Until recently, the last time I had been to Chuck E. Cheese’s was sometime in middle school. Come to think of it, it may have even been elementary school. I think it’s a safe bet to say it’s been 20 years since I have been inside of one. What I remember of it is that it was really noisy, really fun, the life-sized animatronics were cool and the pizza was pretty bad.
But again, that was 20 years ago. Probably time to see what has changed!
We took Darah to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time recently, and I’m excited to tell you about our experience.
We arrived at Chuck E. Cheese about 10 minutes after they opened on a Saturday. To our surprise, we were the only folks there. In fact, we were the only guests for almost the first hour! This was AWESOME!!! We were all able to run around freely and explore, and Darah had the opportunity to get used to the sights and sounds before other kids got added to the mix. So my #1 tip for going to Chuck E. Cheese if you want to avoid the crowd is to be willing and ready to play at 9am when they open!
One thing I observed that I loved, as well, is that Chuck E. Cheese puts an invisible stamp on the arms of everyone in the same party. It’s a unique number for each group of people. The reason they do this is so that when you leave, they can make sure that the right adults leave with the right children. That is a very cool feature, and I’m delighted to see it. It can give parents an added feeling of security knowing that every adult and child will be checked at the door.
Darah had an absolute blast at Chuck E. Cheese. It took her a few minutes to get really into all the games, as you can see by the serious look on her face while riding Clifford, her very first ride. 🙂
But she quickly found her groove and spent a great deal of time running from machine to machine. We had 30 tokens to spend, and in the 2 1/2 hours we were there, that was plenty for Darah! I LOVED that every single game in the entire place only cost 1 token to play. I was just certain that some of the games would take 2 or even 3 tokens, but they didn’t! It’s nice to know that however many tokens you buy, that’s how many games you’ll get to play. Tokens are 25 cents each, or you get a price break if you spend $10 on tokens, as you will get 50 instead of 40 (which is a good deal, I think!).
Even Tim got in on the fun. There are many games at Chuck E. Cheese that are great for older kids and even for adults. Here you will see Tim taking on one seriously mean gorilla. Tim fought a good fight, all the way to the end of the game, and was subsequently rewarded with 4 tickets for his efforts. Way to take one for the team, Tim.
I will say that I was disappointed in the updated “live” show. I think the old school Chuck E. Cheese band was one of my favorite things about the place as a kid. Now there’s just one large moving animal up on stage, and the rest is television screens that play really cheesy music videos and some flashy lighting. I found that to be not nearly as cool as what I grew up with, but maybe it speaks more to today’s kids, who likely aren’t as easily impressed with robots that only move in a few different directions.
When we arrived at Chuck E. Cheese, we placed the order for our pizzaand requested that it be ready at 11. Sure enough, it was on our table at 11am sharp! The pizza has recently been completely overhauled. They’ve got new dough and new cheeses that they use. We dug in, and here’s my opinion on the pizza: it’s good. It’s not great. But it’s not bad like I remember. It is quite tasty. I actually think the amount of sauce and toppings is pretty much perfect for kids, but adults may find themselves craving a bit more. Tim and I ate 2/3 of the pizza by ourselves (with Darah nibbling on our pieces here and there), and we probably could have eaten more but we decided to show some restraint. The pizza, in terms of its weightiness, reminds me much more of something from Ci Ci’s than something from Papa John’s. So the price tag (I think $15 for a large is the standard price) is a bit steep.
HOWEVER, keep in mind that places like Papa John’s aren’t also providing you with a unique entertainment experience. Yes, the food is a bit expensive for the overall quality, but if you buy one of their combo packages that includes your pizza and your tokens, I actually think you are getting a killer deal for a morning or afternoon of fun with your family. I would absolutely take Darah again to Chuck E. Cheese, and I’d buy the pizza again, too!
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Chuck E. Cheese guest pass which includes 30 tokens, 4 soft drinks and a large pizza. Woo hoo! The contest will run until August 13th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.
Mandatory entry: This is a really fun one. Go to the Chuck E. Cheese website, and click on the “play skee ball” button on the bottom of the page. Tell me what your score is for your mandatory entry, and don’t forget to print the tickets you win online, as you can redeem them at Chuck E. Cheese! Everyone wins by playing! Yay!
Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook (you’ll heard about great discount offers that way!)
2. Blogger love: Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary guest pass to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.
Shelby says
330 🙂 Thanks!
shirley carr says
I Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
mythreesonsandababy
shirley carr says
I like chuck e cheese on facebook!
mythreesonsandababy
shirley carr says
My score was 300!
Gena says
I just love Skeeball in real life. My score was 540!
ubrewme@yahoo.com
Tori says
I already liked you on facebook
Tori
Tori says
I liked chuck e cheese on facebook
Tori
Tori says
My score was 300.
vrtheriot@gmail.com
Nicole Larsen says
I “LIKE” you on fb
Nicole Larsen says
I “LIKE” Chuck E Cheese on fb
Nicole Larsen says
Wow I did awful—my score was 150 lol
Lara N. says
Liked Stuff Parents Need on Facebook as Lara at Twiceblessedlife
lara at twiceblessedlife dot com
Lara N. says
LIked Chuck E Cheese on Facebook as Lara at Twiceblessedlife
lara at twiceblessedlife dot com
R Hicks says
like you fb
richard hicks
brich22 at earthlink dot net
R Hicks says
like them fb
richard hicks
brich22 at earthlink dot net
R Hicks says
Got 300!
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Lara N. says
My score was 420! Thanks!
lara at twiceblessedlife dot com
lisa kay says
I Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
lisa jorgenson kay
lisa kay says
I Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
lisa jorgenson kay
lisa kay says
My score was 240..
not Bad..=)
Yona says
Im a FB friend (Priceless Writers) of Chuck E Cheese.
Yona says
Im your FB friend (Priceless Writers).
Yona says
My score was 370…it took me until the 3rd try to realize there was that little side thingie that helped you aim for a better score.
Lori A. says
Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
ljatwood at gmail dot com
Lori A. says
Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
ljatwood at gmail dot com
Lori A. says
I got 300 🙂
ljatwood at gmail dot com
hripsime andonian says
Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
hripsime andonian says
Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
hripsime andonian says
My score was 180!
Kimmie Barnes says
I like stuff parents need on facebook
Kimmie Barnes
shawnandkim@suddenlink.net
jakeremom—twitter and GFC
Kimmie Barnes says
I like Chuck E Cheese on facebook
Kimmie Barnes
shawnandkim@suddenlink.net
jakeremom—twitter and GFC
Kimmie Barnes says
I am terrible my score was 170.
Kimmie Barnes
shawnandkim@suddenlink.net
jakeremom—twitter and GFC
Jennifer Sutton- Discovery Toys says
After my 3rd try (I couldn’t remember the score!) I had an even 400. {Plus tickets!} 🙂
Nancy says
I’m not so good at this – my score was 190!
Shelly says
Liked Stuff Parents Need on Facebook (michelle Hill)
Shelly says
Liked Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook!
chasing_joey@hotmail.com
Shelly says
That was too fun! I scored 510 and 32 tickets!
chasing_joey@hotmail.com
Rachel D. says
I liked you on Facebook as Rachel Honsvick DeMille
Rachel D. says
I liked Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
Rachel D. says
Well, apparently I’m just as bad at this game online as I am in person! =) I got 140, but that’s fun that you can print the tickets!
Shana says
My score was 220
Erica C. says
I got 290 on the game…that’s great that you can print tickets!
Laurie Brown says
Like you on FB
Laurie Brown says
Like Chuck E Cheese on FB
Laurie Brown says
My score was 160
Becky says
I scored 230…:(
Robin says
I like Chuck E Cheese on FB – Robin Trexel
Robin says
My score was 230
Janice Cooper says
I “like” Stuff Parents Need on Facebook. FB name Jan Peoples
Janice Cooper says
I “like” Chuck E Cheese on facebook. FB name Jan Peoples
Janice Cooper says
My score was 250. That was neat!
Julie says
I got 230. Skeeball is so addictive!
Farrah Shumway says
Like you FB
Farrah Shumway
farrah_jo@yahoo.com
Farrah Shumway says
Like Chuck E Cheese FB
Farrah Shumway
farrah_jo@yahoo.com
Farrah Shumway says
I got 200! Woohoo! It said I got 22 tickets, unfortunately I’m on my phone so I can’t print them. I will definitly be playing again from my home computer. I love skee ball! So fun. Thanks
farrah_jo@yahoo.com
Carolyn McAvoy says
I like stuff parents nedd on facebook!
Carolyn McAvoy says
I like chuck e cheese on facebook!
Carolyn
Carolyn McAvoy says
540! That was a fun game, I love skeeball!
Billie says
I like Stuff Parents Need on FB as Billie Hurd Everly.
Billie says
I like Chuck E. Cheese on FB.
Billie says
My score was 370.
Amy DeLong says
fb fan
amyd
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Amy DeLong says
I got 380
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Kerrie Mayans says
I like you on facebook.
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
Kerrie Mayans says
my score was 310
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
michelle says
Fun game! I got 200 points.
Lauren says
I “LIKED” Chuck E Cheese on FB
Lauren says
I scored 600 (36 tickets!)
Jenreco says
I scored 360 (31 tickets). reejen at comcast dot net
Nadine L says
I Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook (Nadine E Larsen)
Nadine L says
I Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook (Nadine E Larsen)
Nadine L says
I scored 380 (32 tickets)
Diana Bradford Hatch says
I scored 190
kathleen says
like you on facebook under the name beau bear
kathleen says
like chuck e cheese on facebook under the name beau bear
kathleen says
i scored 200 and got 22 tickets!
Justine says
I like you on facebook
justine pierson
Justine says
I like Chuck E Cheese on facebook
justine pierson
Justine says
I’ve actually played this game before lol, my score this time was 430!
Allie Sansing says
liked chuck e. cheese on facebook!
allies1986@gmail.com
allie.sansing
Allie Sansing says
likes stuff parents need on facebook!
allies1986@gmail.com
allie.sansing
Allie Sansing says
170 lol
allies1986@gmail.com
monte says
My score was 600 lots of fun
Theresa says
I like Stuff Parents Need on facebook (Theresa Haga Mahoney)
Thanks!
Theresa says
I like Chuck E Cheese on facebook (Theresa Haga Mahoney)
Thanks!
Theresa says
I scored a 420 trying to beat my 200 score from the first round I played lol
Thanks!
Theresa
Rebecca Shockley says
I Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook as rebecca shockley
Rebecca Shockley says
I Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook as rebecca shockley
Rebecca Shockley says
My score was 340, ,yahoo!
amanda says
score was 320. i feel like i should have done better because i used to rock as a kid.
perki014@uwp.edu
katklaw777 says
My score was 310 and I earned 30 tickets but I don’t own a working printer…bummer.
Great giveaway, thanks!
Belinda says
I Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
Belinda B
mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com
Belinda says
I like you on FB
Belinda B
mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com
Belinda says
Whoohoo, that is addicting! I love skeetball! My score was 540
mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com
Jammie says
I like you on fb Jammie M
Jammie says
i like chuckie cheese on fb Jammie M
Jammie says
330 was my score, I won 30 tickets woots.
amy deeter says
i like you on fb
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
amy deeter says
i like chuck e cheese on fb
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
amy deeter says
300
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
Robyn Galloway says
fan on FB
Robyn Galloway says
Liked chuckee cheese on FB
Robyn Galloway says
I got 280!
dddiva says
I like you Sherry Conrad
dddiva says
Like Chuck E Cheese Sherry Conrad
dddiva says
I got a 300.
april bever says
I got 310
sarah t says
i like your blog on facebook
sarah t says
i like chuckee cheese on facebook
sarah t says
i got 270
sweeter the berry says
I like stuff parents need in fb/letesshaw
sweeter the berry says
like chuckecheese fb/letesshaw
sweeter the berry says
I got a score of 280
Mandy says
I like you on FB
Mandy says
I like Chuck E Cheese on FB
Mandy says
My score was 320!
Marlene V. says
I missed my score but I did get 31 tickets. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kristen says
I scored 250.
Ellie W says
I like you on FB (Ellie W)
eswright18 at gmail dot com
Ellie W says
I like Chuck E. Cheese on FB (Ellie W)
eswright18 at gmail dot com
Ellie W says
I scored 300.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
Angela Winesburg says
Liked you on FB (AngelaWinesburg)
Angela Winesburg says
Liked Chuck E. Cheese on FB (AngelaWinesburg)
Angela Winesburg says
I scored 320, thanks!
Heather K says
I like stuff parents need on FB.
Heather K says
I like Chuck E Cheese on FB.
Heather K says
I earned a 260 on skee ball.
Heather S says
I like Chuck E Cheese on Facebook!
Heather S says
My score was 300!
Courtney says
My score was 370. How neat that the tickets will work at the restaurant. 🙂
Cindya e. says
I scored 250
Scott Martin says
My score is 480
jennifer horn says
like you on fb
jennifer horn says
Like CEC on FB
jennifer horn says
I scored 300
Wendy says
I like Stuff Parents Need on fb.
Wendy says
I got 630 (36 free tickets). I love skee ball! 🙂
Janna Johnson says
150 i suck lol
Thanks so much!! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on gfc
Tawnya S says
I like Chuck E Cheese on FB!
Tawnya S says
I like you on FB!
Tawnya S says
My score was 420 and I got 32 tickets YAY!
Pamela James says
fb fan of stuff parents need
pamela j
pjames330 at aol dot com
Pamela James says
fb fan of chuck e cheese
pamela j
pjames330 at aol dot com
Pamela James says
210 and 23 free tickets
pjames330 at aol dot com
Leah Walker says
Like them on FB.
Leah W.
Leah Walker says
Like you on FB.
Leah W.
Leah Walker says
I got 240. I stink at trying to play games on the puter. lOl.
lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com
elizabeth p says
My score was 280.
Amber L. says
I like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook (Amber Larkin)
appetizerforacraftymind(at)yahoo(dot)com
Amber L. says
I like you on Facebook (Amber Larkin)
appetizerforacraftymind(at)yahoo(dot)com
Janet F says
I like tuff Parents Need on Facebook – Janet Fri
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Janet F says
I like Chuck E. Cheese on FB – Janet Fri
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Janet F says
My score is 100.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Amber L. says
I scored 350
appetizerforacraftymind(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ashley says
chuck e cheese fb liker (AshleyG)
Ashley says
my score was 210
agatewood1@ymail.com
Colleen says
I scored 400 (on my second try after figuring out how the game worked and scoring only @100 on my first try!)
Jennifer T. says
I’m a facebook fan of Chuck E. Cheese under username Jennie Tilson.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Jennifer T. says
I’m a facebook fan of Stuff Parents Need under username Jennie Tilson.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Jennifer T. says
My score was 180.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Shannon W.C. says
I like you on FB as Shannon Watkins Condie
Shannon W.C. says
I like Chuck E Cheese on FB as Shannon Watkins Condie
Shannon W.C. says
I scored 420!
Jessica King says
Like your page on Facebook (Jessica King)
Jessica King says
Like Chuck E Cheese on Facebook (Jessica King)
Jessica King says
My score was 290!
Amber says
I like your page on FB.
Amber Faith Pilcher
littleamberfaith at yahoo dot com
Amber says
I like Chuck E. Cheese’s on FB.
Amber Faith Pilcher
littleamberfaith at yahoo dot com
Amber says
My score was 290
littleamberfaith at yahoo dot com
Terry C says
I Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
Terry C says
My score was 440
Kristi C says
I scored 280.
Nicole May says
Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
Nicole May says
Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
Nicole May says
My score was 360
Cujo says
Cujo HMB likes “Stuff” on facebook
Cujo says
Cujo HMB likes Chuck E Cheese on facebook
Cujo says
My score was 190.
Amanda Starr says
Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
Amanda Starr says
Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
Amanda Starr says
Silly me didn’t pay attention to the score but got 31 tickets
nicole says
My score is 110.
BeautyToLove says
-My Score was 290
aliaskys (at) yahoo dot com
THANK YOU!! 🙂
Sarah Hirsch says
my score was 320. we love chuck e cheese!
Denise B. says
I “Like” Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook.
Denise B. says
I think it was 310, and I got 31 tickets.
Stephanie V. says
score = 280, printed my tickets – how fun!
renee says
You haven’t been to Chuck E Cheese in 20 years?! You lucky girl 🙂
We are supposed to go Monday–please feel free to join us!
Oh, I I got 30 tickets on Skee Ball because I am not very good 🙁
Tabathia B says
like chucke cheese on facebook (michelle b)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
like on fb (michelle barrett)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
it was 260
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Linda says
I got 320!!! We love Chuck E Cheese!
Tanya Bright says
I got 190!
Pat says
My score was 280.
mommydoll13 says
my score was 210 and i got 23 tickets. but my printer is not hooked up at the moment.. but ill surely have my little girl play this she will love it..
dollhousecreation(at)gmail(dot)com
McKim says
I Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook
McKim says
I Like Chuck E. Cheese on Facebook
McKim says
My score was 110.
Crystal F says
I got 310! thank you!
shirley fin says
like chucky cheese on fb
shirley fin says
llike u on fb
shirley fin says
got a 240
Kim says
Like your site on FB (Contest KAO). Thanks.
Kim says
Like Chuck E. Cheese on FB (Contest KAO). Thanks.
Kim says
Scored a 320. Thanks!
Tari Lawson says
I got 280.
Chelsei Ryan says
Like Stuff Parents Need on FB
Chelsei Ryan
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com
Chelsei Ryan says
Like Chuck E Cheese on FB
Chelsei Ryan
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com
Chelsei Ryan says
I scored a 400! Yay free tickets.
sandy says
350
Ann F says
My score was 380 = 31 tickets.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
Randy Russell says
‘Like’ your blog on FB facebook.com/rruss1976
Randy Russell says
I ‘like’ Chuck E. Cheese on facebook (facebook.com/rruss1976)
Randy Russell says
My score was 350
Jennifer says
I like you on facebook!
Jennifer Smith Stewart
Jennifer says
I like Chuck E. Cheese on facebook!
Jennifer Smith Stewart
Jennifer says
380! I love skee ball!
Rebecca Graham says
My score was 290.
Lindsey says
I like you on FB.
Lindsey says
I like Chuck E Cheese on FB.
Lindsey says
Man! I did better online than I EVER do in person! I rolled a 580! FUN!
Tara Clayton says
I scored 320!
Tara Clayton says
I like Chuck E. Cheese on FB.
Tara Clayton says
I like Stuff Parents Need on FB.
Suzanne says
I like you on FB
Suzanne says
I like Chuck on FB
Suzanne says
My score was 370 (31 tickets woot woot!!!)-btw..SO much easier online than it is in person! I normally suck at Skee-ball! ha!
latanya says
I like you on facebook
latanya says
I like Chuck E Cheese on facebook
latanya says
My score was 400.
Maria says
My score was 300. 🙂
Kristie says
I like your blog on facebook.
Kristie says
My score was 390 🙂