Unexpected Adventures at Apex (Virginia Beach)

Sometimes when things don’t go according to your original plan they end up working out even better. That was the case with my most recent weekend laser tag travels. While I had set out early Thursday morning bound for Charlotte, NC (the location for this past weekend’s Tag 4 A Cause), anyone following the news can see that right now airline travel is full of unexpected surprises. The long story VERY short is that instead of landing in North Carolina, I ended up re-routing to Richmond, VA where I rented a car and drove through three states, having laser tag adventures at 15 laser tag arenas before finally arriving in Charlotte on time for the event.

In a way, this worked out even better than I had hoped because on the first night of the journey it put me in reasonable proximity to pay a visit to Apex Entertainment in Virginia Beach, which is a site I have been wanting to visit ever since they opened at the end of 2020. And with this stop it looks like airplanes will play a role in my day from start to finish!

I dropped an email to Anne Marie moments before I boarded my unexpected flight with my new itinerary and by the time I had landed, the local Apex team had responded with arrangements for my visit. I arrived just in time to meet up with floor manager Shar and get into the final game of the night!

I was led down a fully mural-decorated hallway that set the scene for what I would find in the arena.

What struck me about this arena first was the aesthetic. It was clearly built by a completely different arena designer than the other Apex locations that I have been to (which all feature CW builds). I am a big fan of the more photo-realistic art styling on these walls. 

This one is comparatively quite unique, but also includes the one characteristic I consistently appreciate seeing at Apex arenas…a nod to the local region. In this case, that is reflected in the homage to the naval/military history of the area that provides the inspiration for the theming inside this approximately 4800 square foot arena.

One of the most distinctive decorative props would have to be the suspended airplane which appears to be flying just overhead. 

Base housings had been designed to correlate with the theme.

And there were a number of re-taggable targets positioned on structures on the raised level platform in the center. While not a true double level arena, this does add some nice variety to make the space feel larger.

I definitely enjoyed this game of Laserforce inside the Task Force Blue arena.

Following the game, Shar gave me a tour of the other attractions featured at Apex Virginia Beach including an impressive ropes course along with escape rooms, mini golf, axe throwing and sports simulators. They also had some staple attractions like bowling, bumper cars and arcade as well, but the ropes course is the one that immediately catches your eye!

I was quite impressed with my visit to Apex Entertainment if Virginia Beach. As unexpected detours go, this was a really great way to end my first day of travel and I enjoyed finally getting to check out the fourth Apex Entertainment location.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com

Completing the Mission at Mission Laser

Two Tag 4 A Cause events happened simultaneously at Mission Laser locations in Charlotte, NC and Richmond, VA, bringing our total raised for Wounded Warrior Project to over $600! My thanks to the Mission Laser team and to everyone who donated in support of this wonderful cause!

I was personally at Mission Laser Charlotte where Anish Sudalla won the golden phaser trophy with his score of 14,801.

Meanwhile in Richmond, a few tournament players were tagging for the top honors, which went to Josh (aka Phantom) with a score of 44,900!

Looks like these guys were all keeping it very competitive!

Players in both locations enjoyed playing the latest version of CyberBlast and suiting up for the game in the vesting room.

I got into a couple of games myself, using the new selfie feature on the phaser.

Both arenas (former LQ locations) have been completely reinvented! I love the new aesthetic which allows you to tag around the barrels, crates and other obstacles.

And there are interactive elements too. RVA includes projection targets while Charlotte incorporates targets with notable props like this paratrooper dropping down from above!

Mission Laser does a wonderful job creating an immersive atmosphere from start to finish.

I had a table set up as my own personal “mission control” to manage the donations coming in for Wounded Warrior Project.

And the staff at both locations were great, letting people know about the event and helping players to use the QR code to access our special fundraiser link.

Beyond just raising funds, we were raising awareness too!

I had been coordinating these events with general manager Trip Roberts for the last couple of months and want to thank him and the entire team at Mission Laser Charlotte and RVA for all their support and generosity. Every game during the event helped to support Wounded Warrior Project too!

I am delighted that I had the chance to visit and play laser tag at both Mission Laser locations during the course of my weekend travels. It was such a great experience coordinating the final Tag 4 A Cause events this quarter with Mission Laser.

If you missed the event or want to take on the Tag 4 A Cause Laser Tag 5K challenge on your own (at any laser tag arena, anywhere) you can still help us support Wounded Warrior Project through the end of the month of June. Find more info at https://www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com/tag-4-wounded-warrior-project. Thank you again to everyone who came out to Tag 4 A Cause!

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com

When in Richmond!

It probably seems like the kind of thing I would have planned, but getting to play at Mission Laser RVA in Richmond, VA two days before they are helping me with the first ever virtual site event for Tag 4 A Cause was actually a happy accident as a result of last minute re-routed travel plans! I had not expected to be in Richmond this weekend. I had intended to fly into Charlotte and focus my attention on the Tag 4 A Cause night we will be holding there. However, it seems more than appropriate to pay a visit to their sister site, which will also be helping us to fundraise in support of Wounded Warrior Project this weekend. What a delight to see how they have reinvented this arena, formerly LQ Richmond!

Upon my arrival I met Jacob, a manager who has been there since the LQ days.

He gave me a tour of the facility that has reopened under new ownership, now operating with Cyber Blast gear. 

The entry to the briefing room was both nostalgic and new.

I headed to the vesting room with the group that had just finished a game and we suited up.

And before heading in we took selfies on our phasers using some of the new tech that Laser Blast has incorporated into their newer Cyber Blast equipment.

Then it was time to head into the arena and see how they have transformed this space since the last time I was here, pre-pandemic when it was still LQ. I’m impressed!

There are barrels, logos and bright new design aesthetics all throughout. There are also still some remnants of this arena’s classic past.

If I hadn’t been so focused on the game I might have snapped a pic of the projection target I destroyed twice within our mission. I love this new feature and this was one of my first times experiencing it “out in the wild”. I look forward to seeing how their Charlotte location compares, as I hear there are some different surprises there.

Jacob showed me that they also offer vestless laser tag with their mobile unit.

Before I left, of course I added some tag swag to my collection. They have cool merch including t-shirts and drawstring bags, which I saw displayed right next to…

… a poster display promoting this weekend’s Tag 4 A Cause! On Saturday, June 25th from 7:00-9:00 you can help support Wounded Warrior Project when you donate to the cause, accept the challenge and earn the medal at either Mission Laser location. General manager Trip and his staff will support the cause at Mission Laser RVA while I am simultaneously doing the event at Mission Laser Charlotte. Both locations will feature a high score trophy contest too. 

My thanks to Mission Laser for their support. Please join us for one big night at two great arenas! More info at https://www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com/tag-4-wounded-warrior-project.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com

Tag 4 A Cause is Heading to Mission Laser!

Tiviachick’s Tag 4 A Cause is heading to Mission Laser in Charlotte, NC with a virtual Tag 4 A Cause night also happening at Mission Laser in Richmond, VA! These Tag 4 A Cause nights will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Donate to the cause, accept the challenge and earn the medal. Donations support Wounded Warrior Project!

I will be in attendance in Charlotte, meanwhile the Mission Laser staff will help us conduct a virtual support event in Richmond so that both locations can be involved. We’ll also have a high score trophy contest taking place at each location and the laser tag 5K medals will be available at Mission Laser that night too. 

Please donate to Wounded Warrior Project using our special fundraiser link. More info can be found at https://www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com/tag-4-wounded-warrior-project.

Comments or Questions?

Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com

Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com and www.photonforever.com