We recently look Isabella and the twins to Chuck E. Cheese. I had my doubts about there being enough age-appropriate games and rides to keep an almost three-year-old occupied and entertained, but after hearing glowing reviews from Chas and my friend Dianne, who both have daughters around Isabella's age, we decided to give it a go.
What really intrigued her was the tickets. You remember the deal. Play a game, and when you're done, the machine spits out a ticket (or many tickets). Isabella loved grabbing the tickets and handing them to me. When we were just about to leave, we fed them into a machine that tallied them up (no more counting them yourself), and then we took her over to the counter of crap toys to cash them in. She left with a ball, a sheet of stickers, and two plastic fish and was completely thrilled.
Isabella was in a state of blitzed-out euphoria from the second we walked through the door.
And fortunately for us, our cloistered-for-bad-public-behavior twins were too.
Since I'm all about cheap (or free) entertainment these days, I was really satisfied with the deal we used, courtesy of a coupon from their website. For $18.99, we had a large pizza, four drinks, and 25 tokens, which was more than enough for Isabella to have a great time for two hours. Each ride or game was only one token. You can sign up for their website deals here.
For an extra .99 cents, I bought Isabella this cup, purely for the future blackmail photo op it provides.
There's a toddler area for kids with rides and games scaled down to their level. I would say Isabella was almost too old for the rides, but she really enjoyed the games and the playset/slide.
What really intrigued her was the tickets. You remember the deal. Play a game, and when you're done, the machine spits out a ticket (or many tickets). Isabella loved grabbing the tickets and handing them to me. When we were just about to leave, we fed them into a machine that tallied them up (no more counting them yourself), and then we took her over to the counter of The pizza was just as bad as I remember it being. Of course, I was starving so that didn't stop me from eating three pieces. Isabella, however, thought it was great. The twins abstained from pizza citing something about a mouth full of gums and not much else.
As we were eating in the nothing-like-I-remembered "theatre" area, who should emerge from a door by the stage but Chuck himself. He walked right over to our table and encouraged Isabella to give him a high-five. She not-so-politely declined. He walked away pretending to cry, and then returned. Isabella then obliged.
Luci was very suspicious of the rat.
All things considered, we would go to Chuck E. Cheese again. It was inexpensive. Isabella had a blast. And there was enough excitement and stimulation to keep the twins quiet for a couple hours.
But if you were a Chuck E. Cheese regular, as I was in my youth, you may be disappointed. It bears very little resemblance to the place I remembered. There is no train that runs around the place. No ball pit. No super-cool stage show with waving international flags. No Swiss cheese crawl under the stage. The kids visiting there today won't know any different, of course, but it's my opinion that the CEC of the 1980s was much, much cooler.
And now it's time to soak my dentures and sip a nice cup of Sanka while yelling at the neighborhood kids for throwing their ball in my yard.
LOL at that last line....nothing like kids to advance the aging process if only in our heads!
Sounds like you had a really good time - even tho it was at CEC. Kids happy = parents happy so sometimes its worth sucking it up and eating crappy pizza to watch the little faces light up....
You are on the road girl - the road to saner days and more outings. Am sure you will be graduating from CEC real soon.
I only went to chuck e cheese once or twice in my childhood and don't really remember much about it. We have been putting off taking Little Elvis, but I have a feeling we will be checking out their fare very soon.
We had such a good time that we're actually thinking of going back again next week!
We took A a few months ago and it was fun. She loves CC!
I'm planning on going to BlogHer next year. It's in NY next year, are you thinking about going at all? I would love to meet you face-to-face.
Drop me an email if you are thinking about going.
I'm giggling because I've taken the kiddo there a couple times. The first time I was frightened at the horde of manic children running around -- I think he was too young. The second time, he fit right in and loved the skee ball game you picture Isabella playing. He really couldn't have cared less about the tickets. I think he was just dazzled by all the noise, lights and general mayhem of the place.
I have not been there in a loooong time. Here we have Casa Bonita, which is similar, but Mexican themed (it was featured on South Park). I rather enjoy that place, but have never been much for Chuck E Cheese ... I'm sure I'll have to go there sometime soon. ;) As an aside, a friend of mine from college claims he knew some one who dealt (dugs) from the Chuck E Cheese mascot suit. Way sketchy.
we have been taking Lore since she was one lol... esp in the winter... but you can get better coupons if you search www.slickdeals.net that is where we get ours... 9 out of 10 times we never eat there... we have the cup that gives Lore free refills or bring her sippy and just let her run wild... but she always gets the taffy there with her tickets... lol...
It was wonderful to see CEC through newbies eyes. Unfortunately, I've become completely jaded to the place. Of course, with my crew, 25 tokens lasts apx. 15 minutes. Not quite as charming.
Glad Isabella had fun and good for you for getting out.