SkateDaze In Omaha

I had a Groupon deal to SkateDaze sitting in my back pocket for a cold winter day, so I broke it out recently and brought my kids there to run off some energy. (Turns out, I’d kept it in my back pocket for a few days too long and it had expired. Typical.)

Here’s what I thought of our visit:

 

What to expect

SkateDaze is a large entertainment venue now. Back in my days, it was just a skate rink with flashy lights and popular ’80s music.

That stuff’s still there (whew). It’s also now home to the Playdazium – the largest hamster/kid tunnel system I’ve seen to date – a mini rollercoaster, laser tag and bumper cars. There’s also quite a few ticket-winning games, a climbing wall and a bounce house.

 

I used my expired Groupon to get myself, two kids and my dad into the Playdazium area (future trip to the skate rink has been requested by Farley – time to find my knee high socks and oversized hair scrunchy). You will have to pay $2 for yourself to get in, even if you have no intention of climbing through any tunnels. To help you not hold a grudge for paying to sit, SkateDaze adds a few bucks on to your card that you can use to play games or make a purchase at the concession stand.

In case you’re wondering, an adult can scamper through that tunnel system. Grampy even got up there with the kids. It’s a good enough workout for you, if your knees can handle it – though, lord knows those crawl spaces were not designed for anyone over 4 feet.

 

 

There is a bit of a dated feel to SkateDaze, but the more I looked around, the more it felt nostalgic instead of rundown.

 

 

 

There were kiddie rides with characters that were not relevant to my kids, but made me kinda smile to see them. Maybe I rode that Dino ride back in the day.

 

Concession stand

It’s your pretty standard food offerings, none are going to make your dietician nod in approval. Bargain lunch for the kids: Hot dog and a bag of chips for $2.50.

I have to point out that they do, in fact, serve some alcoholic beverages. I did not partake since it was noon, but if you’re there chaperoning one weekend or having some sort of throw-back party with old friends, you might appreciate having a beer before you skate to Ace of Base once again.

 

What’s worth checking out

For what you pay, the Playdazium is a good price, especially since it includes the bounce house. My kids love that stuff.

 

 

I’ll pass next time

My kids really wanted to ride the rollercoaster. For $3 a ride, I will say no next time. They enjoyed themselves, fair enough, but it’s overpriced.

 

 

For $3, they can “ride” the simulator game together in the arcade and get as much of a rush. They liked that virtual ride even more than the rollercoaster.

 

If you’re only bringing a toddler

Skip Skate Daze for a few more years. There is a small, sad ball pit for littles and a play area, but it’s not worth the money. When the baby is a little older, he or she will really enjoy the Playdazium.

If you go

SkateDaze

Where: 3616 S. 132nd St.

Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.

Website

 

Upcoming Events & Things To Note

Moms Club are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for $5, kids can skate and play in the Playdazium, plus you can bring ride-on toys (for the kids, not you, weirdo).

SkateDaze in Omaha participates in Kidsskatefree.com. You can register your kids and each week get two passes to skate for free.

Skateland Reunion – Jan. 20, 8 to 11 p.m., relive the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Best retro dress may win a giftcard.

Adult Retro Night is every Tuesday from 8 to 11 p.m. For 18+.