Castle Roller Skating — Attraction in Lancaster Township

In response to the owners reply:

It is very seldom that I leave a negative review, so as guest, it was a poor experience. Being in the hospitality industry for more than 18 years, guest experience and perception is everything. As a guest and consumer, I don't need to know how much she paid or how much she would have paid for this or that and I don't think it's appropriate that you post that information for all to see! I didn't receive a copy of the letter because, as a guest, it was none of my business. All I have is MY experience and the experience of the other guests. How uncomfortable EVERYONE was after the ice cream was taken from someone who didn't know it wasn't allowed. Of course your not going to allow outside food when you can make more money on it! And as for a fee for reserving a room for the potential of having a paid birthday party, there were two other rooms completely empty, lights off, no other parties happening.

Guest perception and experience is everything and the way you chose to handle your response just adds to the negative perception.

Thankfully, he and his friends has a great time and they're too young to know the difference.

Very sad and disappointing. A family member won a"free party for 50" and decided to use it for a child's birthday party. After getting the information, the only "free" thing is admission. So you pay for skates, pay for the party room, pay for food, nickle and dime you for Every. Last. Thing! They asked if they would announce the child's birthday and they said no. They only do that for birthday parties. They asked how much it would be to add that and they said no, they don't do that. You can't bring anything other than cake. Another family member brought cupcakes and ice cream and the guy came in and TOOK THE ICE CREAM! How can you not allow ice cream? Told them they can't have ice cream, but he was "nice" enough to put it in the freezer for us. All the kids were asking for ice cream then of course. After skating for a little bit, I went to the concessions and asked for a cup of water... $.50! For what?!?! So I asked if I could have a larger cup. I was told they are only allowed to do small cups (8 or maybe 10 ounce cup, not a 16 ounce as the owner is trying to say and not even full and like 4 ice cubes). So I asked if I could come back for a refill then and I was again told no. Working in the food industry, I know those cups only cost $.02 each, there is no reason to charge that much for a small cup of water!

It's just a shame, it takes away from the customer experience. Simple things could be done differently and make a better experience for your guests. Instead, greed is taking precedence over guest experience. It's been years since we were there last and today I was reminded why we didn't and won't go back again. Great scam with the "Free...

Drove all the way here (about an hour) with our own skates, we skate professionally and are from out of state and brought our own high end skates - NOTHING like the rental skates there, these are good skates. We were not allowed to skate - why you ask? We were "not allowed" to use our "stoppers" (which we don't use, they are very small just to fill the front open spot- not the huge gummy ones.) They wanted us to BUY WHITE ONES from them, WAY overpriced to what you can get anywhere, so I said OK, I'll buy them since I drove so far.....well, guess what - THE GUY IN THE SHOP DIDN"T HAVE A TOOL TO PUT THEM ON, and didn't know how to do it either. So let me get this straight - you want to sell people an item that you don't have the tools or knowledge to put to use anyway? how do you fix your skates without a serious key? This place has a white floor which is nothing special, but they are apparently freaked out about the chance of getting black 'marks' - in my opinion you shouldn't own a skate place if you think things are staying white....far cry from the "school cafeteria" mess that is the rest of the place, and please VACUUM the edges of the place. I won't come back and will not recommend...

I would give zero stars if I could. I use to go to the castle as a child and have found memories there of the "all nighters" and "sock hops." I encourage my kids to go skating, almost weekly, and jokingly boast of skating to and from the castle instead of getting dropped off. We were there this past week on family night. All though there literally were only 20-25 guests I persuaded my children to want to stay and enjoy the music, fun isn't always in a crowd. We were approached by management who stated, "singing is for songs such as the YMCA, but your children can't sing along to all the songs. Maybe one if they are excited about it." To me, skating is VERY similar to a dance floor, when you play good music people will dance/skate. Who skates in silence? Or doesn't sing along to one of their favorite songs? My kids were having fun, far from unruly, which is what I thought an establishment of entertainment was for. I will never send my...