BUSCH GARDENS WILL OPEN
SESAME STREET FOREST OF FUN DURING SPRING BREAK

Park Opens March 28, New Attraction Opens April 3

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Feb. 26, 2009) - It's the kind of news that children and parents everywhere will love to hear--Sesame Street Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens opens April 3. The park's General Manager and Executive Vice President John Reilly made the announcement today while speaking to a gathering of community leaders invited to tour the construction site.

Sesame Street Forest of Fun will open in two phases.

When the park opens Saturday, March 28, families can dine with Elmo and mingle with the cast of characters over breakfast or lunch at a Sesame Street-themed indoor dining facility. They also can watch all of their favorite Sesame Street characters in a 4-D movie at the Globe Theatre called "Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!" Then on Friday, April 3, Busch Gardens will open Sesame Street Forest of Fun for the season starting with a special two-week preview. Guests can visit Elmo and his friends and explore Busch Gardens' newest attraction, situated in the England section of Busch Gardens.

Sesame Street Forest of Fun features four new rides offering kid-sized versions of popular attractions, including a junior roller coaster designed for parents and children to ride together. The kid-zone also features wet and dry playgrounds, a photography studio with Sesame Street's characters and musical performances.

The Sesame Street-themed area expands Busch Gardens' KIDsiderate attractions. The park's current lineup of kid-friendly rides and attractions will remain, including the popular Land of the Dragons play area and junior rides throughout the park.

"We believe Sesame Street Forest of Fun will be a hit for our park and boost tourism in this region at a time when families are looking for vacations that are worth their hard-earned money," said Reilly.

Busch Gardens is a Worlds of Discovery®. Other Worlds of Discovery include Water Country USA in Williamsburg; Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fl.; the SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fl.; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Adventure Island in Tampa; and Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park, in Orlando.

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.

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