Sesame Place Philadelphia
A theme park built entirely around Sesame Street — the rare park designed for preschoolers first, in Bucks County.
The Quick Version
- • The only theme park built entirely around Sesame Street — character meet-and-greets, a parade, gentle rides, and a full water park, aimed squarely at the preschool set.
- • A compact ~16-acre park in Langhorne (Bucks County), so it's walkable with little kids.
- • Half theme park, half water park — Sesame Summer Splash runs roughly mid-June through early September. Bring suits and towels in summer.
- • Tickets are dynamic and date-based; buy online in advance (single-day from around $57, with frequent sales). Parking is extra (~$32 general).
- • Notably, it's the world's first theme park certified as an autism center — a real consideration if sensory needs shape your day.
Best Ages
All ages, sweet spot 1-6
Plan For
5-7 hours (full day)
Adults
Dynamic — single-day from around $57, cheaper online in advance
Kids
Same date-based price as adults
What to Expect
Sesame Place is unusual: a full theme park built entirely around one preschool show. For a 3-year-old who loves Elmo and Big Bird, walking through the gate and seeing the actual Sesame Street is a genuine wow moment — and the whole park is scaled to that age rather than tolerating it.
The day splits in two. On the dry side there are gentle rides (the Vapor Trail family coaster is the biggest), character meet-and-greets, shows, and the Neighborhood Street Party Parade with all the Sesame Street friends — the parade is the signature moment, so check times and stake out a spot. On the wet side, the water park (Sesame Summer Splash) is a real one: The Count's Splash Castle is a multi-level interactive structure with 90-plus play elements, Big Bird's Rambling River is a ~1,000-foot lazy river, Little Bird's Bay is a family wave pool, and there's a cluster of family-friendly slides.
It's compact — about 16 acres — so it's manageable with little legs and easy to circle back to a favorite. Plan it like a water-park day in summer: dry rides and the parade in the morning, water in the afternoon, suits and towels in the bag.
One genuinely useful note: Sesame Place was the first theme park in the world certified as an autism center, with quiet rooms, low-sensory areas, and accessibility planning built in. If sensory needs shape how your family does a big day out, it's worth reading their accessibility guide before you go — few parks have thought about it this deliberately.
Who It's Best For
This is a preschooler's park before anything else. Toddlers and preschoolers (1-5) are the target — the characters, shows, parade, and gentle rides are pitched right at them. Early-elementary kids (5-8) still love the water park, the Vapor Trail coaster, and the slides. By 9-10 the theme starts to feel young unless they're devoted Sesame Street fans or there for the water park. Under 2 are free.
Highlights
Neighborhood Street Party Parade
Ages 1-7The signature daily parade with the full Sesame Street cast. Check the schedule and claim a curb spot early — for a preschool fan it's the highlight of the day.
The Count's Splash Castle
Ages 2-8A multi-level interactive water-play castle with 90+ elements — dump buckets, sprayers, slides. The heart of the water park for younger kids.
Big Bird's Rambling River & Little Bird's Bay
All agesA ~1,000-foot lazy river winding through Sesame Island, plus a 10,000-sq-ft family wave pool — gentle water for all ages.
Character meet-and-greets & shows
Ages 1-6Photos and appearances with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and friends, plus stage shows throughout the day. The reason a Sesame-loving toddler is here.
Vapor Trail & family rides
Ages 3-9Vapor Trail is the park's gentle family roller coaster; alongside it are scaled-down rides like Big Bird's Tour Bus that suit the youngest visitors.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Going on a summer weekend without tickets and parking bought online in advance.
- • Skipping the parade because you're 'doing rides' — for the target age it's the memory of the day.
- • Bringing an older tween expecting big-park thrills; this is a preschooler's park at heart.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Dynamic — single-day from around $57, cheaper online in advance
Kids
Same date-based price as adults
Under
Children under 2 are free
Pricing is dynamic and date-based, with heavy sales throughout the season — single-day tickets start around $57 but the park frequently discounts (often advertising 'up to 60% off' on tickets and passes). Buy online for your date in advance. Exact prices only show in the purchase flow; confirm at sesameplace.com.
Membership tip: If you'll come more than twice (or want both the summer water park and a seasonal event), a season pass usually beats single-day tickets fast — and passes go on sale alongside ticket promotions.
Getting There
Parking
Paid parking, no free option: general parking is about $32 per vehicle plus tax; preferred parking about $53 plus tax. Buy parking online with your tickets.
Add parking to your online order ahead of time — it's one less thing at the gate. General parking is fine for most families; preferred just shaves the walk.
Entrance
Single main gate. Pick up a show-and-parade schedule on the way in — the Neighborhood Street Party Parade and character appearances run on set times you'll want to plan around.
Parent Logistics
Very. The park is small, flat, and paved, and the whole place is built for families with very young children. Stroller rentals are available near the entrance if you didn't bring one. You'll want a stroller for a full day even with a 4- or 5-year-old.
Restrooms throughout the park, including by the water-park areas and dining.
Changing facilities are available in park restrooms; the water-park changing areas and family restrooms are easiest with a baby or toddler.
Mixed — open midways and queues are exposed; the water park and dining areas have some shade. Bring hats, sunscreen, and water for summer days, and reapply after the water park.
Food & Snacks
In-park dining at restaurants and concession stands throughout the park, plus a 'Dine with Elmo and Friends' character meal (a hit with preschoolers, books up — reserve ahead).
Snack strategy: Pack snacks and water for between meals. The character dining experience is worth it for the right kid as a once-per-trip splurge; otherwise the concession stands cover the basics.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Buy date-specific tickets and parking online ahead of time, and watch for the frequent ticket/pass sales.
- ✓ Plan around the parade and show times — grab the schedule at the gate and build your day around them.
- ✓ Summer = water-park day: suits, towels, water shoes, and a dry change of clothes. Do dry rides and the parade first, water in the afternoon.
- ✓ If sensory needs are a factor, read the accessibility guide first — Sesame Place is the world's first certified-autism-center theme park and has quiet/low-sensory options.
- ✓ A stroller is worth it even for a 4-5 year old on a full day.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Weekdays in summer are calmer than weekends. For the water park you want a warm day — Sesame Summer Splash is the summer draw. Check the calendar before you go; hours vary by date and the park runs seasonal overlays (spring Springtacular, fall Halloween Spooktacular, winter A Very Furry Christmas).
Seasonal Notes
Seasonal operation with hours that vary by day — always check the calendar before driving. The water park (Sesame Summer Splash) runs roughly mid-June through early September. Seasonal overlays: Elmo's Springtacular (spring), The Count's Halloween Spooktacular (fall), and A Very Furry Christmas (winter). Confirm dates and same-day hours at sesameplace.com.
Rainy Day?
The water park stays open in light rain (you're already wet), but rides pause for storms and lightning closes the water areas. A washout day is a poor use of the drive — check the forecast first.
While You're in the Area
Sesame Place sits in Bucks County near Philadelphia — easy to pair with a Philly-area day. Peddler's Village (shops and a carousel) is close, and the Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum are a reasonable drive west if you're making a two-day trip of it.