Sesame Place San Diego has announced it will close for the remainder of 2025 and move to a seasonal operating schedule, with a full reopening not expected until May 2026. The park said the decision, disclosed Sept. 15, is intended to focus its resources on peak visiting times to deliver the best possible experience from the moment guests arrive until they leave. The announcement comes as families and season-pass holders react to the surprise shift away from a year-long operating calendar.
The 17-acre theme park, which features 18 child-friendly rides, was opened in 2022 as the San Diego iteration of the Sesame Place brand, itself part of a family of parks acquired by United Parks. Sesame Place San Diego and its sister attraction SeaWorld share connections through their ownership, and the company signaled a broader plan to consolidate some guest benefits during the transition. In practical terms, season passholders will receive unlimited admission to SeaWorld, and their annual passes will be replaced by SeaWorld’s 'Fun Cards' under the new arrangement. Admission to SeaWorld’s holiday events is included as part of the transfer.
Sesame Place said it will remain closed after Sept. 21, 2025, and there has been no announced date to resume operations until the 2026 season. For guests who bought single-day tickets for the rest of the year, options include refunds, the ability to reschedule to a 2026 date, or switching to a SeaWorld one-day pass. The park’s website notes season passes are listed for up to $375, but it was not immediately clear whether annual passholders would be refunded under the new plan. The company framed the changes as a long-term strategy to deliver a better guest experience during its peak times, rather than as a temporary disruption.
Reaction on social media reflected disappointment and surprise from loyal visitors and families who had planned around Halloween and Christmas events. Some season pass holders characterized the move as disruptive, noting that they had already budgeted for seasonal experiences tied to Halloween and holiday programming. A number of posts also referenced the short notice given to employees and travelers who had arranged schedules, flights, or time off around the park’s prior calendar. While the park said it would honor refunds for single-day tickets and offered alternatives for repeat visitors, the absence of detail on annual passes drew particular scrutiny from the community and local stakeholders.
The shift also underscores a broader trend in the entertainment sector where parks and venues recalibrate calendars to align with customer demand and staffing realities. Sesame Place San Diego opened in 2022, expanding the brand’s footprint in the region more than two decades after its Philadelphia-originated attraction first welcomed guests. The park has highlighted its family-friendly identity, featuring character meet-and-greets with Sesame Street favorites such as Elmo, Big Bird, and Grover, along with a range of parades and stage shows designed for young children.
The decision to close temporarily for months on end and pivot to a seasonal schedule marks a notable departure for a park that has marketed itself around year-round family entertainment. While SeaWorld and Sesame Place executives suggested the transfer of passes would help families keep enjoying the brand’s experiences in a different venue, the immediate impact on travel plans, flights, and local accommodations has been felt by many guests who had already arranged trips to San Diego or toward the fall season.
As the 2025 calendar advances toward the autumn and winter holidays, visitors will watch to see how the seasonal plan unfolds and what changes might accompany the retooled schedule. With Halloween and holiday programming canceled for Sesame Place San Diego under the new arrangement, fans are evaluating whether the SeaWorld transfer and the seasonal approach will fulfill expectations for a brand known for its beloved Sesame Street characters and family-centered entertainment. The park has indicated it will provide ongoing updates about the 2026 reopening timeline and any adjustments to guest options as the plans evolve.