Main Event Orlando — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

I waited a week to review this place because I was quite upset the day we visited. If I had written the review after lunch and visiting the game sales counter, I would have given it a 1. Thankfully the virtual reality, bowling and bar experiences were excellent so it redeemed the place. If you don't feel like reading this long review, the summary is that you should definitely not eat in the restaurant but that the rest of the facilities were pretty good.

I want to preface this review by stating that I worked for Disney and Universal as both a regular employee and low level management-- 4 years experience in entertainment/customer service.

We met there with a large group (22) to eat lunch and play games. We were given 1 server, who was one of the most unprofessional servers I've ever had in my life. We started the experience by being read our drink orders multiple separate times, her walking away and coming back several minutes in between, to make sure she was keeping it all straight. I've literally never complained about the service in a restaurant before -- but I asked the bar for a second server after waiting more than an hour without putting in food orders. I was immediately surrounded by 3 new employees, who took my order and my husband's, but did not take the orders for anyone else at the table. Lunch turned into a 3 hour ordeal. I had to argue with our server that she never gave us the play cards we were charged for (she had already given them to everyone else at our table) and that we wouldn't be paying our check until she did. She also told us several times that she was just yelled at because of us and that it would be really beneficial if we gave her compliments. While I don't think her behavior is justifiable, there was a table of managers sitting near us watching the whole thing unfold, and another manager came over to apologize -- but the service never improved. Shame on management. It was way too many people for 1 server, let alone 1 who was visibly frazzled the moment we sat down. They even gave her another huge table during our second hour. They set her up to fail.

Next up -- game sales counter. Several of us wanted to bowl, so we tried to reserve 2 lanes. We were told there was a 2 hour wait and no one wanted to wait that long. (It was now after 3pm when we had arrived at 12, many of us with small children.) My husband and I bought summer passes for us and our son because they covered "everything" except for arcade games -- ropes course, bowling, billiards, laser tag. The person who sold us the wrist bands never even mentioned that you have to schedule a time to do any of those activities -- so we waited in line at the ropes course and then were told, oh no, sorry -- make an appointment. We had just visited a similar venue where you did not need an appointment for the ropes course after payment so we had no idea. While over by the ropes course, I couldn't help but notice that not a single bowling lane was occupied, moments after being told there was a 2 hour wait. (Pics below)

The arcade games were pretty average but all appeared to be in working order. My sister paid for me to do the virtual reality and we had an incredible time! 5 of us played with varying skill levels. The VR attendant was knowledgeable and friendly. Incredible game experience and equipment. We paid for 15 minutes but all said we should have done 30 minutes after.

Everyone in our huge party had left at that point so we decided to use up our wrist bands and do the ropes course and bowling before we left. Our bowling attendant was great (we ended up getting appetizers and drinks bc it was now dinner time). The lane worked well and equipment was great. The ropes course was a lot of fun and the guys working it were friendly, knowledgeable and reassuring.

If there are managers reading this -- I recommend training the people at your main sales counter to better inform guests of how everything works, and to schedule more than 1 server...

I knew as soon as l stepped to the counter my experience with this Main Event was gonna be less than desirable! Although l want to put this out there first….Andy our host was the REAL MVP!!!!! He was AWESOME!!!!!! However, my daughter and l walked in, we approach the counter and Chi Chi seemed to be doing everything else besides making eye contact with us to acknowledge our presence or even welcome us to the Main Event. I had never been there so immediately I’m thinking this will be my first and last visit to THIS Main Event. To add insult to injury Noelle walks up to the counter to Chi Chi and she does the same thing! No eye contact just starts in on a conversation with Chi Chi. I’m 100% sure the conversation was work related (thank goodness). However, a “Good Evening! Welcome to The Main Event! I (or someone) will be with you shortly!” would have definitely been appreciated. None of that happened. By the time we were helped l don’t even recall Chi Chi asking how she could help. She finished working on whatever it was that she was working on (between the guest that just left the counter and us). She raised her head and looked at my daughter (no “Can l/May l help you?”…nothing). My daughter finally said we’re here for a party. At that time we didn’t realize my husband had booked it as a team building event (I’m not even sure if that would have mattered). Chi Chi directed us to the “party section” to ask someone for help. Again, once arriving in the “Party Section” no one offered to assist as we stood there looking like we were definitely in need of assistance! We eventually saw Noelle passing through the area. Reluctantly, my daughter asked her for help. She called for someone who l believe to be the GM, Sean. Sean was helpful! He had his “Events of the Day” sheet and was able to tell us where we belonged, and what ti expect. At this point (l wasn’t mad…just a little annoyed) so we walked over to our lanes and met the AWESOME host that saved the whole experience!!! Andy came over was ever present, and honestly made me feel like l was visiting him in his home. Last night was truly saved by this young man. Had it not been for Andy l would have given this location one star! Next, two of our lanes kept malfunctioning so by the sixth or seventh time l was kinda over my Main Event Experience! Sean did provide us with additional minutes of bowling to compensate for the loss of time that it took to get the lanes up and running again during our visit. That was definitely appreciated! Our next stop was the Gravity Ropes. It took about 15 minutes to figure out if our wrist bands would allow for us to participate in that activity. The gentlemen working that attraction were great! I just feel like l spent at least an hour and a half of my time last night waiting to be helped. My grandchildren that were with us had a blast! We had a great time building bonds and memories. I just think (IMO) the front line employees should be more mindful of a guest’s presence when they arrive at the counter. When a guest enters an establishment their first impression is EVERYTHING!!!! We will be back before we leave Orlando because the kids had a blast!!!!!….and because Andy saved the day and is the...

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE !!! My Husband and I went to grab some food and relax after doing the Escape Room across the way. When we first walked in we got awkward stares from some of the staff. As if it were there first time seeing people of color. We stomached the stares considering we’re not from Florida. We were seated by our waiter “David P” (at least that’s what shows on the receipts). And he was extremely sarcastic and rude. We started to order our food, and asked for 2 things. 1. If one of the burgers can have no onions and if we could add cheese and bacon to our fries. He responded with “there’s no magic button for me to do that” and giggled. But he agreed he could take the onions off. About 10 minutes passed and our food came out. And sure enough both burgers came with onions. We didn’t say anything and continued with our meal. Not once did our waiter come to confirm everything was okay or offer us refills on our sodas. About 20 minutes after enjoying our meal he comes with the bill.

We went to pay the bill with the total of $55. For some ODD reason, after handing over the card and paying. The receipt came back totaling $66 being charged to my card. I immediately asked for the itemized copy back. And the waiter tried to play in my face. Giving me a new receipt. Where it shows he added an extra item. I brought it to his attention. And he tried to play it off as “another waiter probably added it” HOW !!! I saw the original copy. It didn’t show the extra food item. Keep in mind I’m seated right next to the kitchen. And NO ONE had walked over the entire time. He immediately tried to fix the situation that he created because he was caught. For some odd reason the manager was no where to be found for a while. And it sent him into a panic causing him to verbally argue with the other staff in the kitchen. Which we could see and hear. (Not a good look).

Eventually the manager comes over and I can see them going back and forth for a few minutes and he comes back with a few receipts. After handing me these receipts he kneels down and is trying to explain the mistake and is visibly SHAKING. We ask for the manager because nothing was making sense. Hoping he could rectify the situation, all he had to say to everything was “then don’t tip him” , and left it at that. I would NEVERRRRRR RETURN. Which sucks because I was so happy to find another location outside of the one I used to go to back when I lived in Arizona. If you’re a person of color do not come to this establishment. Save...