Sesame Place Williamsburg

[WDWRLD]

WDWRLD; other than crowd size what’s the downside to parents spending a daytime HOS at SP, and evening HOS in BGW? That’s a huge amount more income for BGW and SEAS to reinvest in the park.

The only “downside” I see is how to handle the parking, and there’s quite a few things they could go to.

Outside of garages:
Premier parking in England, Preffered in Germany, Passholders in Italy, Ireland for daily parking. Go across the street as needed. Or put it out there as reduced price parking to encourage people to go there.

For years BGW has tried to tackle the issue of parents bringing small kids to HOS. They have added afternoon events for kids, marketed the evening as "not for kids" and other techniques but parents still bring kids that have no business at a scare event. I have seen adults literally dragging kids into houses crying because they were too scared to go, that ruins the experience for everyone that can hear and see it. Ive also see parents go though houses screaming at every scare actor either to not scare the small kid they have or complaining when they do.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

So I believe this is a win-win for everyone involved. Kids get their own dedicated park and parents of said kids are happy they don't have to walk around an entire park for all the sparatically placed kids attractions in BGW proper. The park presumably gets more money and the rest of us enjoy more open paths.

I hope this happens.

 

[tursiops]

If this does happen, could land of the dragons be redone as a new riverfront hamlet? Would it be too extreme removing lotd and fof? I don't know that it would be a good idea, lotd is better for kids who may be too old to enjoy sesame place.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

I would want LoD to stay. Even with SP next door, the park should have some sort of kiddy area. That being said, all other kiddy rides not in LoD can go into SP.

 

[Thomas]

I don't think the expansion of FoF into a new park would justify BGW removing all Kidsidierate attractions. Besides, I'm sure they would want families to do both parks, and having tamer options at BGW would make it more appealing.

 

[kmccarthy27]

I don't think the expansion of FoF into a new park would justify BGW removing all Kidsidierate attractions. Besides, I'm sure they would want families to do both parks, and having tamer options at BGW would make it more appealing.

I mentioned in the FB post that they could even get the exact same rides that’s in FoF, retheme them to something hamlet related and put them around the park. Little kids are not going to care the Elmo Drop is the same ride as lil Mach Tower.

 

[Luke]

Maybe if they get rid of Land of Dragons and replaced that with a cool ride that would be nice. Then all the kid stuff would be in Elmo land.

 

[Merboy]

I do have to say that while I (personally) will forever adhere to the benefit of children (despite myself), I do have to say that Peej raises a valid point. This new additon would seriously compromise the overall soul of Busch Gardens Williamsburg: The Olde Country.... There is no turning back from Sesame Street. There literally is not.

Also, I will never ever stand behind the notion of removing Land of Dragons. Next question.

 

[Luke]

Also, I will never ever stand behind the notion of removing Land of Dragons. Next question.

Well be that as it may

 

[Thomas]

I don't see how this taints Busch Gardens... it's a separate park. It will take Sesame Street OUT of BGW.

 

[..…]

I don't see how this taints Busch Gardens... it's a separate park. It will take Sesame Street OUT of BGW.

I agree it would be nice for Sesame Street to be a separate park (it never did seem to fit at BGW), but I don't understand their logic of building it so close to BGW. Today's kids that are introduced to BGW are tomorrow's park members. Why dilute that?

 

[Thomas]

BGW would be the park that they transition to as they get older, I assume. And regarding being so close to BGW, it makes the most sense to have it where the infrastructure already exists and they don't exactly want to go buying land for such a small scale park.

 

[Merboy]

Maybe I did not understand the physical perimeters of this new park. Will it be flushed and adjacent to BG? That's the only reason I'm saying I feel like creating this new park would compromise the "feeling" of BGW, is because when one visits Busch they are also visiting the adjoining kiddie park right next door. But I'm open to saying I'm completely wrong on this, which I hope is the case. Did I misunderstand the situation?

Oh and also, yes, I agree I can absolutely see how the creation of this new park would create a space for kids to go and therefore not be in BGW. But I do also wonder why a family wouldn't visit both parks if they're both right there for the visiting.

 

[Nicole]

Conceptually, to me it seems like other multi-gate park areas. They are associated, but separate. Since they are all under the same umbrella, it makes sense for guests to be able to move among them easily, like IoA and USO.

Additionally, to me it makes sense to pull Forest of Fun out of BGW and incorporate it into Sesame Place. It lowers costs; makes efficient use of existing support infrastructure and backstage areas; and clears the non-Old Country IP out of BGW. To do that, however, SP has to be adjacent to the existing park.

I would also be surprised, if they don’t offer a pass that allows guests to visit multiple parks.

 

[Nicole]

Since we are already debating the proposed new park, allow me to offer my hot-off-the-presses article on the pros and cons of Sesame Place Williamsburg.

 

[tursiops]

Great articles Nicole and Zachary! Thanks!

 

[lightninlady]

Is it possible that similar surveys were sent out to other parks in the SEAS chain? What makes Williamsburg a prime spot as opposed to having Sesame Place Tampa, or Sesame Place San Antonio?

 

[Thomas]

I wonder if this proposed water park section could also justify the removal of some of WCUSA's more outdated kiddie areas like Kritter Corral in favor or more major slides.

Also, I think Williamsburg makes more sense than Florida as there is less competition and a greater concentration of families due to the military bases in the area. Disney and Legoland would really take families away from a Sesame park down there, imo.

 

[Nicole]

Is it possible that similar surveys were sent out to other parks in the SEAS chain? What makes Williamsburg a prime spot as opposed to having Sesame Place Tampa, or Sesame Place San Antonio?

We haven’t heard about people at other parks getting the survey.

I can’t speak to San Antonio, but Tampa doesn’t have as much room for expansion as Williamsburg.

That said, we never claimed Virginia was the best choice. We merely highlighted why it could be picked, and the implications if it were.

 

[Luke]

My thoughts about this summed up in a pusheen gif:

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But those are great articles Nicole and Zacharys.