Comments on: Europe Invaded by Furry Monsters

By: Steve Mullen

Steve Mullen — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:12:49 +0000

You bring up some interesting points, Danny.

I understand that Sesame Street is truly a global television program. It’s been recreated for numerous audiences around the world and is extremely valuable for the reasons you mentioned. I love the show for my kids and I loved it back when I was young.

My blog post, however, was never really intended to address the value of Sesame Street, and I did acknowledge that Busch Gardens will make some money from this move. However, I think for branding and image it makes no more sense to put Elmo in Busch Gardens Europe than it makes to put steak on the menu in a vegetarian restaurant.

To address your last point — I can’t speak to that. I look at it as a fun experience and haven’t researched its authenticity. The park has been around since 1975 and I suspect issues of authenticity (or lack thereof) have been addressed.

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:50:09 +0000

Although the idea for Sesame Street originated in the US, it has global appeal. It’s about educating pre-school kids that otherwise may have missed out on pre-school education from their parents not being able to afford it.

I don’t think the fact that Busch Gardens introduced this to their park lessens their brand – if anything, it could increase popularity with parents and their kids.

Perhaps a more valid question (as a European now living in Canada) is how they represent the countries themselves. When you mention Ireland, is it Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) or Southern Ireland? There’s a big difference and could affect the view of Busch if they get that wrong.

By: Steve Mullen

Steve Mullen — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:07:34 +0000

I don’t disagree with having more kids rides there, although my kids (six and four years old) always have a great time in Land of the Dragons and on the other kids rides scattered around the park. Also, I don’t think anyone *really* thought they were in Europe. That’s not the point. What I’m getting at is that the attention to the European theme is what made BG different. It was their differentiator, and it gets watered down with moves like this.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:48:58 +0000

I was there Friday for media day.The BG folks did a first class job, treated us like royalty. My kids LOVED it, which frankly was nice since BG didn’t have much that interested them before, and I always got stuck taking them to Kings Dominion for a theme park hit. (Yuck). I agree Sesame Street doesn’t jive well with the Europe theme but so what.I never thought it was actually Europe anyway, and the rest of the park is still beautiful.(Although I think a real “Sesame Street” complete with brownstones and porches would have made a more fitting backdrop in character with the rest of the park, don’t you?) What were they going to do that had instant brand recognition, appealed hugely to kids, AND was European in theme? Better Sesame Street than nothing, JMHO.