Yup,
It was a fun time at the FunPark in West Palm Beach! We, too, loved the base of the Summer Villa setup, and wished we had one at home. Hubby will try to make one like it. Too bad they don't sell the bases as well as the sets.
We wish there were more Fun Parks like this in the US and other countries. It is a wonderful place to take young children for an entertaining time for just one USD...if you can manage to stay out of the store. That is a BIG IF!!!
Some thoughts about the FL Fun Park:
PROS:
The overall cleanliness of the FP seemed quite high. It is hard to imagine how one could possibly clean toys and the play area every day after play hours end, but we did watch a bit of the work during our first visit. And the place did look clean the next day during our second visit.
The price is incredibly low compared to other attractions for kids in FL or anywhere for that matter. This provides an opportunity for kids without PM to play with them, and that alone is a major accomplishment. Many families with young children are just scraping buy these days during the down economy, and there is no way they can afford to buy new or used PM. And most US families have never heard of PM anyway because it is sold in so few stores and without advertising.
The kids playing at the tables while we were there both times looked as if they were having a ball. Wow, that is a major miracle without computers, video games or TV. And the birthday party kids were having a blast playing games.
The snack area in the lobby was a nice touch with drink machines and tables for sitting and possibly eating a picnic or snack before entering the playroom or store. Florida weather is often too hot to do much outside, so this is a nice place to relax and enjoy a drink or sandwich.
CONS:
At most tables there were just children playing. Most parents and all the employees were doing something else besides playing with the kids. The parents who were at the table with the kids were doing something very worthwhile and are to be commended. There should be employees walking around from table to table answering questions and explaining to kids what some of the parts are. Maybe PM could add internships for child-life college majors who want to interact with children.
We wanted to sit down at tables without adults and play some ourselves and maybe encourage kids to make something with us. This is such a learning time using imaginative play to act out fantasies that could last a lifetime and lead to many satisfying activities later in life.
We were surprised at the number of figures and furnishings on the tables, but feel that more would have enhanced the outing. We have no idea how you keep the kids and their parents from walking out the door with their favorite parts, but they must have some system because the staff did not mention the loss of pieces as a problem.
We have driven down I-95 many times over the past 15 years and never knew about the FP even though it is just a couple of miles from the main north-south highway on the East Coast. It would be wonderful if PM could add some billboards a few miles before the exit off I-95 so that folks would know about this place. And PM should place an ad in the visitors guides and on the websites that cover South Florida attractions. Info in products sold in the US could also be helpful. Families visiting Orlando may want to pop down to West Palm Beach to visit the FP because the Orlando FP is closed.
SUMMARY:
We had a blast at the Fun Park and recommend it to everyone. And the store was wonderful because we could look at real boxes in person and see sets on tables in the playroom. Most toystores cannot carry the entire PM line, so it is great to see at one location almost everything PM sells in this country.
Cheers, Pgal
