Sesame Place San Diego vs LEGOLAND Water Park

Let’s take a look at what the neighborhoods around the parks have to offer for families.

Walking Trail Outside the Living Coast Discovery Center

Explore Chula Vista

Sesame Place is in Chula Vista, on the site of the old Aquatica San Diego. Known for its beautiful views, the neighborhood sits between the San Diego Bay and the area’s more mountainous region.

There’s lots for families to do in Chula Vista, such as visiting the Living Coast Discovery Center. Kids will also enjoy go karting at the K1 Speedway and Speed Circuit Family Fun Center.

Enjoying the Water at Carlsbad City Beach

See the Sights in Carlsbad

LEGOLAND Water Park is in Carlsbad, a seaside neighborhood with plenty of beaches for families.

See our list of the best things to do in Carlsbad for more ideas, from shopping at Carlsbad Premium Outlets to touring the flower fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

As part of LEGOLAND California, LEGOLAND Water Park is best experienced when staying at a hotel nearby. For a truly special experience, stay on-site at one of LEGOLAND’s themed hotels, at either the LEGOLAND California Resort Hotel or the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel.

Main Entrance to Legoland Ca

Which Park has the Best Location: LEGOLAND Water Park

Carlsbad has a lot more to do, including some great attractions, making LEGOLAND Water Park in that neighborhood our clear winner for the better location.

See the rides, shows, and more that make each park unique.

Big Bird at Sesame Place San Diego

Everything to Do at Sesame Place

Sesame Place features a mix of water and theme park activities, plus lots of fun shows.

Water Rides

Sesame Place has 10 water rides to enjoy, including a series of slides, rafting rides, races, and wave pools.

Kids can climb around at The Count’s Splash Castle, race each other on Honkey Dinger Dash slides, and kick back as they float down Big Bird’s Rambling River.

There are even attractions just for little kids, like Elmo’s Silly Sand Slides.

Dry Rides

Sesame Place offers 8 dry rides and activities.

They include swings, a Sunny Day Carousel, a kid-friendly coaster, some thrill rides, and hands-on opportunities for play and exploration throughout the iconic Sesame Street neighborhood.

Shows and Other Performances

Sesame Place brings the locations and characters of Sesame Street to life through a series of shows and meet-and-greet events all year round. The most popular of these is the Sesame Street Party Parade, where kids can sing and dance with all their Sesame Street friends.

Other shows include Storytime with Big Bird, the Welcome to Our Street performance, and the Furry Friends Dance Party, alongside chance meetings with costumed characters roaming the park.

Legoland Waterpark Ride

Your Day at the LEGOLAND Water Park

See the variety of attractions that await at LEGOLAND Water Park.

Water Rides

LEGOLAND Water Park currently has 17 different water rides and activities, with plenty to do for all ages.

Younger kids can play at the DUPLO Splash Pad, float down the Build-a-Raft River, and build LEGO creations at the Imagination Station.

For older kids, thrill rides like the Crug’s Run slide at Cragger Swamp, the Riptide Racers slide, and the giant raft ride Orange Rush are sure to delight.

Dry Rides

Unlike Sesame Place, LEGOLAND Water Park’s regular and water rides are separated between the parks. However, since a park hopper pass gets you admission to all three LEGOLAND parks, you can easily head to the main LEGOLAND California theme park if you’re feeling a little waterlogged.

Rides include family-friendly roller coasters, a drop ride, playgrounds, and movie rides.

Shows and Other Performances

At LEGOLAND, most LEGO-themed shows are held in the main theme park. These include stage shows like Once Upon a Brick and interactive activities like Benny’s Dance Party.

However, the water park does offer performances and meet-and-greet events during special events, like 2024’s LEGO NINJAGO Weekends.

Legoland Waterpark Playground

Where the Family can Do More: LEGOLAND Water Park

There’s more to do at LEGOLAND in terms of the sheer number of rides and attractions, with lots of variety as well.

Since you can easily spend all day at either park, where to get lunch is an important consideration, as are the sizes and amenities available in each park.

The Size and Scope of Sesame Place

Sesame Place is a bit bigger than the LEGOLAND Water Park, at 17 acres.

Both parks have multiple places to grab snacks and drinks, or even enjoy a sit-down meal. One standout that I recommend is meeting Elmo and friends at Sesame Place’s character dining experience.

LEGOLAND Water Park’s Layout and Amenities

LEGOLAND Water Park spans 10 acres, which is smaller than Sesame Place. Still, both parks are packed with enough things to do that it will take a few hours to see it all.

As for food options, on top of some grab-and-go food stands, I enjoy chowing down at Beach Front Grill in LEGOLAND’s water park.

Inside Legoland Waterpark

Our Team’s Choice: LEGOLAND Water Park

Sesame Place may be the bigger park, but there’s more to do overall at LEGOLAND Water Park, especially taking into account the main park too.

Though neither water park offers tours in the traditional sense, both parks have optional upgrades for families looking for an elevated experience.

See and Do More at Sesame Place

At Sesame Place, optional add-ons are designed to make your visit simpler and more convenient.

You can reserve a spot at different activities and meet-and-greet events held at the park, or even skip the line at rides with priority access.

Feel Like a VIP at LEGOLAND California

OK now to be fair, I’m considering more than just the LEGOLAND Water Park with this tour, but it’s so close that I think it’s worth considering.

If you want to feel like true royalty at LEGOLAND California, the Ultimate VIP Experience provides you with a personal tour guide who will assist with booking and transportation all day long.

The experience also comes with a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory, model shop, or an encounter with reptiles or marine life.

Water Slide at Sesame Place San Diego

Comparing Extra Experiences: A Tie

The tours and special experiences at each park are about equivalent so in terms of added experiences, I give this category a tie!

Minifigure Market at Legoland California

The biggest difference between the parks comes down to the balance between rides and character experiences. For that reason, if your kids are really sold on character experiences, Sesame Place may be your park of choice.

Overall, however, our team prefers the LEGOLAND Water Park for its diversity of activities, rides, and more!