Sesame Street turns into a real playground. With an official Sesame Place entry ticket in Philadelphia, you get a whole day built around Sesame Street Neighborhood fun: rides, character moments, live entertainment, and water play.

I especially like how the park gives kids a packed menu of attractions without making the day feel random. You’ll see Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover, and you can bounce between roller-coaster-style thrills and calmer classics.

One thing to plan for: the ticket price is only part of the cost. Parking and lockers can add up fast, and you’ll need the right water gear because there are nine water attractions.

Key highlights at a glance

• Full park access with an official entry ticket, including all rides and shows
• 15 attractions total, including 3 seasonal options (availability can change)
• Three live shows plus the Sesame Street Party Parade for structured entertainment breaks
• Nine water attractions to cool off, including Big Bird’s Rambling River and Elmo’s Silly Splashy Slides
• Family-friendly thrills with named favorites like Elmo’s Cloud Chaser, Flyin’ Fish, and the Vapor Trail coaster
• Autism-center certification: the park is designated a Certified Autism Center

Sesame Street, live and loud: what this ticket really gets you

This is one of those theme-park days that feels built for families first. Your official ticket is your key to the park, so once you’re past the ticket booths, you’re not hunting for which rides are included. The big win here is simplicity: you’re paying for the park experience, not piecemeal upgrades.

The park’s core promise is Sesame Street characters and storytelling you can see in real life. That matters if you’re visiting with young kids who don’t care about big, grown-up themes. They care about Elmo-level excitement, and this park is set up for that.

You should still go in with the right expectations about the day’s rhythm. With rides, shows, parade, and water attractions all in the mix, your schedule will be self-made. The park helps you by offering lots of options, but you’ll still want a plan for how to pace kids who get tired early.

What to expect once you’re through the ticket booths

Show your ticket at the ticket booths to enter Sesame Place. From there, you’re free to move through the park, explore Sesame Street Neighborhood, and start stacking your day with rides and entertainment.

Here’s what’s included as part of the experience:

• All rides and shows
• Access to Sesame Street Neighborhood
• Three live shows
• The daily parade, called the Sesame Street Party Parade
• On-site restaurants when hunger hits

If you like structure, shows and the parade give you natural anchors. If you like flexibility, rides and water attractions let you regroup whenever kids need a reset. Either way, your day is mostly about choosing what order works best for your family.

The ride lineup: 15 attractions you can actually plan around

An official entry ticket gets you access to 15 attractions, including 3 seasonal rides. Seasonal options are a nice bonus when they’re running, but keep in mind that attraction availability can change without notice. I’d treat that as normal theme-park reality, not a dealbreaker.

Some named attractions you can build your day around:

• Elmo’s Cloud Chaser
• Flyin’ Fish
• Vapor Trail coaster
• Plus family classics like a carousel (not just thrill rides)

What I like about having named rides is that it helps you decide quickly. If you’re going with kids who have a favorite character or ride style, you can prioritize early and stop trying to fit everything in at once. With Sesame Place, that strategy usually feels easier than chasing every single attraction like it’s a checklist.

Also, notice the balance in the highlights: roller-coaster energy, classic family rides, and water play. That mix is great if your group includes kids at different ages or comfort levels.

Splash-day reality: 9 water attractions and what to bring

Sesame Place is serious about water. There are nine water attractions, including:

• Big Bird’s Rambling River
• Elmo’s Silly Splashy Slides

This is where the right packing matters. The essentials listed for what to bring are:

• Swimwear
• Water shoes

If your group includes diaper-wearing children, swim diapers are required. That one rule can save you a last-minute scramble, so it’s worth handling before you leave home.

What’s also useful to know: attraction availability can change, and water attractions tend to be the most weather-dependent part of many parks. Even without getting overly technical, you’ll feel better if you treat water play as a priority and plan to hit it earlier in the day or when conditions look good.

Shows and the Sesame Street Party Parade: how to pace your day

The entertainment side is a big part of this ticket. You can catch 3 live shows and attend the Sesame Street Party Parade each day. And yes, the shows are choreographed live entertainment, which is exactly what makes them work for families. They’re not background noise; they’re built to hold attention.

My practical advice: treat shows and the parade as reset points. Ride for a while, then sit down for a show. Then cool off with water attractions or grab food. It keeps the day from turning into nonstop rushing, which is when kids usually start melting down.

Also, the parade is your best opportunity to see multiple familiar Sesame Street friends in one go. If you’re trying to get character memories without planning a separate schedule for meet-and-greets, the parade does that heavy lifting.

Meeting Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover without losing the whole day

This ticket experience is built around character magic. You’ll meet favorite furry friends like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover and you can take photos around the park.

I like how the character component is woven into the day rather than requiring a separate ticket or a high-effort plan. You can do it while you’re moving through Sesame Street Neighborhood, then still fit in rides and shows.

Just keep your expectations realistic. Photos and character time can take longer than people think, especially with kids who need repeats, hugs, or a second try when someone gets distracted. If your family is prone to delays, build in breathing room so the parade doesn’t become a race.

Food breaks: included access, but plan for hungry kids

When you get hungry, you can visit one of the many on-site restaurants. The ticket includes rides and shows, but meals depend on which option you choose.

There is a 2-day option that includes a meal, which can make budgeting easier if you’re splitting the trip across two days. If you’re doing a 1-day visit, you’ll likely want to plan meals as an additional cost.

The key is thinking about timing more than the restaurant itself. With water attractions and shows, families tend to eat between major activities. That pacing helps keep energy steady and reduces the chances of crankiness after long waits.

1-day vs 2-day: picking the value match for your family

You can choose:

• A 1-day ticket, or
• A 2-day option (within 60 days) with a meal included

The big idea: Sesame Place rewards a second day. Not because the park is complicated, but because rides, water, and shows add up. Kids usually want to repeat favorites. A second visit gives you that freedom without turning the first day into a sprint.

Timing rules are pretty clear:

• The voucher is valid for 1 year from the booking date
• If you choose the 2-day option, you have one year from the booking date to complete all visits

Also, the activity says it’s valid for 365 hours, and you should check availability for starting times. In real life, that usually means you’ll want to coordinate your visit dates based on what works for your family schedule and what the park posts as current hours.

Price and logistics: where $50 per person can turn into more

At $50 per person, the ticket itself can feel like solid value if your goal is a full day (or two) of included attractions. You’re paying once for access to rides and shows, and you can focus on choosing what to do rather than paying per ride.

But here’s the honest balancing point: extra costs show up quickly in theme-park budgeting. One review specifically called out the pain of paying $38.50 for parking and $35 for a locker. Those fees aren’t part of the entry ticket, so they can flip the math if you weren’t expecting them.

My practical takeaway:

• If you’re going for a true family day with lots of included attractions, the $50 entry fee can be worthwhile.
• If you’re trying to minimize spending, add parking and any storage needs into your budget before you commit.
• If you’ll be doing water play, lockers can become more tempting since you’ll need a place for dry clothes and shoes.

Accessibility and rules that matter day-of

Sesame Place is wheelchair accessible, which is great for families traveling with mobility needs.

There are also clear rules about what you can bring:

• What to bring: swimwear and water shoes
• Not allowed: alcohol and drugs, and glass objects

For many families, these rules are straightforward, but they do affect planning. If you’re traveling with anyone who needs medication, keep the park’s alcohol and drug restrictions in mind and follow their expectations for permitted items.

A simple, smart game plan for your visit

If you want the smoothest day, I’d aim for a “three anchors” strategy:

1. Pick your top ride(s) you want most: for example Elmo’s Cloud Chaser or Vapor Trail
2. Reserve time for the shows and the Sesame Street Party Parade
3. Make water play intentional, since there are nine water attractions

Then keep flexibility for repeats. Kids often want to do one favorite ride again, and Sesame Place doesn’t feel like it punishes that choice. You’re not trying to conquer a city of attractions; you’re collecting character moments, rides, and splash time.

Also, because ride and attraction availability can change without notice, I’d treat seasonal rides as a bonus. Plan your core day around rides that are named and listed as part of the experience, then let surprises happen.

Who this ticket suits best

This is a strong fit if:

• You’re visiting with young kids who love Sesame Street characters
• You want rides plus live shows plus a parade in one package
• Your family likes water play and has the swim gear ready
• You want an experience that feels designed for family pacing, not just thrill-seekers

It may feel less ideal if your main goal is minimal wet time or you’re trying to keep the total budget extremely tight after parking and storage fees. The park’s water attractions are a major part of the day.

Should you book this Sesame Place entry ticket?

If you’re doing Sesame Street as a family day, I’d say yes—especially if you can catch rides, shows, and the parade without feeling rushed. The $50 entry price is most convincing when you’ll actually use the included access to rides and live entertainment.

I’d book if you:

• Want character-focused fun with Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover
• Plan to ride multiple attractions (including water)
• Like the idea of spending a full day choosing your own flow

I might think twice if you:

• Are sensitive to added costs like parking and lockers
• Don’t want to deal with swimwear and water shoes
• Have a very tight schedule where you can’t comfortably fit in rides plus shows plus parade

FAQ

Is the Sesame Place entry ticket valid for all rides and shows?

Yes. The official entry ticket includes access to all rides and shows.

How many rides are included with the entry ticket?

The entry includes access to 15 attractions, including 3 seasonal attractions.

Are water attractions included?

Yes. The park includes 9 water attractions, and they are part of the included access with the entry ticket.

What live entertainment is included?

You can attend three live shows and the daily Sesame Street Party Parade.

Can I choose a 1-day or 2-day option?

Yes. You can choose a 1-day ticket or a 2-day option within 60 days.

Does the 2-day option include a meal?

Yes. The 2-day ticket option includes a meal.

How long is my voucher valid?

The voucher is valid for 1 year from the booking date. The 2-day option must be completed within that same one-year window.

Where do I show my ticket to enter?

Show your ticket at the ticket booths at Sesame Place.

What should I bring for the park?

Bring swimwear and water shoes.

Is cancellation allowed?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.