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Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Olivia's 8 Birthday at GameTime


We received a free Family 4 Pack Combo! Includes (4) 1 hour game play cards, 1 Large 1 topping Pizza and 4 Beverages in exchange for review.


This weekend, we celebrated my oldest daughter Olivia's birthday. We decided to go to Gametime, an arcade/ restaurant in their Tampa location (in Ybor city.) It was a short drive from Brandon and we were there in about 25 minutes. Parking itself was not an issue as there was plenty of places to park as well as a $5 dollar parking area nearby.



The location itself is nestled in a large, stone brick building that housed other stores as well. When we came in we were immediately greeted and was taken to our table. I immediately noticed that there was a party being held not too far away from where we were. It was a kid's birthday party and there was tons of kids and parents there so obviously they're able to hold events of that size.




I also noticed that they had a pizza making oven and my girls were excited to know that they can see how their pizza is going to be made. We ordered a large sausage pizza and sweet chili wings ( my wife and I never had them before) with drinks by our server, who was very nice and accommodating. It didn't take long before we got our food and the pizza was great, the cheese was just the way we like it and there was generous amount of toppings. Our sweet chili wings was also really good, the sauce that they used is reminiscent of one that we actually use at home and had an authentic flavor.



As we were dining I noticed that there was a bar at the other side of the restaurant as well as another bar (the people there were watching sport games) in the middle of the game room, Im not much of a drinker but I can see that adults can come here as well for that purpose.

The game room itself is quite large and has multiple arcade games, ride simulators and attractions for kids and adults as well. We spent over an hour playing with different arcades and there was enough of them where there was no line to wait for your turn. There was also games where you can win prizes as well such as stuff toys from the "claw" game, we also played quite a bit of air hockey.

   


The second floor has bathrooms and gives you an overall view of the facility. There are also two party rooms where you can hold different type of events.

After an hour or so of playing the kids we're tired and my wife and I decided to call it a day. Gametime in Tampa is a great place to bring your kids for food and entertainment and we would definitely come back again.





Thursday, November 13, 2014

Get Inside the Fun at iPlay America!

*We were given 5 free unlimited passes. All opinions expressed here are our own based on our personal experiences at iPlay America.*


Looking for something to do this weekend? Bummed out because its too cold to go to the boardwalk? Come check out iPlay America,  New Jersey's Premier Indoor Theme Park down in Freehold, New Jersey. 



Last week we were invited to their 115,000 square foot climate controlled, indoor facility. I was quite relieved that there was parking nearby and the best part is that it was free. Speaking of free, the entrance to the facility itself is free as well. Their state of the art facility combines city and boardwalk themes for those looking for that type of experience. With over nine indoor rides, party rooms, 200 arcade games, eateries, a candy shop and a full size restaurant, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy. 




Rides range from go karts (my kid's favorite), laser tag (my favorite) to more kid friendly rides and attractions such as skyscraper, dizzy dragons, bumper cars and boardwalk bowling (my wife's favorite) meant for the younger children. And for the really young kids, those who can not take the bigger rides, they have a Just iKidz play area( for children under 100lbs.) which is a playground consisting of tunnels, slides, pad hops and web bridges.  The arcade boasts over 200 games for different age groups that takes an advanced debit card called a iPA Game Card that can be purchased at the grand lobby of the facility with points that never expire. 





    

Although iPlay America do not allow any outside food or beverages. The facility offers a full-scale restaurant as well as other dining options to take care of your food and beverage needs. Aside from the full scale restaurant ( that serves contemporary American menu such as burgers, pizza, salads and sandwiches, as well as a bar for those over 21), there are areas where you can get hot dogs, churros, and funnel cakes (in the boardwalk area), and wraps, pretzels and frozen yogurt (in the city area.) Not to mention Broadway Sweets, their confectionary store where we got some ring pops and chocolate covered, peanut butter ball on our way home. 


They have a seven Brownstone Celebration Rooms which can be used exclusively for birthday parties and the like. As well as their Encore Event Center, a large venue for concerts and big attractions (we were told the Big Apple Circus was just there as well as Bridgit Mendler). 

What my daughters has to say:

" Laser tag is super fun!!!" -Olivia on Cosmic Battle laser tag arena.
" The race cars are even faster than our car!" -Emma's opinion on the iPa Speedway attraction.



" I love the fire truck, it goes wee wee, like that." - Sophia, on the fire truck.







Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Big Apple Circus Metamorphosis



A couple of weeks ago,  we were invited to the Big Apple Circus in New York City, and I must say what an experience that was! It was such a wonderful experience that I would not hesitate to recommend it to my family and friends.

Opened in 1977 and based in NYC, it is different in that it follows the "one ring' circus tradition rather than the multiple rings that was present at the time. We were invited to their location at Damrosch Park of Lincoln Center and it was very accessible while driving (we drove from New Jersey) and had parking that was available close to the vicinity, being that it is in New York City, I imagine other means of transportation (trains, buses, taxi, etc.) shouldn't be too hard as well.

After entering a large tent, we were ushered into a large circus tent, I immediately noticed that on top the large entryway ( the performers entrance and exit into the circus ring ), where there was a band getting ready for the show, somehow it struck a chord with me as in our times of everything digital, it's refreshing to see a live band. (Like we were expecting a Broadway show or something.)
When the first act commenced, I was immediately transfixed as this was somewhat new to me ( I must have been in a circus 3 times in my entire life.) It was the opening act, but I was already amazed as I witnessed a little taste of the high flying, nail biting performances. One act after another, I was looking at my girls while they were completely focused on the different skills of the performers, the mastery of how they did their tricks, the different farm and exotic animals doing their routine and the very funny, interactive clown. The ringmaster was also very good at introducing each act accordingly and even giving a little background and history of both the circus and the performers themselves.

Going home, I asked each one of my girls what were they favorite acts:
Olivia: I like the box and the contortionist (I had to explain to her what that word meant.),
Emma (the fashionista of the three): I like the lady that was changing clothes super fast.
Sophia: I like the dog and the camel!
My wife: I like the spaceship with hanging performers.
Personally I like the two brother that were somersaulting on top of the chair as well as the high flying flyers at the end of the show.







So if you're ever in the city, and looking for an amazing time, the Big Apple Circus will be around until January of next year.  There is something there for every man or woman, old or young, specially the children as it is a wonderful introduction to the world of the Big top.




Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Wiggles Wiggly Circus Live










Last week, I took my family to watch the Wiggles world tour, which was held in the Izod Center. My two daughters are familiar with the Wiggles as they routinely watch their show, my wife and I are somewhat familiar with them as well. The venue was pretty packed with people and there were nice little crayons and a coloring paper in shape of a guitar when we arrived in our seats (I think its a nice touch, to keep the children's attention occupied). The wait wasn't long as Fifi the ringmaster ushered the opening scene.

During the initial scene, as each one of the Wiggles coming out was met with loud applause, Anthony explained right away that Murray wasn't available because of some issues ( I forgot what it was). Even though, the people was a little bit disappointed, a fellow by the name of Ringo (I think that was his name, the way Anthony pronounced it anyway) did an excellent job as the red wiggle. The Wiggles performed all of their popular songs ( the fruit salad was my daughter's favorite) and there were these fantastic acrobats/ gymnasts doing all sort of tricks with the tumbling mat and Wiggles were doing some acrobatic feats as well. They took out their red car and drove around the stage with it, Dorothy the dinosaur, Wags the dog, Henry the octopus and Captain Feathersword was there as well (AHOY!! Captain feathersword!!) They were excellent performers because even though they were following a format with their performances, they loosely stuck to it and makes for spontaneous fun (there were some hilarious jokes regarding a popular particular exercise regimen as well as the one about Jets/Giants winning the baseball world series).

Overall, the Wiggles world tour was an excellent event as the wiggles themselves cater so much to the children,interacting with them, reading posters held up throughout the show and go as far (literally with Jeff) at the end of the show to pick up flowers from fans, gifts to Dorothy, and a bone or two to Wags. Even though, everything was light hearted and fun, there were some heart touching moments that probably had some people shed a tear here and there. In the beginning, when I sat down with the kids and my wife waiting for the show, I thought to myself " I should try to have fun, for the children's sake". Through out the whole show, up to the time when we were driving back home, I told my kids and wife, "Guys, daddy really had a lot of fun!!"

Disclosure: We received four free tickets to see the show through the USFamilyGuide.com. No other payment was received.