Comments on: Where to Have a Kid’s Birthday Party? http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/ A guide to living, working, and playing in Frederick, Maryland Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:10:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: June http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29536 June Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:30:20 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29536 This is a response to the comment posted by Jess about the Spring Fever Farm Unicorn party last Saturday. The Unicorn Party at Spring Fever Farm was the BEST birthday party my 7-year-old daughter has ever had!! My daughter and her friends - mostly 7-year-olds, but one 2-year-old, and a couple of 11-year-olds had an absolute blast - no one wanted to leave, despite the 95-degree heat. We had one family bring 9-month-old twin babies, and the babies also enjoyed the excitement of the party -- again despite the heat, which no one could control. We are the family that was booked for a party in parallel with Jess's daughter. First let me say that we were caught behind an fuel-tanker spill on 495-North on the Washington Beltway, which made us almost 1-hour late for the party. We were SO very, very sorry -- for Jess and for her family, and especially for the 4-year-olds in her party, for Jess's guests and for our guests who had to wait in the heat (our Maryland-side guests arrived on-time, but our Virginia guest had the same traffic disaster that we did). We were also very sorry for Diana Beuchert and her staff, who made the best decisions they could with the information they had. I did not have Diana's cell phone with me because I never envisioned it taking us almost 3 hours to reach the party; we live in Northern Virginia, and it should have taken less than 1.5 hours. We left cushion-time for the long-drive, but with the wreck on 495 it wasn't enough. I feel very responsible for this situation, which negatively impacted Jess & her family, and also impacted Diana and her staff and farm. We have lived in our house for 8-years, and last Saturday was the longest it has ever taken us to reach the Beltway in that entire time (on a weekend). Please do not blame Diana and her Farm for the problems caused by this freak traffic wreck, coupled with the unusually hot Summer our area is having. It is also my fault that I did not ensure having the Farm's cell-phone number with me on our drive. I am really, really sorry. I would book at party at Spring Fever Farm again in a flat-second, and in fact we plan to do a party there again next year. Yes, it is hot in the barn/riding-ring in the Summer. I would advise anyone planning a Summer party to expect high-heat in a non-air-conditioned indoor Riding Ring. Diana was up-front with us about the conditions to expect, and I advised our guests so that anyone who would be bothered by the heat should probably not come - my daughters' grandparents decided not to come when they saw the weekend weather forecast. Our 16 kid guests did not even notice the heat because they were having so much fun. They rode the Unicorn, rode & groomed the gorgeous Andalusian horses (magnificent animals), groomed & feed two adorable miniature horses, ran around the ring with the balloons, had cake & pizza, and just had the best time EVER. It was really hard to convince people to leave. The adults were melting a bit, but it was worth it to them to see the kids having so much fun - and a couple of adults rode, too! Diana and her staff were so nice about everything. They were put in a difficult position by the circumstances, and one that had no occurred before, so they had no precedent to fall back on. We were extremely grateful that our daughter did not miss her own birthday party, but we were worried about the other party the whole time we were driving. I just feel so badly about that. Please don't blame Diana and her staff -- this party is AMAZING. You cannot find anything like it anywhere else -- I searched the web for months (since January 2010, and I booked the party in May 2010). I hestitated to book it because we lived so far away (which ultimately did cause a problem with the unexpected traffic), but we are SO GLAD we did it! I cannot thank Diana and her staff enough. I would now (in retrospect) advise anyone coming from far-away to leave twice the time you think you need to get there, but other than that, if you view the Spring Fever Farm website, and you think your child would like the party, our experience was that our daughter & her friends enjoyed the party 10-times more than we could have imagined. It was absolutely GREAT. Hope this review is useful - and again, I am very sorry for Jess' experience, as I do understand her view, given the unusual circumstances -- which are unlikely to re-occur together (huge traffic wreck on a Saturday and extreme heat together). Book a party at Spring Fever Farm today if you are interested -- you will LOVE it!! This is a response to the comment posted by Jess about the Spring Fever Farm Unicorn party last Saturday. The Unicorn Party at Spring Fever Farm was the BEST birthday party my 7-year-old daughter has ever had!! My daughter and her friends – mostly 7-year-olds, but one 2-year-old, and a couple of 11-year-olds had an absolute blast – no one wanted to leave, despite the 95-degree heat. We had one family bring 9-month-old twin babies, and the babies also enjoyed the excitement of the party — again despite the heat, which no one could control. We are the family that was booked for a party in parallel with Jess’s daughter. First let me say that we were caught behind an fuel-tanker spill on 495-North on the Washington Beltway, which made us almost 1-hour late for the party. We were SO very, very sorry — for Jess and for her family, and especially for the 4-year-olds in her party, for Jess’s guests and for our guests who had to wait in the heat (our Maryland-side guests arrived on-time, but our Virginia guest had the same traffic disaster that we did). We were also very sorry for Diana Beuchert and her staff, who made the best decisions they could with the information they had. I did not have Diana’s cell phone with me because I never envisioned it taking us almost 3 hours to reach the party; we live in Northern Virginia, and it should have taken less than 1.5 hours. We left cushion-time for the long-drive, but with the wreck on 495 it wasn’t enough. I feel very responsible for this situation, which negatively impacted Jess & her family, and also impacted Diana and her staff and farm. We have lived in our house for 8-years, and last Saturday was the longest it has ever taken us to reach the Beltway in that entire time (on a weekend). Please do not blame Diana and her Farm for the problems caused by this freak traffic wreck, coupled with the unusually hot Summer our area is having. It is also my fault that I did not ensure having the Farm’s cell-phone number with me on our drive. I am really, really sorry. I would book at party at Spring Fever Farm again in a flat-second, and in fact we plan to do a party there again next year. Yes, it is hot in the barn/riding-ring in the Summer. I would advise anyone planning a Summer party to expect high-heat in a non-air-conditioned indoor Riding Ring. Diana was up-front with us about the conditions to expect, and I advised our guests so that anyone who would be bothered by the heat should probably not come – my daughters’ grandparents decided not to come when they saw the weekend weather forecast. Our 16 kid guests did not even notice the heat because they were having so much fun. They rode the Unicorn, rode & groomed the gorgeous Andalusian horses (magnificent animals), groomed & feed two adorable miniature horses, ran around the ring with the balloons, had cake & pizza, and just had the best time EVER. It was really hard to convince people to leave. The adults were melting a bit, but it was worth it to them to see the kids having so much fun – and a couple of adults rode, too! Diana and her staff were so nice about everything. They were put in a difficult position by the circumstances, and one that had no occurred before, so they had no precedent to fall back on. We were extremely grateful that our daughter did not miss her own birthday party, but we were worried about the other party the whole time we were driving. I just feel so badly about that. Please don’t blame Diana and her staff — this party is AMAZING. You cannot find anything like it anywhere else — I searched the web for months (since January 2010, and I booked the party in May 2010). I hestitated to book it because we lived so far away (which ultimately did cause a problem with the unexpected traffic), but we are SO GLAD we did it! I cannot thank Diana and her staff enough. I would now (in retrospect) advise anyone coming from far-away to leave twice the time you think you need to get there, but other than that, if you view the Spring Fever Farm website, and you think your child would like the party, our experience was that our daughter & her friends enjoyed the party 10-times more than we could have imagined. It was absolutely GREAT. Hope this review is useful – and again, I am very sorry for Jess’ experience, as I do understand her view, given the unusual circumstances — which are unlikely to re-occur together (huge traffic wreck on a Saturday and extreme heat together). Book a party at Spring Fever Farm today if you are interested — you will LOVE it!!

]]> By: Diana Beuchert http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29535 Diana Beuchert Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:38:21 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29535 (continuation of same reply - hit the wrong button, I guess) When Jess says "I was told the huge barn was well ventilated with fans ect-that was a LIE." she's obviously letting her emotions cloud the reality that our barn IS well ventilated, as I've stated above. It was 95 degrees outside! No non-air conditioned space is going to feel nice and comfy at that temperature! When Jess says "We actually had to leave the party to buy more water, drinks for our guests to prevent heat stroke!!" that just indicates that she didn't plan ahead and bring enough drinks. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide drinks for their guests. Everyone knew the day was going to be hot. The length of Jess's party was the same two hours it was supposed to be, originally. She should have brought enough to drinks to supply her guests with two hour's worth of beverages in the first place. Some of Jess's own guests arrived nearly an hour late. The poor people behind the oil spill were NOT the last guests to arrive - Jess's guests were the last ones in the door. Now, we would have started the party at 3:15 if both the birthday girls had been there. Luckily, all of Jess's guests - even the very late ones - got to experience the wonderful show. Jess's kids were having lots of fun brushing the horses and feeding them treats. Kids only take five minutes to eat a piece of pizza anyway . . . everyone knows that. Then they run off, excitedly, to do the next fun event, which Jess's party's kids did. They had a *blast* and I'm sure none of the kids were tainted with the same negativity that Jess is feeling. And as far as Jess's suggesting a pony ride party is superior to a Spring Fever Farm Party, well, lets see: one or two little ponies compared to four immaculate, gorgeous Andalusians, two of which are stallions; one being convincingly dressed as a Unicorn who does *tricks* for the birthday girl . . . maybe hitting a horse pinata as entertainment vs. a 20 minute costumed musical production about a mystical Unicorn on horseback . . . paying upwards of $300 to have a dozen kids destroy your house and yard for 90 minutes vs. paying $400 for a group of warm, generous horses, riders and grounds people entertain the kids for two hours at a place where they can play without getting hurt or destroying anything and where that parents have *no clean-up* to worry about! I don't know . . . sounds like a no-brainer to me. Please see my web page: http:www.springfever.com to see photos of many very happy kids and then decide whether a pony party is better than my parties. (continuation of same reply – hit the wrong button, I guess)
When Jess says “I was told the huge barn was well ventilated with fans ect-that was a LIE.” she’s obviously letting her emotions cloud the reality that our barn IS well ventilated, as I’ve stated above. It was 95 degrees outside! No non-air conditioned space is going to feel nice and comfy at that temperature!
When Jess says “We actually had to leave the party to buy more water, drinks for our guests to prevent heat stroke!!” that just indicates that she didn’t plan ahead and bring enough drinks. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide drinks for their guests. Everyone knew the day was going to be hot. The length of Jess’s party was the same two hours it was supposed to be, originally. She should have brought enough to drinks to supply her guests with two hour’s worth of beverages in the first place.
Some of Jess’s own guests arrived nearly an hour late. The poor people behind the oil spill were NOT the last guests to arrive – Jess’s guests were the last ones in the door. Now, we would have started the party at 3:15 if both the birthday girls had been there. Luckily, all of Jess’s guests – even the very late ones – got to experience the wonderful show.
Jess’s kids were having lots of fun brushing the horses and feeding them treats. Kids only take five minutes to eat a piece of pizza anyway . . . everyone knows that. Then they run off, excitedly, to do the next fun event, which Jess’s party’s kids did. They had a *blast* and I’m sure none of the kids were tainted with the same negativity that Jess is feeling.
And as far as Jess’s suggesting a pony ride party is superior to a Spring Fever Farm Party, well, lets see: one or two little ponies compared to four immaculate, gorgeous Andalusians, two of which are stallions; one being convincingly dressed as a Unicorn who does *tricks* for the birthday girl . . . maybe hitting a horse pinata as entertainment vs. a 20 minute costumed musical production about a mystical Unicorn on horseback . . . paying upwards of $300 to have a dozen kids destroy your house and yard for 90 minutes vs. paying $400 for a group of warm, generous horses, riders and grounds people entertain the kids for two hours at a place where they can play without getting hurt or destroying anything and where that parents have *no clean-up* to worry about! I don’t know . . . sounds like a no-brainer to me. Please see my web page: http:www.springfever.com to see photos of many very happy kids and then decide whether a pony party is better than my parties.

]]> By: Diana Beuchert http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29534 Diana Beuchert Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:10:07 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29534 I would like to respond to the post by Jess about my farm's birthday parties. There are a few details about yesterday's party that Jess left out. I understand her being upset . . . but not THAT upset, since when she told me before leaving that she didn't think she should have to pay full price for the party because of the delay, I asked her how much she did want to pay me, and *graciously accepted her much lower final payment*. In her post, Jess insinuates that she paid $400. She did not. It was a hot day yesterday and a very unfortunate situation transpired. But it wasn't our fault . . . it was nobody's fault. It's too bad Jess was a very poor sport about it. Many other people would have understood and had compassion on us and the second party's situation. In fact, Jess said many times that she was "fine" with what was happening. I shudder to think how she may have reacted had *her* daughter been the one to miss the show, as she suggests we should have done to the other mother's daughter! Yes, we do book two parties at a time, in order to be able to afford to put on these parties at all. It costs more for me to put on on just one party than I make from one party, since I have to pay several riders and helpers and I provide little extras for the guests like ice in a cooler, pretty tablecloths, balloons and decorations. We've been in business, doing our parties, for just 15 months. We're still learning and growing and improving our parties. But this is the first time a party has been more than 15 minutes late. The other *birthday girl* (not just a friend or a relative, but the other main guest of honor) was stuck in traffic on 495, behind an oil spill. For the first 1/2 hour, we didn't know what was going on since we had no communication with her . . . we honestly thought she'd walk in any minute, and that's what we told the guests. The mom had called my house and left messages, but we don't have access to that phone line in the barn, where we were waiting. In the future, I'm definately going to give the parents my cell phone number, and take theirs as well. When people started to realize something was really wrong, one of the missing mom's friends called her cell phone and we found out just how bad the delay was going to be. We told the first party so that they knew what was going on and when we would probably start. We were only as disorganized as an extremely rare and unfortunate situation caused us to be. Had it been Jess's daughter that was stuck in traffic, I'm pretty sure she'd be very grateful, like the other mother was, that we waited for them to arrive before starting the show, since the show is the main attraction. Our parties begin with a lovely 20 minute horseback ridden performance and the riders and horses patiently wait IN HOT, ORNATE COSTUMES for the guests to arrive. It is our policy to only wait 15 minutes, for the sake of the guests that are waiting, to begin the show. But since it was one of the birthday kids that was late, we felt the right thing to do was wait for her to arrive. Since we didn't know how late the second party was going to be, we couldn't totally undress and do the next part of the party - riding the horses - because then we'd have to take another half hour to re-dress! And we couldn't do the horse rides in costume because we take great care to not let the children see us in costume, because that would ruin the element of surprise for them. When Jess asked us after the show to allow her kids to ride first, we agreed. We appreciated their "patience" and understood how hard it is for little kids to wait, especially when it's hot. Our parties are indoors, in a barn, and we had 4' fans blowing on the bleachers and a 4' ventilator fan near the ceiling running full blast. We were doing the best we could to cool a *barn*, which is obviously too expensive to air condition. Jess and her party could have easily gone outside and passed the time waiting in the breeze, like the other guests were doing. I would like to respond to the post by Jess about my farm’s birthday parties. There are a few details about yesterday’s party that Jess left out.
I understand her being upset . . . but not THAT upset, since when she told me before leaving that she didn’t think she should have to pay full price for the party because of the delay, I asked her how much she did want to pay me, and *graciously accepted her much lower final payment*. In her post, Jess insinuates that she paid $400. She did not.
It was a hot day yesterday and a very unfortunate situation transpired. But it wasn’t our fault . . . it was nobody’s fault. It’s too bad Jess was a very poor sport about it. Many other people would have understood and had compassion on us and the second party’s situation. In fact, Jess said many times that she was “fine” with what was happening. I shudder to think how she may have reacted had *her* daughter been the one to miss the show, as she suggests we should have done to the other mother’s daughter!
Yes, we do book two parties at a time, in order to be able to afford to put on these parties at all. It costs more for me to put on on just one party than I make from one party, since I have to pay several riders and helpers and I provide little extras for the guests like ice in a cooler, pretty tablecloths, balloons and decorations.
We’ve been in business, doing our parties, for just 15 months. We’re still learning and growing and improving our parties. But this is the first time a party has been more than 15 minutes late. The other *birthday girl* (not just a friend or a relative, but the other main guest of honor) was stuck in traffic on 495, behind an oil spill. For the first 1/2 hour, we didn’t know what was going on since we had no communication with her . . . we honestly thought she’d walk in any minute, and that’s what we told the guests. The mom had called my house and left messages, but we don’t have access to that phone line in the barn, where we were waiting. In the future, I’m definately going to give the parents my cell phone number, and take theirs as well.
When people started to realize something was really wrong, one of the missing mom’s friends called her cell phone and we found out just how bad the delay was going to be. We told the first party so that they knew what was going on and when we would probably start. We were only as disorganized as an extremely rare and unfortunate situation caused us to be. Had it been Jess’s daughter that was stuck in traffic, I’m pretty sure she’d be very grateful, like the other mother was, that we waited for them to arrive before starting the show, since the show is the main attraction.
Our parties begin with a lovely 20 minute horseback ridden performance and the riders and horses patiently wait IN HOT, ORNATE COSTUMES for the guests to arrive. It is our policy to only wait 15 minutes, for the sake of the guests that are waiting, to begin the show. But since it was one of the birthday kids that was late, we felt the right thing to do was wait for her to arrive.
Since we didn’t know how late the second party was going to be, we couldn’t totally undress and do the next part of the party – riding the horses – because then we’d have to take another half hour to re-dress! And we couldn’t do the horse rides in costume because we take great care to not let the children see us in costume, because that would ruin the element of surprise for them.
When Jess asked us after the show to allow her kids to ride first, we agreed. We appreciated their “patience” and understood how hard it is for little kids to wait, especially when it’s hot. Our parties are indoors, in a barn, and we had 4′ fans blowing on the bleachers and a 4′ ventilator fan near the ceiling running full blast. We were doing the best we could to cool a *barn*, which is obviously too expensive to air condition. Jess and her party could have easily gone outside and passed the time waiting in the breeze, like the other guests were doing.

]]> By: Jess http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29533 Jess Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:40:50 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29533 Warning RE: Spring Fever Farm Bday parties EXTREMELY DISORGANIZED AND OVERPRICED I originally found Spring Fever farm by stumbling on this blog through a google search and want to warn other parents about these parties. After paying Spring Fever Farm $400 for my daughters 4th birthday party, I expected a wonderful memorable experience for her and her guests. The experience WAS memorable but not in a good way. The farm books 2 parties at a time. The parties start off with a 20 minute performance and then are supposed to be divided up with one group riding, grooming and feeding the horses while the other does cake and gifts. Well unfortunatly for us the other parties birthday girl was an HOUR late. They would not start our party without the birthday girl. My guests were forced to sit in a hot stuffy barn on hard bleachers for an hour (HALF OF THE PARTY) waiting..and waiting. I was first told we would start the performance 15 minutes late..and then 30 minutes late..In the meantime all of my party guests which included YOUNG children and elderly were sitting on hard bleachers in a stuffy hot barn. Which was another issue-I was told the huge barn was well ventilated with fans ect-that was a LIE. We actually had to leave the party to buy more water, drinks for our guests to prevent heat stroke!! The party "helpers" would tell me about every 10 minutes that the show was going to start. I would then inform my guests which included twelve 4/5 years olds that the horseys were coming out. Then the show would of course not start. So the first hour (half of the party) was me profusly apologizing to miserably hot adults and bored kids. While waiting for the show to start the owner annouced that the other girls group would be riding/grooming the horses after the preformance. This was AFTER I was already told at the beginning of my party that my group would be first and was given a very specific time on when I should request that my $75 worth of pizzas arrive. I was able to get this corrected fairly quickly given that MY guests were the ones waiting AN HOUR in the heat for the party to start :-( Unfortunatly given that half of our party was spent waiting on another child who was an HOUR late (I am not exagerating on this-our party was supposed to start at 3-it started at 3:55 PM!!!) I spent the second half of the time scrambling to serve pizza, sing happy birthday/cut the cake in between the children getting horse rides and grooming the horses (which was the whole allure of a horse party!) The whole party was rushed and miserable. There are ways that an organized venue would have prevented this from occuring: 1. Telling me the truth re: the late start of the show. Instead of insisting the show was "About to start" every ten minutes. Had I known that I would have done our cake and requested earlier pizza. 2. They could have let my group spend the first hour riding, grooming the horses The whole party was extremely disorganized. There was no order and I was left scrambling and orchestrating everything on the fly. Our party "helper" never helped...with anything. She couldnt even tell me what activity we should plan for next (based on when the horses would be brought out) we had the poor kids eating pizza as fast as they could so they wouldnt miss their chance to brush/feed the horses. I am never one to review, complain or rant like this. But I just need to warn others ***DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS-IF YOU WANT A HORSE PARTY-GET A PONY RIDE SERVICE TO COME TO YOUR BACKYARD*** Warning RE: Spring Fever Farm Bday parties

EXTREMELY DISORGANIZED AND OVERPRICED

I originally found Spring Fever farm by stumbling on this blog through a google search and want to warn other parents about these parties.

After paying Spring Fever Farm $400 for my daughters 4th birthday party, I expected a wonderful memorable experience for her and her guests.

The experience WAS memorable but not in a good way. The farm books 2 parties at a time. The parties start off with a 20 minute performance and then are supposed to be divided up with one group riding, grooming and feeding the horses while the other does cake and gifts.

Well unfortunatly for us the other parties birthday girl was an HOUR late. They would not start our party without the birthday girl. My guests were forced to sit in a hot stuffy barn on hard bleachers for an hour (HALF OF THE PARTY) waiting..and waiting.

I was first told we would start the performance 15 minutes late..and then 30 minutes late..In the meantime all of my party guests which included YOUNG children and elderly were sitting on hard bleachers in a stuffy hot barn. Which was another issue-I was told the huge barn was well ventilated with fans ect-that was a LIE. We actually had to leave the party to buy more water, drinks for our guests to prevent heat stroke!!

The party “helpers” would tell me about every 10 minutes that the show was going to start. I would then inform my guests which included twelve 4/5 years olds that the horseys were coming out. Then the show would of course not start.

So the first hour (half of the party) was me profusly apologizing to miserably hot adults and bored kids.

While waiting for the show to start the owner annouced that the other girls group would be riding/grooming the horses after the preformance. This was AFTER I was already told at the beginning of my party that my group would be first and was given a very specific time on when I should request that my $75 worth of pizzas arrive. I was able to get this corrected fairly quickly given that MY guests were the ones waiting AN HOUR in the heat for the party to start :-(

Unfortunatly given that half of our party was spent waiting on another child who was an HOUR late (I am not exagerating on this-our party was supposed to start at 3-it started at 3:55 PM!!!) I spent the second half of the time scrambling to serve pizza, sing happy birthday/cut the cake in between the children getting horse rides and grooming the horses (which was the whole allure of a horse party!) The whole party was rushed and miserable.

There are ways that an organized venue would have prevented this from occuring: 1. Telling me the truth re: the late start of the show. Instead of insisting the show was “About to start” every ten minutes. Had I known that I would have done our cake and requested earlier pizza. 2. They could have let my group spend the first hour riding, grooming the horses

The whole party was extremely disorganized. There was no order and I was left scrambling and orchestrating everything on the fly. Our party “helper” never helped…with anything. She couldnt even tell me what activity we should plan for next (based on when the horses would be brought out) we had the poor kids eating pizza as fast as they could so they wouldnt miss their chance to brush/feed the horses.

I am never one to review, complain or rant like this. But I just need to warn others ***DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS-IF YOU WANT A HORSE PARTY-GET A PONY RIDE SERVICE TO COME TO YOUR BACKYARD***

]]> By: eugene http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29192 eugene Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:26:11 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29192 Adventure Park USA by far has the best birthday parties around. Its clean, safe, professionally run and its much bigger than it looks. When my girls walked through the front doors of the building they were beside themselves with excitement. They have a huge softplay for the little kids to play in, laser tag, rock wall, ropes course, and a ton of games inside. I agree with everyone who stated CEC pizza is nasty! I must say the pizza for my daughters party was excellent, and I'm a picky pizza person. I also was very impressed with how friendly and helpful the employees were. Great place for the money and they both cant want to go back. Oh and I must say playing laser tag with my girls was a blast, you cant do much with your kids at CEC other than watch them play. :( Adventure Park USA by far has the best birthday parties around. Its clean, safe, professionally run and its much bigger than it looks. When my girls walked through the front doors of the building they were beside themselves with excitement. They have a huge softplay for the little kids to play in, laser tag, rock wall, ropes course, and a ton of games inside. I agree with everyone who stated CEC pizza is nasty! I must say the pizza for my daughters party was excellent, and I’m a picky pizza person. I also was very impressed with how friendly and helpful the employees were. Great place for the money and they both cant want to go back. Oh and I must say playing laser tag with my girls was a blast, you cant do much with your kids at CEC other than watch them play. :(

]]> By: deneene http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29046 deneene Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:28:21 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-29046 Laser tag/Bowling(Brunswick, AMF), Pump it up, Jeepers, Adventure Park USA, Playwise Kids, Baltimore Zoo, Port Discovery, Cartoon Cuts Laser tag/Bowling(Brunswick, AMF), Pump it up, Jeepers, Adventure Park USA, Playwise Kids, Baltimore Zoo, Port Discovery, Cartoon Cuts

]]> By: Diana Beuchert http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28985 Diana Beuchert Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:20:31 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28985 Here's a comment from a Spring Fever Farm Dancing Horses Birthday Party customer just last weekend (March 13, 2010): "Hi Diana, Thanks, we had a really great time at the party Saturday! We throw lots of elaborate parties, but I think the kids, along with the parents, will remember this one for a long time. Its rare to have a room full of children for a 6th birthday, with ALL of their attention focused and quiet. They were so enthralled, you could have heard a pin drop during the show. It was such a unique experience and will be very hard to surpass in the future. We really appreciate that the party never felt rushed, it was a very enjoyable day. Your assistants were great, too! Also, having horses and a farm ourselves, we were truly impressed with the training, appearance and disposition of your horses. Thanks again for coordinating so much, being so accessible during the planning process and following up afterwards. I would certainly recommend you for parties or training. Thanks again!" Here’s a comment from a Spring Fever Farm Dancing Horses Birthday Party customer just last weekend (March 13, 2010): “Hi Diana, Thanks, we had a really great time at the party Saturday! We throw lots of elaborate parties, but I think the kids, along with the parents, will remember this one for a long time. Its rare to have a room full of children for a 6th birthday, with ALL of their attention focused and quiet. They were so enthralled, you could have heard a pin drop during the show. It was such a unique experience and will be very hard to surpass in the future. We really appreciate that the party never felt rushed, it was a very enjoyable day. Your assistants were great, too! Also, having horses and a farm ourselves, we were truly impressed with the training, appearance and disposition of your horses. Thanks again for coordinating so much, being so accessible during the planning process and following up afterwards. I would certainly recommend you for parties or training. Thanks again!”

]]> By: Mom in Frederick http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28981 Mom in Frederick Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:27:16 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28981 Had a very poor experience at Johnnys Bounce A Roo. The lady who ran the day was nice but The owners could of cared less about my concerns. They do not tell you when you book that two birthday parties will be over lapping one another. Kids from each of the parties were trying to go onto the bounce room and visa versa. It was unclear as to which room you start in. Had a very poor experience at Johnnys Bounce A Roo. The lady who ran the day was nice but The owners could of cared less about my concerns. They do not tell you when you book that two birthday parties will be over lapping one another. Kids from each of the parties were trying to go onto the bounce room and visa versa. It was unclear as to which room you start in.

]]> By: Arlene http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28635 Arlene Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:52:56 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28635 Be forewarned - At Paradise of Fun, you have to book well in advance for a birthday party. My kids love it though. Be forewarned – At Paradise of Fun, you have to book well in advance for a birthday party. My kids love it though.

]]> By: autumn http://frederickmarylandonline.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28616 autumn Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:45:23 +0000 http://frednet.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/where-to-have-a-kids-birthday-party/#comment-28616 I visited Paradise Of Fun in FSK mall today with 3 of my children (ages 6, 7 and 10). We had a BLAST!! They have an entire store filled with the bounce-a-roo style inflatable centers. They even had a Wii Fit dance station and giant size chess pawns. We only planned on stopping in there for a half hour but ended up staying much longer. Its so refreshing to see the children running around and having a good time instead of sitting in front of a video game or movie screan...while I TOTALLY agree I would have loved watching a movie as a kid for my birthday party...kids are soooo full of energy and it is GREAT to find a place that embarks on that :) Good luck with your party... I visited Paradise Of Fun in FSK mall today with 3 of my children (ages 6, 7 and 10). We had a BLAST!! They have an entire store filled with the bounce-a-roo style inflatable centers. They even had a Wii Fit dance station and giant size chess pawns. We only planned on stopping in there for a half hour but ended up staying much longer. Its so refreshing to see the children running around and having a good time instead of sitting in front of a video game or movie screan…while I TOTALLY agree I would have loved watching a movie as a kid for my birthday party…kids are soooo full of energy and it is GREAT to find a place that embarks on that :)

Good luck with your party…

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