Mike M.
Yelp
My kids had a good time here; they had fun being creative and just being silly, creating scenarios at all the great small real places you find inside here. In one, they had me be a customer while they cooked me a meal, and in another I had them working to pay rent. It was fun for a bit.
My experience, however, was far from great, as this place gave me a hard time using my wife's EBT card to enter for the discounted price. Museums for All is a program that helps families visit these types of places. I've used it with my kids in multiple places; however, it is in my wife's name, but I have been able to use it everywhere, including in Vegas. Most places are incredibly lenient and just have me bring a pic of my wife's ID to match, like Kids Space. Clayton had me bring proof that we live together but ended up giving it to me even for the entire year for free.
My wife works every day, while I work only 3 days a week, 12-hour shifts, including Saturdays and Sundays, which gives me multiple days to be with my kids the entire week, where we go out and explore. We check out everything from parks to museums to pools, etc... I never had a problem using my wife's card to enter until Pretend City. The only place that gave me any issues.
I called ahead, and they told me my wife needed to be there, which I believe to be unfair because, like I said, she's not always available, but we're from the same household, so basically telling me I can't take my own kids out and use that benefit that she gets is, in a way, sexist. Especially when I can provide the proof. Pretend City highly advertises that they are a part of the museum program and has stories and posts advertising it and that they are proud to be a part of it, but ironically, they are also the only ones to give me such a hassle. When I arrived with my kids, I was prepared to pay full price but decided to try and ask why they would not take it. Then the manager came out and screamed! I told you over the phone; we don't take it! In an unnecessary manner. I was pissed not that they didn't take it but at her attitude towards it.
I emailed Museums for All, and yes, they confirmed that is the policy, however! It is not heavily enforced, and it's up to the museum if they want to allow for us to provide just a pic of the cardholder because their ultimate goal is to have families access these museums, something Pretend City is not willing to do. I have never had any issue using the card for Kidspace, Clayton, and others that take it, but this place, wow, they are willing to fight you and throw hands with you just because the cardholder is not with you.
This experience did not occur recently, but I am only sharing now as my platform has grown. Back then I had no one, but now as I share my time with my kids, post about indoor playgrounds and aquatic centers, and write reviews, I feel like I now have a place and the followers where I can voice this issue and will openly express this, as I feel it is not right that I can't enjoy these benefits with my kids just because my wife is not available to join us, even if I can take them myself and we're in the same household.
As you can probably guess. We have not returned since that incident.
Be aware, for families that plan to use the EBT card benefit. They are not kind.