spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

Is Sesame Place really that gross? We were going to take DS there this summer for a day trip but now I am getting nervous. He will be 15 months in August when we go so that's to young for Dutch Wonderland. We are doing a big vacation in March so we just wanted to do little day trips this summer and Sesame Place seemed like a good one!!

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

I find the people to be dirtier than the place, if that makes sense. My kid had fun, but for 3.5 hours in the car and $50+ a head, its a complete rip off for what it is.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

Everyone I know that went said it was pretty gross.

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I did not find it gross. I just found it small....and crowded. However, we did go during a weekend and during a special event (around halloween time). However, I didnt think it was dirty at all. Didnt think the people were dirty either. But I am used to theme parks like great adventure and splish splash.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

I'm bummed to hear this. What are some fun day trip ideas with a 14/15 month old this summer? We are spending a lot of money on a 10 day trip to California in March so we didn't want to do any overnight trips this summer- unless a weekend at my aunts in Commack counts.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

I didn't find it gross at all....I thought it was pretty clean, I mean come on, its an amusement/water park. For what it is and the audience its gearing towards its fine.

we brought DS at age 20 months and there was plenty for him to do, but to each as own. I think some might be protective and some more relaxed.

The majority of the water rides the entire family can go own all together.

I also didn't find it too small.

Message edited 2/4/2012 2:26:07 PM.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

We took the kids on a Thursday during the summer and had a great time. E place was clean and it wasn't horribly crowded. We went the next day (2day Elmo pass) it was a Friday and total nightmare.go during the middle of the week

Personally I do think it s expensive, the parking is a ripoff. But we go because the kids love it

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

I don't think 15 months is too young at all for DW. My friend's son was only 9 months when we went last summer and he was able to go on lots of things with us. Dutch Wonderland is great, it's really geared to the little ones.

I personally think Sesame is gross (and SUPER small!!) and I think your DC would have more fun at DW than Sesame. There is nothing to do at Sesame, it's 90% water rides. When we took our DD she was 22 months old and there really wasn't much for her, she was too little for the water stuff..........all the big kids would trample her. I can only speak from my experience but the water areas were NASTY..........gross, dirty, overcrowded. Just disgusting. Garbage pails were overflowing everywhere, bathrooms were gross, food places were filthy. It was just an icky experience. They seemed they did not have nearly enough staff to keep things clean and running well. I would never go back.

Dutch Wonderland is big, so clean, and they SO many rides and shows. It's really wonderful. I think your LO would LOVE it!!!! We had kids with us from 9 months old to 3 years old and they all had an amazing time!

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I think it depends on when you go to Sesame based on the reviews here. If you go early in the seaon during the week you will have a different experience. We have gone the last three years in early June for my birthday and the park was clean, well staffed and an all around great experience. Plus they have great coupons for 20.00 off during this time, and you do not have to get the Elmo two day ticket.

Message edited 2/4/2012 2:06:23 PM.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

My brother has gone in June the past 2 or 3 summers.
My cousin also has gone in the summer time (for the past 2 or 3 summers as well).

They love Sesame. They never said it was dirty. They go during the week.

I haven't been to Sesame, but, have been to DW and we LOVED DW.
My brother and cousin have not been to DW, so, they really can't compare the two.

I've only heard positves things about Sesame from both of them.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

Haven't been to Sesame Place since I was a kid (30 years ago), so I can't comment on that - but will say a 15month old will be able to do almost everything at DW.

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i went to sesame place when DS was 2 and DD was a year old.. they LOVED it.. i went during the week and did NOT find it to be gross or dirty.

that was 2 years ago when we went

ETA:

i have been to both and both are equally nice.. i think though after 2 sesame place is a little too young...

Message edited 2/4/2012 2:26:59 PM.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

We went 4th of july weekend. I did not find it gross even a little bit.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

We wnt last summer when DS was 22mos and we hated it. Couldnt wait to leave actually lol. When we were leaving an employee said "see you soon". DH said yea maybe in 10yrs lol. We are DW ppl all the way!

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Folks..its an amusement park for kids..it will get dirty. Do you remember what Great Adventure is like on a weekend..gees..

its not a slum. Go during the week..its entirely different from going on a weekend.

i went on a tuesday afternoon, right after memorial day and it was clean, not crowded and just fine.

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We love Sesame Place. It's small but DS likes the characters and the shows. I don't think it's dirty. The food is not the Best but it's not disgusting. It's a great day trip.

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It wasn't gross per say, but it wasn't all that nice either. DW is so nice and shady, there was literally not one patch of shade at SP.

It was overpriced for the amount of things to see and do. As a PP mentioned, parking is a rip off.
However, DD loved it and still talks about it.....Her favorite part was the Elmo show.

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I didn't find Sesame to be gross but we have only gone on weekdays. The camp crowds can make the experience less fun though. I'd try to get to water rides early b/c they are never fun anywhere with large crowds.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

It's very small, but I didn't find it to be gross. We've taken day trips twice with DS and he loves it there. We plan to go back again in the summer.

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Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

Thanks everyone
I'm not sure if we will do sesame or dutch but either way it would be a weekday.

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland

I have been to both. Went to Sesame place when DS was 22 months and DW when he was almost 3. Both were fine. Sesame had more water rides and my DS is into that but if ur dc is not, its not for you. We also bought the magic queue pass which allows you to jump lines. If I ever went there again, I would totally do that again! I wish DW had that! I don't think either was gross...however, we went midweek for both....DW was more crowded midweek too!

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Also keep in mind that SP is mostly water rides. DW is great because they have kid friendly dry rides as well as a small water park. I found into be so clean, my kids loved all the rides, we had a blast. I can't wait to go back!

Re: spin off to sesame pl. vs dutch wonderland