Sesame Place or King's Dominion

Hi R.:
I would suggest Busch Gardens. They have a great new Elmo area that is great. My kids are 6, 3, and 2, and they loved it. Busch Gardens also has Land of the Dragons which is wonderful for the preschool ages. There are also shows, etc that are kid friendly. I think the whole atmosphere at Busch Gardens is more family friendly. Bring some extra clothes and towels...since the two kids areas have water play areas. You can get the family fun cards, and come back all summer for the price of a one day ticket. Hope this helps!

Sesame Place is AWESOME! We took our kids there when they were 4 and 1 1/2. We had a great time. There is something for everyone (even adults). With your kids at the ages they are I would definitely go to Sesame, Kings Dominion (I feel) is geared towards older kids. Busch Garden Williamsburg (owned by the same people as Sesame Place) has a good kids section and they just opened a Sesame area. I haven't been yet, but my friends say it is good. If you stay outside the immediate area of the park rooms are cheaper. Book a room with a kitchen (or at least a fridge )so you can bring your own food & drinks. You can pack a lunch and just picnic outside the park (you are allowed to bring snacks in and special foods of there are food allergies). Seasame place also offers a two day ticket for the same price as a one. So you can go early the first day, check in to your room, and go back the next day to wear them out before the drive back home :) Hope you have a good trip!

I haven't been to King's Dominion in years, but we did go to Sesame Place in June 2008. We loved it! The entire park is geared for the younger kids (6 and under). My two boys (ages 4 and 23 months, at the time) had a blast! Last year they had a special going where you could get a 2-day pass for the price of one day, so we took advantage of that. With small kids, you definitely need 2 days because you have to factor in naps, rest time, eating, bathroom breaks, etc.. I would reccommend Sesame Place. They have water rides, small kiddie pools and regular rides that the parents can go on too, which you may not find much of at Kings Dominion, if it's still like it used to be. They also have shows and "regular" play and rest areas for when the kids just need some down time. The lines moved fairly quickly and overall, it's a family-friendly park. Whatever your decision, have fun and enjoy time with your family!

I used to live near Sesame Place, and worked there when it first opened. 20 years later, I took my kids there. Sesame Place is totally geared to young kids, so you are getting your money's worth for them. While you are there, you can take them into Philadelphia or drive up the Delaware and see some really pretty parts of Bucks County. It is a great place for young kids who aren't really ready for a bigger amusement park.

Sesame Place is a great place for little ones! However, much of the park fun centers around the water park section of the park. It may be a little early in the season for Sesame Place to be "worth it."

We enjoy Sesame Place. It's a slow placed park geared toward the little guys. I have found the park to be clean and the staff to be pleasant.

Although they do not allow food into the park , there are picnic areas outside the gate. (I do believe that when we have gone, however, I've always just packed lunch in the dipaer bag and no one said anything!) And, there are several restaurants in the immediate area. I cannot recall the cost of food inside the park, but I do remember that they had nutritous choices.

If you have additional questions, let me know! Traci

We have done Sesame Place and the kids loved it (even my husband)! I liked the fact that it centered around family. There was something there for everyone.you should go there instead of KD!

King's Dominion will not be nearly as enjoyable for your young children. Sesame Place is fantastic for kids that age! To save money (and time!), pack your own lunches and snacks. It is possible to do Sesame Place as a day trip. We've done all four of our visits that way. Dutch Wonderland is another terrific park for the preschool crowd, and I believe the admission price is less than Sesame. My son, last summer at 5 (and Sesame Place at 3 and 4 as well) loved both!

We have 3 kids, 9, 3, 18mos. I highly recommend avoiding Kings Dominion with them. There just isn't enough to do. I would definitely go the Busch Gardens because they have great kids stuff, not only in the new Sesame Street area (which by the way, has some of the best kids rides I've ever been on), but also in their dino area. I hope you all find a compromise.

Sesame Place is perfect for little ones. We went last year and they loved it. Kings Dominion will still be there in a couple of years when they are bigger.

I don't know about those places, but to throw another idea at you. We loved Lancaster and Hershy Park. I hate amusement parks myself, but it was very kid friendly with the rides sized for each kid and the botanical gardens, butterfly house, and chocolate factory tour. Still a travel decision, but might be something everyone likes.

Are you talking about the Sesame Place in PA or the new one at Bush Gardens in Williamnsburg? I have two friends who went to the Bush Gardens Sesame Street and loved it...they have small children as well.

I would definitely choose sesame place. Much more kid friendly than Kings Dominion...maybe your husband wants KD since it caters more to adults.
There are kiddie rides at KD but Sesame makes the kids front and center and there are so many more choices. Plus the kids love the characters.

I loved Sesame Place as a kid and look forward to my son being old enough to take him!

Dutch Wonderland is geared entirely for children and sounds like your children are the perfect age to enjoy it there!

I know this wasn't one of your choices, but I saw some other people suggested Dutch Wonderland and totally agree. It's wonderful and much, much cheaper than Sesame Place. We go to Dutch Wonderland each year.

I think all 3 kids are way too young for Kings Dominion. I haven't been to Sesame Place in 25 years but it was big fun when I went. I now have a 7 year old and for the past 3 summers we have gone to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA. You can even get a hotel room that's very inexpencive right across the street. It's only about 2.5 hrs from Baltimore.

kings dominion although they do have a kids section is really kind of lacking. sesame place has alot since its a park designed for kids. i went as a kid had a blast and have been my nieces and nephew. they also enjoyed it. so my vote would be for sesame place esp. if the weekend is going to be more about the kids. you may want to check out dutch wonderland in PA. not sure what ticket prices are compared to the sesame place. but again that is a park designed more for kids. good luck hope you guys have fun where ever you go.

R.,
I have not been to Sesame in a very long time, like 15 years, I went with my family when I was 15 years old or so, but I have to say I loved it and I want to take my kids there. I have never been to King's Dominion as I am new to the area but from what I can remember of sesame it was very child friendly and if I were making the choice I would have to say take them to Sesame this year and take them when they are alittle older to King's. Hope this helps.

A girlfriend and I took out 2.5 & 3 yo kids to Sesame Place last summer. We mostly enjoyed it--a large part of the park are devoted to water areas. My girlfriend's kids were afraid of the characters so they didn't get the full benefit of the park's appeal--Zoe, Elmo, Big Bird all roaming around available for hugs and photos. My son loved that part of it.

I highly recommend Dutch Wonderland!! It is perfect for the ages of your children. The entire park is appropriate for your kids. The park is clean and treed so not too hot. Short and easy drive to PA. I went a few times with my kids. We all loved it!!

Hi R.,
My suggestion is take the kids to Sesame Place. If you go to there website and look at group rates, there's a big savings. Its easy to get the group rate, reach out to church members w/kids, your school, kids playmates. We went last September and the weather was still nice. Going after the summer season saves lots of $$$. Almost 1/2 off the gate admission. Also I was able to contact the hotel mgr and get a special rate for families wanting to spend the night there. Its alittle work, but worth the time doing it, especially when your saving money. Also Sesame Street offer meal vouchers and that was also a savings as well. Let me know if you need more info. Hope you find this useful.
Dominion Park, is to young for the kids, need to wait while they reach the teen years. I think your husband is choosing Dominion Park cuz more rides for him to enjoy. The joy you see on your kids at Sesame Street, is 10x more than riding the high adventure at Dominion. Let me know what you decide.

it was a very good place, there are wet rides too.

i would take some wet and dry clothes

if you are military you can get into one of those parks free once a year

if you are military check out the mwr office on your base they should have more info on that.

my 2 yearold loved sesame place.

For that age group - definitely Sesame Place. I personally LOVE Kings Dominion but cannot justify bringing my 6 y/o's there when they can only ride a small portion of the rides and I will be in proximity to the rides I love but realistically won't be able to - lines are too long to the kids when it's not even a ride for them.

My boys love Sesame and so do I since I can still ride most of the rides with them and have fun too!

We have been to Sesame Place and didn't like it much. It is mostly water rides and if it is a warm weekend the lines are so long that you can't get on many things. I think we got on 2 rides the whole day.