2nd Annual Sesame Place Day For Children with Autism
Saturday, April 26 – Children with Autism Got free admission to Sesame Place
Langhorne, PA (April 30, 2008) – Reaching out to families with Autistic children, Sesame Place, working with Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia, was proud to host the 2nd Annual Sesame Place Day for Children with Autism. It was held on Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for families who registered in advance with Variety. The event continues in the 21-year tradition of Sesame Place offering children with disabilities and their families to be guests of the park at no cost in coordination with Variety – The Children’s Charity. In 2007 another day was added specifically for autistic children and their families.
Sesame Place made several modifications to accommodate the special guests. Some of the adjustments including lowering the volume of the theme music played throughout the park, offering the option of lowered sensory show performances, arranging for quiet areas for over-stimulated children to rest, increasing the availability of family restrooms and modifying character interaction. The goal of the day was to give each child a positive Sesame Place experience, regardless of their disability and give parents and siblings sense of community. Variety and Sesame Place have received numerous emails from parents expressing their appreciation and gratitude. One parent wrote, “We really liked the fact that we had ONE day that our child was just like every other child there. That he was widely accepted in a public environment and we didn't have to worry about how he was or acted. Everyone at the event understood and they were dealing with the same issues as we are. And that is really great.”
Sesame Place, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on the award-winning television show Sesame Street, provides exciting and enriching experiences for families with young children. Building memories to last a lifetime, the attractions range from such thrill rides as Blast Off in Elmo’s World, water rides like the surprise-packed adventures on Sky Splash in Twiddlebug Land and play activities like the challenging three story high Nets n’ Climbs in Big Bird’s Court. Throughout the season are special events including sparkling Sesame Street themed fireworks shows and concerts featuring kid-favorite recording stars. Plus, greeting guests and performing in musical shows including the crowd-pleasing “Rock Around the Block Parade” are the stars of Sesame Street – Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, the Count and many more.
The Philadelphia Chapter of Variety --The Children’s Charity was established in 1935 and provides various programs for children with physical and developmental disabilities throughout the Delaware Valley, including South Jersey and parts of Delaware. Our programs are designed to foster greater independence and to challenge children with disabilities to reach beyond their restrictions. For more information, visit www.varietyphila.org.
Sesame Place opens to the public May 3, 2008. It is located in Langhorne, PA., 30 minutes north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes south of Manhattan. It is open Friday through Sunday until May 23rd when the park is open daily. After Labor Day, Sesame Place is open weekends only until October 25, 2008. Single day general admission is $47.50, children under 23 month are free. To learn more about Sesame Place’s varied season passports, dining with the characters for breakfast, lunch or dinner and the line-up of special events and general park information, visit sesameplace.com or call 1-866-GO-4-ELMO. Please note, prices listed above are before taxes.
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives providefamilies tools for addressing such issues as children’s health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop’s educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.
Sesame Place is a Worlds of Discovery park. Other Worlds of Discovery parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Florida; San Diego, Calif. and San Antonio, Texas; Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla. and Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park in Orlando; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. Worlds of Discovery, based in Orlando, Fla., employs more than 21,000 people nationwide. On the Web at www.sesameplace.com or www.WorldsofDiscovery.com.