originally posted on 9/9/2024
Photo: Tom Perucki. View full-sized image.
On Sunday, July 14, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania held its third annual Sunny Days With ACE event at Sesame Place (Langhorne, Pennsylvania). A total of 63 attendees came to the event with many of them visiting Sesame Place for the first time. For at least 15 attendees, this was their first ACE event!
Check in was followed by a look at the Sunny Day Carousel that was relocated within the park to welcome guests at the front.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Attendees started the day off with a tour by Social Media Director Gabriel Darretta of the park’s latest project, the Sunny Day Carousel. The carousel had been moved from its previous location in the middle of the park and had been brought all the way to the very front. It’s now the first ride that guests see as they enter, and what a statement it makes!
A behind-the-scenes tour of Sesame Place’s original roller coaster, Vapor Trails, was followed by a look at the new 123 Playground.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Next up was a behind-the-scenes tour of Vapor Trail, which was led by the ride’s maintenance team. Attendees were allowed to walk in the coaster’s maintenance bay and go down the hillside to walk under the coaster. Everyone then made their way to the all-new 123 Playground. Guest surveys consistently asked for a playground for kids, and the park delivered a vibrant, interactive play area. This was followed by a look at the new Party Room, which replaced the former gift shop that now has a brand-new home as guests leave the park.
A surprise visit from Grover, Oscar the Grouch and Elmo was followed by ERT on the Sunny Day Carousel and the park’s two coasters.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tom Perucki. View full-sized image.
Photo: Millie D’Auria. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Darretta then had a surprise for everyone — a visit from Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and Super Grover. Attendees young and old were able to get their pictures taken with the lovable characters. After the meet-and-greet, ERT began on Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, Vapor Trail and Sunny Day Carousel. A full hour was scheduled for both coasters, which gave attendees the opportunity to ride 5, 10 and even 20 or more rides! Ah, Ah, Ah. (Yes, that was a nod to The Count joke.)
Throughout the day, ACE members enjoyed the park’s Sesame Street-themed rides and attractions.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Following announcements by Mike Matscherz, a Q&A session was held by Darretta and Bart Doerfler, an ACE member who became employed by Sesame Place.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Small morning crowds allowed members to get even more rides on the park’s diverse collection of dry rides and waterpark slides. After a couple of hours of free time, attendees gathered at Abby’s Backyard BBQ pavilion for a raffle that featured Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando park tickets and a variety of Sesame Street merchandise. Announcements were made by ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative Mike Matscherz. Next was a Q&A session with members of Sesame Place’s energetic and welcoming leadership team, which included Darretta and Bart Doerfler, vice president of entertainment, who had just started at the park three months ago and has been an ACE member since 1979!
ACE Eastern Pennsylvania extended gratitude to the park for its generosity in hosting the organization, though Oscar the Grouch was not so kind: “Now beat it. Get lost. Scram! Hehe.”
— Mike Matscherz, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative
#ACENews