Pump It Up

Pump It Up in Shrewsbury This was the 3rd birthday party we hosted at pump it up, Shrewsbury within the last 2 years. This party cost close to $200 more than the others. The grand total for 22 kids was $480. Previous parties were packaged with pizza, balloons, drinks, ice cream and party rooms at a set price. Now, the party rooms alone cost close to the same price as the old packages, without any food or drinks. You are only allowed to bring in a birthday cake. Everything else including goody bags (new rule), balloons, food and drinks must be purchased at pump it up. A major concern is safety. Although there are staff in the rooms 6 kids managed to need ice packs. The coin operated air hockey game was the last straw. This was a surprise since the machine wasn't there last time. After paying this amount of money, I have kids going to their parents and us asking for quarters to play the game. It was embarrassing. After all you don't expect your guests to pay for things at your kids party. We've had parties at Magic World, Little Gym, Hebert's Candy Mansion, Davis Farmland, Claytime, Chuck E Cheese among others. Never costing more than $300 usually are around $250. Some included the food and drink, and others allowed you to bring in your own. I called after the party to double check the bill, thinking maybe the deposit didn't get deducted or something. It's was right! The owner was completed unconcerned with our opinion on the new system and informed us that this is the going rate in the area, and if I had parties out before I would know that. His comment on the air hockey machine was that it isn't going anywhere and it must pay for itself by being coin operated. He said "next time bring quarters for the kids". The safety issue also fell on deaf ears. The kids liked all the parties we've had so far, the real favorite was Magic World is Shrewsbury. Great show, party room and the moonwalk outside (that is included) is super.