Chuck E. Cheese

I'm reviewing this Chuck E. Cheese as a solid to any parents considering it for their small children. We live close enough to this location to be dragged by our girls (with us kicking and screaming) every once and a while. I'm veering from my traditional review style becuase the rat doesn't rank - instead, here are the things you need to know:

1) If you are looking to schedule a party (assuming on the weekend) - do so BEFORE noon. I have been to more than a dozen parties after 12:00 pm on either Saturday or Sunday, and it's ridiculous - in their quest for cash, this location has booked more than 10 parties at a time (the record I saw was 14 parties, and the one we attended had to SPLIT THE TABLE with another party, leaving us to sit with strangers). What this means to you and your little one - far less attention, shoulder to shoulder with strangers, and no room to play.

2). If you haven't been in a while,  they have recently the games and layout - this sole reason is why I give them 2 stars and not one. The new layout caters to the under 6 set much better.

3) Avoid the ticket counter... seriously, just avoid it if you can. Stick some candy or prizes in your pocket, and trade your child that for their tickets. It'll shave off about 30 minutes (and as many wasted dollars).

4) Pizza - they have actually improved the quality of their pizza (slightly), and it's gone from rot gut to pretty edible (not great, mind you, it IS still Chuck E. Cheese, but edible).

5) Look for coupons online before you go - there are ALWAYS deals / specials to be had.

6) Don't forget to bring back a refillable cup if you have one, they allow this happily, and it will save you the cost of purchasing a new one.

7) If you are hosting a party - SKIP the party favor bags, they are expensive per child, and what you get in there is not nearly worth the cost. We have gotten several of these, and my kids throw them out unopened because the toys are cheap and pretty well unusable. EXTRA TIP - spend your money on the balloons instead - they're cute, last for days, and the kids I know fight over them - score  :)

For reasons that I cannot explain, every year I allow my daughter to choose where she wants to have her birthday party. For some odd reason this year she chose Chuck E. Cheese in Gurnee. We've come here before to play games and what they call pizza. However, my daughter just turned 6 so there are not many games she can play here. She has her select few, then she's bored and ready to go....that's why I was shocked that she wanted to go there.

Anywho, I'm giving Chuck's 3 stars because my hostess was quick and she served us and helped with the gifts and all that. My only gripe was that they didn't have proof of my deposit that I had paid on the 29th and I felt like they were rushing us to leave RIGHT after my daughter opened her gifts. Outside of that, it was SUPER busy for a 5:00 on a Sunday night....and there was a line of people trying to get in...I guess that's normal for Chuck's. When I was paying for the party they only had one register open and then people get up there and can't make up their mind about what package they want.

Also, the food is pretty bad, but the kids LOVED it, so hey ..they like it, I love it....