Dear Readers, welcome to my latest review on The Virtual Reviewer! My name is Blake Pierce Howse, and I am a 35-year-old software engineer living in San Bernardino, California. I live there with my wife, Patty, and our two kids, 14-year-old John and 12-year-old Jenette
We are a tech-loving and outdoorsy family who enjoy playing video games, virtual reality, hiking, and trying out new indoor entertainment venues. During our recent vacation, we visited Orlando to see Patty’s parents and discovered a very cool new indoor entertainment venue called Elev8 Fun.
The venue is a massive two-story, 125,000-square-foot indoor amusement and entertainment center located in Sanford, just north of Orlando. As soon as we walked through the front doors, I knew that this was going to be an awesome, one-of-a-kind adventure for all of us!
First Impressions
I’ve never seen anything quite like Elev8 Fun before. As a lover of all things gaming and technology, I was immediately impressed by the sheer size of it and the vast array of activities available. The moment we entered the venue, I could hear the buzzing and beeping of arcade games, the rumble of go-karts racing overhead, and screams of excitement from kids tackling the ropes course.
The space was vibrant, clean, and incredibly high-tech. Video screens lined the walls, showcasing the different attractions and special deals. Upbeat music was pumping through the whole facility, adding to the electric atmosphere. We picked up special wristbands that served as game credits and set off to explore the enormous playland before us.
It was almost sensory overload trying to take it all in! John made a beeline for the go-karts at the sight of the winding multilevel track. Jenette shrieked with joy, pointing at the ropes course suspended from the ceiling. Even Patty was eyeing up the swanky bowling lanes, excited to try her skills. With grumbling stomachs, we decided to first hit the on-site restaurant Pl8 Bar & Grill to fuel up with some delicious burgers and fries before unleashing our wild side.
Arcade Games Galore!
After filling our bellies, we made our way to the sprawling arcade. With over 150 games to choose from, my inner child had no idea where to even begin! I was geeking out over the incredible selection of new-age video arcade games like Halo Fireteam, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars Battle Pod with their giant screens and realistic controls. John and I hopped into the driver’s seat of Cruisn Blast, an awesome fast-paced racing game, and sped through colorful courses collecting points and power-ups.
Meanwhile, Jenette had discovered the retro arcade section packed with all the classics. We joined her in games of air hockey, basketball, skeeball, and pinball. Of course, we had to play some Pacman, Mario Bros, and X-Men. I loved seeing John and Jenette experience these iconic games for the first time. Needless to say, things got competitive! After lots of trash talk and redemption tickets piling up, we took a break to cash in our winnings.
The massive prize counter is a store in itself! Wall-to-wall shelves are filled with candy, toys, electronics, and so much more. The kids had fun scanning all their options but of course, had no idea what to pick with so many choices. After much debate, Jenette settled on an electric scooter while John went with a Bluetooth speaker and bags of candy. I couldn’t resist a retro game console for some old-school gaming back home!
Action Packed Adventures
Recharged from our candy haul, we moved on to the thrill rides and action-packed attractions Elev8 Fun offers that you can’t get anywhere else under one roof! The first stop was the go-karts, which did not disappoint. Their custom-designed, multilevel track, complete with slopes, tunnels, twists, and turns was an absolute blast! John was fearless hitting high speeds and passing competitors while Jenette started cautiously but was soon asking to go again. Watching their faces light up and zipping around corners never got old.
The epic laser tag battlefield was next on our list! We geared up with our vests and laser blasters ready to take on the 5,000-square-foot arena filled with walls, towers, hiding spots, and glowing lights. Our family of four joined forces to take down another group in an epic 15 against 15 match. We ran through fog and blacklights, zapping our enemies while dodging shots, laughing the entire time. It was an awesome experience being immersed in the high-tech game.
Of course, no visit is complete without mini golf, so we headed to the indoor course. But this was no average putt putt! Each hole featured cool electronics, sound effects, and unique challenges like loops, cannons blasters, and elevators. We all had fun competing hole after hole, trying to get the best score on the scoreboard. John came out victorious with skillful putting, while Jenette blamed the windmills for slowing her progress!
Winding Down the Night
After hours of nonstop gaming, racing, laser tagging, and adventure, our feet were sore, and our energy levels were depleting. What better way to unwind than hitting the bowling alley? We laced up our shoes and opted for a game of galactic bowling, complete with glowing pins, disco lights, and music. I was impressed by their full-size lanes and high-tech system to keep score.
Bowling ended up being quite hilarious, with lots of gutter balls from the kids and even strikes from Patty! For our final event, we visited the rope course, which sent me back to the days of summer camp. Suspended 10 feet in the air, we had a blast strategizing our path, balancing across beams, climbing walls, and zip-lining to the finish. John had no fear scaling the course while Jenette moved cautiously, eventually making it through after lots of encouragement.
To cap off the perfect family night, we dined at the onsite Pl8 Bar and Grill, feasting on hot wings and pretzels with cheese sauce. Exhausted from our jam-packed day of activities, the kids actually fell right asleep for the drive back to the grandparent’s house!
Overall Experience
Elev8 Fun absolutely exceeded my expectations and was hands down one of the best indoor entertainment centers I have ever experienced. As a self-proclaimed gaming nerd, I thought the endless arcade options were incredible, with both modern and classic games represented. The variety of unique adventures like go-karts, laser tag, and ropes course made sure everyone in the family had new things to try. I loved seeing John and Jenette challenge themselves, whether racing head to head or blasting each other with lasers. The unlimited activities ensured we always had another event to move on to if anyone got bored.
Everything was very reasonably priced, in my opinion, based on the quality of the facility. I always look for deals and specials when treating my family on vacation. Elev8 Fun constantly had discounts on attractions like the half-off arcade games the day we visited, so we were able to stretch our dollars. Bundling packages is the best value to maximize the fun. The amenities like free parking, arcade prize store, and restaurant on site were so convenient for one-stop entertainment.
My only critique would be how massive the space is, which is hardly a complaint! At times I wasn’t exactly sure where to find things like the bowling alley or virtual reality pods since there is so much packed into Elev8 Fun. More visible signs pointing to key attractions around corners would have helped navigate a bit easier. Also, be prepared for lots of walking, getting between events on separate floors! Comfy shoes are essential.
Overall, our evening spent at Elev8 Fun as a family was an absolute blast that we’ll be talking about for a long time. I highly recommend it for anyone visiting the Orlando area looking for affordable indoor fun from kids to adults. We cannot wait for Elev8 Fun to open more locations across Florida and hopefully, one coming to Southern California soon so we can recreate the awesome adventures from our home state. Thanks, Elev8 Fun, for the unforgettable memories!