Wilder's World Panama City Beach Review

Wilder's World is a brand new business on Panama City Beach. Much like Pump It Up, it boasts a room full of inflatables for children to play, climb, and slide on. Pump It Up, which is in town is only open to children 2 and above so we haven't been there yet. Wilder's World is open to all ages and has toys that are appropriate for the younger crowd.

We went with a playgroup so we got a discounted rate- we paid $6.50 which was to include a slice of pizza and a Capri Sun plus unlimited play. Adults are free.

Since, the place is new, it was extremely clean. I liked that- I hope they keep it that clean as it gets used more. We went in, signed a paper, paid our money and got a wrist band for B. I kind of wish they had a system like Chuck E. Cheese does where the parent and child get matching wrist bands and you have to show your wristband to leave with that child. But I was with B the whole time, so not a problem for us.

B was very intimidated by the bouncy inflatables at first but it didn't take her long to get brave. The staff was VERY helpful and that made it all the easier to get her having fun! Before long, she was climbing up and sliding down with the big kids. It was A BLAST!! She also checked out the toddler areas (kids 3 and under only) which had basketball hoops, a plastic bowling set, hula hoops, and toddler toys. How nice that they have this for the younger kids! There were also several couches for the grownups plus some picnic type tables. I hear they also have Wi Fi but I was busy chasing B so I didn't check that out. To sum up the inflatables, there is one huge obstacle course (very hard for little ones to go on without parental help) and big slide that B could do all by her self, two regular bounce houses, and one ship themed house with stair and slide that B could do by herslef with no trouble.

After much bouncing, I noticed we had a soggy diaper going on, so I asked about the bathroom and was disappointed to learn that the changing tables have not come in yet. Seems a bit odd to start a brand new business for children without a changing table available but I'll give them the beneift of the doubt and say maybe changing tables are on back order. So after a quick trip to our car, we were back in action.

The staff was busy keeping kids entertained. They did some interactive games (roller rink style- think the Chicken Dance) and if there was a traffic jam on an inflatable they would climb right up and help out. I can't say enough about their helpfulness on the inflatables! A+++ to those guys and gals!

B could have played all day but when she slid down a slide and stuck her thumb in her mouth and just sat at the end of the slide, I new we had hit naptime. I waited for someone to come to the snack bar area (about 5 minutes) and this is where our visit took a turn.  We had paid $2 for pizza and a drink and so I let the girl know that we were ready to eat. She said that the pizza wouldn't be here for 20 more minutes, could we wait? I explained that it was B's naptime and I didn't think she could make it that long and I asked if there was something else she could have. She offered a PB&J which I declined (I was thinking B probably wouldn't eat that and we have bread at home). The lady was annoyed to say the least. She rolled her eyes at me when I asked for my money back and never once apologized for the misunderstanding about the pizza.

I say it was a  misunderstanding because my guess is that the playgroup we were with arranged to have them order pizza and to have it there at a certain time. I didn't know that or else I wouldn't have ordered. So, it may have been my mistake (maybe I should have just taken the PBJ and been done with it). However, she only lost $2 and the cost of one slice of pizza and capri sun probably wasn't even $2. So, MAYBE, they lost $1.25-$1.50 on us. So even if it was my mistake, was it worth her having a bad attitude about? I am going to go with no. I even apologized to her and explained the situation again and she said nothing to me. Just handed me my $2. In a hard economic crisis, with a brand new business, I would definitely not treat customers this way.

Now I really like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was a bad day. I am not always the mom I want to be and sometimes I say things to B that I wish I could take back. So, maybe this lady was having the same kind of moment. I'll give her a second chance, especially since it was partially my fault. But  I must say that my initial excitement was squashed a little by my experience at the snack bar.

I really like to see businesses go above and beyond. I like friendly faces, encouraging words, helpfulness, and quality. Maybe the lady from Wilder's World needs to take a trip across the street to Chick Fil A- they are a superior example of service and hospitality. I'll talk about them tomorrow!
Update Oct. 2010:  We have since been back to Wilder's World and received great service from the staff!

So, please give Wilder's World a try. It's really a fun place and the staff that interacted with the kids were GREAT, STELLAR, AWESOME. Just don't pay for a slice of pizza and ask for your money back when the pizza isn't there and your kid's about to meltdown.

Wilder's World
12001 Panama City Beach Parkway Panama City Beach, Florida

(Lyndell Shopping Center next to Florida Linen)
They open at 10am