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Costs, options for birthday parties abound

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By Jill Kelley, Staff Writer 7:53 PM Thursday, April 9, 2009

Does it seem like you are going to more kids’ birthday parties lately?

“We are smack dab in the middle of birthday season right now,” according to Jeff Groves, general manager at Rollandia Golf Center and Magic Castle.

So we thought this would be a good time to take a look at some area birthday party facilities, and see what you really get for your money. While the least expensive party is one you host at your home or a local park, it is good to know your options.

Most facilities offer packages at varying price levels, offer coupons for future visits and require a minimum number of guests. Many ask for a deposit when booking the facility.

This is just a sampling of some popular birthday party options — some bargains and some not — in the Miami Valley:

Rollandia’s Magic Castle: Rollandia, on Wilmington Pike in Centerville, offers two party packages that range from $8.50 to $13.95 per person.

Both packages get you tokens, pizza, soda pop, game play and one activity — soft play, batting cages or miniature golf.

With the more expensive package, you get more of those things and a private room, prize counter points, a cake, group photo and invitations.

For more information, call (937) 434-4911 or visit www.gorollandia.com.

Bounce U: The Miami Twp. facility full of giant inflatables has three packages available.

The Spectac-U-lar Package is the most expensive and all-inclusive, and costs $399. It allows for 25 guests, a party room, hosts, five pizzas, unlimited drinks, goodie bags, a balloon bouquet, half a sheet cake and the birthday boy or girl gets a T-shirt.

The Premier Package is the same as the Spectac-U-lar, but doesn’t include food. This package costs $239 to $279 depending on day.

There also is a U-Junior package that is the same as the Premier, except smaller. It serves 15 guests. That package costs $199 to $239.

For more information, call Bounce U at (937) 610-0500 or visit www.bounceu.com.

On a side note, the Miamisburg Pump it Up, which had a similar facility, closed in January.

Laser tag: There are two facilities near Dayton that offer laser tag-themed birthday parties, and they are both in Centerville.

Laser Quest, in the Cross Pointe Shopping Center, offers two party packages. The Traditional Package offers two games for each person and a private party room. Families can bring in food or have it delivered.

The cost is $15 per person (parents count, if they wish to play).

Their Double Exclusive Package is the same as the first, but the games are confined to your group. These parties can accommodate as many as 30, and cost a flat $380.

For more information, call Laser Quest at (937) 434-0088 or visit www.laserquest.com.

Laser Web is on Miamisburg-Centerville road and offers three party packages: Super Nova ($12.99 per person), Galaxy ($15.99) and Universe ($19.99). Private packages cost extra.

All packages offer two Laser Web missions and a party room, and the higher you go in price, the more food, drink and extras you get. Some packages also offer tokens for the video game area.

For more information about Laser Web, call (937) 435-2737 or visit www.funattheweb.com.

Princess Tea Room: The Princess Tea Room is on West Franklin Street in Centerville offers two themed options. There are princess packages for those as young as 3, and the spa package is for ages 6 and older.

The princess packages start at $135, and the spa package costs $195. All packages cost an additional $15 per child the day of the party.

The parties include dress-up, a fashion show and a craft (except with the youngest group), and the spa party also offers facials and fingernail painting.

Co-owner Terre Longer said those interested should book at least a month in advance.

For more information, call (937) 428-6590 or visit www.princesstea room.com.

Skateworld: There are two Skateworlds in the area and, although they were affiliated at one time, they now operate separately.

The facility in Vandalia offers two party packages, which vary in food options, from $9 to $10. They both include party invitations, skate rental, a free T-shirt for the birthday person, soft drinks and ice cream. Guests bring in the cake. A bouquet of balloons can be purchased for $10.

Skateworld of Kettering offers three party packages: The Economy Package is $8.50 per child, the Ultimate is $11 and the Works is $16.99.

Included in all packages is invitations, seating and skate rental.

Where this package really varies is in the food options. The Economy just includes ice cream, while the other packages have Pizza Hut pizza. The Works package also includes a free pair of skates for the birthday child and four weeks of free skating lessons.

“Most parents just give the skates as their birthday present,” said Alishia Funk, general manager of Skateworld of Kettering. “The skates are valued at $75.”

This week’s deals

Target is having a sale this weekend in which if you buy two Wii games, you can get a third for free. The offer is good on more than 80 titles.

Also this weekend, Dick’s Sporting Goods is having a huge sale on golf equipment, shaving hundreds of dollars off clubs.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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