You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve probably heard the catchy theme songs. But if you’re a parent staring at a map of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, wondering if you should haul the stroller all the way back to the Sesame Street Forest of Fun, you need the real story. It isn’t just a "kinda cute" area for toddlers. Honestly, it’s one of the most strategically designed children’s areas in any North American theme park, but it comes with some quirks that can absolutely ruin your day if you don't know the layout.
Most people think it’s just a place to see Elmo. It’s way more than that.
The layout and why your feet will hate you
Busch Gardens is famously hilly. It’s built on some pretty intense terrain. The Sesame Street Forest of Fun is tucked away near the England section, but it feels like its own separate world. This is great because it keeps the older, rowdier teens away from your three-year-old. The downside? If you’re coming from the back of the park—say, Verbolten or the Germany section—it’s a massive hike. Use the train. Seriously. The Busch Gardens Railway stops at the Caribou station (New France) and the Heatherdowns station (Scotland). If you time it right, you save about twenty minutes of uphill pushing.
The area itself is incredibly shaded. That’s a huge win in the Virginia humidity. Huge. You’ll find massive trees canopying the Grover’s Alpine Express, which is the "starter" coaster here.
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Breaking down the rides (and the height requirements)
Let’s talk about the hardware. Grover’s Alpine Express is the star. It’s a Zierer Force coaster. It’s smooth. It’s fast enough to be a "real" coaster for a five-year-old but gentle enough that most kids won't leave crying. One thing people miss: the height requirement is 38 inches if accompanied by a supervising companion. If your kid is 41 inches or taller, they can ride solo.
Don't skip Oscar’s Whirly Worms. It looks like a standard "rock and tug" ride, but it has a surprisingly decent lateral G-force for a kiddie ride. Then there’s Bert and Ernie’s Loch Ness Adventure. It’s a flume. A tiny, tiny flume. If you’re an adult, you’re going to feel ridiculous sitting in it, but your kid will think they’re conquering the world.
- Elmo’s Castle: This is basically a massive wet/dry play structure. If the sun is out, the water features are on. Bring a change of clothes. You’ve been warned.
- Prince Elmo’s Spire: It’s a shot-and-drop tower. It’s mild. It bounces.
- The Little Bird’s Siblings Swing: Exactly what it sounds like. Standard swings, but themed.
The character meet-and-greets are the real draw
You aren't just here for the rides. You're here because your kid thinks Elmo is a literal deity. The 1-2-3 Smile with Me! photo op is the primary spot. Usually, you’ll find Elmo, Abby Cadabby, or Cookie Monster.
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Here’s the pro tip: Check the show schedule for "Elmo Rocks." It’s a stage show at the Globe Theatre or sometimes a smaller version right in the Forest. During the off-peak hours, characters often roam near the entrance of the Forest of Fun. If you see a character handler (the person in the blue shirt standing near a furry monster), ask them when the next "walk-about" is. They usually have a schedule that isn't printed on the public maps.
Dealing with the crowds and the "Parent Swap"
Busch Gardens Williamsburg uses a system called Quick Queue. Usually, you don't need it for the Sesame Street Forest of Fun. The lines for Grover’s Alpine Express rarely exceed 20 minutes unless it’s a Saturday in July. However, if you are a coaster enthusiast trapped in a parent's body, remember the "Parent Swap" program. You wait in line once for a big ride like Pantheon or Griffon, one parent rides, then you swap at the exit so the other can ride without waiting again. Use the Forest of Fun as the "waiting room" for the parent who isn't riding the big stuff.
What most people get wrong about the dining
Don't eat inside the Forest of Fun. Just don't. It’s mostly snack stands and overpriced juice boxes. Walk five minutes toward the England section or the Squire’s Grille. You’ll get actual food—burgers, fish and chips, salads—instead of just "character-themed" sugar. If you need a break from the noise, the path leading toward the Italy bridge is usually quiet and has a few benches tucked away under the trees.
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Seasonality matters more than you think
The experience changes based on when you go. During "Howl-O-Scream," the Forest of Fun stays "family-friendly" until about 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. After that, the park gets spooky. They don't put scare actors inside the Forest, but the walk back to the parking lot can be intimidating for little ones.
Conversely, "The Count’s Spooktacular" during the daytime in October is peak Sesame Street. They do costume parades and trick-or-treating. If your kid is into Halloween but hates being scared, this is the literal sweet spot. For Christmas Town, the area is transformed with millions of lights. It’s beautiful, but some of the water-based play areas (like Elmo’s Castle) will obviously be closed or dry.
Actionable steps for your visit:
- Measure your kids at home. Don't wait for the ride attendant to tell you your kid is 1/4 inch too short. It saves a lot of heartbreak.
- Pack a dry bag. Between the splash pad and the Bert and Ernie flume, someone is getting wet. Put your phone and a spare set of socks in a Ziploc.
- Download the Busch Gardens app. It has live wait times. If Grover’s Alpine Express says 5 minutes, run. If it says 45, go get a pretzel and wait it out.
- Hit the Forest early. Most people hit the big coasters first, then gravitate toward the kids' areas around 1:00 PM when the meltdowns start. If you start your morning in the Forest of Fun, you’ll have the place almost to yourself for the first hour the park is open.
- Check the height wristband station. Usually, there’s a station near the park entrance where a staff member can measure your child and give them a color-coded wristband. This prevents the "re-measuring" at every single ride, which speeds up your day significantly.