Hey everyone, Blake here, back with another review for The Virtual Reviewer, my trusty website where I share my honest take on the latest and greatest in tech, gaming, and virtual reality! This time, I’m reviewing my family’s recent experience at the Main Event entertainment complex at Pointe Orlando on International Drive.
As a 35-year-old dad of two kids and principal software engineer at Meta by day, I’m always looking for fun ways to spend quality time with my wife Patty and kids John (13) and Jenette (11). We’re a techy bunch that loves gaming, so when I heard about this new “Eat. Bowl. Play.” entertainment venue with state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, games, and even virtual reality under one roof, I knew we had to check it out for our next family night out!
Arriving and First Impressions
Last Saturday evening, we arrived at Pointe Orlando and were greeted by the modern and sleek Main Event building, which was illuminated with colorful lights. As soon as we entered through the front doors, we were blown away by the energy and activity that surrounded us.
The atrium was three stories high, and it was surrounded by swanky bars and lounges on each level, all of which were packed with happy guests. The gaming areas were massive and busy, with families competing against each other in laser tag, racing go-karts, and climbing adventurous ropes courses that were suspended from the ceiling. We spotted the check-in desk across the room and headed over to get signed in for all the fun.
The friendly staffer greeted us with a warm smile and quickly prepped electronic wristbands for each of us, explaining how we could load money and redeem food, drinks, games, and more by simply scanning them anywhere in the facility – no carrying cash or cards needed. Jenette was already bouncing on her toes pointing out the glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, so we wasted no time hitting the bright neon course first. Winding around silly obstacles and timing our putts across moving platforms under pulsing black lights was a blast, though I have to admit that 11-year-old Jenette schooled us all with her sharp mini-golf skills – another win for the kids!
After working up an appetite and putting our way to victory (or defeat, in my case), we were excited to check out the on-site food and drink options with a quick pit stop at La Bella’s Italian Street Food.
The Food and Drink
Tucked in the ground floor corner, La Bella’s was cranking out hot, fresh pizzas from their stone fire ovens, the enticing aroma reeling us in. My wife Patty ordered us a Mega Meat pizza piled sky-high with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and more to share at our tall table while I hit the adjacent bar to grab drinks. They had an awesome selection of local Florida craft beers on tap along with a fully-stocked bar, so I went with my go-to IPA to wash down the pizza and snagged John and Jen each a soft drink.
Within minutes, our bubbling, crispy ‘za arrived, my kids’ eyes going wide at the monstrous size. But we all dug in hungrily, the thin yet sturdy crust holding that mountain of cheese and meat perfectly, just the right balance of crispy crunch and gooey goodness in each bite. “This is the best pizza outside of New York!” Jen declared as Patty and I nodded in agreement, John too busy scarfing his fourth slice dripping strings of mozzarella to respond.
In what seemed like seconds, the carnivorous pie was annihilated, leaving only scattered pools of bright orange grease on the pan. As we sat back, rubbing our full bellies in satisfaction, I started eyeing other families and friend groups streaming in and out of La Bella’s, envying their loaded trays of chicken wings, soft pretzels, heaping nachos, and more. “Alright gang, look alive – that was just a warmup,” I rallied my sleepy-looking family. “We’ve got lots more eating and playing to do!”
The Games and More
Wandering into the gigantic game room area, we were like kids in a candy store gazing up at towering banks of brightly flashing screens and consoles. Air hockey tables, basketball toss hoops, prize cranes, racing games, shooters, classics like PacMan and pinball – you name it, they had it, all blinking and beeping and boasting ridiculous high scores to beat.
John made a beeline for the driving games, quickly challenging a pack of teenagers for the virtual checkered flag, as Jenette parked herself at a flashy dancing and rhythm game to show off her smooth moves. Meanwhile, Patty spotted friends from the neighborhood across the game floor waving us over to their bowling lane. Sparing a quick glance to confirm my kids were happily occupied, we headed over to catch up with our neighbors, the Hamiltons, while they bowled up a storm.
The sleek black-lit lanes were snazzier than your basic bowling alley, fully equipped with flashy projection mapping visuals, bumping music, and monitors at every seat displaying stats and scores. As we chatted over the clattering crash of pins behind us, the Hamiltons enthusiastically endorsed ordering food right to your lane. Patty’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she quickly scanned our wristbands to place an order of boneless wings with fries at our assigned lane computer.
In no time, a server swung by with a piping hot basket of breaded white meat chicken chunks and crispy fries for us to nosh on while critiquing Mr. Hamilton’s form (despite his protests). When you’re focused on spearing the last sweet and spicy boneless wing from the basket balanced precariously on your bright orange plastic lane-side seating, it turns out even gutter balls can’t dampen your mood! We munched happily and talked trash as the strikes and spares rolled on.
A Bit Too Chaotic
After closing out another game with the Hamiltons, we parted ways in search of our kids, who had wandered deeper into gaming land. Weaving through the densely packed room, scanning the seas of faces, we soon spotted John’s spiky blond head across the way locked in a laser tag battle. Making our approach around the arena entrance marked “Mission to Planet Zorg” in glowing green paint, we found Jen parked outside staring zombie-like at the VR gaming screens, transfixed by other kids ricocheting around playing some shoot ’em up adventure.
“Jen, time for a break!” I called, placing a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. She blinked hard like she was emerging from a trance, eyes slowly focusing on my face. “Oh hey, Dad…wanna try this VR alien fight with me?”
“Maybe later, honey – I was thinking we all meet up with your mom, grab a snack, and take a breather?” I suggested. Her face instantly morphed into full-on sulky preteen outrage.
“What?! No way, I just started level two! Can’t we stay a little longer?” She pleaded dramatically. Behind me, another kid shoved past us to take over the now-vacant VR station as Jen stared after it longingly. I threw Patty a desperate please-help-me look, but she just chuckled knowingly with a shrug that said, “She’s your daughter!” Sighing in defeat, I caved and let Jen lead me by the hand back into the unrelenting stimulation explosion of Main Event.
The High-Tech Showstopper
After surviving another hour darting around the sensory-overloaded games and attractions area, we’d pretty much had our fill for one night. But there was one last stop I was insisting we make before calling it a night: the ultra-cool virtual reality experience called V Play Reality. Tucked into a separate room off the main concourse, V Play contained a large open playing field equipped with mats, interactive light-up pedestals, headset charging stations, and racks loaded with futuristic-looking VR gear.
Upon approaching the counter, we were warmly greeted by an attendant who explained the basic premise of V Play, which is a totally immersive, free-roam multiplayer VR shooter game that provides a full realistic experience with haptic vest accessories. The inner tech nerd in me was already drooling as she helped us suit up with vests, headsets, backpacks, and gun controllers before directing us into the playing arena.
As we stepped through the automatic doors into the spacious mat-lined room beyond, I did a quick 360 and realized with excitement that this was next-level VR gaming. There were no wires, obstacles or restraints to hamper our full range of motion exploring the expansive layout. Over the headset audio, our attendant gave a quick tutorial on the zombie apocalypse survival mission we were about to enter before the screen flashed, and we were transported right into the action as armed militia members.
Gleeful shrieks immediately erupted from Jen and Patty as swarming zombies materialized all around us. Their nervous laughter soon turned into battle cries as we blasted back the endless waves of undead. The minutes flew by in a blur of heart-pounding adrenaline until finally, the hordes were vanquished, and victory messages flashed across our screens.
After peeling off our gear, sweaty and breathless, we buzzed about how awesome and terrifyingly realistic it had felt hunting zombies through an abandoned city. “This is it, the future of gaming is absolutely here!” I declared excitedly. Even the kids agreed that V Play had blown their minds, making it the perfect mega-cool high note to wrap up our visit.
The Verdict? Overall a Slam Dunk Despite Some Flaws
After an action-packed evening sampling all Main Event Orlando had to offer, I’d say the impressive new “Eat. Bowl. Play” complex lived up to the hype in most regards. With diverse dining options like La Bella’s serving seriously tasty artisan pizza, a full bar fully stocked with local craft beers and cocktails, upscale tech-enhanced bowling lanes, plus off-the-hook gaming and attractions for all ages, Main Event nails their tagline as “the most fun under one roof.”
From our family’s experience, I can whole-heartedly endorse Main Event as an awesome date night or group hangout spot for adults, with plenty of eats, drinks, games, activities, and even sports viewing to keep the good times rolling for hours on end. They also totally nail-hosting birthday parties and corporate team-building events in their reserved private party rooms.
For families with kids and tweens though, the unrestrained stimulation free-for-all across the giant facility felt a bit much at times. Don’t get me wrong – for tech-savvy, environmentally resilient kids like my son John, this gamer’s paradise was heaven! He probably would have moved right in, given half a chance. My daughter Jen did great with the excitement at first but eventually found it overtaxing, trying to decide what to play next while being constantly drowned in screens, sounds, and crowds of people churning all around you. Even I found it a bit exhausting after hours straight navigating the sensory overload.
So, in that regard, some zoned quiet spaces for taking breaks from the madness would have been welcome to re-group and recharge. But issues with overstimulation aside, we unanimously voted Main Event Orlando a raging success for a family fun night based on the awesome dining, games line-up, and ultra-rad VR! So, if you’re seeking an exhilarating indoor adventure destination boasting killer eats, unlimited games, and straight-up epic virtual reality, be sure to check out the slick new Main Event entertainment facility on I-Drive. This place vaults game night with friends to the next level, and their cutting-edge V Play VR experience alone is worth the visit in my book!