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[WEDway Guy]

Hi everyone! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

Okay, so we're headed to the Hershey, PA region this coming Sun-Thurs and we're looking at all the things to do in the area. Obviously we plan to go to Hershey Park (not sure for one or two days), and visit Chocolate World too. Since it's going to be egg frying hot weather, we thought about a water park too. Any ideas?

Now on to the 'on topic" question - is Sesame Place worth the drive from the Hershey area? It looks pretty neat and I'm sure the kids would love it. But, is it worth the drive? Also, does anyone know where to get coupons for Sesame Place? Do they have coupons even?

Thanks guys!

[Nicole0128]

You could try Dorney Park/Wildwater Kingdom. I think it is about 1 1/2 hour east of where Hershey is. It is in Allentown PA and really easy to get to off of the highway. Sesame Place is fun, they supposedly opened a whole new section, the thing is they don't have a great deal of space, they are basically situated in a mall parking lot. Are your girls still young enough to enjoy Sesame Street characters. I haven't found discounts yet. Have fun, whatever you do. Oh I almost forgot, there is a place called Dutch Wonderland, that supposedly has a water section, I haven't been we will be trying it for the first time next weekend when we go see Thomas. I think Dutch Wonderland is about 1/2 hour from Hershey (at least thats what I get from the promotional stuff I've been reading)

[loobyoxlip]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Jeff. How far is the drive? We have done Sesame Place twice (from MI) so obviously we think it's worth 2 plane rides for us [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Your kids are definitely the right ages. The mini roller coaster was a blast with my kids. The shows were excellent! All the water stuff is great - the 2nd time we went it was super busy but still the wading areas and stuff like that weren't very crowded (the lines, however, were crazy long!) That was a weekend, though.

Have fun!

[crystalloubear]

With the ages of your kids, if they are still into Sesame Street - go for it. If not, go to Dutch WOnderland - they even offer a combo ticket with Hershey. They are more of a kids park and have a small waterpark section.
We have season passes to Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom and I wouldn't drive up from Hershey to go to it.

[disneyfan2183]

All I can say about Sesame Place is that my cousins and I grew up LOVING it! We went at least 7 or 8 times when we were younger, and all had an absolute blast. We were all huge fans of the Sesame Street characters, and LOVED getting tosee them. There are a few small rides for kids, a lot of ig slides and run-around play areas, and a lot of cute sets for the kids to walk around and take pictures in. There are also lots of shows featuring the Sesame Street characters, and a lot of fun water-themed areas to cool off. If your girls have never experiences this park, it is definitely worth the drive!

As for the Hershey area, I definitely reccomend Lancaster. We go every summer, and love it. Dutch Wonderland is a park I greatly enjoyed when I was younger. There are a lot of rides, mainly for kids, and play areas. There's also a small water area, and a miniature golf course. Lots of fun for kids! In the same area is also Kitchen Kettle Village (a fun Amish village to walk around, with mom-and-pop stores and restaurants), the Strasburg Railroad for a gorgeous ride through the countryside (they have fun and games for the kids), and lots and lots of Outlet Stores. Only a short drive away, about a half-hour, is Indian Echo Caverns. When I was younger I was always a huge fan of caves and caverns tours, and I still am. This was definitely one of the best. Your girls would most likely love it!

[CaseyC]

You are looking at a 2 hour ride approx from Hershey to Sesame Place. Sesame is located in Oxford Valley mall in Langhorne, PA. If you are going on a weekend, you want to be there before the park opens as parking is limited. Sesame coupons can sometimes be found in the local McDonalds off of Business Route 1 (Old Lincoln Highway accross from the Denny's).

I am visitng with my parents this evening who live right next store to Sesame and would be glad to run over to the McDonalds for you to see if there is anything there now. I will post my findings for you this evening.

I also have worked at a Host Mariott Services plaza on the PA turnpike at the Neshaminy Service Plaza the one right after the Philadelphia exit. There are discounted tickets sold there for all local parks, Dorney Park, Sesame Place, Hershey Park and a few others. Another place you can check on for discounted tickets and coupons would be the hotels right next to Oxford Valley Mall. (there are a few the biggest being the Sheraton right next store to the Park).
If you decide to go to Sesame Place, many local grocery stores with a 5 mile radius of Sesame Place usually has coupons or sells discounted tickets too.

Dutch Wonderland is located in Lancaster,PA and is definitely closer and bigger than Sesame Place is as in regards to Hershey. There is a water section there as well called Duke's Lagoon. It is age appropriate for your little ones. According to Yahoo Maps, Hershey and Lancaster are only 28.2 miles apart. Which they say takes approx 36 min for travel time. There website is www.dutchwonderland.com if you want to check it out.

I hope this will help you make a better decision. If you have further questions about the area, pm me. Good luck with your plans!

[Colexis Mom]

I hope you have a great trip Jeff [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Can't offer any advice, as we haven't done that route yet, so I'm interested in how it goes (hint, hint......trip report) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[WishIwasinDisney]

Hi Jeff, sorry can't offer any advice, but I wanted to wish you, Ann and the kids a fun trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[Happymommy]

We wanted to go to Sesame, and were talked out of it (went there alot as a kid and liked it-- I've heard alot of negative things about it lately though-- unsanitary things-- though this is all second hand info, so take it with a grain of salt-- I haven't been there since '85, but one of the people who have told me this was my neighbor who is a nurse and the absolute most laid back person when it comes to germs-- she talked me out of going there)--Plus its not that close to Hershey-- I'd go for Dutch Wonderland if your kids are younger.

I'm editing my post because I was at a party yesterday where someone actually brought up nearby amusement parks(believe it or not)-- I used to go to Dorney alot in college, but haven't been in a while since my kids are young. A few people said Dorney isn't as good as it used to be-- so I'm taking back my recommendation for Dorney (sorry-- I didn't realize how long it had been since I had been there-- seemed like yesterday).

[krisk11]

If you go during the week look out for crowds of summer camp kids (dd's summer camp will be there on Wed 6/21)

[MaryPoppinsFan]

AAA used to offer Sesame Place tickets at a discount (of course I just realized that it's been about 6 years since we've been... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]) It might be worth checking out though!

[RobDVC]

The one thing I didn't like about Sesame Place is that everybody pays the same admission price ($35), and there really isn't anything for teens and adults to do but watch the little ones enjoy themselves.

[ecmiller]

I am looking for any information I can about Sesame Place. I am trying to decide if it is worth taking my almost 8 yo there. I have a few questions.
1. Do the rides accomodate Pooh sized + parents?
2. Are they appropriate for a child to go on without a parent? If I can't fit in them, I don't know whether to let her go or not.
3. How about the water rides? That is what I am mostly interested in for her.
Any other information you can give would be appreciated. We are about 45 minutes-1 hour from there.

[Straitlover]

[ QUOTE ]
The one thing I didn't like about Sesame Place is that everybody pays the same admission price ($35), and there really isn't anything for teens and adults to do but watch the little ones enjoy themselves.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the same as Legoland! I went back in 2002 w/ friends and their kids to the one in Carlsbad, CA. For people over the age of 5, there was a little dragon roller coaster, this cool spinning boat ride (Aquazone Wave Racer acc to the brochure), and a kind of chair lift ride that we didn't get to ride (the Sky Cruiser maybe??). We waited in line for an hour for the Safari Trek. Oh, geez, it lasted about 45 seconds, and believe me, it is no Killamanjaro Safari! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The ride operator kept telling everyone that all the other rides had shorter lines and you might want to come back later, but my folks insisted on waiting. Now from the looks of the brochure, they might have a few newer things, so maybe it's not so bad for older people.

Fortunately, we got our tickets thorugh MWR (military), so I think we paid about $30 rather than the outrageous gate price (it is now $57!!! for age 13+) so I didn't feel quite so bad.

[Belle*]

Friends of ours just returned from Sesame Place with their 2 1/2 year old and had a blast. Their feedback was that the water park was great but that overall it is really for young children. They said Zack would definitely be too old by the age of 5.