While driving north on route 75 heading through Fort Myers towards the Sarasota
airport again (the less obvious route home from Miami, lol) I noticed a
billboard that said "HeadPinz...more than just bowling. Laser Tag. Next
exit." Well, I just about flew across several lanes of traffic to get over
to the exit for this! It was an unexpected surprise because even though of
course I had done a search online for laser tag along my route, it didn't look
like there was much opportunity for tag until closer to Tampa. When I saw this
opportunity I was very excited (and ready for a break from driving) so I was
ready for whatever system of laser tag they had to offer. Pulling into the
parking lot I noticed the side of their building had a wall mural (more good
advertising) featuring some Zone imagery. I hoped that was what we'd be
playing, but I've learned not to put too much stock in the photo as quite often
the reality is something completely different…and that was the case here as the
actual system in use was Cyber Blast. But that's still among my favorites, so I
was definitely ready to play.
What I found to be the next unexpected surprise was that this
arena was awesome! Such a terrific find! Sometimes I have a tendency to think
that laser tag takes a backseat in FECs where the main emphasis is on bowling,
but that was certainly not the case here. This was a spacious arena with a
really "cool" (play on words) and ironic theme. You see after getting
a sunburn on South Beach the day before and spending a large part of this day out
in the blazing Florida heat it was kind of funny to walk in and find that this
place turned up the chill with an ice cave theme!
The entrance was designed to look like an igloo or cave covered in
ice. Then they kept the theme going through the briefing area....
And then into the arena that was decorated with snowshoes, sleds
and more to add to the motif.
You could get a good view of it all from the upper half-level
running along one upper wall and accessible by ramps on either side.
And something else that you could see well from that vantage point
(which unfortunately I could not get a picture of) was the projection on the
wall. This I did not expect at all and wish I had noticed a little earlier in
the game. An animation of a gorilla popped up every so often. The game master
said it correlated with a timer. There was also an avalanche animation that I
believe may have been synced to base deactivations. I'm not certain as I could
not see it when I took my bases, but that's what I believe was happening there.
This was not a full wall projection, but that didn't matter. It was an
incredibly impressive touch. I do not believe it was one of the interactive
projection targets like I had seen at the Laser Blast booth at IAAPA (someone
please correct me if I am mistaken), but it was very cool nonetheless.
I left that game feeling pumped up and thoroughly impressed with
this site. I'm so glad that I saw their billboard and was able to add this
final stop before leaving Florida. It was a great trip with a lot of great
memories. Here's one that has nothing to do with tag, but is worth sharing.
I've mentioned that I am a gecko mama to my little lizard Leon. However, one of
the coolest things about touring the Everglades was getting to visit with the
alligators this region is known for. So here I am with a significantly bigger
reptile...meet Casper the alligator!
Here's another wristband challenge. If you think you know WHY my
lizard is named Leon and what the laser tag connection is then drop me an
email. If your answer is correct I'll send you a glow in the dark Laser Tagging
America wristband (U.S. entries only, please). And thank you to HeadPinz of
Fort Myers for a great tag experience. Getting to play at your arena was a
wonderful unexpected surprise!
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
and www.photonforever.com
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