Sesame Place San Diego, a theme park in Chula Vista aimed at young children, has announced an unexpected change to its operating schedule. The park will close for the remainder of 2025 after Sunday, September 21, and will reopen in spring 2026. This transition to a seasonal schedule has surprised many parents and season ticket holders.
The park, which features rides, water attractions, and character interactions, cited a desire to enhance the guest experience by focusing on peak operational times. This decision has led to significant feedback from customers who had planned visits for the upcoming fall and holiday seasons.
Key Takeaways
- Sesame Place San Diego will close on September 21, 2025, for the rest of the year.
- The park plans to reopen in spring 2026 under a new seasonal operating model.
- Many season pass holders and families with travel plans expressed disappointment.
- Complimentary SeaWorld Fun Cards are being offered to affected season pass holders.
- The park aims to improve the overall guest experience by focusing on popular times.
Park Announces Seasonal Transition
Sesame Place San Diego communicated its new operating model through social media on Monday. The park stated that the change would allow for a more focused approach to guest experiences. The last day for visitors in 2025 will be September 21.
The official statement from Sesame Place indicated that the shift to a seasonal schedule would make "every visit filled with more excitement, attractions, and activities to enjoy." This strategy aims to deliver the "best possible experience" by concentrating resources during the most popular times of the year.
Quick Fact
Sesame Place San Diego first opened its gates in March 2022, making it a relatively new addition to the Southern California theme park landscape.
Customer Reactions and Impact on Travel Plans
The announcement generated a significant volume of responses on social media platforms. Many parents expressed frustration, noting that the decision came with less than two weeks' notice. This short timeframe created challenges for families who had already made travel arrangements or purchased season passes.
Afra Romero, a disappointed park visitor, commented,
"I am extremely disappointed. We were looking forward to going for Halloween and Christmas time."This sentiment was echoed by others who had planned specific holiday-themed visits.
Impact on Planned Vacations
Several families reported that their entire vacation plans to San Diego revolved around visiting Sesame Place. Kimberlee Amber-Nicole Brown shared her experience, stating,
"I am trying so hard not to cry in front of my almost 4-year-old. This was supposed to be his bday trip, all he wanted was 'somewhere with rides'."This highlights the emotional impact on young children and their families.
Sel Ruiz also voiced concerns regarding vacation planning.
"My family planned to travel from out of state to attend the Halloween Spooktacular. How do you expect people to plan entire vacations around your posted operating schedule and pull the plug with less than two weeks' notice?"The park responded to Ruiz, offering tickets to SeaWorld San Diego's Halloween event or an alternative visit date in 2026.
Background on Sesame Place
Sesame Place San Diego is one of two Sesame Place theme parks in the United States. The original park, Sesame Place Philadelphia, has been in operation since the 1980s. Both parks are based on the popular children's television show "Sesame Street" and feature characters like Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Elmo.
Park's Response and Compensation Offers
In response to the widespread feedback, Sesame Place San Diego has offered compensation to season pass holders. All individuals with a valid season pass will receive a complimentary SeaWorld Fun Card. This card provides unlimited admission to SeaWorld San Diego for the remainder of the year.
The park's customer service teams have been actively addressing individual complaints and offering alternative solutions, such as tickets to related events or future park dates. This approach aims to mitigate some of the inconvenience caused by the abrupt schedule change.
Future Operations and Expectations
The park's management believes that operating seasonally will allow them to concentrate efforts and resources during peak periods. This could potentially lead to enhanced attractions, better staffing, and an overall improved guest experience when the park reopens in spring 2026. The shift reflects a strategic decision to optimize operations and focus on delivering high-quality experiences during specific times of the year.
- The park's 2026 operating calendar is expected to be released closer to the reopening date.
- Guests are advised to check the official Sesame Place San Diego website for updates.
- The focus on "most popular times of year" suggests a strategy to align with school holidays and summer breaks.
This change impacts not only local families but also tourists who travel to the San Diego area. The decision to close for several months will require visitors to adjust their plans and consider other entertainment options in the region during the off-season.
The park's commitment to enhancing the guest experience through seasonal operation remains a central point of its communication. Whether this strategy will ultimately satisfy its customer base and improve long-term attendance will become clear once the park reopens for its 2026 season.
