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Disney and Chuck E Cheese
- Thread starter englanddg
- Start date
We were very aware of it. It was a massive threat.
Ok, I lied. 
I worked for CEC at the time, in corporate operations for most of it. Disney was a massive threat. We always saw ourselves (unofficially) as "poor man's Disney".
What do I mean by that?
Well, I'll be very blunt here. There's an incentive to "show your kids a good time". It's part of what created the impetus for someone to take their children to WDW or another park, even if they really shouldn't (not can't) afford it.
For much of the economy, the unbanked, the underbanked, the frugal, there's another option that allows that experience on a much smaller scale. And, that was the niche CEC filled.
Poor Man's Disney.
What we ran into was largely operational inconsistency (that is still an issue, though CEC Entertainment has now sold out to an investment company, and has gone off a cliff operationally...I refuse to take my kid there, it's...disgusting)....and the fact that we were overwhelmed by restaurant types who didn't understand the nature of the general family entertainment concept. Very long story...and inside baseball.
But, Disney getting into the market, with their brand name, was a massive threat. The thing is, Disney did what Disney does...overthought the concept and completely fell flat by not focusing on the basics of the experience. Had they truly got an operator (and they recruited from us hard, and stole a few people...but, mostly our creatives, not our operators), they would have won that battle.
It was an interesting time.
I worked for CEC at the time, in corporate operations for most of it. Disney was a massive threat. We always saw ourselves (unofficially) as "poor man's Disney".
What do I mean by that?
Well, I'll be very blunt here. There's an incentive to "show your kids a good time". It's part of what created the impetus for someone to take their children to WDW or another park, even if they really shouldn't (not can't) afford it.
For much of the economy, the unbanked, the underbanked, the frugal, there's another option that allows that experience on a much smaller scale. And, that was the niche CEC filled.
Poor Man's Disney.
What we ran into was largely operational inconsistency (that is still an issue, though CEC Entertainment has now sold out to an investment company, and has gone off a cliff operationally...I refuse to take my kid there, it's...disgusting)....and the fact that we were overwhelmed by restaurant types who didn't understand the nature of the general family entertainment concept. Very long story...and inside baseball.
But, Disney getting into the market, with their brand name, was a massive threat. The thing is, Disney did what Disney does...overthought the concept and completely fell flat by not focusing on the basics of the experience. Had they truly got an operator (and they recruited from us hard, and stole a few people...but, mostly our creatives, not our operators), they would have won that battle.
It was an interesting time.
And yet, we had two sites in NOLA for CEC.
I worked for the region when we helped out employees after Katrina.
TwilightZone
Well-Known Member
I made a few posts about this in the past, but this video has more info. I also made a new post after seeing this about how one of the clubs was converted into a new center that reused a lot from the club.
I'm just really interested in this club and I hope this video will inspire people to share more about them.
I'm just really interested in this club and I hope this video will inspire people to share more about them.
Gotta love Defunctland
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
That doesn't compare to the Grossness that was Mickey's Kitchen..I remember the Test Kitchen at Woodfield Mall in Schamburg IL..
If you had thought you were going to get food that they Served in the Theme Parks out of state...Well, Be Prepared to be Dissapointed..
If you had thought you were going to get food that they Served in the Theme Parks out of state...Well, Be Prepared to be Dissapointed..
TwilightZone
Well-Known Member
I didn't even know pictures of this existed until now. Crazy!That doesn't compare to the Grossness that was Mickey's Kitchen..I remember the Test Kitchen at Woodfield Mall in Schamburg IL..
If you had thought you were going to get food that they Served in the Theme Parks out of state...Well, Be Prepared to be Dissapointed..
jloucks
Well-Known Member
Small world! That was my mall as a kid. First time I drove in the snow was in the parking lot of that mall.That doesn't compare to the Grossness that was Mickey's Kitchen..I remember the Test Kitchen at Woodfield Mall in Schamburg IL..
If you had thought you were going to get food that they Served in the Theme Parks out of state...Well, Be Prepared to be Dissapointed..
ppete1975
Well-Known Member
that's funny I watched the same video last night, I always liked showbiz more than chuck e cheese...Ok, I lied.
I worked for CEC at the time, in corporate operations for most of it. Disney was a massive threat. We always saw ourselves (unofficially) as "poor man's Disney".
What do I mean by that?
Well, I'll be very blunt here. There's an incentive to "show your kids a good time". It's part of what created the impetus for someone to take their children to WDW or another park, even if they really shouldn't (not can't) afford it.
For much of the economy, the unbanked, the underbanked, the frugal, there's another option that allows that experience on a much smaller scale. And, that was the niche CEC filled.
Poor Man's Disney.
What we ran into was largely operational inconsistency (that is still an issue, though CEC Entertainment has now sold out to an investment company, and has gone off a cliff operationally...I refuse to take my kid there, it's...disgusting)....and the fact that we were overwhelmed by restaurant types who didn't understand the nature of the general family entertainment concept. Very long story...and inside baseball.
But, Disney getting into the market, with their brand name, was a massive threat. The thing is, Disney did what Disney does...overthought the concept and completely fell flat by not focusing on the basics of the experience. Had they truly got an operator (and they recruited from us hard, and stole a few people...but, mostly our creatives, not our operators), they would have won that battle.
It was an interesting time.
but at least the rock-a-fire explosion still exists... and playing for cee-lo and others (I cant find the video any more)
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
You mean this one? Found it...
The nice thing about Aaron Fetcher the creator of the Rockafire is that he's still doing with his AA as his company originates out in Orlando..And here's the test run of the band before they were shipped out to the concert..
Heh, we knew those old Rockafire shows as "Three Stage Conversions".
They are still around...but recovered. I don't know if they ever upgraded the old VHS tape based system they worked off of. It was an interesting setup. The newer Studio C models used CDs and DVDs (varying stages).
In a modern world, you'd be able to "download" the show. But, I doubt they've made that leap. As I said, CEC Entertainment isn't the operator anymore. And, I left CEC Entertainment slightly over a decade ago....
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
Greetings fellow ex-CEC employee !
( waves)
I have ties to that Company as well as a ex-employee and can tell you that the current version of the Cyberamic system did indeed get updated nation wide to DVD format a few years ago.
So no more VHS tapes.
Currently, all CEC Locations use DVD discs for their 'Showtapes' regardless of it is a 1-Stage, 2-Stage, 3-Stage, or Studio C Show set up.
Sadly, the Animatronic stages and robotic characters are slated to be removed and discontinued from use at most Stores over the next few years.
It was announced recently that the current 'Pizzaria' concept Locations tested in TX were a 'success' and the plan is to remodel all exsisting CEC Stores within the next four years.
'Pizzaria' CECs have a dance floor with just tv monitors and costumed characters as the entertainment....no Animatronics at all.
You may recall the Company tried this back in 2001/2002 with the 'Smalltown CEC' concept that failed miserabely due to the lack of Animatronics and tiny sized Store spaces.
If you would like to talk more, feel free to send me a PM.
I was quite active in the Company back during my stint and still am to some degree and it would be fun to swap stories!
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PM sent!Greetings fellow ex-CEC employee !
( waves)
I have ties to that Company as well as a ex-employee and can tell you that the current version of the Cyberamic system did indeed get updated nation wide to DVD format a few years ago.
So no more VHS tapes.
Currently, all CEC Locations use DVD discs for their 'Showtapes' regardless of it is a 1-Stage, 2-Stage, 3-Stage, or Studio C Show set up.
Sadly, the Animatronic stages and robotic characters are slated to be removed and discontinued from use at most Stores over the next few years.
It was announced recently that the current 'Pizzaria' concept Locations tested in TX were a 'success' and the plan is to remodel all exsisting CEC Stores within the next four years.
'Pizzaria' CECs have a dance floor with just tv monitors and costumed characters as the entertainment....no Animatronics at all.
You may recall the Company tried this back in 2001/2002 with the 'Smalltown CEC' concept that failed miserabely due to the lack of Animatronics and tiny sized Store spaces.
If you would like to talk more, feel free to send me a PM.
I was quite active in the Company back during my stint and still am to some degree and it would be fun to swap stories!
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Oh my, I would love to swap some stories.
Heck, we may even loosely "know" each other, based on what you described!
cheezbat
Well-Known Member
As Figments Friend has stated, much has changed. I’ve been with CEC for 16 years now...and boy oh boy have I seen tons of changes in that time. Always interesting to hear former employees stories.
Also, I’m guessing she didn’t know this, but the newest shows and Studio C HD actually are downloadable. My location uses this for our show every time we get a new one. No DVDs here!
Good to hear.
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
For anyone who's curious...Here's how the new CEC Live stage looks that is being rolled out.
