This article features Sesame Place, the nation's only theme park based entirely on the award-winning television program "Sesame Street" located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arranged through the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Variety--The Children's Charity, Sesame Place has hosted over 200,000 guests associated with Variety and given the children a day they will always remember. For more than 20 years, Sesame Place has opened its gates to children with disabilities and their immediate families as a special event at the beginning of each season. Special accommodations are made to make sure all children, regardless of their disability, have an enriching experience. Originally named "The Sesame Place Challenge for Variety," the goal is for all children to take pride in their accomplishments as they explore the theme park and experience it in their own personal way. Created in 1987 as a pre-opening event for Variety families, it expanded to include the closing day of each season. Now in 2008, it has been extended to a weekend with one day dedicated to children with autism. Sesame Place has always considered the special needs of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, and it is especially beneficial that these children have a day of their own.