Halloween started in August at Disney parks this year—and now here I am in September, sharing a Christmas image. What gives?

The reason is Sesame Place San Diego. In a surprise move, the park announced it would shift to a “seasonal operation schedule,” with September 21st, 2025 as its last day of operation this year—and not reopening again until late May 2026. For several years, the park had been open year-round (with mostly weekend-only schedules outside summer). The sudden change, announced only days before closure, blindsided not only guests but also employees.

To soften the blow, passholders were offered a “Fun Card” for nearby SeaWorld San Diego for the remainder of 2025. While that’s a kind gesture, there’s a bittersweet irony: SeaWorld used to have a Sesame Street–themed land before transforming its Aquatica waterpark into Sesame Place. Once Sesame Place was established, the Sesame theming left SeaWorld—meaning that now, families lose out on that connection entirely for most of the year.

From a photographer’s perspective, this shift stings. One of the joys of Halloween and Christmas seasons was the transformation of the park into something truly special:

• Seasonal decorations that made every corner photogenic.

• Characters in festive costumes—perfect for capturing magical, memory-making shots with kids.

• Unique merchandise, like plush pumpkins and gingerbread-themed toys, only available this time of year.

• And perhaps most importantly—the shifted operational hours. During fall and winter, the park’s schedule changed from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. to 12 p.m.–7 p.m., giving us the rare chance to shoot sunset inside the park. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony at night was always a highlight.

Without those opportunities, not only do we lose traditions and memories, but we also lose an important layer of storytelling that theme parks provide through their seasonal celebrations. For me, as someone who grew up loving both Sesame Street and the broader Muppet family, it feels like a part of that magic has gone dim.

This decision highlights why photography in theme parks is so important: things change quickly, sometimes without warning. What you capture in your photos today may become the only way to hold on to those memories tomorrow.

If you’d like to learn more ways to preserve the magic of your own park visits, I’ve created a free ebook with my top 3 tips for capturing epic theme park photos on your cell phone. You can download it here.