Cheeky Monkeys - Arlington — Local services in Arlington

After hosting a party, the owner contacted my family for feedback. This is what I sent:

Greetings,

Thanks for reaching out. Overall the experience was okay and did not meet minimum standards. There were things advertised that were not received. My family opted for the premier package with a few add ons.

For example, it was advertised that we would have two organized activities/games which we did not receive. Nor were offered.

It was also advertised that we would get an hour of face painting, which we did not receive. Apparently the staff forgot to inform us that the face painting session was set up. 12 mins before we were scheduled to have our food the lady came to tell me the face painting was set up and would end in 12 mins. Apparently they forgot to turn on the speakers which caused my guests and I to not hear the face painting announcement.

I was in the party room pushing in chairs and trying to arrange the tables more neatly before my guests saw the party room. There were several chairs not pushed in. Several cheeky monkey gift bags that had one bag handle hanging off which looked tacky. And there was other random stuff left behind by the staff that I had to gather up myself.

I also noticed a big pile of chairs in the corner. I asked to have them removed before my guests came in the room and they were not.

Same for the parade, due to the speakers not being on more than half of the party missed the majority of the parade.

Due to this I asked that the Mickey Character come to our party room to have a few pics with guests. After 2-3 pics we were told he had to leave. I then requested that he at least have a photo with the birthday boy.

We also did not receive the 1 hour free pass for the birthday celebrant.

It was also advertised that each child would receive a “filled cheeky monkey gift bag”. The bag they received contained one puzzle. By no means would I considered one item in the bag a filled bag. While the puzzle is nice. I would have preferred something smaller but maybe with 2-3 items. The impression I got doing my tour was that more than one item would be in the bag.

It was also advertised that each child would get a balloon and sash. They received the balloon but not the sash at the conclusion of the party.

There was also no themed balloon bouquet provided at all that was advertised as being included. Not sure why. Perhaps because I did add ons they did not bother. However everything advertised in the base price SHOULD have been included.

Overall I made the best of it and during the party I was not looking at the itemized list of what my package included, but after the party I checked the list of things I was to receive and noticed many things missing.

It was my son’s first birthday and it definitely felt like bait and switch. A lot was promised but was not received.

My food was also COLD like it had been sitting for a long while despite the fact that it had just been set up. That was disappointing. I asked about getting fresh pizza, nothing was done.

I also did not like that they had about 15-20 chairs stacked in the corner of the party room during my party. It made the room look and feel junky. After a while, I asked AGAIN to have those removed but they should have removed them when I first asked prior to my guests being in the room as that’s a hazard in a room full of small children.

I would not book another party experience here but I may come back for free play.

Ms. Sinora was really nice and Ms. Alika was nice but everything felt rushed from her and I just wish she had paid more attention to details. For instance, my son had a pick background for his backdrop which did not make since to me. He is a boy and his theme was Mickey Mouse with red, yellow, black and white. I also did not get the items promised during my tour that I did over two months before the party.

I paid, tipped and left but would not book again.

I spent almost double the base cost for my package and felt...

For a parent of toddlers, these types of indoor “amusement” parks are absolute Godsends! Similar to bb Piñata in Dallas, this place provides a wide arena of stations, toys, blocks, & slides to keep your toddler active & ready for a nap after you leave. Unlike bb Piñata, Cheeky Monkeys (CM) is a bigger arena, which allows for more stations & an indoor kitchen that feeds parents & the kiddos. The kitchen makes it easier for parents to stay longer & also feed the kids in between breaks from playing. I did not try the food on this trip but I noticed the prices, and they are typical for a business trying to capitalize on the convenience of being there already & not wanting to struggle with finding something for the kids afterwards. Though, you may be more willing to take advantage of the wealth of restaurants in the Highlands if you’re going to spend $50 on things like pizza & fries anyway. However, adding a full kitchen to a place like this is smart & convenient.

Some negatives here is that I do not believe Cheeky Monkeys is beneficial for little ones who just turned one or those who are just beginning to walk. Unlike bb Piñata, I did not find much of an avenue for a newly-turned one year old to truly explore & be “free” like, say, a toddler 18 months or older. I feel as though the BB Piñata in Dallas provides a much more worry free environment for parents of newly-turned one year olds or babies who can only crawl. Perhaps this is due to the differences in sizes of the businesses and the number of patrons that are in the arenas during the visit. Cheeky Monkeys has so many options for toddlers that I can see how it can be overwhelming. Plus, the location of CM makes it more apt to have more visitors. If a parent prefers a more intimate time with their little one(s), BB Piñata may be the best choice. Cheeky Monkeys is a cheaper option compared to BB piñata (adults are free & 2HR = $16.99 per kid). Although, this comes with an asterisk if you decide to order from their kitchen during your visit.

Overall, Cheeky Monkeys is a great and valuable tool in DFW to entertain your kiddos & wear them out...

definitely makes a fantastic first impression. Upon walking in, the vibrant and extensive play structures immediately grab your attention, promising hours of entertainment for the little ones. My kids' eyes lit up, and I knew they were in for a treat, which, to their credit, they absolutely were – they had a blast with the abundance of activities available. However, the positive first impression quickly faded with the waiver process. It was a frustrating and unnecessarily difficult experience that really needs to be streamlined for a smoother entry. The staff also presented a bit of a conundrum. There seemed to be a strange mix of unfriendliness and what felt like overcompensation, which came across as confusing and, frankly, a bit obnoxious. A more consistent and genuinely welcoming approach from the team would significantly improve the overall atmosphere. While the kids were thoroughly entertained and the availability of snacks was certainly convenient, I have to agree with a previous observation: the bathrooms were quite gross, which is a definite downside for a family-focused establishment. Overall, Cheeky Monkeys is a decent spot for an occasional visit, especially if you're looking for a place where your kids can burn off some serious energy. However, the initial frustrations with waivers, the perplexing staff interactions, and the cleanliness of the facilities make it unlikely to become a regular haunt for us. It has the potential to be truly amazing, but some key areas definitely need attention to match the...