I had high hopes when I booked this place for a recent birthday party based on the reviews that I read here. However, there were a few things that was truly disappointing to us after the party was held. Here are the PROS and CONS that we have experienced:
PROS:
- All parties are private. We have the entire play area and party room to ourselves for the entire party time.
- The person we dealt with in the beginning was easy to deal with and responsive with questions
- They don't limit the number of adults that can attend the party like other places do.
- Space is open and not enclosed inside a small cramped box like other indoor playground we've seen.
- They were trying their best to help set up and clean up because turnover time was limited between the parties.
CONS:
- Pricing is NOT transparent. We have raised this concern prior to booking the space. The website price and the price quoted to us on a small piece of handwritten paper was different. When we asked about it, they said they have not had a chance to update their site from a few years ago. Ok, person we spoke to seem to be trustworthy so we went ahead and booked the place.
- I recalled very clearly and it was also written down on that small piece of handwritten paper give to us that Package 1 was $249+HST for 16 kids and that if we are over by 1 or 2 kids, they will still give us package 1 pricing. If we are over by 3 kids, then we will fall under Package 2 pricing which is $299+HST for 20 kids and above. Because that was what we were told, when a parent or two asked at the last minute if toddler siblings can come because they cannot find a babysitter, we agreed because we are well within the 1 or 2 kids above 16). When we were settling our bill after the party, we were surprised that we were being charged Package 2 pricing. When we told the her that we had agreed on 16 with 1 or 2 kids over at Package 1, she insisted that that is not what Package 1 is. Package 1 is 15 kids plus possible 1 or 2 over and I had 18 kids. At this time, they were rushing us out because the next party host were there and the person we dealt with was busy at the back cleaning. And because they don't published pricing whether online or on print, there was no way to state our case. If we had known that we had already crossed the boundary into the second package, we might as well invite some of the families that we intentionally left out because we wanted to be within the Package 1 head count (+/- 2 kids) that they have promised. This is about principle and keeping your word.
- The time in between parties are really tight. It gives you barely any time at all to set up and cleanup. Even if they were trying their best to help, it is very rushed. They could've saved people all that stress (even for themselves) if they have allotted a few more minutes in between. Of course, it is a business for them, nothing personal...they have to get the assembly and turnover time moving as fast as they could to make more money. In that case, maybe have more help available (since your pricing is so vague anyway you could change your package numbers any way you want to).
- They also indicated that unlimited fruit punch for the kids and coffee and tea for the adults will be provided. They never brought out the fruit punch for the kids. We wondered where it was and saw 1 single jar of fruit punch inside the refrigerator when we were leaving. Maybe that fruit punch is saved for the next party, if the host even noticed that it is inside the refrigerator and not served to the kids. It will probably save them money from making more and bring out extra since they mention it is supposed to be "unlimited". The coffee pot was empty the entire time. It looked really clean and not used. I've attended parties where coffee pots are boiling and ready for the guests regardless of whether or not the adults want it. And to think these were the only things that came with the package, nothing more. For a similar price, you get at least a pizza plus drinks for both kids and adults at other places and they are ready to go when you arrive.
We were told that this place was previously owned by someone esle. So I'm not sure if it is the change in ownership and/or management that is the issue here. The place has potential, but is lacking in customer service and integrity. We will definitely not be booking another party here because of this experience. There are no shortage of unique and private party venues and ideas for kids in the GTA. At the end of the day, it all boils down to a great experience and excellent customer service, which in my opinion, this place falls short of. read more