Big Thrill Factory
Big Thrill Factory
3.5
This location was reported permanently closed
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
70 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
20
Average
7
Poor
9
Terrible
11
Tom G
Winona, MN2,413 contributions
Feb 2020
We took our twin granddaughters here for their third birthday. There were 7 in our group. The twins loved the games and activities. The parents and grandparents enjoyed it also. It is loud and colorful and non-stop action... exactly as it should be for youngsters. We were surprised the food was quite good. Good burgers, good fries, really good pizza and spicy wings. We thought the service was good: helpful and friendly staff. We'll definitely bring the girls back here again and again.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill008
Elk River, MN19 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
We celebrated our 12 y/o B day at the Big Thrill Factory. We bought the extreme teen pack which features 3 hrs of unlimited play, bottomless pop and a pizza that truly fed about 12 of us! Total was $279 + tax and tip for the 6 girls to have unlimited wrist bands with the party pack. We could have instead chose just the wrist bands with no party and additional stuff for $25. We had a party host that was in charge of our party plus a couple other parties, her name was Nat and she did an excellent job, was very energetic and helpful and provided for everything we needed. As for the amenities here, the ropes course is not very large, but was still fun for all of us. The kids really enjoyed laser tag and the other options. The arcade is spendy, you don't win the amt of tickets you would at chuckee cheese and the junk the kids can buy with their tickets is also 'over priced'. There is sure a lot to do, and there will be even more this summer when they open the outside amenities as well. There were lockers available and you can buy a paddlelock for a buck. As we were leaving (and the tween parties are only available from 8-11 pm on fri and sat) one of the kids said "I could stay and play another hour at least" and the other kids agreed. So all in all, it was a great time, the kids were exhausted (which is one of my top goals when I have them for a slumber party) so we were very happy and will return to check out the summery activities in June:)
Written April 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim K
Temecula, CA123 contributions
Oct 2019
Went here just for the axe throwing with a party of 6 (1 teenager and 5 adults) with ages from 13 to 74. None of us had done this before. Reservations are a must.
The axe throwing cages are well secured and locked unless being used. An attendant is always present inside the caged area. Each person must sign a waiver and watch a short video prior to throwing. The attendant gave instructions including a throwing demonstration and organized game competitions among our group.
Food and drink can be ordered and is served inside the caged area. There are tables and chairs inside the caged area as well.
This facility is an entertainment center featuring activities ranging from bowling, arcade games, mini golf, trampolines, etc. in addition to axe throwing. Parties can be held here. We did not participate in any other activity other than axe throwing so my comments are limited to that experience.
Axe throwing was fun for everyone in our party. It becomes very competitive and can become intense. All of us said they definitely will do this again. It was a great experience for our family.
The axe throwing cages are well secured and locked unless being used. An attendant is always present inside the caged area. Each person must sign a waiver and watch a short video prior to throwing. The attendant gave instructions including a throwing demonstration and organized game competitions among our group.
Food and drink can be ordered and is served inside the caged area. There are tables and chairs inside the caged area as well.
This facility is an entertainment center featuring activities ranging from bowling, arcade games, mini golf, trampolines, etc. in addition to axe throwing. Parties can be held here. We did not participate in any other activity other than axe throwing so my comments are limited to that experience.
Axe throwing was fun for everyone in our party. It becomes very competitive and can become intense. All of us said they definitely will do this again. It was a great experience for our family.
Written October 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2dogMN
Minneapolis, MN36 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
Went with family to check it out. First of all, to me it's a strange mix of activities. There is a little kid climbing area that looked fun for anyone up to about 8 yrs old, sort of like a McDonalds play land. Some video games with ticket counter, many of the games were out of order. They have a few lanes of bowling that looked cool but we did not do it as we have non bowlers in the family. They have a ropes course that looked good for kids up to about 10yrs. along with a very small bumper cars area. The Laser tag area was decent and fun for all ages. It looks like they will be opening some mini golf and trampoline areas once the weather is warmer. We got a two hour unlimited pass that cost about $100 and didn't include any bowling or food. Not a great deal - as all we ended up doing was playing laser tag as our kids are too old (12yrs) for anything else. The food looked pretty good, but the service was so slow we decided to go elsewhere to eat. It took us about 15 min. to get a bottle of water from the food area. I would say, as is - this place is good for kids under 10, any older and they will be bored in about 15 min as we were. hopefully the mini golf will be decent as it could help with a more varied crowd. They need to decide who they want the audience to be and dial in the activities for them, as it didn't look like they were a big hit or value with either a young or older kid crowd. We couldn't wait to get out of there - but paid so much we had to stay.
Written April 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom K
Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States28 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
I was excited to have something like a "grandslam" all inclusive indoor recreation place arrive in Minnetonka - but it is sooo expensive you can not take a family or youth group there without spending 20 bucks or more per person - I really think they should rehtink the cost of thier "packages" to be more budget freindly and they would get lots more people to come - Dissapointed but hpoeful they will come down in price before they go out of business -
Written May 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonkaMom13
Minnetonka, MN7 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
My son attended a party here in October. The first hour was fine, but after about 7:00 older kids started coming. A group of kids harassed my son and his friend in the ball area. There was no attendant on duty at the time. These kids held my son down while other kids threw balls at his face, choked him and tried to shove a ball in his mouth. When his friend tried to help they hit him and scratched his face. As soon as I heard what happened I had the management call the police. The police came and even though it was apparent that these kids had no adult present watching them they said there was nothing they could do because they were too young to be held accountable for their actions. The management did not do anything either. They said it was the parent's responsibility to watch their kids. I called the manager the next day and he made multiple comments that concerned me. 1. The staff person that was supposed to be on duty watching that particular activity went on break without notifying her manager to find a replacement 2. Most of the staff that was originally hired when they opened in March had been fired so the current staff was new 3. He said kids have been getting hurt quite a bit there but mostly in the laser tag area 4. He didn't take ownership of anything that happened at the facility and asked me what they should do. Perhaps this was an isolated event but since Big Thrill Factory has no contingency plan for this type of thing happening it seems risky to assume they have their act together for anything else. Very disappointed.
Written November 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G_R123456789
Minneapolis, MN51 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Have to say I was very disappointed with my trip to Big Thrill Factory based on the reviews I saw on here. First if you are going to go, do not plan on eating here. The food is overpriced, and not at all good. There is a Burger King just down the parking lot from here, if you are planning to eat, stop at BK first. I know for my family, we spent twice as much on food at Big Thrill than we would have at BK, and got less food, and definitely not better quality.
On to the games, for smaller children there is a jungle gym type activity that my kids loved and seemed to be in decent condition. The arcade style games are awful, and you can tell not at all maintained. They have your traditional basketball shooting game, except they have like 1 ball per hoop. They have the football toss game, except have of the time when you score it doesn't work. Pretty consistently found that games either didn't work, didn't have the right equipment (balls). If you are an adult and want to play arcade style games or take your kids to play them, go to Dave and Busters instead.
On to the games, for smaller children there is a jungle gym type activity that my kids loved and seemed to be in decent condition. The arcade style games are awful, and you can tell not at all maintained. They have your traditional basketball shooting game, except they have like 1 ball per hoop. They have the football toss game, except have of the time when you score it doesn't work. Pretty consistently found that games either didn't work, didn't have the right equipment (balls). If you are an adult and want to play arcade style games or take your kids to play them, go to Dave and Busters instead.
Written August 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karin15
NC40 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
My kids went to visit for the first time and were very disappointed. Some of the employees were very rude and they did not get much for the money spent. After one hour they were bored and left. The employees need etiquette lessons.
Written November 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BertsBabes
Minneapolis, MN81 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Still a good value for an age tough to please! High ropes, laser tag & old time arcade ( not just vid games) and more. Must return when outdoor events are open.
Written March 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark L
2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
The Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka has lots to do. Bowling, climbing tower, laser tag, mini golf, arcade, ropes course, bumper cars, etc. My kids like Chuck E Cheese, so they were in heaven, and spent the whole day here. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The kitchen even had gluten free pizza for my daughter who is celiac. If you don't like pop music, you might feel better by bringing ear plugs, though the kids liked the soundtrack. It was a cool, wet day, so the outdoor trampolines were closed part of the time, but there was still plenty to do indoors. It wasn't too crowded, but it also was a weekday.
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there age restrictions on the rides and games? I am planning on bringing my 6 & 10 year old grandsons. The little one always wants to do what his big brother is doing & I’d like to know beforehand if that is an issue.
Written August 17, 2018
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