SAN DIEGO — A new theme park based on the iconic children's program Sesame Street is coming to San Diego County. SeaWorld Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, announced Monday that the second Sesame Place theme park in the country and the first on the West Coast will open in spring 2021 in San Diego's South Bay.
Sesame Place San Diego will be constructed on the site of Aquatica San Diego, SeaWorld's waterpark in Chula Vista. The nearly 17-acre park will feature family-friendly rides, water slides, live character shows, parades and interactive experiences.
Construction on Sesame Place San Diego is slated to begin this fall. Aquatica will open for its final season on Memorial Day weekend in 2020.
"I've long cherished the partnership we've had with Sesame Workshop and am delighted that Sesame Place is coming to San Diego, the first new Sesame Place park in nearly four decades," SeaWorld San Diego Park President Marilyn Hannes said. "Our new park will be the perfect place for families to explore and enjoy fun and educational playtime."
The original Sesame Place opened outside Philadelphia in July 1980.
Like the Philadelphia theme park, Sesame Place San Diego will be a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.
Staff members will receive autism sensitivity and awareness training. The park will also offer designated spaces with adjustable lighting, low noise levels and comfortable seating.
SeaWorld has long partnered with Sesame Workshop. Sesame Street Bay of Play opened at SeaWorld San Diego in 2008 and SeaWorld Orlando recently opened Sesame Street Land.
"As we celebrate Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary, 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," said Steve Youngwood, chief operating officer of Sesame Workshop.
"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."
SOURCE: https://patch.com/california/san-diego/sesame-place-san-diego-open-spring-2021
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