‘Adventure World’ Chuck E. Cheese concept to open in Chandler on Oct. 1

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

One could call the offshoot new type of restaurant many things. But Noe Martinez doesn’t think anyone should call Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World a rebranding.

Martinez, a regional learning and development manager for the company that runs the pizza-and-fun chain, provided a sneak-peek tour of the Adventure World scheduled to open in Chandler on Thursday, Oct. 1.

It’s in the former Party City building in Crossroads Towne Center. That’s the Walmart-anchored shopping center on the northwest corner of Germann and Gilbert roads in southeast Chandler.

“Everywhere they turn, there’s going to be something fun to do,” Martinez said in describing Adventure World, which Chuck E. Cheese debuted in Arlington, Texas almost a year ago. After what the company described, in a news release, as one of its most successful openings since the company began in 1977, plans were accelerated to open a Chandler location and five others in 2026 and seven Adventure Worlds in 2027.

Adventure World — a more interactive, aerobic and athletic activity-focused restaurant, is meant to augment the company’s 450 to 500 traditional U.S. locations, such as the one on Frye Road in Chandler just east of Loop 101.

Nearly all of those locations have phased out the animatronic Chuck E. Cheese characters and replaced them with video walls and other modern digital entertainment.

Adventure World includes a separate, fenced-in a separate play area for very small children, equipped with toys and soft-landing surfaces, with plenty of room for supervision.

Across from the “smalls” area is a two-story climbing structure, complete with padding everywhere and a gentle, fun way to slide down before climbing up again.

There are obstacles for children to climb over in order to get to the upstairs maze or to the ground-floor indoor soccer experience.

Adventure Worlds have much less focus on video gaming, though there are chances to use purchased points to win prizes on “claw” and other games of chance.

The center is divided into different themed areas as well, such as the ocean-themed “Bubble Reef.”

A giant video board entertains children and their families. There are designating eating areas for families within the 12,000-square-foot building, including many where parents can observe the main play area.

Martinez said all floors and touch points will be cleaned on a nightly basis.

The food menu includes a few comfort-food delicacies one might expect.

The entry and exit front area is heavily regulated, with a focus on families or groups arriving and leaving together as units. Hand-stamped and acknowledged children and adults are meant to enter and leave together.

All children younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who remains inside the Chuck E. Cheese location for the entire visit; drop-offs and unattended minors are not permitted, the company’s website states.

When asked if Adventure World would be open late-night hours, Martinez said those are subject to change, but will likely have the 9 p.m. closing during the week and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights that the Frye Road Chuck E. Cheese employs.

The company plans to open Adventure World locations in North Dakota, upstate New York, Houston and Plano, Texas and Las Vegas this year, with three California locations among the planned seven 2027 openings.

Martinez said Adventure World is themed around having something for nearly all children to keep their minds, hands and feet busy.

“It’s meant to be very interactive,” he said.

Learn more about the Adventure World in Chandler at chuckecheese.com/chandler-az/

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.