New ‘Sesame Street’ Theme Park To Be Sensory Friendly
A rendering of the entrance of the new Sesame Place theme park in Chula Vista, Calif. It will be the first such theme park on the West Coast. The original Sesame Place opened in 1980 in suburban Philadelphia. (SeaWorld Entertainment)
A new theme park designed to bring the iconic show “Sesame Street” to life will have a host of accommodations in place to welcome children with disabilities when it opens soon.
Sesame Place San Diego will be designated a Certified Autism Center when it opens to the public next month, officials said.
The 17-acre park is the first inspired by “Sesame Street” on the West Coast and only the second such attraction in the country. The original Sesame Place opened outside of Philadelphia more than 40 years ago.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
As a Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place San Diego will offer designated quiet spaces throughout. All staff will complete autism sensitivity and awareness training before opening and there will be a sensory guide available on the park’s website to help families prepare for their visit, officials said.
The Certified Autism Center designation is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. The original Sesame Place, some SeaWorld parks, Six Flags and Legoland’s forthcoming Peppa Pig Theme Park are among the destinations that have been certified by the board.
Sesame Place San Diego, which is located in Chula Vista, Calif., will feature a replica of the “Sesame Street” neighborhood complete with the 123 stoop as well as 18 rides like the Sunny Day Carousel, Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets and a roller coaster dubbed Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. In addition, the park will offer an inner-tube adventure called Big Bird’s Rambling River, a 500,000-gallon wave pool with a sandy beach and other water activities. There will also be live character shows, parades and more.
“Since 1980, Sesame Place has been a key part of the Sesame Workshop extended family and mission of helping kids grow smarter, stronger and kinder,” said Steve Youngwood, CEO of Sesame Workshop. “Sesame Place San Diego will offer kids and families an immersive opportunity to play and learn with their favorite furry friends, and continue enriching their experiences with ‘Sesame Street.'”
The new theme park is set to open March 26.
Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.
