A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place
The water's off, the decorations are up and the prices are down until Dec. 31 during the "Very Furry Christmas" at Sesame Place.
The long: In summer, Sesame Place is an open-daily water park with Elmo-Abby-Big Bird parades and performances, and 12-ish boardwalk-style rides. Winter weekends and after Christmas, the water's off. Decorations are up. Plays, parades and rides are main attractions. Tickets are cheaper. Lines ensue.
The short: Bucket list for serious TV-show watchers.
The crowd: Best suited to ages 3 to 7.
One surprise: SeaWorld runs things.
Another surprise: Lotsa Jets fans.
The staff: Calm and friendly in the face of hell-bent stroller rollers.
Don't miss: Twice-daily parade is best chance to see all characters at once. Stake out sidewalk space early. Like, 45 minutes early. (Parades at 4 and 8 p.m.)
Skip: Rides with giant lines - during a recent visit, the wait for the "Furry Express" train was an hour - unless, that is, you . . .
Splurge on: "Abby's Magical Christmas Queue," $15-per-person pass that lets you cut most rides' lines once.
Refreshments: Chicken tenders, hot dogs, french fries, Starbucks. Better company than cuisine at reserve-ahead character dinners ($15-$25).
Souvenirs: Elmos in all shapes and sizes.
Open: 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21, 26-30; 1-6 p.m. Dec. 31.
Closed: Jan. 1-Apr. 1.
Moment to yourself: Fuggedaboudit.
The basics: 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, $29 at gate, $24 online (under 23 months free), 866-GO4-ELMO, sesameplace.com.
If you SEPTA: West Trenton Line to No. 14 or 129 bus.
If you drive: About 30 minutes from Center City. Parking is $17.