To bring the merriment to life, SeaWorld’s creative team consulted with medical experts to offer a modified event with required reservations and limited capacity that celebrates the spirit of the season safely. This seasonal event features open-air entertainment and experiences as well as enhanced health, safety measures, including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Included in park admission, park guests can safely enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the holiday season with specialty shopping, physically distant holiday shows, tasty holiday treats, and beloved holiday traditions.

New for 2020

• It’s a Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell-You haven’t experienced the spirit of the season quite like this before. SeaWorld is bringing over 30 of your favorite Christmas carols back to the stage with new clever surprises and lighthearted laughs. Check back soon for details on this reimagining of an old favorite for the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration, coming to the Nautilus Theater with limited capacity and physical distancing.
• Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium-All-new for this year, guests can now experience outdoor ice skating! You and your family can skate alongside the water of SeaWorld’s central lagoon throughout the day in our beautiful winter wonderland. Capacity will be limited to promote physical distancing and all guests must wear crew length socks and gloves. Additional charge required which includes rental of ice skates, socks and gloves can also be purchased.
• Hanukkah Celebration-This year, SeaWorld will be celebrating more holidays than ever before. For the first year ever, join us as we honor the festival of lights! From December 10 through 18, gather with your friends and family in a socially distant experience to view the traditional lighting of the menorah throughout Hanukkah.
• Kwanzaa Festivities-Another new experience for the holidays this year, SeaWorld will celebrate the festivities of Kwanzaa! Taking place December 26through January 1, guests can enjoy a joyous time of reflection and celebration of African heritage with the nightly lighting of the kinara.
• Photos with Santa Claus-Take a visit to the top of the world to meet the Arctic’s most famous resident, Santa Claus, at SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic for a safe alternative to family photos with everyone’s favorite jolly elf! One party at a time will greet Santa in the expansive family room and have the opportunity to sit (physically distant) in Santa’s sleigh with Santa seated above and behind, separated by a plexiglass partition. *Photo packages available.
• Happy Holidays from Sesame Street Land-It’s furry and bright on our favorite street! Join us as we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with our Sesame Street friends as they sing and dance to their favorite holiday songs.

Holiday Shows and Special Events at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

• Rudolph’s Movie Experience– Rudolph and his friends star in this movie that will get the entire family in the holiday spirit, playing daily in the Sea Port Theater with limited capacity and physical distancing. This special movie experience is approximately 10 minutes long and begins every 30 minutes.
• Sea of Trees-Take a walk through a wintery, watery wonderland and immerse yourself in the expansive holiday Sea of Trees Located in SeaWorld’s lagoon where the glistening forest sparkles to music and lights up the water—and your eyes. With 360-degree views from around the park, there is plenty of space to enjoy with safe physical distancing. As the lights dance to holiday classics, your heart will soar with wonder and delight at this truly awe-inspiring Christmas treat. Plus, a magnificent centerpiece towers 70 feet above the water.
• Winter Wonderland on Ice-Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels and lights as skaters dazzle and delight in a show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza with physically distant seating arrangements. A sea of sparkling trees and towering fountains dancing in the background come together to create a don’t-miss experience for the holidays that the entire family will enjoy.
• Rudolph’s Christmas Town-Returning for another year of festive fun, guests can immerse themselves in the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Rudolph’s Christmas Town. Stroll outdoors past life-size story book vignettes featuring the classic tale, and meet beloved characters including Rudolph and Bumble. This attraction has limited capacity to promote physical distancing.
• Christmas Market-Nestled along the park’s Bayside Pathway, the Christmas market features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights from an all-NEW chef and mixologist created holiday menu. Guests will also encounter playful elves and a charming model train village. Relax near the warm glow of the fire pit with a fan-favorite seasonal beer or mulled wine, or chose from a variety of NEW unique holiday inspired beverages rooted in classic Christmas traditions.  Limited capacity and physical distancing measures will be in place. These unique limited time options include specialty cocktails like the “Winter Wonderland Hot Toddy” made with winter cider, honey whiskey and a chain infusion and the festive “Peppermint Cocoa” made with peppermint schnapps. 

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration Dining Options

• Sampler Lanyard-The spirit of the season is in every bite of holiday food pairings throughout the park such as the ale-cured and smoke-cured pork slider, the mini chicken philly or the “Traditional Christmas Dinner Stack” which layers roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce over texas toast.  The market also features a variety of peppermint desserts like the peppermint bark cheesecake. The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Celebration Tasting and Brew Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $35.00 for a 5-punch lanyard or a 10-punch lanyard for $50.00.
• Dinner with Santa-The wonders of Christmas come to life this season in an experience that’s destined to make memories for the young and young at heart. Dinner with Santa invites you to a sumptuous holiday meal with all the trimmings and a delightful opportunity to take a (physically distant) photo with Santa Claus himself! Featuring protective food service barriers, widely spaced single-party tables, sanitation between meals and more, guests of all ages will delight in this safe holiday tradition.
• Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast-Join your favorite furry friends for a fun-filled holiday breakfast feast. This experience combines a delicious meal with exciting (but physically distanced) character appearances. With protective food service barriers, widely spaced single-party tables, sanitation between meals and more, it is a safe, fun time for the whole family!

SeaWorld Ticketing Info

For a limited time, buy a 2021 Fun Card and get the rest of 2020 FREE or upgrade to an Annual Pass starting as low as $11.75 per month with no down payment. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits, now with the best benefits ever such as FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, Pass Member VIP Ride Nights, and up to 50% savings on merchandise, photo prints, Quick Queue, and more.

The Fun Card gives park-goers unlimited access to the park to visit again and again for the remainder of 2020 calendar year and all of 2021¹ for one low price, but does not include the additional pass benefits!  Visit www.Seaworld.com/Orlando for more information, park hours and to purchase tickets.

We have enjoyed our visits to the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration in years past. Our favorite has always been O Wondrous Night! I’m looking forward to seeing how they re-imagined that show into It’s a Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell!

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Contact Free Trick or Treating

Children can dress up in their Halloween costumes to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating that is safe with physical distancing at Busch Gardens Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends this fall. Candy stations will be spread out throughout the park’s spacious, open play area where ambassadors wearing gloves and protective masks will distribute candy in a contact-free manner. As an additional safety measure, guests who participate in Trick-Or-Treating will be asked to purchase a new reusable bag to prevent contact between individuals.

New Sesame Street Experiences at the Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends

After collecting their candy, families can enjoy physically distant photo opportunities with Sesame Street friends like Big Bird, Oscar and Grover in their finest Halloween attire and upgrade their day with the NEW Cookie Decorating with Cookie Monster. “C” is for cookie when you join Cookie Monster to decorate his favorite snack! This fun-filled family experience features physically distanced photo opportunities and new measures to keep the cookie decorating safe and fun, including single-party tables with ample spacing and enhanced cleaning procedures. 

The Count’s Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show

The Count’s Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show is sure to entertain the whole family in the outdoor, Sunny Day Theater with physically distant seating. In this Sesame Street Halloween show, Count von Count serves as the master of scare-emonies as he leads his friends through some of his favorite tunes. With help from his friends—Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Grover, Oscar and Elmo—The Count produces a not-too-spooky Halloween show that features song and dance numbers that get everyone involved! You can “count” on fun for the whole family during this spirited Halloween show.

Expanded health and safety measures visit: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/park-safety/

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The fun begins each Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am-4:00pm on Feb. 1 & 2, 8 & 9, and 15 & 16 in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park.

NEW Snuffy Weekend: February 1 & 2

Busch Gardens is very excited to welcome Mr. Snuffleupagus for one weekend only to Tampa Bay! Fans of Big Bird’s biggest friend will have the rare opportunity to meet Snuffy during his FIRST EVER trip to Florida during this kick-off weekend of Sesame Street Safari of Fun Pirate Weekends. Additionally, families won’t want to miss the opportunity to wish Elmo a happy birthday by signing his card that Busch Gardens will have delivered on his big day – February 3!

With exciting, fun-filled activities each weekend, families can take advantage of the park’s FREE Preschool card offerto enjoy the park’s swashbuckling spirit in the company of their favorite Sesame Street friends like Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Big Bird. For a limited-time, Florida parents can register their children ages 5 and younger for the Preschool Card to enjoy FREE admission toBusch Gardens and Adventure Island through the end of 2020. To register for the Preschool Card, parents can visit www.BuschGardens.com/PreschoolCard.

BOGO Alert: Buy a Busch Gardens Fun Card and get Adventure Island for FREE

For a limited time, Florida families can take advantage of buy-one-park-get-one-park savings on year-round park admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island with a 2020 Fun Card! For the price of a single-day admission to Busch Gardens, the Fun Card provides unlimited admission to visit TWO parks until December 31, 2020¹. Guests can also choose an Annual Pass that has exceptional benefits including FREE parking, FREE Serengeti Safari, merchandise and dining discounts in addition to special limited-time perks throughout the year. Pass Members will enjoy exclusive ride time on Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world, and Solar Vortex, America’s first dual tailspin waterslide, when they open this spring!

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We all have wanted to visit Sesame Street, shop in Mr Hooper’s store and hang out at Big Bird’s nest. Well, in 2019 we can do just that! SeaWorld Orlando recently announced exciting details on a brand-new themed land, opening Spring 2019. Families will be able to walk down Sesame Street for the very first time as Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando brings the world famous street to park guests, connecting them to all of the fun, laugther and learning of Sesame Street.

“We are excited to transport our guests into the colorful and creative world of Sesame Street through immersive theming, character interactions and interactive play,” said SeaWorld Orlando President Jim Dean.  “Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando is an amazing addition to our park, providing more unique and memorable experiences for the entire family.

Explore: Guests will explore the iconic neighborhood as they walk through Abby Cadabby’s garden, visit Mr. Hooper’s store, stop by Big Bird’s nest, sit on the famous 123 stoop and meet their favorite friends from Sesame Street including Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird

Celebrate: Elmo and his furry friends, along with parade dancers will invite guests to join the party on Sesame Street daily during SeaWorld Orlando’s first-ever parade.

Play: The immersive area will feature exciting rides, wet and dry play areas and interactive experiences designed to entertain the entire family.“In partnering with Sesame Workshop, we are creating a land for guests to make an authentic connection that can only be found in hugging a furry friend or reading a book with Big Bird,” shared Amanda Trauger, Experience Design Manager for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.

Construction on Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando is currently underway. The new themed area will be located on the south end of the park, where Happy Harbor currently stands. Keep checking back here for updates on this exciting new land!

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends

Each fun-filled weekend will feature trick-or-treating and fall festival activities including a hay bale maze, dance parties, games and character parades throughout the day as well as very special surprises for each theme including:

Monsters & Fairies – Oct. 7 & 8
Crafts that transform kids into a magical fairy like Abby Cadabby or a loveable monster like Elmo.

Super Grover – Oct. 14 & 15
Unique superhero-inspired crafts and character parades led by Super Grover himself.

Spooky Safari – Oct. 21 & 22
A scavenger hunt with Bert and Ernie, animal ambassadors and safari-inspired Halloween crafts.

Rosita’s Halloween Fiesta – Oct. 28 & 29
Fiesta-inspired Halloween crafts and character parades led by Rosita throughout the Safari of Fun area.

Children are welcome to wear Halloween costumes and every weekend is jam-packed with brand-new events and activities, including:

NEW! Fall Festival Activities

Located at Gwazi Field, visitors can participate in a wide variety of fall-inspired activities. Families can enjoy games and events every weekend including a hay-bale maze, pumpkin ring toss and so much more. Show off your family costumes and join us for parades and dance parties with our favorite Sesame Street pals. No reservations are necessary.

NEW! Paint With Me

Every Saturday morning, starting on October 14th, from 10 – 11:30 a.m., parents and kids are invited to an exclusive painting session during Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends. The experience kicks off with a meet-and-greets with one of your favorite Sesame Street friends followed by a 45-minute kid-friendly painting session led by an instructor. Reservations are required, space is limited. Book here.

NEW! Sesame Street Character Dining

Make lunch more than just delicious by sharing it with Elmo and friends. Everyone in the family will find something to savor in our delicious Sesame Street Character Dining lunch buffet every Saturday and Sunday of the Halloween weekends. Enjoy hugs and high fives during a Halloween-themed lunch and enjoy character story time, sing-a-longs, dance parties, and special photo opportunities. Reservations are required, space is limited. Book here.

For guest information, visit BuschGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

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Unfortunately, a lot of parents allow and even encourage pacifier use beyond the child’s first year. Beginning October 28, Sesame Street is kicking off its first-ever “Put Down the Pacifier” initiative to help kids through the difficult milestone of giving up their pacifier. The week-long promotion, which culminates on November 4 for “Put Down the Pacifier Day,” provides parents with daily tips and video clips from Elmo that will ease their child’s transition into a “big kid.”

To join the countdown to “Put Down the Pacifier Day,” families are encouraged to visit www.sesamestreet.org/pacifier  and Sesame Street’s Facebook page.

In addition to the online content Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street and Warner Home Video (WHV) release Bye Bye, Pacifier! Big Kid Stories with Elmo on DVD on November 1, 2011 for SRP $14.98. Elmo shows preschoolers how to deal with difficult emotions and encourages them to learn new things in Bye Bye, Pacifier! Big Kid Stories with Elmo – helping kids through important milestones such as giving up a pacifier, learning to ride a tricycle and getting a first haircut.

Bye Bye, Pacifier! Big Kid Stories with Elmo provides young children with encouragement, comfort and laughs on their journey to becoming a “big kid.” Featuring three stories that every child and parent can relate to, including a tale from Elmo on how he gave up his binky, this DVD will help kids feel confident in saying goodbye to their pacifiers too! Additionally, Bye Bye, Pacifier! Big Kid Stories with Elmo, contains all-new animated content and Elmo belts out a brand new tune entitled “Big Kid Too.” DVD extras include a 19-page PDF story and activity book and the classic clip “Proud.”

If you and your little one are having trouble giving up the pacifier this giveaway is for you! I have one copy of  Bye Bye, Pacifier! Big Kid Stories with Elmo DVD for one lucky reader of The Mom Maven.

Mandatory First Entry:Leave me a comment telling me what you and/or your child call their pacifier? I’ve heard lots of creative names over the years and I want to know what yours is.

Bonus Entries:

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Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD for the purpose of this post. All opinions are 100% mine.

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On Nov. 6, Cookie Monster is the guest of honor. Enjoy lunch, break dance with Cookie Monster and his beat boy friends, and enjoy – what else? – yummy cookies!

Dec. 7, join Rosita and her Muppet amigos for lunch, a sing-along and a special Latin treat.

Both lunches feature delicious food served buffet-style and character meet and greets with the beloved Sesame Street characters. The menu includes items sure to please both parents and kids alike. One 6×8 photo is included per family. Lunch is $23 for adults and $17 for children. Pass members receive a 10 percent discount. Admission to the park is not included, but is required.

To make your family’s reservation, visit SesameStreetSafariofFun.com and click on Dine With Elmo to book the Nov. 6 or Dec. 4 dines, or call 1-888-800-5447.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun is an all-new, Sesame Street-themed sunny, funny play land at Busch Gardens filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun, memorable adventures and shows that celebrate the spirit of Africa. Take a dive on Air Grover, the new junior coaster for parents and kids to ride together. Splash in Bert & Ernie’s Watering Hole, a wet adventure filled with bubblers, geysers, jets, dumping buckets and more. A photography studio offers photos with characters daily, and a musical stage show brings safari tales to life.

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Your family will enjoy delicious food served buffet-style, character meet and greets with the lovable Sesame Street characters, family together time and a special treat for Dad. Both breakfast and lunch menus include items sure to please both parents and kids alike. One 6×8 photo with Dad, kids and your Sesame Street friends is included per family. Breakfast is $18 for adults and $15 for children. Lunch is $23 for adults and $17 for children. Pass members receive a 10 percent discount. Admission to the park is not included, but is required.

To make your family’s reservation, visit SesameStreetSafariofFun.com and click on Dine With Elmo to book the June 20 dine, or call 1-888-800-5447 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-888-800-5447      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

After filling up on hugs from characters and awesome food, enjoy family time playing together in Busch Gardens’ new Sesame Street Safari of Fun. The all-new, Sesame Street-themed sunny, funny play land premiered March 27 and is filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun, memorable adventures and shows that celebrate the spirit of Africa. Take a dive on Air Grover, the new junior coaster for parents and kids to ride together. Splash in Bert & Ernie’s Watering Hole, a wet adventure filled with bubblers, geysers, jets, dumping buckets and more. A photography studio offers photos with characters daily, and a musical stage show brings safari tales to life.

Busch Gardens has fun for the whole family to enjoy all day. With thrilling rides, award-winning shows and exotic up-close animal encounters, Busch Gardens provides unrivaled excitement for guests of every age.

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Logo courtesy of Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens amps up the fun in 2010 during Summer Nights with MORE contemporary entertainment, MORE special effects and MORE reasons to stay and play each night from June 11 through Aug. 15. This year, the rides are even wilder and, each night, Busch Gardens goes out with a big, rock-style bang when Kinetix explodes onto the stage in Gwazi Park at 9 p.m.

Kinetix brings together live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world for an original, non-stop 30-minute contemporary rock experience that delivers awesome lighting effects, modern music and high-energy performances.

Also in 2010, Busch Gardens’ world-class rides are amplified with pulsating sights and sounds to intensify each experience. Thrill rides, such as SheiKra, incorporate strobe lights, black lights, music and other special effects for an even bigger thrill. Even the carousel is amped up with a disco ball, and the Serengeti Express is aglow as it chugs around the park.

Jeff Civillico returns to Marrakesh Theater with his amazing blend of comedy, juggling, balancing, athleticism and audience participation. On July 3 and 4, catch an illuminating fireworks display at Busch Gardens.

DJs up the energy each night throughout the park, playing party songs and inviting families to dance and play along. Every Friday and Saturday night, guests can bust their most impressive moves in the Dance Challenge. The best dancers will be selected throughout Friday and Saturday nights to compete in a dance off at 7 p.m. in Desert Grill – three rounds that challenge them to a variety of dance styles. First place winners each night receive 4 tickets to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island or SeaWorld.

Park hours for Summer Nights are extended until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Summer Nights is included with a day’s paid admission or any annual pass.

While you’re at Busch Gardens, discover all that the park has to offer this summer – day and night. That includes Sesame Street Safari of Fun, a new sunny, funny play land filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun and plenty of memorable adventures. Dip and dive through the desert on Air Grover junior coaster. Climb and play in Elmo’s Treehouse Trek. Splash and refresh in Bert and Ernie’s fun-filled water play area. Watch your Sesame Street friends in African-inspired shows. In Sesame Street Safari of Fun, imaginations run wild, and there’s fun or everyone.

For more information on Summer Nights and Busch Gardens, visit BuschGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447

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