originally posted on 4/2/2022
Photo: Courtesy of Sesame Place. View full-sized image.
Sunny days came to Southern California for all the children of the West Coast!
Philadelphia hosts the original Sesame Place theme park, so this brand new addition gives the West Coast an opportunity to be immersed in the classic Sesame Street universe. Sesame Place San Diego encompasses 11 water rides, seven dry rides, meet and greets with the iconic characters and a fantastic show and parade to transport children into the world of Sesame Street, expanding the area formerly known as Aquatica.
The familiar “123 Sesame Street” stoop immediately draws visitors into their happy memories of watching “Sesame Street” on the television. Adorable family attractions are scattered throughout, including Abby’s Fairy Flight swings, the Cookie Climb, Elmo’s Rocking Rockets, Rub-A-Dub Sub, Sesame Street Soar and Spin, Sunny Day Carousel and, of course, the family coaster, Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. Families can spin and fly through ride after ride, making memories as they go. The best part is that kids large and small can take a ride with their parents so everyone shares in the fun together!
Photo: Jackie Edwards. View full-sized image.
The previous favorites from Aquatica still offer thrills to guests with new Sesame Street theming. The wave pool is now Big Bird’s Beach, the lazy river was transformed into Big Bird’s Rambling River, the funnel raft ride became Cookie Monster’s Mixer, Count’s Splash Castle is the new form of the kid’s splash play structure, and Honker Dinger Dash is the old favorite Mat Racers.
For a coaster enthusiast family, the first ride of the day has to be Super Grover! Built by Zierer, the fun, fast ride is perfect to introduce the little ones to the world of coasters (and great for adults who are not ready for the big coasters). The minimum height to ride is 38 inches accompanied by an adult and 42 inches to ride alone. What fun theming it features to create an immersive world of a child’s imagination: each car of the train features a different character’s style with its design elements.
Photo: Courtesy of Sesame Place. View full-sized image.
Opening day attendees were welcomed by Park President Jim Lake, followed by SeaWorld CEO Mark Swanson and Executive Vice President of Media and Education Ed Wells. Among the rides, visitors experience character encounters throughout the day, a book reading with Big Bird in his nest and a grand conclusion to the day with an amazing dance party-style character parade, although it was more of a dance party than a parade.
Photos: Jackie Edwards. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
This was definitely a day to remember! ACE Member Jackie Edwards shares, “Families will come and have an amazing time like we had today. The park, the rides, the staff, the merchandising were all wonderful. I drove home looking at the beautiful California skies and sunshine with the familiar refrain in my head “Sunny Days, sweeping the clouds away…”
— Jackie Edwards
American Coaster Enthusiasts is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With 6,000 members worldwide, ACE is the largest and longest-running enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE receive exclusive park benefits, newsletters, magazines and the opportunity to attend national, local and even international tours at parks. You can enjoy the benefits of members today! Join at join.aceonline.org.
Courtesy of Sesame Place
#ACE360