A Unique Experience

I can honestly say I have never had a laser tag experience quite like I did at a farm in the southern part of the Catskill region. I am omitting the name of the location, only because I get the impression they may not particularly be looking for publicity, and I think this is one case where we can just use the power of the imagination. Just picture me playing outdoor tag in a woodsy area on a sunny day while holding an iCOMBAT Barracuda.

FYI, these photos of a Barracuda box were NOT from our visit to this farm, but are rather an illustrative example from another site. I clarify this because of the VERY clear policy they have put forth regarding photos, which I will respect. But if you’ve never seen one before, this will at least give you an idea of what we used during this game.

This stop will not count on my arena list simply because there is no actual laser tag arena on the premises. However, I called ahead (as the website says “reservations are necessary”) and was ready for whatever game experience they had to offer.

After purchasing the game, the young woman behind the counter handed me two iCombat Barracuda units attached to Tippman paintball markers. She told me we could take them “into the woods over there” while pointing across the lot to a section of lawn and trees and then she said “just bring them back in about a half an hour.”

Um…huh? Well, ok. That now qualifies as the shortest briefing I have ever been given. This was definitely not what I was expecting. However, the equipment was handed to me ready to go and this is apparently how laser tag is handled here (and it’s obviously not my first time using this gear), so we ventured over to the wooded area to trade a few tags.

It had been a while since I’d played with a Barracuda, so I was pleased to get a chance to experience this equipment again, which I have always found to be simple, but enjoyable. It’s also a very easy option considering the lack of marshal or briefing.

I refamiliarized myself with the unit and the data in the self-contained game box, including the number of hits and ammo. It’s an easy enough system to understand, although I have never played it in quite so basic a manner. This is not at all a typical laser tag experience, though we enjoyed it for what it was and for the fun for which it was intended.

We explored the terrain a bit. It felt like there was probably ample space on the grounds for playing a decent game, but it somehow felt more appropriate to stay close to where we started.

This is a location that appears to primarily serve the local summer vacationing community and I suspect that I am not exactly their typical clientele, but I always appreciate having interesting and unique experiences with laser tag and this visit definitely qualifies as that. 

Comments or Questions? 

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com 

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com

and www.photonforever.com

and http://www.lasertagmuseum.com

Making a Run for Runner

Following a beautiful morning in the Poconos that started with a trip to a Harry Potter themed coffee cafe and a train ride through the Lehigh Gorge, we stopped to run around and play Runner at Costa’s Family Fun Park in Hawley, PA.

This is a cute little amusement site with a huge menu in the concession area! Not usually the first thing I’d notice, except I found my way into the food building first, then we headed over to the side building next to it that housed the laser tag. Note to self…read the signs, lol!

I bought the game tickets and we proceeded into the building.

Inside we vested up for a 1v1 game of Lazer Runner using what appeared to be nicely maintained, new gear. The game played incredibly smoothly. I really liked the new style of phaser, which makes a BIG difference and is very comfortable to use (in comparison to my more recent experiences with the older-style phaser)

Inside the arena was a standard looking LR set-up with two bases and a center sentry target.

The space really maximized the use of a smaller footprint and felt like a larger space than what it was. However, I did locate a spot where sight-lines allowed me to keep rotating through the sentry, a base and my opponent all without moving. I don’t like to play that way, but I do like to identify the sweet spot.

I probably played a bit harder than was necessary for this game, but I was really getting into it. At the end we were handed scorecards, which was notable because I cannot actually recall ever receiving a printed card for Runner before. That’s the only reason this one goes in my permanent collection.

We finished the visit with a return to the snack counter for some ice cream, having enjoyed a fun experience continuing the tag trek through the Poconos. :)

Comments or Questions? 

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com 

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com

and www.photonforever.com

and http://www.lasertagmuseum.com

Taking Time for Tron

No question, taking a trip to the Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, PA was largely decided based on knowing this resort had a game room with laser tag right on the premises. I didn’t know until getting there that we would be taking time for Tron.

I have played several arenas at other locations that are part of this family of resorts, but there were different laser tag systems in use at the others, so I am guessing that each location must be independent in their equipment purchasing decisions. So, I registered using my game card and got ready for the game.

And I must say, this may be the best photo I’ve ever taken at a Tron kiosk. Can I use this pic on my driver’s license please?

We suited up for a 1v1 game of solo free for all.

The arena was a tightly packed, single level space with a LOT of targets packed in there!

I took note of the bonus targets because whenever the notification announced them to be activated they ALL activated at the same time. 

Those targets are what largely account for me racking up a respectable number of points in what was only a 1v1 game (or really two, as the session was made up of two five minute games).

Respectable score? Well, it was enough to make me the high score of the day!

So, that was the start of our Poconos adventure with more tag on the way, but next it was time to enjoy the rest of the Kalahari Resort. Nice start to the day!

Comments or Questions? 

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com 

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com

and www.photonforever.com

and http://www.lasertagmuseum.com