How many of you remember learning to count with The Count and learning about the letter C with the Cookie Monster? Sesame Street has been a part of childhoods across the world since the show first began in 1969. The longest running children’s program on TV is often credited by immigrants for helping them learn English and it is a franchise still going strong thanks to newer characters like Elmo. Now, Orlando theme parks are about to get a dose of educational fun thanks to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

The Sesame Street additions to the Busch Gardens theme parks began back in April of 2009 with the Sesame Street Forest of Fun opening in Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. This adorable little park features kid-friendly roller coasters, a “Dine with Elmo & Friends” dinner show and a number of other attractions like musical performances and log flume rides even parents can enjoy. So far this attraction has been a big hit with Sesame Street fans at Tampa Bay’s sister park. The Busch Entertainment Corp. also owns Sesame Place, a Sesame Street-themed park, near Philadelphia.

As for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, construction for their Sesame Street section is already underway. The theme park plans to have this new addition completed in 2010. So where will this adorable play land be? Officials are saying that Busch Gardens will transform its 14-year-old Land of the Dragons section into the new Sesame Street attraction. Official details, including ride names, will be announced later on this summer. OrlandoFunTickets.com can tell you that permits four buildings and a small coaster have been secured for this new addition and you can check back with us for full details on the Sesame Street attraction as they are revealed to the public.

If you’re traveling to the Orlando theme parks in the near future and are looking for a Sesame Street fix, you can find one right over at SeaWorld Orlando. As part of the Busch Entertainment family, you can find favorites like Elmo and Cookie monster in the SeaWorld parks as well. If you’re visiting during the summer or holiday seasons, you can catch a glimpse of Elmo and Abby Cadabby’s Treasure Hunt. This cute seasonal show features Elmo and Abby along with the Cookie Monster, Rosita and Grover looking for a magical treasure box that leads them on an adventure that uses their imagination and yours. Make sure you pick up a schedule the next time you visit SeaWorld to see if Elmo and Abby Cadabby’s Treasure Hunt is playing and enjoy the show until Busch Gardens opens their Sesame Street attraction in 2010.