Sesame Place to reopen to guests on July 24

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Place? The only theme park in the U.S. that’s based entirely on the award-winning show “Sesame Street” — and the first theme park in the world designated as a Certified Autism Center — will begin a phased reopening with limited capacity on July 24.

“We’re thrilled to reopen our park and celebrate our 40th birthday this year,” said Cathy Valeriano, president of Sesame Place. “We know our guests are eager to return, and we are just as excited to provide them with fun, inspiring, and memorable experiences, while taking the necessary steps to make families feel safe when they visit our park during this milestone year and beyond.”

The reopening of Sesame Place will include enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements for guests age 2 and older, and temperature screening using the CDC temperature recommendation of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A new online reservation system will also help manage capacity so guests can enjoy a fun park experience while still maintaining safe physical distancing.

“We have worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants, and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards,” said Marc Swanson, interim CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards, public health and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19.”

When guests return to the Pennsylvania park, they can expect to see specific enhancements in key operational areas. Those include heightened cleaning protocols at arrival areas and high-contact surfaces, and increased spacing for touchless turnstiles. Restaurant seating will be adjusted to accommodate physical distancing, and buffet-style service areas will be modified or closed. In retail shops, there will be social distancing markings and signage directing guests to specified entrances and exits.

Throughout the park, guests will also notice an increased number of hand sanitizer stations, areas with a single-direction guest flow, and modified seating to maintain physical distancing. In addition, ride queues will have physical distancing markings and modified seating, ride vehicles will be cleaned and sanitized more frequently, and hand sanitizer will be available to guests at both the entrance and exit of all rides. Specific protocols will be implemented for water rides, and any play areas that do not meet distancing protocols will be temporarily closed. Guests can find a list of temporary changes and attraction closures here.

Of course, meeting favorite Sesame Street pals like Elmo and Oscar the Grouch is an important part of any visit to Sesame Place, and everyone’s favorite Muppet friends will still be in the park. However, guests should be aware that some components of shows and meet-and-greets — like direct character interactions and photo opportunities — will be modified or removed to ensure safe physical distancing and parades will be temporarily unavailable. Information on the parade, shows, and character meet-and-greets can be found here.

To manage park capacity, all guests are required to make advance online reservations. 2020 Season Pass Holders and single-day ticket holders can make reservations starting today, July 20. Through July 26, guests can also take advantage of the “Sunny Days on the Way!” sale with admission starting as low as $39.99. Visit SesamePlace.com/Philadelphia/Reservation for details.

The most up-to-date information for the park’s hours of operation can be found at SesamePlace.com/Philadelphia.