'Sesame Street' sues 'SeaWorld' over mishandling brand, unpaid royalties!

Sesame Place and the Sesame Street Lands at SeaWorld parks days be be numbered. 

Yesterday, in New York court Sesame Workshop sued SeaWorld to end their decades-long relationship, accusing the theme ‌park operator of withholding royalties and undermining the "Sesame Street" brand.

SeaWorld, a unit of United Parks & Resorts, has been Sesame's exclusive ​U.S. theme park licensee for 45 years, opening several "Sesame Street"-themed parks and attractions ​featuring characters including Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Elmo.

Sesame Workshop said ⁠SeaWorld has for a few years ignored the most recent licensing agreement, which ​dates from 2017, including by withholding royalties and closing sites, including the temporary closure ​of Sesame Place San Diego.

According to the complaint, matters worsened in September when SeaWorld stopped paying royalties to Sesame Workshop altogether, and as a pretext to end the relationship made the "preposterous" accusation ​that the New York-based nonprofit failed to invest in its own brand.

"SeaWorld’s rogue, ​retaliatory actions pose an imminent threat" to Sesame Workshop by tarnishing its reputation, using its intellectual ‌property ⁠without permission and "disappointing children and families" who hoped to visit the closed sites, the complaint said.

SeaWorld is known for the orca Shamu. A United Parks spokesperson said in a statement the Orlando, Florida-based company looked forward to "setting the record straight in court." ​United Parks changed its ​name from SeaWorld ⁠Entertainment in 2024.

The lawsuit also seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
“United Parks & Resorts has repeatedly failed to honor its contractual obligations, ​leaving Sesame Workshop no choice but to pursue litigation to ​protect our ⁠brand and the trust that families place in it," a Sesame Workshop spokesperson said in a statement.

In September 2024, a federal judge in Orlando upheld an arbitration ruling that ⁠SeaWorld ​pay Sesame Workshop more than $11 million including interest ​for breaching their licensing agreement. SeaWorld didn't pay until October 2025, Sesame Workshop said.

From Reuters with reporting by Jonathan Stempel in ​New York; Editing by Mark Porter, Aurora Ellis, Cynthia Osterman Editing by Louise Heavens

Breaking: Sesame Place Theme Park Coming to San Diego!

SeaWorld San Diego announced today that it will convert its Aquatica water park into the west coast's first Sesame Place theme park.

According to SeaWorld, the Aquatica water rides will stay, and SeaWorld will expand the park with new attractions, providing a Sesame Street overlay to the entire property.

The renovated and rebranded park will feature 17-acre of "family rides, water slides, live character shows, parades and interactive experiences," according to SeaWorld and will reopen as a Certified Autism Center, like the original Sesame Place outside Philadelphia. 

That staff will undergo autism sensitivity and awareness training and park locations will include designated quiet spaces with adjustable lighting and comfortable seating.

"We share Sesame Workshop's goal of educating and entertaining generations of children, and the opening of a second park, the only one of its kind on the West Coast, furthers our company mission to provide guests with extraordinary experiences," Marc Swanson, Interim Chief Executive Officer, SeaWorld Entertainment, said. "We are thrilled to be able to grow the presence of Sesame Place theme parks in the United States, and San Diego is the perfect complement to our Philadelphia location."

For now, the only existing Aquatica slide targeted for removal is HooRoo Run, which has an 80-foot drop, said Hannes.

“San Diego was not the only place we looked, but it seems like the best next step for us to go,” said Steve Youngwood, chief operating officer of Sesame Workshop, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. “The weather is wonderful. We have good brand awareness in that area in general and from our heritage with SeaWorld San Diego. And (Sesame Place) can draw on a larger area like Los Angeles and beyond.”

“It is a significant investment for the company,” said Hannes. “This is the first new Sesame Place park in 40 years. It certainly expands our commitment to the San Diego region, as well as to theme parks in the United States. It is a big decision and big investment for us.”

The Aquatica water park will open for one more season next year before being re-branded and re-named Sesame Place during the off season.

Sesame Place San Diego will then open in spring 2021.

Sesame Street Coming to SeaWorld Orlando!

SeaWorld Orlando is building a new Sesame Street-themed area!

Coming in 2019, Sesame Street land will replace Shamu’s Happy Harbor play area.

The land will a have a daily parade that features Elmo, Big Bird and an assortment of other characters as well as wet and dry play areas, and recreated locations from the show, such as Mr. Hooper’s store.

The area will be designed to make guests feel like they are walking down Sesame Street as it exists on the show today, rather then the "classic" street at SeaWorld Entertainment's Sesame Place.

"We are excited to transport our guests into the colorful and creative world of Sesame Street through immersive theming, character interactions and interactive play," said SeaWorld Orlando president Jim Dean in a news release.

The expected completion is spring 2019.