Hudson PLAY — Local services in Jersey City

This is my second time experiencing bad party. I came here to plan my daughter’s 1st birthday from 3:30-5PM. Supposedly it’s $595 plus tax. It’s not. They charged me $213.95 (deposit including tax) then I paid the other deposit of $410.51 (rest of deposit plus tax). In total of $624.46. I was in all time communication with the owner since the beginning of the booking until Friday (the day before the party.) The owner never communicated nothing with Covid guidelines other then to just “simply bring the design” of how I wanted the place. I went on Friday (day before) to drop off decorations and chips at 1:45PM. It’s the day of party and I arrived with my husband and child at 3:20pm. We arrived and there was junk everywhere. There was a rack, broken windowsill, electric stuff, paint cans, it was just straight junk. My husband got upset because we paid so much money for a nice set up, so he told the workers to put away. We then see that the cake was in the cafe area. “So much for Covid guidelines” Time passes, and it’s now 4:30PM. My husband asked for extra 30 mins (it’s $299 plus tax for extra 30 mins which is RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!) and the girl (supposedly the host which all she did was announce happy birthday and a tug o war and cut cake. THATS IT) told my husband it was FREE AND INCLUDED. Then she comes to me and says that my husband asked for extra 30 minutes and I told her NO. She then said “oh it will be from 3:30-5:30, it will be included. I was happy because they were not set up on time and wanted to keep us happy. It’s now 5:00 PM and the lady says I have to pay $299 and I’m like why??? She then says I stayed extra 30 mins. I proceed to tell her that she told me it was INCLUDED, then she says “oh I’ll talk with the owner”. It’s now 5:15pm and the lady comes to me and says “at 5:20, we’ll announce to cut the cake”. It’s 5:25PM; and the host didn’t announce anything. So me and my husband had to gather our family. After we sang happy birthday, the owner came and IN FRONT OF OUR FAMILY AND KIDS, she decided it was perfect to argue. We started arguing with her about the 30 minutes and we told the host to come and confront. SHE LIED TO ME AND MY HUSBAND FACE. We have witnesses of her saying it was INCLUDED!!! The owner continue to argue for $299 in front of everyone and making everyone extremely upset. It was 15 minutes of straight arguing. It was 6:08PM and my guests were not pleased at their lack of customer service and respect. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE, DON’T PLAN ANYTHING HERE. I HAVE HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE...

Let me start by saying that I wasn't the one that planned the party but someone who went as a guest. As the eldest of 10 kids, we have planned and attended several parties, and as a teacher several more planned events. I came to the place early and waited outside (I was early at the time) but when it was approaching the time for the party to start, they weren't ready. We waited a bit more and were permitted to come inside. They took our temperature and gave us hand sanitizer but it was quiet. I thought that maybe music would be playing. The kids started to play regardless (eventually music did start mid way of the event) and then we went to the dinning area. There was big red stain in the wall and on the chalk board a "Happy Birthday" that looked like it was made last minute. The initial experience was very disappointing but it wouldn't compare to what happened next. As the kids were playing I noticed that our time to leave was approaching but we didn't even cut the cake nor did I know if there was a host (as it is common in most Birthday parties).I also observed people cleaning around us but they never said anything. They were always to the side which in my head made sense since most of the people in the party were a bit older. A woman approached the parents angrily requesting more money. There was a whole commotion and I was confused because I never heard anyone say anything about leaving. That's when I found out we had a host.We did hear someone over the microphone asking us to play tug of War earlier but I never knew that that person was a host. The parents were distraught and the wife was pregnant which made matters worst ending the Birthday party with heartache. I know hosting a party during pandemic is rough but with the place looking a mess, the disorganization of the event, and the inconsideration of the owner made this place a place to avoid. I had a better experience at Chuck E. Cheese. Yes, Chuck E. Cheese. Please don't even bother coming here. Chuck E. Cheese had better planning than this. Maybe it was better before. The reviews/pictures did show that but definitely...

My daughter enjoyed playing at HudsonPlay. The ‘obbie’ (obstacle course) is the main feature & is one of her favorite activities here.

The other is the sloped wall that the kids can run up and slap a suction arrow. The next kid has to try and grab the suction arrow and pull it off. It’s great fun to watch the bigger kids place the arrow high on the wall, and then watch as the smaller (ahem, shorter!) kids try and grab for the arrow!

They have so much fun & the comraderie that forms so quickly is pretty amazing too.

There’s a bouncy house for the younger kids as well as other young children’s toys such as cars you use your feet to propel.

HudsonPlay also offers day camp.

If your child is in remote learning and you have to go into the office, you can use HudsonPlay as your proxy. They will monitor your child during the school day, and your child can play after school in the play areas.

It’s a bit pricey but your kids will enjoy it.

Definitely a great spot for a drop in play date, once or twice a month. On a very regular basis, it may become routine and not as much fun unless there are other children your child knows and can play with freely.

This review is posted during the pause so social distancing was most definitely in effect.

Updated 8/26/21: HudsonPlay is...