Holiday Highlight: Elle Belle’s Visit to Sesame Place’s “A Very Furry Christmas”

‘Tis the season to be jolly and there is no place happier than Sesame Place’s “A Very Furry Christmas.” From the moment my family stepped inside and saw the Christmas Tree Forest, it was a Sesame Holiday Wonderland. The park was decked for the holidays and it was truly magical. It looked like Rudolph and Santa’s elves visited with my favorite Sesame friends to make it a very, furry Sesame Place. It made me jingle all the way from holiday shows to special rides and from Christmas character dining to a Christmas Neighborhood Parade!

Everywhere we went there were colorful and festive lights, trees, wreaths, and snow while Christmas music was piped throughout the park. The whole thing was music to my ears. There was a giant 1-2-3 Christmas Tree that was four times the size of Daddy with beautiful lights that danced to the music.

My favorite part was the Christmas Dine With Elmo & Friends! where I shared a special holiday meal with my furry friends at Sesame Place. I was so excited that Cookie Monster, Telly, Bert, and Ernie all came to eat and chat with my friends and family while I ate all my favorite holiday foods (mac and cheese, pasta, chicken fingers and a cupcake!). They serenaded us with their Christmas songs and led us in song and dance. In the middle of it all, my little sister spotted her favorite, furry friend, Elmo, and went running off as fast as her little legs and unsteady walk would allow her so I grabbed her hand and helped her meet his open arms with a giant hug. Elmo is so warm and fuzzy! Plus, I loved that he was dressed for occasion in his Christmas fur, shirt, and vest.

Then we got to play all day and go to Christmas shows. My little sister’s favorite was “Elmo The Musical Live! Christmas” that taught us that presents come in all shapes and sizes but the best presents are our friends. It was educational and heartwarming! Then we were off again enjoying all the rides and exploring the festivities with my family and favorite Sesame friends. All the Sesame friends were busy throughout the park driving the Furry Express Train, starring in seasonal shows, doing meet and greets (I got to dance and smile with my favorite friend Zoe!), and dancing in the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade.

I dressed like Zoe and looked for her all day and then found her right before the parade. We shared a special moment doing ballet together and smiling for our fans. It was all caught on camera. This was better than a Christmas miracle! Then the parade had everyone singing and dancing along to performances of holiday favorites including “Sleigh Ride,” “Jingle Bells,” and Elmo’s special rap to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

But the best part was spending quality time with my family and my favorite Sesame friends. “A Very Furry Christmas” is as sweet as visions of sugarplums dancing in my head and is a cherished family tradition that I look forward to again and again.

“A Very Furry Christmas” runs through December 31. To learn more about Sesame Place, visit sesameplace.com!

Elle Belle is an adorable preschooler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and baby sister. She can be reached at ellebellenyc@gmail.com or like at facebook.com/ElleBelleNYC.

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

World of Discovery Day Camp

Over 30 Years of Summer Day Camp Fun &amp; Excitement in Bayside, Queens! For kids ages 4 to 15.&nbsp; An Adventure A Day...&nbsp; At World of Discovery Summer Day Camp of Bayside, Queens, NY summertime is a season for children to expand their horizons, explore new territories, and discover new and exciting things about themselves. Whether the children are enrolled in the Discovery Sports Academy or the Discovery Summer Day Camp, they build new skills, discover new things, make new friends, and realize a new found confidence. &nbsp; Through our structured programming, campers are encouraged to participate and excel in those activities that interest them the most. Both group and individual instruction is offered, and children are generally grouped according to age. Positive reinforcement and encouragement are the cornerstones of all World of Discovery Summer Day Camp programming.