Saturday Six

The SATURDAY SIX Tells You How to Get to Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando

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This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at SESAME STREET in SeaWorld Orlando! While we normally find ourselves at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, occasionally we venture outside “the bubble” to visit other family friendly locations in Florida including Legoland, Busch Gardens, and SeaWorld. While we’re all watching Universal and The Mouse continue their theme park arms race, all of their competitors have also elevated their game as well. This past week SeaWorld unveiled their latest park addition based around the popular Sesame Street brand, so we went to check it out and see if it was worth bringing your imaginary friend to. Here’s what we found….

# 6 – The Rides

Similar to how Disney California Adventure opened Pixar Pier with a re-themed California Screamin’ ride now branded to the Incredicoaster, all the rides in Sesame Street have been retrofitted from the area’s former resident: Shamu’s Happy Harbor. The good news is that they all look adorable, and – even better – there are a whole bunch of them! With rides based around popular characters including Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and more, the little ones in your party will have a blast enjoying all that there is to offer.

Cookie Monster-themed Cookie Drop drop tower. (photo by Megan Stump)
Abby Cadabby-themed Flower Tower ride. (photo by Megan Stump)
Slimey’s Slider takes little ones through Oscar’s compost pile. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Elmo’s Choo Choo Train. (photo by Megan Stump)
Elmo’s Choo Choo Train. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Big Bird’s Twirl ‘n’ Whirl. (photo by Megan Stump)
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a steel coaster for the younger set. (photo by Megan Stump)

On the attraction signs there is also a Sensory Guide. SeaWorld is Orlando’s most progressive theme park when it comes to Autism Awareness, with both Aquatica and Discovery Cove being officially certified autism centers. For Sesame Street at SeaWorld, the autism education signage outlines the stimulation levels for each particular attraction.

Example of Sensory Guide. (photo by Megan Stump)

 

# 5 – The food and drink options

The dining options at Sesame Street come via food trucks, and the results are surprisingly good. ABC Eats offers grilled and crispy chicken tenders along with chicken tempura, while the Yummy Yummy Nom Noms truck offers a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches. The Sesame Sips drink stand serves must-try smoothies, icees, and to-go snacks.

ABC Eats food truck. (photo by Megan Stump)
ABC Eats menu. (photo by Megan Stump)
Yummy Yummy Nom Noms food truck. (photo by Megan Stump)
Menu for Yummy Yummy Nom Noms truck. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Veggie grilled cheese sandwich. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Hawaiian grilled cheese sandwich. (photo by Megan Stump)
Hawaiian grilled chicken tenders. (photo by Megan Stump)

The smoothies at Sesame Street are seemingly half fruit. They were a huge hit with our gang.

Sesame Sips smoothie menu. (photo by Megan Stump)
Big Bird’s Pineapple Delight smoothie. (photo by Megan Stump)
Abby’s Strawberry Sparkle smoothie. (photo by Megan Stump)
Cookie Monster Chocolate Chippy. (photo by Megan Stump)

 

# 4 – The merchandise

Have to admit we didn’t see this coming, as the merchandise offered at Sesame Street rivals the quality that you’ll find at either Disney or Universal, with the t-shirt game being especially strong. There are sections of items dedicated to all the major characters, including Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo and Abby, but also a wide selection of Sesame Street merchandise too. SeaWorld annual pass discounts are available for all merchandise purchases as well as the food trucks.

Sesame Street 50 Years shirt. (photo by bio)
More 50 Years items. (photo by Megan Stump)
Elmo dabbing t-shirt. (photo by Megan Stump)
Elmo flossing t-shirt. (photo by Megan Stump)
The Count t-shirt done like the logo for Batman. (photo by Megan Stump)
How incredible is this shirt? (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Cookie Monster shirt. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
One of the top five t-shirts in theme park history. (photo by Megan Stump)
This may be the second Cookie Monster t-shirt in my theme park top five shirts. Just INCREDIBLE. (photo by Megan Stump)
More Cookie Monster merchandise. (photo by Megan Stump)
T-shirt featuring Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch. (photo by Megan Stump)
LOVE the Oscar/Cookie Monster shirt on the right. (photo by Megan Stump)
Oscar the Grouch plush. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Oscar the Grouch spirit jersey shirt. (photo by Megan Stump)
Sesame Street merchandise. (photo by Megan Stump)

 

# 3 – The interactive elements

Throughout Sesame Street there is a ton of interactivity. Guests are encouraged to touch, tap, and play with things throughout the land. There are games such as the Bike Shop Tricycle Challenge and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck Challenge along with neat Create-A-Monster feature where kids can create their own digital character. There are many window displays in Sesame Street that are screen based that are just plain fun to watch as there’s something to be said about the cuteness and humor of Sesame Street muppets that appeals to both kids and adults. Our favorite was Yip Yip’s Mail Slot, where guests lift the handle of a mail slot to see various scenes of the Yip Yip martians in different locations that was completely bonkers.

Cookie Monster food truck interactive spot. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Oscar the Grouch interactive can. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

While many of the interactions in Sesame Street can be accessed by everyone, there are some other special ones that can only be discovered by using SeaWorld’s version of a interactive Wizarding World wand from Ollivanders. The Elmo-themed wand also doubles as a regular bubble wands, another item kids love.

Interactive light-up bubble wand. (photo by Megan Stump)

# 2 – SeaWorld’s FIRST EVER daily parade

That’s right, with the debut of the Sesame Street Party Parade,  SeaWorld Orlando now features just as many daily parades as Walt Disney World. Featuring all the major characters and catchy music, guests get to watch various floats themed to the Sesame Street universe pass by. Like Universal’s Superstar parade, the SeaWorld parade stops to allow characters to interact with guests and lets kids play in the party.

Sesame Street Party Parade. (photo by Megan Stump)
Elmo’s float. (photo by Megan Stump)
The Count’s float. (photo by Megan Stump)
Bert and Ernie on a float themed to Hooper’s Store. (photo by Megan Stump)
Prarie Dawn on Hooper’s Store float. (photo by Megan Stump)
Oscar the Grouch. (photo by Megan Stump)

Cookie Monster float. (photo by Megan Stump)
Elmo balloon float closes out the parade. (photo by Megan Stump)

 

# 1 –  The Details!

For both kids and adults who grew up with Sesame Street, the land brings this world to life in a wonderful way.  All the areas that you want to see recreated are done faithfully, including Hooper’s Store, Big Bird’s nest, and Bert & Ernie’s building. Besides the nostalgia, what makes the area great to walk around in for adults are all the fantastic details found in every nook and cranny. The Broadway-style posters are all mashups of Sesame Street characters and actual Broadway productions like Hairspray, Les Miserables, and Jersey Boys. Be sure to look at all the names on the subway maps. The newsstand has themed papers and snacks. SeaWorld Orlando hit it out of the park with this one, as this is the Sesame Street we always wanted to visit.

Sesame Street facades. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Sesame Street facades. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Bert and Ernie’s apartment area. (photo by Megan Stump)
Hamilton poster themed to Oscar the Grouch. . (photo by Megan Stump)
More Broadway-style posters featuring Sesame Street characters. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Man of La Muncha is just about as good as it gets. Like Jim Henson’s Muppets, Sesame Street can appeal both to young kids as well as their parents in completely different ways. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Sesame Street newspapers. (photo @by bioreconstruct)
The Dixie Chickens headline Sesame Street’s music festival! (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Themed white board. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Guests can now enter Hooper’s Store. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Inside of Hooper’s Store. (photo by Megan Stump)
Mr. Hooper. (photo by Megan Stump)
The reason for “returns” is so so great. (photo by Megan Stump)

One of the attractions at Sesame Street is Storytime with Big Bird.  This takes place at Bird’s nest, which offers some great photo-ops for guests.

Storytime with Big Bird. (photo by Megan Stump)
Big Bird’s nest. (photo by Megan Stump)
Big Bird’s nest. (photo by Megan Stump)
Big Bird and Snuffy. (photo by Megan Stump)
Big Bird in his nest for Storytime. (photo by Megan Stump)

 

Honorable Mention – Meet the characters

After Storytime with with Big Bird, guests get to meet Big Bird himself. They can also go to a dedicated meet and greet area for one-on-one time with Elmo and Cookie Monster. The photos themselves are taken in front of a green screen, which allows for a lot of customization for those who want to purchase photos (but you can also take photos with your own camera.)

Elmo and Cookie Monster meet and greet area. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Big Bird is actually stooping down in this photo. He is HUGE!

So there you have it: Six Reasons We Love Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando! See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out the E-Ticket Report podcast. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following: 

6 Reasons You Need to Check Out SeaWorld Orlando

6 Reasons We Love LEGOLAND FLORIDA

6 Reasons We Love TOY STORY LAND

The SATURDAY SIX Takes a Look at the DISNEY DUMP

Special Thanks to The Elite Brandon Glover, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog and his wonderful wife Emily, the bio-est of all reconstructs @bioreconstruct, the SAT SIX Fun Squad of Parkscope Joe and Nick, and Hermione Granger’s tutor Megan Stump for their invaluable assistance with this article. The SAT SIX is inspired each week by goofballs Aengus Mackenzie and LitemAndHyde and you Potterheads will  enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.

FINAL PLUG! Did you know The 2019 Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando has a special edition of the SATURDAY SIX in it?That’s right, ANOTHER NEW ONE EXCLUSIVE TO THIS EDITION!Finally, someone came up with an actual reason to read a book. ORDER this baby now!

The Count knows what’s up.

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11 thoughts on “The SATURDAY SIX Tells You How to Get to Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando

  • Hi Derek! My trip is coming up and there are so few Seaworld resources! Any guess at how long I should plan to spend in Sesame Street with a 4 year old? Don’t really have any other “must dos” at the park. We plan to rope drop Empire of the Penguin and then head right to Sesame Street. Will we most likely be in Sesame Street until the 2pm parade or should I plan some other things to do in between? Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Sent you an email Melissa. Let us know how everything went when you return!

      Reply
  • Thanks so much for writing this! I have been dying for more info on Sesame Street. We’re planning to go in October and this makes me so excited.

    Do you remember how much the Elmo bubble wands were? Thanks!

    Reply
  • Ive been to SeaWorld many times and have never seen it this PACKED WITH KIDS .

    Reply
  • Im a new Seaworld passholder without kids and I needed an overview of the new Sesame Street area. This article does a great job of doing that better than their own website. I definitely will be visiting next week without feeling awkward because my goal is definitely the eats/meet and greets. #kidatheart

    Reply
  • Mr Hooper hit me right in he feels. Great job Megan.

    Reply
  • This looks amazing! It makes me wish that Disney would do more with the Muppets. So much potential there.

    Reply
    • i had the same though.t so much of what they’ve done here is what they used to have with the Muppets at hollywood studios. so much squandered potential.

      Reply

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