Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? Welcome!
I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel and I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world. My specialty is Disney travel!
Want to work together? Please check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!
I can tell you how to get to Sesame Street!
Sesame Place Philadelphia is a theme park where Sesame Street comes to life! Perfectly designed for families with young children, this park blends classic amusement rides with a water park, featuring live shows, and unforgettable character interactions. It’s the ideal trip for young families ready to dip their toes into the world of theme park vacations!
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning with a new generation of little ones, here’s everything you need to know about making the most of your time at Sesame Place.
Location
Sesame Place is located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the city. The park is right off I-95, with several family-friendly hotels and restaurants within walking distance. This convenient location makes it simple to pair a Sesame Place visit with a broader trip to Philadelphia or nearby Bucks County attractions.
Parking is a breeze as there is a dedicated parking lot right next to the park entrance.
Where to Stay
Several hotels are located near the park, making Sesame Place an easy overnight or weekend trip. Sesame Place partners with specific hotels to offer vacation packages with extra perks, such as merchandise discounts, or a free one time jump-the-line pass. Offerings and hotels vary so that’s why it’s best to work with a travel agent like myself to get the best package currently avalible.
You could also easily add Sesame Place as a day trip onto a longer Philadelphia based vacation.
What to Expect at Sesame Place
About half of Sesame Place is dedicated to water attractions, while the other half features amusement rides, parades, and shows. The park is designed specifically for toddlers, young children, and their families, making it a perfect first theme park experience. While it doesn’t have the same level of immersive theming as a Disney park, it makes up for it with charm and kid-focused fun. One of the highlights is the Sesame Street neighborhood area, which is designed to look just like the set from the show and makes the perfect backdrop for photos and meet-and-greets with your favorite furry friends.
Top Packing Tips:
- Download the Sesame Place app before you arrive. It’s the best tool for navigating showtimes, rides, and park hours.
- There is very little shade and everything is outside so pack your sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.
- Snacks at the park are limited and expensive so throw some in your bag.
- Sesame Place is cash-less and you must use credit cards of digital payment.
Visiting on a weekday usually means lighter crowds compared to weekends, which can be a big advantage. For example, arriving just 15 minutes before opening on a June weekday, we were able to complete six smaller rides within the first hour. However, the trade-off is that some attractions may be closed on weekdays, or they may rotate what is open throughout the day. It’s always worth checking the app frequently, sometimes rides marked as “closed all day” unexpectedly reopen.
Seasonal seasonal and holiday events happen year-round with themed weekends and extra-special experiences for the Halloween and Christmas. Check the parks event calendar to see what they are offering.
Sesame Place is a certified autism center and offers special services for autism including low sensory parade viewing, a low sensory room, and more.
Rides
Sesame Place offers a mix of classic amusement rides sized for little ones and a few bigger thrills fun even for adults. Families will find gentle attractions like carousels, mini-trains, and spinning rides themed to favorite characters, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Important Note: Many of the rides only seat two which means solo adults visiting with two children can end up in a pickle. As some rides height requirements include a child having to reach a certain height before they can ride in a seat without and aduult sitting next to them.
For bigger kids, Sesame Place features two roller coasters: Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, a wooden hybrid coaster with surprising airtime, and Vapor Trail (Grover’s Coaster), a smoother ride with plenty of twists and turns. Both coasters are more intense than you might expect from a children’s park, offering just enough thrill to keep older kids and parents entertained. On our visit, my three-year-old nephew rode Vapor Trail, he laughed and screamed the whole time, but afterwards declared it was “too fast” and decided once was enough for him!
Rides do have height requirements so be sure to check in advance what your kiddos will be able to take part in during your visit.
TOP TOP: Oscar’s Wacky Taxi and Vapor Trail often have the longest lines in the park. These are the best rides to hit first things in the morning to beat the crowds.
Water Park Fun
Sesame Place’s water attractions are spread throughout the park, so plan to walk between slides, splash pads, and pools in your swimsuits and water shoes. Families will find plenty of variety, from gentle splash areas for toddlers to bigger thrills like twisting slides. A highlight is Count’s Splash Castle, a massive multi-level water play structure with sprays, tipping buckets, and climbing fun that kids can spend hours exploring.
Rosita’s Slides are another highlight and lines can get long here.
TOP WATER PARK TIPS:
- Bring your own towels as they aren’t provided.
- Swim shoes or flip-flops are essential since you’ll be walking on hot pavement.
- Locker rentals start around $35, so consider downsizing your wallet and bringing waterproof phone pouches to keep essentials dry and with you.
- Changing areas are located throughout the park, but the most spacious and convenient facilities are right by Count’s Splash Castle.
- Rules can feel inconsistent (life jackets required in one place but removed at another), so be flexible.
Entertainment
Entertainment is a big part of the Sesame Place experience, with shows, parades, and plenty of opportunities to meet your favorite furry friends. The parade is a must-see, full of music, dancing, and colorful floats. Plan to grab a spot about 15 minutes early for the best view. Character meet-and-greets happen throughout the park, and while you’ll see many during dining experiences, Big Bird’s meet-and-greet is the one to prioritize, thanks to its fun setting and interactive conversations. Live stage shows run at different times throughout the day, so be sure to check the app for the latest schedule. If you get professional photos taken during your visit, keep in mind they’re only available for purchase in the park that same day.
FOOD
All of the dining at Sesame Place is quick service, making it easy for families to grab a meal and get back to the fun. Options range from pizza, burgers, and chicken tenders to salads and sandwiches, with plenty of kid-friendly snacks like popcorn, pretzels, and ice cream available around the park. Take note that food can be pricey.
Top Tip: Take advantage of mobile ordering (available at select locations) to save time waiting in line during peak meal hours.
If you or your child have dietary restrictions, Sesame Place also provides an allergy-friendly dining guide on their website, which lists safe options and ingredients to help make mealtime easier.
Dine with Elmo & Friends
One of the signature experiences at Sesame Place is Dine with Elmo & Friends, a buffet-style character brunch paired with an interactive stage show. There are two seatings daily at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, and reservations are required. I had the chance to experience it during my visit, and I’d consider it a must-do if you’re planning a trip to Sesame Place.
What to Expect:
The experience begins with a brunch buffet, and once most guests are seated, Elmo and three of his friends take the stage for a lively musical performance. The show features upbeat numbers and call-and-response moments designed to keep little ones engaged. After the performance, each character makes their way around the room for photos and interactions at every table. Elmo is always present, while the other three characters rotate, during my visit, we met Abby, Cookie Monster, and Grover. The event wraps up with a high-energy dance party, where characters join families both on stage and out on the floor. The entire experience lasts about an hour.
The Food:
The buffet is served by staff, but you’re welcome to go back for seconds. The menu includes a wide range of kid- and family-friendly items such as scrambled eggs, waffles, bacon, sausage, hash browns, french toast, chicken tenders, hot dogs, pastas, brisket, mac & cheese, and a salad bar. Dessert features cookies, pastries, and the highlight is Sesame Street themed cupcakes. Beverages include soda, coffee, tea, and juice, plus a take-home souvenir sipper cup. Allergy-friendly options are available, and staff can advise you in advance about safe choices.
While the food is fairly standard, the real value here is the experience of up-close character interactions, fun entertainment, and an atmosphere designed just for kids.
You’ll need dinner plans outside of the park and I recommend Margaritas Mexican Restaurant located right next to the park has good food and family-friendly service. You’ll also find popular chains like Bonefish Grill and Outback close by.
Accessibility
Sesame Place has made many areas of the park accessible, though there are a few limitations to be aware of.
Parking & Entry: Handicap parking is available, but it is a bit of a walk, about 50–75 yards, from the lot to the main gate. Guests will need to go through security, ticket pickup, and the entrance before reaching the scooter rental area (located just inside the gate to the left). The park does note on its website that scooters can be delivered directly to your car upon request, which may be the best option for some visitors.
Rides & Attractions: All of the amusement rides have wheelchair entrances and ramps where needed, making them accessible to most guests. However, the water slides generally do not offer accessible entry, as many require climbing stairs to reach the top.
Facilities: Sesame Place offers accessible changing rooms and restrooms throughout the park. The restrooms near Count’s Splash Castle, in particular, include larger changing areas with benches and more space, making them easier to navigate.
I hope you found this helpful as you consider a visit to Sesame Place Philadelphia.
I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you!
Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions.
I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!
Katie Vassalotti - Travel Advisor - Travel Blog 