FUNBOX ARCADIA — Attraction in Arcadia

Sharing an Update:

*I want to clarify that I visited on a Monday, around 11:30AM. I got feedback from management, offering to "come back on a weekday because weekends are busier". But I wasn't there on a weekend. So just want to make that clear. HOWEVER, it was still summer break for many children so I'm sure that contributed to the busyness, even on a Monday.

Management from FunBox Arcadia reached out to me and listened to my experience and suggestions. Customer service goes a long way with me, and I really appreciate them taking the time to do this when it would have been much easier to ignore my personal experience and move on. The store manager seemed genuinely interested in finding a solution and agreed there must be a better way to integrate younger children with more ease at FunBox. I also appreciate Fransisco reaching out and letting me know that they are introducing a new toddler-friendly play area in one of their locations and plan on bringing something similar to the Arcadia location. I look forward to visiting in the future when it has been updated.

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Funbox is NOT toddler friendly. And in my opinion, absolutely not worth the cost. I took my girls there (2 & 3), for the first time yesterday, after having been curious since we first saw it. After signing the waivers, I was rung up to $40. My almost-2-year old was supposed to be free and it was supposed to be $14.50 for my 3YO. I was confused, so the woman ringing me up explained that I had to be charged for a ticket as well because I was required to be in the area and supervise my children at all times because of their ages. Of course—makes sense. But I am required to be in there...I'm not there playing, so it felt like a scam that I had to be charged for a "general admission ticket". These terms were not made obvious on the menu they have out front. Had I known before, I wouldn't have decided to go in and sign the waivers. But at this point, my 3 year old was so excited and drawn in by all the bouncers and lights she was seeing; I felt like I couldn't tell her "no" after she had already thought we were going in. We don't do many activities outside the park and library, so I know she would have been crushed.

So I pay and we go in. There is a designated young child/toddler area. It's tiny. There is a slide and some inflated figures. That's it. Both of my girls were bored in there after about 10 minutes. They wanted to go to the main play area. That area is of course overrun with older kids going kind of insane. And that's okay. Older kids need a place they can go a little nuts. BUT, if younger children are going to be allowed in that area, then the older kids need to be watchful, mindful, and considerate. If they can't do that, their parents need to be required to supervise them. And to be blunt, most of them can't do that. Even so, their parents aren't required to be in there and watch them. I was by my girls the entire time. I did not have my phone on me-my eyes were on them the whole time. But they still managed to get hurt and frightened out of the main play area because the older kids weren't being careful. We looked around at the arcade games, but almost all were occupied and not age-appropriate anyway. There wasn't anything left for them to do. So we left after around 30 mins.

My main frustration is the lack of transparency. I get it. It's a business. Their main goal is to make money and restricting the ages further probably means less sales. But that is, in my opinion, what needs to happen—for safety's sake and for the integrity of the company. I would have never wasted our money or our time there had I known Funbox would not be conducive to my girls ages. We only ended up being there for about 35 minutes (most of that time playing defense). I honestly felt so ashamed walking out after that short amount of time, knowing I had just dropped $40. We are a low-income family so $40 is not a small amount of money for us—This was a...

Funbox canceled our party scheduled for August 20, 2 hours before the party started, shocking and disturbing not just our family and the whole party participants. I must admit that I was taken aback and troubled by the abruptness of this decision. To provide context, Francisco, the store manager, assisted me in rescheduling the event to August 26. This unfortunate cancellation had a profound impact on me and my family. We have been loyal patrons of Funbox, frequently recommending your establishment to friends and acquaintances. Notably, I also encouraged the celebration of at least 3 families' recent birthdays at your venue. However, I find myself compelled to convey the disappointment I experienced due to the unprofessional manner in which this situation was handled.

1.Despite the challenging weather conditions, I invested considerable effort and deliberation into the decision to proceed with the original party plan. Funbox maintained communication throughout this process, contacting me multiple times leading up to the event day to confirm its feasibility. Regrettably, at 9:40 am on the day of the party, after all arrangements had been confirmed with guests, I was informed of the cancellation with no room for negotiation. This placed me in an extremely distressing position and compelled me to urgently inform arriving guests, some of whom were already on their way. Most heartbreakingly, my daughter, who was eagerly anticipating her special day, was left in tears upon learning of the sudden cancellation.

with a sense of frustration, I raise the question of proactive communication. While I appreciate your prioritization of safety concerns, the lack of advance notice greatly exacerbates the situation. Had I been informed earlier, I could have taken the necessary steps to mitigate losses, such as canceling food and cake orders. The direct financial loss of $400 for the intended lunch and an additional $100 for the cake is substantial, not to mention the associated incidental expenses.

Funbox is widely regarded as a reputable and professional venue for children's celebrations. I implore you to consider the emotional impact of such last-minute cancellations on children and their families. My daughter's friends, all of whom are between the ages of 3 and 4, were eagerly looking forward to the event. The abrupt cancellation led to tears and distress among the children, causing considerable inconvenience for the parents, myself included.

As a parent and someone who has placed trust in Funbox, I approach this matter with a sincere desire for resolution and understanding. The experience has cast a shadow on our previous positive interactions, leaving me deeply saddened. I sincerely hope you can empathize with the emotional toll this incident has taken on me as a parent and a host. Consequently, I would greatly appreciate a formal response outlining the steps Funbox intends to take to address the situation and provide compensation for the...

Parents, heads-up: We visited FunBox recently, and we were appalled they make you sign a waiver that gives them *permanent, transferable rights to your child’s name, image, voice, and recordings “FOR ANY PURPOSE". This is scary! Why is this required to enter a kids playplace??

You can read this language in the waiver they have online under the “PHOTO” section.

"I hereby consent to and authorize FunBox and its agents...successors...to use, IN PERPETUITY, such Recordings, as well as the CHILD'S NAME and MY NAME, FOR ANY PURPOSE... I further agree that the foregoing includes the consent to USE THE CHILD'S AND/OR MY PHYSICAL LIKENESS IN ANY FORM... I waive any and all claims I may have in connection with the Recordings"

Why this is alarming: FunBox can keep using your child’s name/likeness years later, even in adulthood. Forever. “For any purpose… in any form.” Not just cute social posts, they want rights to use your child’s name in ads, promos, partner licensing, or future tech/AI uses we can’t predict (such as a digital replica or AI companions for strangers). Transferable. If FunBox is sold, the new owner gets these rights. No real opt-out. You’re waiving claims, so takedowns, approval, or payment may be off the table. Names + faces = bigger risk. Attaching a child’s name to images/recordings expands their digital footprint and safety exposure. If this is truly about occasional social media usage, then FunBox should limit use to named channels, strike “for any purpose,” make it non-transferable, avoid using children’s names, and offer a clear opt-in/opt-out. Anything broader is unnecessary and invites liability. California is strict about advertising and kids’ data.

And for anyone thinking “they’d never use it that way”: the contract says they can. That’s the issue.

Separate note on facility standards: After nearly an hour in the car, we found no toilet paper in any stall and multiple clogged toilets. Literally a nightmare when you have small kids.

We won’t be returning. Parents: please read what you’re being asked to sign. FunBox: adopt a kid-safe, opt-in photo policy that respects families’ privacy. And please keep the bathrooms stocked...