Chuck E. Cheese
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Chuck E. Cheese excels as a highly organized birthday party venue, offering significant value with all-inclusive packages, enthusiastic staff, and a secure environment. It's also a reliable spot for parents to let younger children play freely while adults relax, offering a mix of arcade games and interactive entertainment, despite some concerns about food pricing and game value for casual visits.
Key Highlights
- ✓Mega birthday package described as "super great value for the price," including free adult drinks, ample pizza, and all party supplies (decorations, hats, plates, serving utensils).
- ✓Party planning is "down to a science," with no "nickel and diming" for every little thing.
- ✓Staff (e.g., Reggie, Yareli, Adrian) are "fantastic," "awesome," "took really good care," "learned kids names," "felt like friends," and are good sports (e.g., with scared birthday girl, letting a sibling use the ticket blaster).
- ✓2 hours of free play for kids is included in packages, with the ability to pause the play timer for breaks.
- ✓Strict door policy enforced: staff checks stamps to ensure kids don't leave without an adult.
- ✓Real-life Chuck E. Show is a "blast" with high-fives and dances.
- ✓Offers a variety of arcade games like Luigi’s Mansion, Halo, Simpsons Soccer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a squirt gun zombies game.
- ✓Features a unique Photo Booth Etch-a-Sketch and a new trampoline section.
Standout Features
- ⭐All-inclusive birthday packages that cover food, drinks, decorations, and party supplies, streamlining the party planning process.
- ⭐Ability to pause play cards/timers, allowing for meal breaks or other activities without losing play time.
- ⭐Dedicated and friendly party hosts who actively engage with children and ensure a smooth event.
- ⭐Variety of arcade games, including newer titles and a "new trampoline section."
- ⭐Security measures like the door policy enforcing stamp checks for children exiting the building.
- ⭐Proximity to external stores like a party store, McDonald’s, and Costco for additional supplies or food options.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →For better deals on play cards and food, "check Groupon."
- →Utilize the pause feature on play cards to maximize game time and allow for breaks.
- →If hosting a birthday party, consider leveraging nearby stores like a party store, McDonald's, or Costco for additional supplies, balloons, or cheaper food.
- →Be aware that physical tickets have been replaced by digital tickets redeemed via a play card.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Service can be slow (e.g., 20-minute wait for churros).
- ⚠Issues with coupon splitting between children reported.
- ⚠Pizza is described as "crappy" and "overpriced" ($20 for cheese, $23-27 with toppings) compared to other local pizzerias.
- ⚠Games require buying timed passes or credits on a card (not quarters), with credits costing ~50 cents each, and many machines requiring 2-3 credits. One parent spent $50 in 2.5 hours.
- ⚠Tickets are digital, eliminating the traditional physical ticket collection aspect for kids.
- ⚠Staff can be "far from helpful" and "obviously don't really care to be there" for non-party visits.
- ⚠The "show" area with the animatronic Chuck E. can be blocked off if no birthday party is ongoing, preventing kids from dancing or taking pictures.
- ⚠Restrooms described as "disgusting."
Price & Value
Birthday Parties: "Mega birthday package" described as "super great value for the price" due to inclusions like free adult drinks, plenty of pizza, 2 hours of pausable play, and all supplies. Casual Visits (Food): Pizza is considered "crappy" and "overpriced" at $20 for cheese, $23-27 for toppings. Casual Visits (Games): Considered "one of the WORST values." Games run on credits (~50 cents per credit), with many machines costing 2-3 credits. One parent spent "$50 for our kid to play games" in "about 2 and a half hours." Timed passes are available but also described as "kinda expensive." Deals: A specific deal found for $50 included a large pizza, 4 drinks, and 2 play cards with 60 minutes each. Groupon is recommended for "better deals."
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No accommodations for special needs explicitly mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Birthday packages include "plenty of pizza" and "free drinks for all the adults."
- •Pizza is available for purchase but is described as "crappy" and "overpriced" ($20 cheese, $23-27 with toppings).
- •Churros are available, but service for them can be slow.
- •"Salad bar is decent" and is the only positive food comment for a la carte items.
- •The location is near a McDonald’s and Costco, suggesting external food options or party supplies are easily accessible if bringing your own isn't prohibited (though not explicitly stated as allowed or disallowed).
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific parking details mentioned, but its location "near a party store, McDonald’s, and Costco" implies it's in a shopping plaza with likely convenient parking, though not explicitly guaranteed.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No explicit mentions of crowd levels or specific busy times. However, it's noted that the "show" area with the animatronic Chuck E. is "blocked off" if there isn't a birthday party going on, suggesting that peak activity often revolves around scheduled parties.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Staff actively enforces a "door policy" that requires checking stamps before children are allowed to leave the building with an adult, enhancing child security.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you prioritize good value for casual game play, as credits are expensive and accrue quickly.
- • If you expect high-quality or reasonably priced pizza.
- • If clean restrooms are a top priority.
- • If your child values collecting physical tickets from games.
- • If you want to access the animatronic show area for dancing or pictures outside of a birthday party.
- • If you expect consistently helpful staff for general visits (outside of dedicated party hosts).
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
New Birthday Party
$99.99Duration: 2 hours
Birthday celebration for the Birthday Star and five friends.
Includes:
- •2 hours of unlimited gameplay with redemption prizes (a $40/kid value)
- •Upgraded prizes (100 bonus E-Tickets) per kid
- •Unlimited soft drinks for 6 kids
- •1 Play Pass card for each kid
- •Chuck E. Cheese birthday show
- •Decorated table
- •Super upgraded prize (1,000 Bonus E-Tickets) for Birthday Star
- •Ticket Blaster Experience for Birthday Star
- •Collectible Birthday Star Play Band
Megafun Birthday Package
$28.99 per kidDuration: 2 hours
An upgraded birthday experience that includes pizza and a birthday attendant.
Includes:
- •2 hours of unlimited gameplay per kid
- •Unlimited soft drinks for each kid
- •Chuck E. Cheese birthday show
- •Decorated table
- •2 slices of freshly-made pizza per kid
- •1 additional large 1-topping pizza
- •Better upgraded prizes (250 bonus E-Tickets) per kid
- •Collectible cup with unlimited free lifetime refills
- •Play Pass card with coil wristband for each kid
- •Dedicated party host
- •Dippin’ Dots® Ice Cream for each kid
- •Super upgraded prize (2,000 Bonus E-Tickets) for Birthday Star
- •Ticket Blaster Experience with DOUBLE tickets for Birthday Star
- •Collectible Chuck E. Cheese Tote Bag for Birthday Star
Ultimatefun Birthday Package
$34.99 per kidDuration: 2 hours
The ultimate birthday experience with extra pizzas, prize upgrades, ice cream, and a Bronze Fun Pass.
Includes:
- •2 hours of unlimited gameplay per kid
- •2 slices of freshly-made pizza per kid
- •Unlimited soft drinks for each kid
- •Chuck E. Cheese birthday show
- •Decorated table
- •Collectible cup with unlimited free lifetime refills
- •Dedicated party host
- •Dippin’ Dots® Ice Cream for each kid
- •Chuck E. Cheese Goodie bags!
- •2 additional large 1-topping pizzas
- •Much better upgraded prizes (500 bonus E-Tickets) per kid
- •Play Pass card with coil wristband for each kid
- •One Bronze 2-Month Fun Pass for Birthday Star (Unlimited visits to Chuck E. Cheese for two full months, $60 value, limit 1 per party)
- •Amazing upgraded prize (4,000 Bonus E-Tickets) for Birthday Star
- •Ticket Blaster Experience with DOUBLE tickets for Birthday Star
- •Collectible Chuck E. Cheese Tote Bag for Birthday Star
Group Event Package (10-29 Kids)
Varies by locationDuration: 2 hours
Package for children’s sports teams, summer camps, school field trips, youth groups, and other organizations. Minimum 10 children required.
Includes:
- •Two Hours of All-You-Can-Play Games
- •Two Slices of Pizza (1 medium pizza for every 5 kids)
- •Unlimited Soft Drinks
- •Two Hours of Reserved Table Space
- •One Grab Bag with Prizes
- •Activated Play Pass Card (reusable for future visits)
- •E-Tickets To Be Used on a Future Visit
- •Customizable Email Invitations
- •Kid Check® Secure
Group Event Package (30+ Kids)
Varies by locationDuration: 2 hours
Package for large children’s sports teams, summer camps, school field trips, youth groups, and other organizations. 30+ children required.
Includes:
- •Two Hours of All-You-Can-Play Games
- •Two Slices of Pizza (1 medium pizza for every 5 kids)
- •Unlimited Soft Drinks
- •Two Hours of Reserved Table Space
- •One Grab Bag with Prizes
- •Activated Play Pass Card (reusable for future visits)
- •E-Tickets To Be Used on a Future Visit
- •Customizable Email Invitations
- •Kid Check® Secure
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Spooky Saturdays with Blippi
Every Saturday in October before 12pm
Not specified, bonus E-tickets available
Watch different Halloween episodes, grab a fun activity sheet, and earn bonus E-tickets when you dress as Blippi.
Group Events
Bookable 12 months out and up to 48 hours in advance of event date. Advanced booking requirement may vary by location.
Varies by location; requires minimum 10 children. Payment on day of event.
Packages designed for children’s sports teams, summer camps, school field trips, youth groups, and other organizations. Includes 2 hours of All You Can Play games, food, drinks, prizes, and reserved table space.
Fundraiser Events
Monday–Friday, 3 PM – 9 PM. Requires at least 21 days notice to book.
20% donation on all sales (game play, food, drinks, merchandise, delivery & carryout) back to the school or non-profit.
Events for non-profit, public or private schools (with at least 75 enrolled students) or 501(c)(3) organizations (with at least 75 participating members benefiting children's causes up to age 12). Includes free meal for all teachers in attendance (school fundraisers). Chuck E. will visit schools (2-4 PM) for promotion based on availability.
🍎Food Policy
- • Outside food (other than birthday cake or ice cream) is not permitted for birthday parties.
- • Outside cups are not permitted.
- • Additional food options may be added for Group Events on the day of the event.
- • Pizza, drinks, and other menu items are available for purchase in-store, pickup, or delivery.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Kid Check® Secure system: Everyone who comes together, leaves together (for Group Events and Fundraisers).
- • Trampoline Zone: Must be under 56” to jump.
📅Booking Policy
- • Birthday Party Deposit: A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to secure a reservation. The deposit is applied toward the party total on the day of the party. The billing descriptor will be 'CHUCK E CHEESE DEPOSIT'.
- • Birthday Party Cancellation: Non-refundable deposit can be used toward a new reservation within one (1) year of the cancelled party's reserved date.
- • Birthday Party Booking Window: Reservations accepted 60 days in advance, up to 24 hours prior to the party.
- • Birthday Party No-Shows: Up to 2 no-shows allowed if per-kid minimums are met. Additional kids not in attendance are subject to the per-kid cost for changes made on the day of the party.
- • Birthday Party Changes: Can be made online using confirmation number or email address; subject to date and time availability. Cancel previous reservations to avoid extra charges.
- • Birthday Party Multiple Bookings: Only one $99.99 birthday party per household per day; multiple bookings for the same household on the same day are subject to cancellation.
- • Birthday Party Booking Fee: Reservations are subject to a $5 per party booking fee.
- • Group Event Deposit: No deposit required to book a Group Event.
- • Group Event Payment: Payment will be made on the day of the event for a minimum of 10 guests.
- • Group Event Cancellation: Must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance via confirmation email or by calling the local Chuck E. Cheese.
- • Group Event Booking Window: May be booked 12 months out and up to 48 hours in advance of the event date. Advanced booking requirement may vary by location.
- • Group Event Purpose: Group Event pricing is only applicable to children’s sports teams and non-profit organization events, not for Birthday Parties. Booking a Group Event to hold a Birthday Party will result in the pricing being increased to the lowest Birthday Party package price per child.
- • Fundraiser Booking Window: Requires at least a 21-day notice to book.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 5 reviews)
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 7 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Pricing can be high (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Melissa Morrison
3 weeks agoChuck E. Cheese has really upped its game! We did the Mega birthday package and it was a super great value for the price. Free drinks for all the adults, plenty of pizza for everyone, and they provide literally everything you need from decorations and party hats to plates and serving utensils. They don’t nickel and dime you for every little thing, and they have birthday parties for kids down to a science. Plus 2 hours of free play for the kids was perfect! And you can even pause the free play while you take a break to eat! Reggie and Yareli helped us with the party and they were fantastic. They took really good care of us, learned the kids names, and felt like they were our friends by the end of the party. I was also impressed to see Reggie enforcing the door policy about not letting kids leave the building without checking their stamps with their adult. The real life Chuck E. Show was a blast. Most of the kids loved giving Chuck E high fives and doing the fun dances with him. My birthday girl was slightly terrified which was hilarious and the staff were really good sports about it. They let her brother do the ticket blaster too and made sure he got plenty of tickets. We will probably be coming back more often outside of the birthday experience— they’ve made it the perfect place to let your kid “be a kid” while you can sit back and chat with your grown up friends, or join in and be a kid again with them.
Lori Caldwell
4 months agoWe went with a bunch of little kids (ages 18 months - 6 years) and everyone had fun! It's a little advanced for the littles, but they had a nice time playing. The pizza was tasty and we had a good time! *check Groupon for better deals. We paid $50 for a large pizza, 4 drinks, and 2 play cards with 60 minutes (you can pause the timer once)
Saint Dávila
a month agoHad a Birthday party here! It was so much fun! An our host Adrian was awesome!
Kari S
a month agoThis location has great arcade games like Luigi’s Mansion, Halo, Simpsons Soccer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a squirt gun zombies game, plus a unique Photo Booth Etch-a-Sketch and a new trampoline section. Service is slow—waited 20 minutes for churros—and we had coupon issues splitting them between kids. Still fun for families. Awesome location near a party store, McDonald’s, and Costco for supplies, balloons, and cheap food—great for parties!
Ben Ortega
a month agoThis place has become one of the WORST values for entertainment anywhere. Crappy pizza that is $20 bucks for a cheese pizza 23-27 if you want toppings, the highest rated pizza places in town like The Pie doesn't charge this much and even if they were it's really good, this place is not! As far as games goes you can't just buy hand fills of quarters anymore, you have to buy either a timed pass which gives unlimited play for a certain amount of time which is still kinda expensive or buy credits on a card that equates to be about 50 cents a credit and a decent percentage of the machines are 2 and even 3 credits, in the course of about 2 and a half hours we spent about 50 dollars for our kid to play games. Half the fun for the kids was collecting tickets but they have done away with that as well, "tickets" are digital and are redeemed from the card you buy credits on. The staff is far from helpful and obviously don't really care to be there. Between the sub par overpriced food and exorbitant prices it's no wonder they have been closing locations by the handful nationwide. The only plus is that the salad bar is decent. If there is not a birthday party going on they block off the "show" area so the kids can't go by the only animatronic to dance or get a picture with. And to top it all off the restrooms are disgusting. Overall it's not a good experience.