Max Adventures Kids Birthday Party Place — Attraction in New York

THEY’RE SO GOOD…THEY MAKE EVERYONE ELSE LOOK BAD! Okay. So as a dedicated mom and auntie, I’ve been to my share of kids’ party venues. Naturally, I can’t help but draw comparisons between them. The fact is, although children’s party venues may differ in name, location and price, they essentially share the same basic characteristics: courteous, sometimes ingratiating owners/salespeople in search of your hard-earned $$$ (who ironically almost ALWAYS assign the two most DISINTERESTED teenage attendants to your party once it has been booked); not enough age-appropriate entertainment OR adequate entertainment that is nonetheless followed by rushed, lackluster food service in a cramped room; economical (yeah, you got it, CHEAP) dollar-store-variety party favors (or ONE SINGLE TOY!), and a less-than-gracefully-enforced exit in which all guests are herded like cattle out into the unwelcoming streets.

We wanted a special venue to celebrate our autistic daughter’s 11th birthday. On the cheap end, there is Chuck E. Cheese, but we wanted something private. Apart from NOT being private, CEC bears the stigma of unmonitored children, monopolizing games. So, although it was a bit outside of our budget, we decided to give MAX ADVENTURES a try. ALL parties at Max Adventures are PRIVATE. There are no “open play” hours for rambunctious kids, undetected by their phone-distracted parents, to mess up the place, which meant that we did not have to be subjected to “out of order” signs on game machines that were dilapidated or dirty.

The day of the party, guests ranging from four to forty-ish entered the venue. There was someone at or around each station to show guests how to use the equipment or play specific games. When one child became overstimulated, his mother was able to take him to the “Parent Lounge,” to let him settle down before rejoining the party. Time would not permit me to get into the fun that was had by all from the two-story play gym to the virtual reality station. After an hour, we went downstairs to eat and for my daughter’s glow-in-the-dark party. Children danced in bubbles to music videos on a projector, received cool party favors, and were catered to like spoiled celebrity kids. Among them, the guest-of-honor, our daughter, was made to feel like a princess for a day.

Honorable mentions to: Tiffany and Ana who managed our party (on Sunday, July 22nd ), looking after all of the small and BIG DETAILS, like reassuring this harried mom that everything was under control and ensuring that all children were having fun and all adults were comfortable.

Kristina and Irsa- who mostly stayed in the ball pit playing with the shy, fussy or sensory-sensitive children who camped out there.

Ricolas-Held it down as the only male attendant on the game floor, manning the VR station; doing double-duty as an air hockey opponent to my nephew who played against him.

Maria-Who remained in her elevated position in the soft play gym, reminding children of safety rules and pep-talked cautious climbers to partake of all of the soft-play activities in the gym.

Valery-Who facilitated games upstairs and played an integral role in food service/activities at the party.

Taysha-Who worked behind the scenes to decorate the party room and handed out balloons to parting guests.

Throughout our daughter’s birthday party, so many parents took us aside to compliment us on the staff (as though we could take any credit!): parents who had special needs children and those who did not. They weren’t just impressed with how their children were treated, but how well they were treated as well. Believe me, I don’t write reviews every day. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do so; however, Max Adventures SO exceeded our expectations as a party venue that I would be remiss if I didn’t let other people know about it.

The only regret I have about booking Max Adventures for our daughter’s birthday party is that, now, they’ve ruined us for all other...

DO NOT FALL FOR THE HYPE AND 5 STAR REVIEWS LIKE I DID! YOU'RE IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE IF YOU DO. For one, this place is a kid oriented place. They need to work on their hospitality skills toward EVERYONE. The kids are here with their parents which means the parents are entitled to a positive experience as well as the children. As a business you're supposed to provide that. I've booked a party here for my child and I'll never book another one again. If you're a new customer TAKE CAUTION! I only chose this place because i had no other options left. Also because of what they offered too like 100% private, I can bring my own food, etc. For starters, this place is a huge rip off! They literally change you for everything single thing! If they could charge you for breathing they would! I ended up getting their "largest" package that they offered and I ended up spending close to 3000 dollars for a 3 hr party! Price range for this place should be anywhere between 500-1000 dollars if you ask me. I spoke to 3 different "party experts" and each one of them failed to mention that the ice cream cake that they provide which is INCLUDED in my party total is only for the kids. Some of my guest wanted some ice cream cake and I had to tell them that we aren't allowed to have any. Then while the party is going on " a party expert" tells me that if the adults wanted a ice cream cake, I must pay them extra money so one can be provided because I'm not allowed to bring a ice cream cake myself. How shady is that?? Then I find out that they blocked me on instagram for no reason! Smh This place screams money hungry to me on so many levels. It literally felt like I was paying their rent rather than paying for a birthday party for my child. $2,600 just isn't acceptable for such small space and 3hrs. Then these people had the nerve to tell me that tips aren't included in my price. So if I wanted to tip the staff for cleaning and setting up my party I would have to do that separately. Tip them?? For what when I literally paid to have my party set up and cleaned!! It's literally explained on their website. They tell what you're being charged for. It tells you what's included in your package and what's not. They won't allow you to set up your own decorations because it's a ploy that they use to make you feel like you're obligated to tip them. Then they charge you extra money for adults and children after the 20th person. They add tax to that fee which wasn't mentioned to me at all. How is my calls monitored and recorded if no one ensures this information to me? I rated this place 2 stars instead of one because despite the disadvantages and inconveniences my guest and their children still had a great time. I literally tried my hardest to make that happen and I'm glad I was able to. So if you feel like being overcharged for a kids party, where they don't care about feeding the parents or anything then this is the place for you. I'll never do business with max...

I only write reviews if I’m insanely mad or very happy. I’m so pleased. Fourth birthday was a hit. I got raves about my last party but this one topped it. People are messaging me now a week later telling me their kids are asking to go to my sons birthday party again hahaha. I can’t count how many times people high fived me and hugged me and complimented my party before it was even done. I am a great party thrower/planner, so I was upset that certain details and visions of mine won’t happen. Like my last party I had a bubble show and a balloon arch, backdrops, etc. They have a lot of specific rules (no banners no candy no this and that). Once u get past that initial disappointment you’ll be fine. I was annoyed at first but I worked around it. The one thing I didn’t like is when I got upset and had an attitude, instead of reassuring me, they kept repeating the same rules over and over , and then they didn’t bother a second time- they immediately tried to cancel and give me my money back. That really Ticked me off , I didn’t like that. You’ll lose customers real quick with that passive aggressive attitude. Other than that, the staff there was great at what they’re doing, you can tell they’ve been properly trained. I’ve had parties where I couldn’t relax from saying hi to each person to collecting gifts to running every single thing for the party, asking for drink refills or to clean up. This was the first year where my only job was to welcome my guests and mingle with them. They were super kind and attentive and remembers who you are and for when, always emails back or calls back within seconds unlike places who take your money and wait till the day of to call u for final details. If you’re a little crazy about details and everything going “perfect” and private, this will def be the best option for you. They don’t allow third parties (I usually hire a bubble show or something), but honestly even with the three hour party we had, there was so so much they had prepared on their own, u don’t even need a third party. When the 3 hours were up, people were sad and didn’t even want to leave, I’m not joking. I didn’t want it to end either and I’m usually the first one out the door ready for a nap from absolute mental and physical exhaustion . This time it was my Longest party but felt the shortest because it was so smooth and fun. It went by too fast. Way too fast. The kids had a blast. The adults had a blast. Some of the rules are ridiculous and make no sense (like we can’t hit a piñata? Lmao) but other than that, five stars. I’m a tough cookie and they managed to keep me happy so that’s a win , trust me lol also they set up my dessert table for me (I always do it myself and I’m tired from it), they actually knew how to set it up nicely that was super impressive! Even my baker watched them do it and was okay with the set up. We had 75 people, maxed out. Still enough space to walk around...