Kids can do what they "Wannado"
Written: Jun 19 '05 (Updated Jun 19 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Geared towards kids aged 3-13; lots to do; kids really have fun doing various jobs
Cons: Expensive; not a lot geared towards boys; food is expensive
The Bottom Line: This is a highly recommended place to take any kid. Fun, safe, and highly addictive!
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| askurnick's Full Review: Wannado City |
As a resident of South Florida (Broward County in particular where this park is located), my daughter (age 7) has now frequented Wannado City four times (as of this weekend). I have to admit, the concept is an awesome one. What's even more amazing is how they transformed a one-time home store (this store front used to be Waccamaw) into this incredible indoor amusement park for kids.
The park, opened since August 2004, has seen price increases three times since it's opening. Prices recently came down slightly - $29.95 for kids and $15.95 for adults. Florida residents have a $6 discount right now. In addition, there's a 3-Day Action Pass available for $59.95 for kids and $19.95 for adults that's valid thru December 31, 2005. The one-day and three-day tickets can be purchased at Publix (the local supermarket down here) to save time in line as well.
There are quite a few different "jobs" kids can do while at Wannado. They can fly Spirit Airlines, go to the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant, shop at Publix, be a reporter for The Miami Herald or an DJ with Hot 105 or 97.3 The Coast - just to name a few. The money that's earned working can be spent on various things in the park ranging from Rock Climbing ($60 Wongas), to the Art Academy ($40 Wongas), to the Jeweler ($50 Wongas) for example. Running out of Wongas is generally not a problem. After four trips to the park, we left $1,740 Wongas in my daughter's account. Each time you go, you get another $150 Wongas to add to your account.
The amazing thing about this park is that it really is geared for kids aged 3-13 without a problem. I saw a 4-year old running around trying to solve a crime scene with older kids and a 11-year old tried to arrest me for loitering! Later in the evening, my daughter arrested me for "loud clothing" and took me to court. There, the judge found me guilty (he said my t-shirt was too purple) and told me I could pay $50 Wongas (which I told my daughter would come out of her account), go sing "Happy Birthday" to the staff at The Miami Herald, or go sit in jail for 5 minutes. I opted for jail. Once in jail, I had several kids offer to "break me out" by pulling on the rubber bars to allow me slip quietly out of my cell.
While the park is absolutely awesome for kids, it is a bit boring for adults. $15.95 is a lot of money to pay to watch your kids all day. While yes, there is The Eagle's Nest (the grown up lounge), you're still sitting there all day pretty much doing nothing. If you go, plan on spending as much time as possible there in order to get your money's worth. Peak time is usually lunch to dinner (12pm to 5pm). We were in the door at 10am and were able to get through the "popular" jobs quite quickly before the crowds came in around lunch time. Also, while you're there, expect to pay a lot of money for food. It's comparable to "Disney Pricing" for food that should cost half as much as it does.
The other thing I like is the GPS bracelet to know exactly where my daughter is in the park and how long she's been in that spot. On a previous trip to the park, my daughter went in to be a policeman. She was in there for quite a long time and I didn't know if she came out another door and I didn't see her. I checked the kiosk near where I was sitting to find out she was still inside the police station in one room (for 45 minutes) waiting to come out. The bracelets are absolutely awesome and the fact that security guards roam the park to keep things safe is another plus. Kids can't "wander out" because they have to go pass a "check out" station in order to exit. There's one way in and one way out which makes it real easy to keep kids where they should be.
Is the park worth going to? By all means! Is it a cheap day? No way! Expect to drop $100+ for a family of four for the day.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
askurnick
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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