CHULA VISTA, Calif. — In a major operational change, Sesame Place San Diego announced on Sept. 15 that it will move from year-round operations to a seasonal schedule. The park will shut its gates on Sept. 21 and is not scheduled to reopen until May 2026, according to its online calendar.

A spokesperson for Sesame Place San Diego told SFGATE by email, “By focusing on our most popular times of year, we can deliver the best possible experience from the moment guests arrive until the moment they leave.”

Story Highlights

• Park closure: Ends daily operations Sept. 21, 2024; reopening May 2026

• Event cancellations: Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and A Very Furry Christmas dropped

• Compensation: 2025 season passholders offered SeaWorld “Fun Cards”

• Ownership: Park operated by United Parks and Resorts, also owner of SeaWorld San Diego

Background on the Park

Opened in 2022 in its current form, Sesame Place San Diego blends theme park rides with water attractions and interactive shows. The Chula Vista park features parades and meet-and-greets with Sesame Street favorites such as Elmo, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie.

Impact on Passholders

To offset the closure, the park said it would issue SeaWorld “Fun Cards” with unlimited admission to 2025 season passholders. Single-day ticket holders have been given options to rebook for 2026, switch their ticket to SeaWorld San Diego or request a refund.

But many loyal customers said the sudden announcement left them frustrated and scrambling.

Hayley Porter, a resident of the San Gabriel Valley, told SFGATE she had purchased a pass for the end of 2025 through 2026 and had been looking forward to returning with her daughter after a visit in May 2024.

After learning of the closure, Porter posted on the park’s Instagram account, calling the move “outrageous” and “unprofessional.”

In a direct message to SFGATE, she added, “We are not happy with the news, there was no notice or any type of communication. Not a big fan of SeaWorld, so we are not happy. … So sick of these big corporations taking advantage.”

Complaints Over Refunds and Cancellations

Nikki Lincoln Williams, a San Diego resident, said she purchased four 2026 passes during a promotion that included the rest of 2025. Because her passes are technically for 2026, she said she was not offered a SeaWorld Fun Card.

“I’m going to work with my credit card to cancel the charges and get a refund on what I’ve already paid because the park is not delivering what I paid for,” Williams told SFGATE in a direct message. “I tried reaching out through their website when I heard the news, and have not heard a response.”

Williams also expressed disappointment about the loss of seasonal events. “We were looking forward to the Halloween and Christmas events,” she said. “The park has always done a good job of decorating and having meet and greets with the characters and a special show.”

Travel Plans Disrupted

The cancellation of fall and winter programs at Sesame Place San Diego has also affected out-of-state visitors.

“My family planned to travel from out of state to attend the Halloween Spooktacular,” wrote Sel Ruiz on the park’s Facebook page. “How do you expect people to plan entire vacations around your posted operating schedule and pull the plug with less than two weeks’ notice?”

Corporate Ownership and Next Steps

Parent company United Parks and Resorts owns both Sesame Place San Diego and SeaWorld San Diego. The abrupt shift means the Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and A Very Furry Christmas are canceled for 2024 and 2025.

According to the park calendar, Sesame Place San Diego is slated to reopen in May 2026 under its new seasonal schedule.

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