Sesame Place Is Officially Opening in San Diego, So Grab Your Elmo-Obsessed Kids!

Muppet-lovers, gather round! There's officially a brand-new Sesame Place coming to San Diego, CA! SeaWorld Entertainment — the company behind the original beloved Sesame Street-themed park in Middletown Township, PA — announced via press release that the second Sesame Place location is opening in Spring 2021. And if you've ever hit up its original spot then you're probably well-aware that your kiddos are in for a serious treat!

In honor of Sesame Street's 50th anniversary, Steve Youngwood, President, Media & Education and Chief Operating Officer of Sesame Workshop, announced the news of this latest park addition. "We are excited to share the news of a major opportunity for kids and families to connect with and learn from the brand and its beloved characters," he said in a press release. "The opening of Sesame Place San Diego will give guests a unique and powerful way to experience Sesame Street, enable us to connect with even more families, and further our educational mission."

So what can parents expect to see at the new park? Rides, water slides — which are actually pretty fun for adults, too! — live character shows, parades your little ones will go berserk over, and interactive experiences with your kids' favorite characters, like Oscar the Grouch.

Given the fact that the original Sesame Place has been open for 40 years, it's no surprise the brand is expanding. "We share Sesame Workshop's goal of educating and entertaining generations of children, and the opening of a second park, the only one of its kind on the West Coast, furthers our company mission to provide guests with extraordinary experiences," said Marc Swanson, Interim Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Entertainment. "We are thrilled to be able to grow the presence of Sesame Place theme parks in the United States, and San Diego is the perfect complement to our Philadelphia location."

Moms and dads who have kids with special needs should also know that Sesame Place is a certified autism center, meaning its staff goes through special training and that there are sensory guides available, so every kiddo can truly have the best day ever. "We are proud to be opening this new park as a Certified Autism Center and are committed in our efforts to offer families inclusive activities for children with autism and other special abilities," said Swanson. "Providing fun and memorable experiences through exceptional service is a part of that."

Logistically speaking, the park will be built on the site of the current Aquatica San Diego, which is set to close its doors in 2020. Scroll ahead to get a look at what awaits your family at the new Sesame Place!