	1980's	Unknown
Crystal Climb	1982	Unknown	A set of geodesic climbing mazes. It was soon relocated to another area, before being removed entirely and permanently. The original location later became home to Adult's Oasis, while the relocated version became home to the Sesame Slab Slides.
Elmo's World Live	2001	2016	A live show based on the segment of the same name. It was replaced with Elmo: the Musical – LIVE!.
Ernie's Bed Bounce	1980	2013	An inflatable, springy air mattress. For two years in 1981, a second mattress was also added in the spot where the Circle Theater later stood. The main bed was removed to make way for Cookie's Monster Land in 2013, with Honker Dinger Derby sitting where this once stood.
Ernie's Waterworks	1990	2022	A small water play area. Removed at the end of the 2022 season to be replaced by Bert and Ernie's Splashy Shores.
Everyone is You and Me	1983	1990's	Unknown
Foot Notes			Notes for people.
Grover's Rubber Band Bounce			A giant rubber band four feet wide and eight feet high which let kids "bounce off the walls."
Herry's Hand Over Water	1980	1984	A playground set over a pool of water. It was later replaced with the Sesame Construction Company attraction.
Kaliedoscope
Little Bird's Birdbath	1990's	2008	A sprinkler play area made for young children. It was demolished alongside its sister attraction Little Bird's Rapids to make way for The Count's Splash Castle.
Little Bird's Court	1980	2001	A sand-focused playground. It was later moved to Sesame Island. The spot where the original version stood was replaced with Grover's World Twirl.
Little Bird's Rapids	Unknown	2008	A junior water slide. It was demolished alongside its sister attraction Little Bird's Birdbath to make way for The Count's Splash Castle.
Mirror Mirage
Mix and Match Muppet Totem Poles
Mix n' Match Twiddle Tracks	1993	2021	A children's railroad. Its trains were removed after the 2021 season.
Monster Maze	1980	2013	A small, sand bottom pit with large "monster" bags children can run around in. It was removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Multiscopes
Nets & Climbs	1980	2013	Hundreds of yards of cargo netting connected by 200 ft (61 m) of suspended net tunnels. It was removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Oscar's Balance Beams			A set of balance beams.
Oscar's Obstacle Course	1980	Unknown	A twisty maze in a sand box.
Pedal Power and Cycles	1980	1999
Pin Tables
Pitch Switch
Rainbow Pyramid	1980	2001	An attraction that taught children about air pressure. It was replaced with Sesame Playhouse.
Rainbow Room	1980	1999
Rubber Duckie Pond	1980	Unknown	A giant water bed that kids could jump on. It was later redeveloped into a water play area under the same name.
Rubber Duckie Pond	Unknown	2010	A water play area that replaced the above water bed. It was demolished in 2010 to make way for Elmo's Cloud Chaser.
Runaway Rapids	1984	2008	A tube water slide. It was demolished to make way for The Count's Splash Castle.
Sesame Beach	1980	2006	A sandbox area. It was demolished in 2006 to make way for the Elmo's World area, with this attraction replaced with Peek a Bug.
Sesame Construction Company	1985	2001	A play area featuring giant building blocks that can be used to create structures. It was removed to make way for Big Bird's Balloon Race.
Sesame Dream Network
Sesame Garden	1981	1980's	A flower garden.
Sesame Place Furry Express		2020	a locomotive train that appeared seasonally during A Very Furry Christmas and The Count's Halloween Spooktacular (as The Count's Guess Who Express). Has not returned to the park since the 2020 season.
Sesame Production Company
Sesame Slab Slides			A set of slides that go from the top of the Nets & Climbs to the bottom.
Sesame Streak		2020–2022	A pair of tube water slides, one for single riders and the other for double riders. This water slide closed between 2020 and 2021 and remained standing but not operating until late 2022.
Shadow Room	1980	2001
Silly Sand Slides	1993	2019	Three giant slides modeled after; A large watch, a spoon on a bag of marbles and a dumped bucket of sand. The attraction was removed in 2019.
Slimey's Square	2021	2023	A children's play area designated for children 5 and under.
Slippery Slopes	1980	1985	A set of foam-covered slides. It has no connection with the water slide Abby's Fairy Falls which formerly had the same name as this water slide. It was later replaced with Sesame Streak.
The Snake Tube	1981
Snuffle Ball	1981
Super Grover's Cable Glides	1980	1986	A set of rope swings.
Talking Picture Show
Teleidoscope Temple	1980	1999	Hall of mirrors emulating a kaleidoscope.
Touch of Spring	1983	Unknown
Tunnels of Fun	1980	2013	A set of tunnels. Removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Twiddlebug Hop	1980	1986	A large rope swing. It was later replaced with a garden area.
Twiddlebug Land	1993	2022	A large themed area in the waterpark section to make yourself feel as small as a Twiddlebug. The land & attractions remained and were rethemed in 2023 to "Big Bird's Beach".
Twiddlebug Tunnel	1980	unknown	A tunnel for kids to crawl through where "mysterious colors and sounds await".
Whisper Walls	1980	2013	It was removed in 2013 to make way for Cookie's Monster Land.
Zoetrope
Zoom Flume	1983	1986	A water slide. It was demolished in 1986 due to low capacity and the additions of other water attractions, with its spot being replaced with Little Bird's Birdbath.

Location	Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, United States
Opened	July 30, 1980
Area	14 acres
Theme	Sesame Street
Slogan	Go Before They Grow

Sesame Place Philadelphia