Road Trip Worthy: The Newly Autism-Center-Certified Sesame Place

The first theme park in the world that has been designated a Certified Autism Center is just a drive away. The world’s only Sesame Street themed park, Sesame Place, is located in Bucks County Pennsylvania and is the world's FIRST park to be CAC certified. (It’s a five-hour drive from New Bedford, so roughly the same distance as here to Santa’s Village in New Hampshire.)

Sesame Place® has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in online training and certification programs, to become the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). It is our goal to provide every family with an enjoyable and memorable visit to Sesame Place, and we are proud to offer specialized services to guests with autism and other special needs.

What does this mean for your family?

It means the staff has received special training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to cater to all children including those with special needs. Training includes sensory awareness, motor skills, social skills and emotional awareness.

It means that the rides have been designed to allow all guests to fully participate in the park while also being safe. This includes a full Ride Accessibility Guide to give you an overview of services and facilities available to your guest with special needs.

It means quiet rooms are available to give your family relief from sensory stimulations. These rooms have adjustable lighting and comfortable seating to help make your breaks comfortable.

It means noise-canceling headphones are available for a guest with hearing sensitivity. They are available on a first come, first serve basis at the Family Care Center.

It means there are Low Sensory areas for guests who need more quiet, less populated areas of the park along with low sensory parade viewing areas that limit the direct character contact.

And lastly, it means that Julia, Sesame’s 4-year-old with Autism will be available for photos and greetings!

Opening day is April 28th and you can learn more about planning your family's trip here.