Sesame Place

Opening hours

Sesame Place is open from 10:00 to 17:00 and follows a seasonal schedule, with longer hours in summer and reduced hours in spring/fall. The dry rides open at park opening; however, the water attractions and lazy rivers/wave pools open a bit later and close earlier than the dry park. Always check the official calendar for your specific date. The first 60–90 minutes after opening and the final hour before closing are the calmest across both parks. Plan must-do coasters and popular family rides during the off-peak hours; save shopping and snacks for the busy mid-day hours.

Best time to visit

• Lightest dates: Tuesday–Thursday when local schools are in session; late April–early May, late August–September, and early November (non-holiday weeks).
• Best times of day: Rope drop to 11:00 a.m. and the last 90 minutes before close.
• Days to avoid: Saturdays, long holiday weekends, and peak summer afternoons.
• Weather advantage: Warm days push crowds to water zones midday; cool or drizzly mornings often mean super-short lines on dry rides.

Rope-drop plans

Pick your priority—dry rides first or water play first—and stick to one side of the park to avoid backtracking.

• Dry-First Plan
  • At opening, head straight to the kid-friendly coasters (e.g., Oscar’s Wacky Taxi in PA or Super Grover’s Box Car Derby), then nearby spinners.
  • Knock out 2–3 rides clustered together before lines build.
  • Grab a snack, meet a character, then shift to water play late morning.
• Water-First Plan
  • Enter at open, claim a stroller-friendly base (chairs/cabana), and do Count’s Splash Castle, a slide tower, and Rambling River or wave pool while lifeguard stands are just opening.
  • Dry off by late morning and pivot to rides while many guests stay in the water areas.

Shows as line dodgers

Use entertainment to replace the worst midday waits with air-conditioned, seated breaks.

• Neighborhood Theater & seasonal stages: Plan the next show when the ride waits push 45–60 minutes.
• Character meet & greets: Lines are shortest right after a show ends.
• Indoor venues on hot or chilly days: A/C or heat makes shows the perfect reset before another ride burst.

How long does it take

• Mini visit (rides or water focus + a show): 4–5 hours on a moderate day.
• Balanced day (rides, water, parade, 1–2 shows): 6–8 hours.
• Half-day: Rope drop kiddie coaster → 2 nearby family rides → early snack → indoor show → parade-time rides → exit or nap.
• Peak Saturday/holiday: Plan a full day with breaks; prioritize your top attractions, and consider priority access if your list is long and posted waits stay high.

Tips to avoid the crowd

• Arrive early, stay late: The day’s edges deliver the shortest waits.
• Choose a path and commit: Start with dry or water rides. Don’t ping-pong across the park in the first hour.
• Eat off-peak: Have an early lunch (10:45–11:15) or late (after 2:00) to avoid the noon crush.
• Ride during parades and shows: Queues near the route/stages shrink, offering shorter wait times.
• Stake your base early: Claim a chair or cabana at the open area so you can retreat during peak heat without searching for seats.
• Check height requirements once: Measure at the entrance; it saves re-queuing for rides your child can’t board.
• Pack family essentials: Swim diapers, quick-dry layers, refillable bottles, sunscreen, and a portable charger—less backtracking = more time for fun.
• Consider priority access selectively: Worth it when your must-dos sit at 45–60+ minutes most of the afternoon.