In the year that Young Sophie was 0-1, or 2022, we chose to buy a season pass for Sesame Place and a membership for Longwood Gardens. We also considered the Turtleback Zoo (https://turtlebackzoo.com/admission-hours/), which gives free admission to those under 2.
Sesame Place
We chose Sesame Place for a simple reason that I am sure many other parents of children aged 0-3 understand: Our child likes Sesame Street. And Elmo.
Sesame Place grants free entry to those aged 23 months and younger. The cost of one visit with two adults and one baby would total something like $50 Tickets x 2 + $30 Basic Parking, so we went with a Gold Pass that cost $140 as a special rate. The Gold Pass for me came with 4 guest passes for my husband and free Preferred Parking.
I emailed ahead to ask about bringing baby snacks and milk into the park, and they approved me for bringing in the baby’s milk, grapes, fishy crackers, seaweed, and an extra frozen bottle of water to keep the milk cool in the small cooler bag. I bring the email on my phone in case I needed to show it to the check-in guards, but I have never been asked to show it yet.
The rides are generally toddler friendly. The teenagers working the rides will usually ask me to put down my baby and for them to see if she can walk 3 steps, which she can. My baby likes the Elmo-fish ride and the carousel, and splashing in the indeed Teeny Tiny Tidal Pool. She also likes Slimey’s Playground, but I must say that some children older than the written 0-5 age limit. You have to watch that some larger child does not accidentally crush your baby’s fingers.
This amusement park, being Sesame Street themed, has characters in costume during the parade, photo times, and shows. (There are set photo times, with Elmo at almost every time slot.) Small Sophie was hesitant to approach the strange 6-foot-tall Elmo for picture time, so we did not try any others. They did have a baby wrangler, so that helps if you are set on pictures of your baby with giant whoever.
There is only one water refill station that I have found, which is by the bathrooms near the water area. It is fortunately a small park, so that is not bad. The bathrooms themselves are a lot cleaner once the water park section is closed.
They do allow re-entry, so we have walked to a nearby restaurant to eat and then come back.
Would I buy a season pass next year? No, because Small Sophie will not be free then. This year, I bought a Gold Pass for ~$140 after taxes that comes with 4 guest passes and free Preferred Parking. My husband, my daughter, and I could visit 4 times for $35 per visit in terms of admissions and parking. We actually visited a 5th time when Sesame Place gave out a free extra guest ticket in September! When Small Sophie needs her own ticket, a single Gold Pass would mean 2 visits at $70 per visit for admissions and parking.
We will probably return when Small Sophie has a sibling under age 2.
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens was more for me than for Small Sophie, but there are a few things she enjoys: a children’s area made up of fountains and a grassy, tiered hill on which I usually see children rolling. There are also fountain shows throughout the day that often have children running around under the misty spray.
The cost was $149 for a 2-person membership, $99 of which is tax deductible. Two people’s names must be on this membership, and the membership admits 2 people per day, as long as one of those 2 people is named on the membership. Children aged 0-4 are free. Membership or not, everyone’s entry time usually needs to be reserved with the timed reservation slots. Exceptions are Member entries before 3 PM on some days and the complimentary guest tickets you may receive with your Membership.
Small Sophie likes splashing her hands in the children’s area and always leaves rather wet. I strongly advise bringing a change of clothing for toddlers who visit. Including shoes. Frankly, I have also seen a trio of middle school girls deliberately sitting under falling water, so getting wet is not limited to those under 4!
Most but not all bathrooms have a baby changing table— including the men’s bathroom. They let our baby’s milk and fishy crackers in every time. There can be long walks before getting to a water fountain, so we usually bring in a big container of water under the stroller to refill our bottles from.
Longwood Gardens does not allow reentry, so plan to eat before and after or to buy food while inside.
Next Year?
In 2023, when Young Sophie is 1-2, she may be old enough to better appreciate the zoo! That will be more educational.