Chuck E Cheese Birthday Parties
A hassle-free way to celebrate the day!
In the slide show above, you're viewing pictures of Chuck E Cheese birthday party trimmings, plus some of the games which will entertain your guests after you eat the birthday meal. On this page, you'll discover what you can expect when you hold a birthday party at a Chuck E Cheese restaurant. There are so many ways to celebrate your child's birthday; maybe you'll decide that Chuck E Cheese is (or isn't) the right place for your party by the time you reach the end of this page!
Kids love Chuck E Cheese Birthday Parties!
If you have a child and you live anywhere near a Chuck E Cheese pizza parlor, you're certainly already aware that this restaurant hosts children's birthday parties. In fact, birthdays are a specialty for the Chuck E Cheese chain, which has had over 25 years in the party-giving business to hone kiddie parties down to a science. While throwing ANY type of a bash is never going to be problem-free, it's really true that young guests are very excited to be asked to a Chuck E Cheese party, kids remember them for years & years to come, and parents generally have a smoother party-hosting experience when they use ChuckE's festive arrangements.On this page, we'll talk about---
1.) The advantages and disadvantages of hosting a Chuck E Cheese birthday party
2.) The "facts" you need to plan your Chuck E Cheese celebration (prices, menus, how to reserve your party)
3.) Less expensive alternatives to the restaurant's package plans
If you have reached this page simply looking to find a Southern California Chuck E Cheese pizza location near you, then you may hop to either the Chuck E Cheese LA County locations or the Chuck E Cheese--other So Cal locations pages of this website.
Note to Canadians: a number of Canadians reach this page...possibly because the abbreviation "CA" can mean Canada as well as California! If you'll head to the end of this page, you'll find the Canadian Chuck E Cheese restaurant addresses and phone numbers, in case you reached this page by accident.
Chuck E Cheese Birthday Parties -- Pros & Cons
ADVANTAGES OF CHUCK E CHEESE BIRTHDAY PARTIES---1.) The reason that Chuck E Cheese birthday parties thrive is that children really, truly love them. Parents adore their kids, and want them to enjoy an experience which they can remember for the rest of their lives. A celebration with ChuckE can give both parents and kids exactly these things.
2.) Parents working full-time jobs don't want the extra time-burden of making sure the house & yard looks super-spiffy for guests; planning menus, buying food and cooking for hours; planning, buying and putting up decorations; and then spending the rest of one of their few days-off cleaning up the mess.
3.) You'll solve your school-age child's problem of "keeping up with the Jones's." In decades past, it used to be so simple to entertain kids with a simple backyard party. Just serving the group some cake & punch...and maybe some burgers or hot dogs from the grill...plus playing favorite games would set kids grinning from ear to ear. In fact, simple parties STILL please most youngsters...at least until they get into school and start running around with kids who brag about their Build A Bear parties or outings to the miniature golf course. Today's new party options also trap kids into having to compete.
DISADVANTAGES OF CHUCK E CHEESE BIRTHDAY PARTIES---
1.) The biggest disadvantage to holding a Chuck E Cheese festivity is the expense. Birthday party packages vary in price from location to location, but you'll have to spend approximately $12 to $17 per child for the pleasure of this experience. Fortunately, Chuck E Cheese only requires a 4-kid minimum to book one of their parties (unlike Build A Bear Workshop and others which have 6-guest minimums.) Also, parents can attend the event for free. Nevertheless, a 4 child party with the least expensive package still comes to $48; and a 10 guest party costs $120. You can plan quite a kiddie shindig at home once you decide to spend that kind of money!
2.) Some young guests won't be able to attend if their parents would have to drive them out of the neighborhood to get there. Most kids' guest-list is made up of friends from school; while the nearest Chuck E Cheese restaurant may be miles away. Guest no-shows can therefore be a problem. AND, you might have to pay for the missing guests!
3.) If you've ever given a kiddie party, you're already aware that guests don't arrive in a neat, orderly fashion at the announced starting time. Instead, guests trickle in over the period of a half hour or so. Having the party at Chuck E Cheese won't change the "human nature" of your invitees. You may find that kids who arrive early or on-time may have already used up their game tokens by the time late arrivals appear on the scene.
Conversely, getting guests to LEAVE may be a problem, as well. You would have trouble getting to leave a party at your house...but at least you'd be in your own home. A Chuck E Cheese party is only allotted 90 minutes at the "official" guest table. You'll need to plan to move your stuff over to a non-party "regular" table or booth after that time, because getting some parents to come back in a mere 90 minutes may be a minor miracle for some parties.
PROS OUTWEIGH THE CONS---
Most parents who can afford the expense of a Chuck E Cheese birthday party feel that the advantages to having one...at least ONCE in their childrens' birthday party years...outweigh the problems. The cost of home birthday parties can really add-up, too...especially if a full meal will be served instead of just cake and ice cream. Plus, anyone used to holding kids' parties away from home will realize that a Chuck E Cheese bash is no more expensive (or even LESS expensive) than a movie, mini-golf, bear-building, or girls' makeover party.
If it's great memories you're trying to "buy," then Chuck E Cheese parties can deliver a great amount of "bang for the buck."
What happens at Chuck E Cheese birthday parties?
Step 1: Planning and reserving your party--- A Chuck E Cheese birthday shindig can be whipped up faster than a home party...yet, it still must be planned at least several days in advance. ChuckE doesn't care; you can call him today for a party tomorrow...but you'll want to give your guests time to plan (and buy their gifts!)Chuck E Cheese birthday party prices and fees: You'll need to reserve your party space with a down payment by cash, credit or debit card. This fee will be about $30, but is subject to requirements of each individual restaurant location. Party packages run from about $12 to $17 in 2008, with a 4-child minimum required. (If you're visiting from out-of-state, you may notice that California party prices may be slightly higher than in your home state.) Your party will cost more than the reservation fee; your balance will be due on the day of your party.
What comes included with the basic Chuck E Cheese party package? The per-person party fee includes 2 slices of pizza, unlimited soda (ordering milk or juice would involve an extra $1+ fee), and game tokens for each guest. (The basic package gives each guest 20 game tokens, but more can be obtained for the same price by (1) reserving the party on-line instead of in-person; and (2) holding the party on a Monday thru Thursday, Chuck E's least busy days. Also included are decorations, party plates & cups, plus special treats for the birthday child (a helium balloon, a paper crown, and trinkets.) Alert! The basic package no longer includes a birthday cake! You'll be asked to pay an extra fee for a birthday cake (about $10 to 20, depending on the size of the cake.) On the plus side, the cakes are now nicer-looking than ever.
Deluxe birthday party packages: You will also have the option of choosing a "deluxe" party plan. Your party's food, drinks and table time will be the same. However, there will be more game tokens given to each guest, more party favors to all guests, and more gifts to the birthday child.
Which is the best party plan--basic or deluxe? There are 2 schools of though about which package to get. On one hand, why pay a larger price if the basic package covers everything your party needs? On the other hand, 20 tokens may not keep kids playing games for the 90+ minutes that your group will be at the restaurant. If you think you'll be purchasing extra game tokens anyway, opting for the expanded party package may be a better deal for you.
Cancellations and no-shows: If your group does not show up at all for the party, you will forfeit your reservation fee. This is reasonable, since the restaurant has made sure that it has a birthday cake on-hand and has scheduled an extra employee to assist your group. If the group shows up at the restaurant, but some guests don't come, it's less of a worry. Chuck E Cheese officially allows you to cancel up to 4 reservations at the last minute without paying for them. Individual restaurants may be even more flexible about last minute no-shows. Also, extra guests may show up as long as there's room for them at the party table; you'll simply add an extra-kid fee for each unexpected arrival when your final bill is tallied. Adults can attend the party for free, simply adding the cost of food ordered into the bill.
Step 2: Guests arrive and play arcade games---
The family of the birthday child should arrive at the correct Chuck E Cheese location in advance of the scheduled party time. You'll need to locate the long, decorated party table which the employees have set up and festooned with their logo plates, cups, napkins and balloons. (Several parties may be scheduled in the restaurant for the same date and time; make sure you get the correct table. The birthday child's name and age will be written on a sign atop the special Chuck E Cheese cake plates.) You'll need to meet your party host, an employee of Chuck E Cheese who will assist you during your big event. The host or hostess assigned to your group will give you cups full of game tokens for you to hand out to the young guests as they arrive.
Next, kids will start arriving. At this point, you'll realize that the party functions best with at least 2 adults on the scene. (Chuck E Cheese itself only requires 1 adult.) One adult should stay seated at the table to hand out tokens to arriving guests; to "watch the stuff" guests leave at the table; to arrange gifts attractively, etc. Another adult should keep an eye out on kids in the game room. No, kids can't "escape" from a Chuck E Cheese pizza parlour, because there's always an employee guarding the one door that leads both into and out of the restaurant. But, there will be all sorts of odds and ends that the adult stationed in the game room will need to take care of---calling an employee if a game malfunctions; helping tots on and off token-taking kiddie rides; resolving disputes between the kids; and trying to win big at Skeeball to give the birthday kid some extra prize tickets to use at the redemption booth! (Naturally, if you're having an all-toddler guest list, you'll welcome even MORE parents staying at the restaurant with you.)
As the guests arrive, you'll need to ask them their preference for pizza...plain vs pepperoni. Also ask them what their choice of soft drink will be. Amidst the arrival of the guests, your party host will be along to "take your order" and get the pizzas ready.
Step 3: Eating pizza and meeting Chuck E Cheese!
While kids playing in the Chuck E Cheese arcade, they'll eventually need to be rounded up for one of two reasons. Either the food will be ready to serve, or it will be "show time!" When the children's pizzas are served, your pizza will be delivered to the table by your party host. He or she will also help you serve it to the guests. Soda pop refills are free; your party host will refill the glasses for you. (Some employees aggressively look for empty cups; others will refill the drinks when you ask.)
At some point during your scheduled party time, Chuck E Cheese will personally perform for your group. OK, so it's just a costumed character...but kids' faces light up just as if he were real! Along with other employees, he'll dance around and encourage the young guests to clap & sway along. Then, the birthday child & family will get to take photos with Chuck E! (Bring your camera; there's no extra charge for taking pictures.)
Chuck E Cheese has to juggle his schedule around performing for other party groups who are celebrating at the same time as yours. If you're on a tight time schedule, you may ask your host to see if ChuckE can perform either before or after some other group, but in the end, the performance time is set at the discretion of the restaurant.
After Chuck E has visited your group, and everyone's full to the brim, you may conduct the rest of your 90 minute party time in the way you see fit. Opening the birthday gifts is a favorite activity. So is letting the kids head back to the arcade area to play. Your group will be welcome to stay at the restaurant as long as they wish. However, after your 90 minutes at the party table has finished, you will be expected to move your group to one of the "regular" dining tables or booths. If the restaurant isn't busy with other parties, you may be able to stay at the birthday table...but, once again, that's at the discretion of the Chuck E Cheese location where your party is taking place.
Chuck E Cheese Birthday Parties -- Lower cost alternatives
If you would like to have a Chuck E Cheese birthday party but would prefer to spend less money than you'd have to spend with a party package, here are some ideas to try.If you don't mind whether or not your child gets to meet Chuck E Cheese in person, you don't really need to book a special birthday party at all. Simply show up at the restaurant like any other customer. Order what food you'd like to eat and buy only the number of tokens you really need to play a few rounds of games. You'll easily spend only half of what it would cost for the same party if you booked it "officially." Naturally, along with not meeting Chuck E Cheese, you won't get the party plates...but, really, who needs them? You won't get a birthday cake...but as you can see in the photo at the top of the page, it's not exactly a prize-winning cake that you'll be missing!
To further pare down costs, you may use a Chuck E Cheese coupon. With coupon savings, you can get a pizza, drink and token package for under $25. You'll still enjoy all of the same arcade games that any other guest will enjoy. Since the games are the "big focus" of the party...especially for older kids who are already beginning to think it's "stupid" to meet the costumed Chuck E Cheese character...holding an "unofficial" party might be your best bet.
If you plan to have a do-it-yourself affair, you'd be better off if you picked a less-crowded time to hold it. That's because you won't have reserved seating, so picking a less-crowded time will make sure there's plenty of room for your group in the dining room. You'll also have more elbow room in the arcade when it comes time to play games.
How would you get Chuck E Cheese coupons? In areas around Chuck E Cheese locations, coupons are printed in the Sunday supplements of the local newspaper. They'll appear about every 2 months, so just "keep an eye out for them" around the time of your party.
Sign up for email coupons! If your kids are Chuck E Cheese-lovers, do NOT underestimate how much money you can save by signing up for Chuck E Cheese emails (on the restaurant's official website---see link below.) These coupons come regularly, and YES, you can save money and get extra tokens on your visits!
Chuck E Cheese Birthday Parties -- Further Information
Whether you're ready to reserve your birthday party date and time, or if you still need further information before making the big decision, your best move is to check out the party info on the Chuck E Cheese official website. Since prices vary from restaurant to restaurant, there's absolutely no way of knowing what your exact costs will be without either calling your neighborhood location or heading online.
One advantage to heading on-line is that you won't have to worry about taking up an employees time if you want to "think things over" slowly and consider all the aspects of your decision. And, yes, it IS an important decision. Not only is the birtday party going to be a significant expense, but it's also an event that everyone in your family is likely to remember for a lifetime.
The other good reason to head on-line is that you'll find full-color print-at-home Chuck E Cheese party invitations at their website. They are not particularly handsome cards, from an adult's point of view, but they feature cartoon drawings of ChuckE, so they'll certainly please the children being invited.
Of course, as with any birthday party, it's always best to follow up with a direct call to the childrens' parents. While your child will be eager to hand out the invitations, the kids that get them may carelessly forget to inform their mom or dad. A simple phone call to each parent will let you reserve spaces at the restaurant with greater accuracy.
Here, then, is a link to Chuck E Cheese's official website.
Canadian Chuck E Cheese Restaurant Locations
A number of Canadians reach this page. (Probably because this is a California tourist website...and "CA," the appreviation for California is also the abbreviation for Canada!) Not wanting anyone to be disappointed, here's a list of the Canadiain Chuck E Cheese pizza parlors so that you'll have the info you need---There are 3 Alberta Chuck E Cheese locations:
British Columbia has one Chuck E Cheese restaurant, located at 6339 200th Street, Langley; phone number (604) 534-9966.
Here's the list of Ontario Chuck E Cheese restaurants:
There is one Saskatchewan Chuck E Cheese location, at the address of 685 University Park Dr in Regina; phone number (306) 347-0005.
Backwards Links: Family-Vacation-Getaways.com HOME :: Latest News :: Privacy Policy ::
Back to top of "Chuck E Cheese Birthday Parties"
Ahead to a different restaurant page: Restaurants in Southern California, "A" thru "C" :: Restaurants, D-J :: Restaurants, K-Z :: BJ's Restaurants :: California Pizza Kitchen :: Cheesecake Factory :: Chuck E Cheese, LA County :: Chuck E Cheese, other So Cal locations :: Johnny Rockets Disneyland Character Dining :: Downtown Disney Dining :: Mrs. Knott's chicken :: Dining with Shamu :: Universal CitiWalk Dining :: Rainforest Cafe ::
Plan a different family activity: SoCal Attractions Overview :: Beaches :: Camping :: Christmas Fun :: Contests :: Family Fun Centers :: Halloween Fun :: Hollywood fun :: Parks :: Restaurants :: Road Trips :: San Diego Fun :: Shopping :: Outlet Shopping :: Theaters :: Theme Parks :: Water Parks :: Zoos ::
Begin a new search:
