We are having my soon to be 7 year olds party at Amazing Jakes. The only times that had available were 11am or 1pm. Which is better? I had concidered that we would immediately eat while we wait on everyone to arrive...but then 11am might be too early. Buffet is required in the party for the kids (included in the price) but the adults are also required to pay to get in (not included in the price). Not the best venue I know...I may not do this again...I feel rude to know that the adults are required to pay to get in...they forgot to mention that when I booked the party. What do you think?
Thank you for your advice! I went with 11am. I also decided to pay the extra cost for one adult if they choose to stay. It was my mistake in not seeing the details in the bottom of the page. I think if they were at least a year older I would be more comfortable with the drop off but there were so many kids that I did not want to be solely responsible for looking after them all. I feel so guilty spending so much on his birthday though...my penance may have to be to donate a birthday package from some place to a homeless shelter. If anyone knows a of a party place that may give discounts for purchasing party packages for donation to a homeless shelter please let me know. God bless you lovely ladies! T.
I love the idea and direction on the invitation stating "Child drop off" and "pick up" also, you can reiterate the reason why drop off and pick up when parents call to RSVP:) At that time they can choose to come and pay or not. If they don't RSVP and just show up. . . hey it happens . . . then that is up to the parent if they want to stay and pay.
Hope you all have a blast!
It sounds like others posting aren't seeing that you say the lunch is "required" and you've already paid for it, for the kids attending. You can't just say "cake and ice cream only" if you have paid up for a lunch. (If you have not paid yet, can you back out and have this party at home at a time YOU want and not offer a full meal?)
If you are committed to this place -- I would tell parents very clearly and immediately that this is a drop-off party and if they want to stay, they are welcome to stay but that only the guest child's meal is paid for; parents must pay for their own meal if they plan to stay and eat. You will get some parents who just drop their kids, others who stay and do not eat themselves, and a few who will stay and pay to eat. Be clear, or some parents may not realize that this buffet is not open to all for free and may eat without knowing there is a charge. That would put you iin a very bad position of either saying nothing and paying for them at full adult price, or having to say, "Um, sorry, you have to pay for that food you just ate...."
Be clear too that the party is for invited kids and not siblings!!
I would go for 1:00 since you have paid for food; if you've paid, then ensure they eat by having it at lunch time. Be SURE the parents know there is a full meal included so they don't give kids lunch before the kids come!
I would not use this venue again. Sounds like they book a party then figure on extra bucks from parents who stay to eat. I would go for a party next year at home or in a rented room (not a restaurant/event place) from maybe 2-4 or 3-5 and just offer cake, ice cream and carrots/pretzels/etc.
I just googled this Amazing Jakes Plano.
Their birthday party page says the following at the bottom
Buffet purchase required for entry into Amazing Jake's Plano
Which means that for a parent to walk in to even drop off their kid, they would have to pay $8.
If you haven't sent out the invitations yet, I would state on the invites either that:
- parent's entry is $8 at the parent's cost. or
- kid's entry is included, parents entry is $8.00.
This also means that you may need to gather your party together outside or just in the doorway for those parents not wanting to pay the $8.
If you do go ahead with this location, I would do it at 11a. That way, the kids will get the most 'buffet' for their money.
If you are going to a restaurant then lunch time or dinner time makes sense. I would not invite any parents. State in the invite that drop off is at 11:00am and pick up is at 1:00pm.
I would do it at 11. As others have mentioned, make sure that parents know that they will have to pay to come in- this is ridiculous by the way on their part.
At 7, I would hope that parents would drop-off and come back when the party is over however if this is a large place that is not closed for private parties, that probably won't happen. You may want to include an insert in the invite:
"We have planned to supervise, entertain and feed your child from 11-2 at Amazing Jake's! Please be aware that should you elect to stay at the party with your child, the facility will ask you to pay $8 as an entrance fee."
If you can afford it, ask the person at the front desk to tally one adult for each child and settle the bill at the end. If both parents come, ask the person to let them know that one adult is included, so they will need to pay for the additional adult.
Think about it... it's not a huge deal, but no one should have to pay money (aside from the gift) to attend a party. Bummer. It's like a cash bar at a wedding! It's going to cost you an extra $150, but at least you aren't asking the adults to bring cash.
I would go for the 11am time. We usually eat lunch at 11am and I think a lot of people do too. I don't think it's too early to eat :) Even my kids eat lunch at 11:15 ish at school
If 11 am I would serve lunch. Otherwise I'd say 1pm and write "Cake/ice cream only" on the invite as some people do eat a late lunch.
If you don 't want to feed the parents, do 1PM.
McMama has a good idea. Have it at one and say cake and ice cream. It's such a waste to have pizza at two - none of the kids will eat it.
