Visiting as a group · Compare
Visiting as a group in Donelson, or something else?
Comparing like for like: what this gives you that the alternatives do not, and where the alternatives win.
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Weekends bring more of Donelson out at once. If the schedule allows a weekday, take it; the same visit is quieter and the machines wait for nobody in particular.
What it does differently
Tell the centre the numbers in advance and the day runs better for everyone, staff included.
Any adult who has taken six children anywhere knows the failure mode: five occupied, one bored, and the bored one setting the tone.
Where other options win
Four machines and one big crate spread a group out. So does a rink - there is no single queue for the whole party to stand in.
Check the day of the week against the closing time before you leave. Sunday finishes earlier than the rest of the week and catches people out.
How to decide
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Tell the centre the numbers in advance and the day runs better for everyone, staff included.
The short version
Any adult who has taken six children anywhere knows the failure mode: five occupied, one bored, and the bored one setting the tone.
If two adults are coming, split up rather than shadowing the same child. One at the rail, one free, and everybody has a better hour.
Questions parents ask
How many children can come at once?
Call ahead with your numbers and arrange it: +1 (615) 968-4925.
What are the opening hours?
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
Where is New Life Entertainment?
Two centres: 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville TN 37214, and 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord NC 28027.
Planning your visit in Donelson
A Donelson school holiday runs out of ideas by about day three. This is a day-three answer rather than a day-one one.
Go early if the choice is available. The first hour after opening is quieter than any hour that follows it, and quieter is easier for everybody.
The quietest hour of the week is the first one on a weekday morning in term time. The busiest is Saturday around midday.
Coming in from Donelson with more than one child, the useful thing to know is that the room does not need to be rationed - there is more than one thing to do at the same time.
The practical details
- XCAV ZONE — 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville TN 37214: four child-operated machines over a ball pit.
- ICE PARK — 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord NC 28027: a real rink with bumper cars on the ice.
- Opening hours — 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
- Phone — +1 (424) 387-6232 · +1 (615) 968-4925
- E-mail — info@newlife-entertainment.com
The two centres are at 433 Opry Mills Drive in Nashville and 8111 Concord Mills Blvd in Concord, open 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM most days and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.