Third time here, this time for a drop in with friends and this place has been around for years now. We came at 10:30am on a Saturday and it had some kids but not crowded. By noon and onwards it gets very busy and crowded at the play junctions due to birthday parties starting up. It'll ebb and flow but it can be too chaotic for some people so I'd recommend come once it's opened(and watch your kid)
From the front entrance to thoughtful touches throughout, this place is well run. I'm actually surprised and not grossed out so far, cuz anything to do with kids does not stay clean.
Once you enter and pay, you head to the right hallway to remove shoes then around the bend to hang up jackets afterwards. This keeps the front tidy and dry, as it being a socks only environment, it's especially needed in the winter from the salt rocks getting tracked in. There are half doors for in and out traffic and lots posted signs for rules and directions.
The washrooms offer flip flops and some carpeted areas to keep feet comfy, change tables and wipes and looks clean for the few hours I've been here today.
The snack bar offers coffee and drinks, snack sized chips and on weekends pizza by the slice or full party (20 slices) can be freshly ordered in (25-40 mins for delivery). This is a nice option so you can play a little longer here and not be hangry. Lots of tables and chairs to eat at and to watch the action.
Tip: I asked staffed so it's confirmed. You are allowed to go back out and bring back in food! WHAT?!? YASS you can! three of us parents left and went to McD's(down the street) and brought back a whack of takeout, sat here on the tables to enjoy it without the guilt and enjoyed are mc Cafes and kids meals no problem. We cleaned up after ourselves and everyone else followed suit with their Starbucks, packed lunches and take out.
The staff do their best to keep up with tidying up the front, sweeping salt rocks, running the cafe and keeping an eye out for kids climbing unsafe structures. I saw a staff kindly remove a boy climbing on the princess castle and another off the toddler netting and no parents around to claim these kids. This is the only part I'm concerned about but it's really the parents to keep watch on their kids playing safely. Staff don't patrol for safety and waiver states this (as I see a kid crying in a corner and more than one on the trampoline)
Toys, there's lots and they are well maintained and newish looking. I've been to other places where the sticker of the cars are scrubbed off or looks worse than second hand, the ones here all look clean or new. With lots of roaming room to play, they even have 2 Thomas train roller coaster(step2) that gives little ones quite a thrill, and made the day for one parent hogging it! Parents are allowed up in the play structures and down the slides, max 250lbs.
There's a fenced and netted area for kids under 3, couches, benches all around and even 2 coin operated massage chairs!
We were here from 10:30am-4pm! I noticed a staff with a handheld dyson, vacuuming the floors and up into the play structures, and another sweeping the front foyer, so it shows they do clean but these places are very hard to stay clean.
Conclusion: play places are a lawless chaotic jungle of excitement, know your kids ability to play and please watch them closely or they can get hurt. read more