Sesame Place Spooktacular!

You’ve never seen a street like Sesame Street before. Everything happens here. You’re gonna love it!
-Gordon

You’ve never seen Sesame Street like this before.

I got to hit Sesame Place for The Count’s Spooktacular… and it was freaking spectacular.

Part of it is getting to be there with kids the right age. I went with my daughter Cassidy, and also with my niece Eva, who’s 2 and sooo into everything Sesame Street. She was beside herself just seeing the decorated water tower and the parking lot signs designated by character.

I loved seeing her face riding the carousel the first time. This is what it’s all about, folks.

The place was all spooked up… but not in any way scary. Just enough to get the kids all excited about Halloween.

Kids were encouraged to come in costume for the fun of the thing, and also for the trick-or-treating stations strewn throughout the park. They gave out candy, but also toothbrushes, juice boxes and non-sugary snacks, which was nice.

The water rides were closed— one day I’ll actually get to go on the water rides— but the other rides were open. I think they enjoyed the non-ride fun more, though: the push-carts, enormous rope wall thing (I have no idea what that is called) (UPDATE: it’s called Nets N Climbs), little playgrounds. No lines, for one thing.

There was also Halloween-specific stuff going on; an Abby Cadabby hay maze, another maze through the Count’s Castle, pumpkin decorating. And face painting. Face painting isn’t Halloween-specific but this seemed a good place to mention it 🙂

My favorite part was being ON Sesame Street itself. This is not new.

And of course getting my picture taken with MY favorite character, BERT.

DRESSED AS A PIGEON.

We had cupcakes with all the other media people invited for the day. Eva yelled at me because I didn’t give her a fork. That girl has manners, y’all.

And then we were lucky enough to have Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Elmo, the Count, and Cookie Monster come hang out, dance a bit and pose for pictures.

Then we walked the park a bit more for souvenirs and to get ready for the big parade. Photos opps abounded.

FYI: go find a good place for the parade way earlier than you think you need to. We sat a little bit back, and Eva nodded off before it came. Which was a little bit disappointing for us adults, who were totally riding the high of being with a kid at Sesame Place, but OK. Baby girl had a full, happy day.

That’s my baby brother Robbie (I know, blame my parents), and it was his first trip to Sesame Place, too.

If you have the chance, you totally need to get yourself to Sesame Place for some Spooktacular fun! It’s $20 off when you buy your ticket online and totally worth the price of admission; if you’re on a budget I do highly suggest packing a lunch. You can be stamped leaving the park and then return.

Also, good news for those with allergies: Sesame Place now boasts a new line of allergy-friendly dining initiatives, including personalized service and more menu options.

2013 Season Passes to Sesame Place are on sale now!

With a Season Pass you can enjoy unlimited admission in 2013, plus FREE unlimited admission during 2012 The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular.

Season Pass Members enjoy the following benefits (some restrictions do apply):

30% off in-park food and merchandise
Free parking
Discounts on admission for guests
Exclusive character Meet and Greets,
Exclusive Pass Member events
More!

October 20th and 21st: Abby Cadabby’s Fairy Pumpkin Party

Help everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends celebrate Abby Cadabby’s birthday with her very own Fairy Birthday Party! This hour long party includes an all‐you‐care‐to eat dinner buffet, singing, and dancing with your Sesame Street friends. What birthday party would be complete without singing Happy Birthday to the Fairy‐in‐Training! Dinner is at 5:00pm and is by reservation only. Children under 2 are free.

October 29th and 30th: The Count’s Halloween Party

Take a break from all of your Halloween fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and enjoy the new dinner menu at Dine With Me! Celebrate Halloween with a terrific all‐you‐care‐to eat dinner buffet plus singing and dancing with all of your favorite Sesame Street friends at their very own Halloween Party! Dinner is at 5:00pm and is by reservation only. Children under 2 are free.

October 30th: Halloween Costume Contest

Come dressed in a Halloween costume to compete in the annual costume contest at Sesame Place! Registration will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Monster Rock Theater and there will be competitions for boys, girls, and families. All of the contests will take place at Monster Rock Theater and winners will be posted at the Welcome Center. All winners will be invited to be special guests in the Neighborhood Street Party Halloween parade.

More details and ticket info at sesameplace.com.

Disclosure: I received 4 Sesame Place passes free of charge as a representative of the media. All opinions are my own. Also, how adorable is my niece?