Positives-My son's party was Saturday and he had a great time. Staff were nice. Isaiah, the party host, was the best!
Negatives-I booked the party on March 21st. Before booking online, I called to ask some questions. I wanted to know if I could add on additional jump time because the party package only allotted for an hour. Most kids would want more time since the place had a lot of activities. The person I spoke with said yes, for $6 more per child, I could add 30 more mins of jump time. I booked the party online for 12:30-2:30. I got an email confirmation showing my name, the time, and a barcode at the top of the page. That's it, not another email of any sort until 2 days before the party. I received a vmail and email. Boy, was I blindsided by the "rules/policy." The first one was no outside food or drinks. This wasn't stated on the website and maybe that was my fault for not asking. However, the last few years I've booked parties at a variety of kid friendly places and outside food was permitted. At Epic I had to pay $13 per pizza (2 were included with the party package) because I was also feeding adults. I had 12 kids and 2 pizzas wouldn't have been enough. So, the food was the first issue. The email also states parents/guardians of children ages 2-5 will have to purchase a "Parent Add-On" ticket to assist their children on the attractions. Most of the kids were older than that, but a few of their siblings were in that age range. I understand the cost if parents planned to fully participate in the activities/attractions for the duration of the party, but to tell me that in order for a parent to help their child climb up a few steps to get on a slide, they have to pay $26 (the cost of the Adult Add-On ticket)? To me that's a total rip-off. I've never been somewhere that a parent wasn't allowed to assist a child in that age range. Again, none of this is stated on the site.
The additional jump time- If I'm paying $6 more per child for added jump time, then that should be in addition to the 2 hour party time. But no, not the case. Also not stated on the website nor was it told to me when I called to inquire about it. The email I got 2 days before the party lets me know that my jump time is from 12:30-2:00 and then I have the party room from 2:00-2:30. If you're taking time away from the party room then why am I having to pay extra?? So now I go listen to my voicemail. It's pretty much verbatim as the email. I call back and ask to speak with the person that called me. My voicemail transcribed her name as Marie, but when listening to it I'm pretty sure it said Re-Re. When this person gets on the phone, I tell her how upset I am about these rules that I had no idea about. BTW, it was too late to cancel because I would lose the $100 deposit since I didn't cancel 7 days prior to the party (which I would have done if I'd gotten the email sooner). She said she sent the same email to me the day after I booked the party (3/22). I told her I never got a second email, only the confirmation email. She said she could see where the email was "seen." Again, I told her I didn't receive anything. She asked me to search my email by typing info@epicfunpark.com, I did so while on the phone with her. There was nothing. I told her that, then voiced my annoyance with their lack of transparency with pricing, mentioning everything that I've already stated above. She again said she sent an email to me on 3/22. This goes round and round for a few mins. I said we planned on bringing pizzas from outside, but now I have to pay $13/pizza in order to make sure the kids/adults are fed. She tells me that she's one of the managers and "as someone who has hosted/booked a lot of parties, most people only feed the kids and let the adults purchase their own food." I told her that I have thrown parties for all of my kids and every single time I feed the kids/adults. She then lets me know they have security on site and my energy won't be welcome there on Saturday. I told her I'd never ruin my child's birthday party over my upset with their BS rules and not to threaten me with security. She said "I'm just letting you know." At that point, I ended the conversation.
The next day (7/10), I told my ex-husband to call and place the pizza order and ask to speak with the same manager. I said ask her to forward you or I this supposed email from 3/22. I knew if she did, the original date/time would be visible. He was told she would, we're still waiting on that email. Imagine that. Also, I went through over 600 deleted emails as well as my regular inbox/junk mail, there was NO email from her on 3/22. He was not allowed to place pizza orders until the day of.
Overall, if you don't mind being scammed out of way more money than you planned to spend, then book your party here. Otherwise, let my experience be a learning lesson and enjoy yourself somewhere else. read more
