funtopia

On a very hot day, we decided to do something that was indoors with a/c. With three kids, 7,5 and 2...hopefully it was something they would all enjoy. We arrived very early on a weekday...about 10:30-11. Pretty empty. So far so good. Very large space which included bowling(a couple of lanes), bumper cars(no one riding them), lazer tag, and two separate climbing areas...(one for the little ones). Laser, bowling and bumper cars were separate prices. My daughter, 7, was able to drive the bumper car alone, but did not enjoy it because she barely reached the pedals. Very uncomfortable. That was a waste, but she found out for herself. So the day was basically climbing in the play areas and then video games(this was similar to chucke E cheese). We stayed for a couple of ours and practically had the place to ourselves. It was ok. Nothing amazing. Something to do. Staff didn't seem to excited about their jobs overall...it did seem clean and well kept. Don't forget socks for play areas. If u forget, u can purchase them in a vending machine for $1-. Reasonable prices for food, drinks and the video games. Also you are not allowed food from outside.

This place is very good for kids it has climbing stuff and slides and bumping cars BUT after a hour max two they come back that they are bored.....

FUNTOPIA6626 Metropolitan Ave. Middle Village, NY 11379718-381-4300http://www.funtopiausa.com/Enter BJ’s and you’ll see an escalator and steps as well going upstairs to the FUNTOPIA. I guess the price is $7 Mon. to Fri. and $9 Sat. and Sun. per child, in any case below $10 entry fee.What is free? In fact nothing because you’re paying the entry fee. Why entry fee when you’re going to be charged for almost every ride and machine once you’re in?Kids can have free 3-level play area available to them; you don’t pay for it, so basically this is for what you pay about 7-9 dollars. There is a nice sized area dedicated to these tunnels and nets for children to climb up and slide down and jump on “trampoline type” nets. This one is a pretty good exercise area for kids. On a rainy day or snow or extreme heat, this seems an excellent place for parents to take their kids out for their exercise.Hmm, what else is free? I mean without extra charge; yes, a small area for the toddlers and younger kids with low slides and steps. The little ones really keep themselves busy with this area.I guess that’s all about “Free” all the rest you’ll have to pay.A typical visit with two kids over the height of 48” can cost you between $30-50 easily because these kids can have the Bumper Car ride that costs the most. These Bumper-cars are expensive and the operator seems to stop the ride whenever he/she feels like it. I clocked one ride with my kids at about less than 2 minutes! This was on a day when a bus full of summer school kids stopped by. All of a sudden the Bumper-cars started to stop within a couple of minutes! A total rip-off! These rides and time related attractions should have a set time limited written at the same place where they write how many tokens per ride! It doesn’t matter if they’re busy or not, my money stays the same, so should the rides and machines. What do you think?Pros:3-level tunnels and nets area provides a good exercise for kids when outside activity is not possible and you don’t pay extra for it.Toddlers can have a nice area to themselves.Toddles have some rides as well.Machines give out tickets when kids win and can be redeemed at the gift shop; kids get extremely poor quality stuff for spending their parents’ hard earned money, but there’s an extra excitement for kids and they learn to earn.Birthday parties can be arranged. You can bring in your cake. They sell pizza and sodas within the premises that can be added to your menu for the guests you bring along.But then they have party deals as well. For $279 you can entertain 11 children, slice of pizza, fun dancing, soda, party room and some other stuff, and just bring in your own cake. I really like this idea and kids can have a lot of fun.Meanwhile the parents can do their shopping at the Mall for the week.I think you get one free entry to be used within 30 days when you purchase a ticket (some rules apply I think, please ask the person when you purchase a ticket.) Cons:Service stinks! Machines are often broken which is totally unfair because you’re paying an entry fee! Machines give out winning tickets at their own discretion; sometimes a child scores very good and gets two tickets, sometimes does nothing and tickets start flowing out like crazy! Male attendants most of time only pay attention to “Ladies”, poor gents like me who need help with the poorly kept machines have to wait for “their turn” that happens to be only when there’s no “lady” left to attend! These attendants will look through you males and reach out any female in sight just in case she needs help! It happened a dozen times to me personally. They really know their duties. Bravo guys, keep it up!Their female attendants are seldom seen at the floor, mostly you’ll notice them at the entrance reception, in 3s and 4s and 5s, standing yapping or if at the floor, they’ll be fooling around with males. Excellent management! No check at all; I wish I were an employee at this place when I was in my 30’s.We started visiting this place about 6-7 years ago. It has never changed management-wise.Machines are expensive to play and time allowance is ridiculously short for that money. Some machines just know how to take in your money, what to do in return…they don’t know!Tip for parents:Use this place for only extreme weathers when the kids can’t go out anywhere else. If exercise is the idea, push them toward the tunnels area instead of machines if you want them really get tired.For kid’s party, it’s up to you if you want to buy a package or not. I would buy a cake from downstairs at the BJ’s, some balloons, and buy pizza and expensive drinks inside of this place (They sell them in there, so I don’t think you can bring your own drinks and food, just the cake). Pizza is not always the same quality. The best I’ve eaten here was mediocre. Drinks are expensive.Otherwise if the weather is okay then you’ve many places at your disposal.