Visiting as a group · Story
Visiting as a group in Madison: an hour, start to finish
The ordinary version of a visit, without the marketing gloss.
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Families around Madison who have done it once tend to plan the second visit differently: shorter, earlier in the day, and with the machine the child liked in mind.
Walking in
Tell the centre the numbers in advance and the day runs better for everyone, staff included.
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.
The middle of the visit
Any adult who has taken six children anywhere knows the failure mode: five occupied, one bored, and the bored one setting the tone.
If it is the first time, do not also make it a birthday. Learning a place and celebrating in it are two different visits.
The last ten minutes
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.
What sticks
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.
Bring a spare layer even in summer. Malls are air conditioned, rinks are colder than that, and a cold child is a child who wants to go home.
Questions parents ask
How many children can come at once?
Call ahead with your numbers and arrange it: +1 (615) 968-4925.
How do I get in touch?
By phone on +1 (424) 387-6232 or +1 (615) 968-4925, or by e-mail at info@newlife-entertainment.com.
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 Madison
If you are coming from Madison, treat it as a cross-town outing rather than a day trip. Go with a return time in mind and the day stays easy.
Take the photographs early. The best ones happen in the first fifteen minutes, before anybody is tired.
Photograph the machine as well as the child. In two years you will have forgotten what the room looked like.
If Madison is home, this is the sort of place you end up returning to rather than ticking off. That changes what a first visit is worth planning around.
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.