This place is fantastic! As Matt W. said, the games are in great shape, and if something is amiss the repairs are done quickly.
I especially like that the oldest machines are indeed playable, unlike some other pinball museums I have visited where the owners haven't been able to figure out how to get them up and running. They are delightful to play, and as others have commented, playing through the timeline of pinball innovation is a real treat.
Then why not five stars? For starters, it is a bit expensive, especially for a family. It would be nice to see a little more of a break for brining in a bigger group of folks. And for more experience pinballers who can play for an hour on just a few bucks, the all day pass feels like a splurge while the 30 minute pass seems like a complete waste of time.
Really the mere existence of the 30 minute pass just has me scratching my head. It's still a lot of money for the time, and what can anyone do in this massive space in just 30 minutes? It feels like a sneaky way to get someone in the door and then compel them pay for the full day pass once they are there.
I am also not fond about the rule where if you step outside you cannot return without paying for another all-day pass. As one might expect, it's a loud chaotic environment inside, and it would be nice to have an all day pass, but still be able to take a break with a walk through town. There really isn't a place inside to decompress, and I had to send one of my kids home with another family, when the kiddo was feeling overstimulated. That was a bummer.
There are a few other minor annoyances too, but I do not want to detract from what a marvelous resource Pastime Pinball is for pinball lovers young and old. I was able to bring a new convert into the pinball fold too.
Once you get bitten by the bug, playing pinball quickly becomes quite a compulsion. Should I find myself back in the area, I will do whatever it takes to return to Pastime Pinball. However, if the prices were a bit lower, I might spend every day of my vacation there instead of making one special outing to scratch the pinball itch.
I just recommend going as soon as they open and staying until the bitter end to squeeze all the value out of the experience. Then you can also avoid the heartbreak of their policies should the joint reach its capacity. Just prepare yourself to eat hot dogs and nachos for your meals, and maybe bring some noise cancelling headphones so you can better decompress in the snack bar for a bit should you need a break. read more