Knowing that school was out I anticipated lots of people/children, but WOW this place was chaotic! Not many families, more group parties, AND most kids here seemed like their parents drop them off and let them do whatever.
It is pretty clean seeing how many kids come here. Upstairs has all sorts of video and ticket games. One major issue I had was that most of the games weren't working, they were aged or on the verge of going out of order. A few games at times would not dispense winning tickets. Instead of refilling the tickets, the workers just give you a couple of tickets for your troubles. They don't bother to fix machines or slap "Out of Order" stickers on the ones that don't work properly (missing balls, eats tokens, out of tickets, etc.).
I stood back for a moment deciding weather or not to ask for my money back - but quickly realized that despite the issues I had with the place, the girls were super excited to play with me and one another. Since I was already knee deep in toddler fun, I couldn't burst their bubble.
I encountered many bad mannered children. I have to admit that my stink eye stared down more children than I care to admit. HA!
A few examples: One girl grabbed Marissa's hand off a game during play. I quickly grabbed the girls hand off - insisting that she go to her parents for a refresh on manners education. Later a boy sneakily leaned in to swipe Marissa's winning tickets. NO NO NO NO little boy, I said, I've got my eyes on all you little devils - MOWAHAHAHAHAHA!! In the toddler section, another girl demanded that Marissa & I help her replace the balls, [marissa, sierra and some other sweet toddler had removed], back into their correct location, so 'she' doesn't get hurt - UH Hello, I said, girl the age of 12 - go back to the jungle and leave the 4 and under play area alone.
After about an hour and a half of game playing, and watching the girls tumble in the "jungle" of ropes, slides, and tunnels, I located a toddler only section -which I was I was more at ease with (but sorry I wasted so much money, for a few prizes consisting of stickers, rings and a tiny dinosaur). The girls had more fun here than all the other options combined - light bulb in head turned on - an outdoor park or trip to McDonald's or Carl's Jr., is cheaper and more fun!!
I was on guard for any parent who dared question my act of love toward my children. I know I can't keep Marissa and Sierra in my bubble for ever, but I sure as hell can express to them how to act, and point out which kids to be aware of!
Basically, go to this place if you want to see parents brazenly ignore their kiddies while said children crawl through a two-story maze and come out in some other area or floor of the building where anybody can take them by the hand and walk out the front door - yes, that easy!
Sure, each family receives a wrist band, but I panicked a few times when Marissa said she's just go down this simple slide and POOF she'd disappear. Luckily she found her way back to me - I didn't know what to do, stay in the safe remembered place, or go find her. During most of my 3 hour stay, I kept thinking of placing some sort of device on Marissa, a sort of walkie talkie, so we could easily route our path back to one another. :)
Maybe when my kids are 8 years old, this place may be more appealing. Any children under that age I don't recommend wasting your money....looks like Chuck E Cheese has our business back.
1 comment:
Its not as bad when you go durring the week when school starts again. The maze kills me too, so easy to loose track of your kids there!
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