Home makeover shows don’t particularly interest me, but someone should definitely do one where you show me an arena getting a fresh, new look and I would be all in!
It has been a hot minute since my last visit to Apex Entertainment in Albany, but when I heard they had completely re-themed their laser tag arena I made a point to visit again and it gave a fresh feel to the experience.
Mike Grecco is now the manager at this location, so it was nice to see some familiar faces are still in the mix. A.P. took me around the arena to point out some of the changes as well as some of the things they intentionally kept as a nod to their Capital Region home.
First, let’s take a look at some before and after pics for perspective (before photos were taken about five years ago when they first opened).
The difference after refacing the walls is pretty dramatic! Also, you can tell from a couple of these walls that the theme is “tagged”, which you’ve gotta love for a laser tag site! :)
This is particularly evident in the briefing room.
When this FEC first opened, I applauded the use of local elements in the arena. They featured Nipper the dog (something of a mascot as Albany is home to the world’s largest Nipper statue) and not only is Nipper still featured in the arena…
…but he has even been given his own pack!
If you prefer cats to dogs, someone seems to have lost their cat…
No worries…found it!
The wall mounting of The Egg (a distinctively shaped local performing arts venue) has been removed, but in it’s place (or rather on the opposite wall) is a nod to the mall where the arena resides.
In one corner I found a hot looking car.
And in another I found the dumpster prop is no longer against a non-descript wall, but instead Pop’s Diner is behind it.
Outside you can now watch the in-game action from a camera monitor.
I was impressed with what a difference a change in colors and lighting can really make to the overall experience. For as many times as I have played here, this time felt brand new! And I got there in the nick of time because within the next couple of hours they would be transforming the arena into a haunted Halloween theme for the next month (so I will plan a visit in October to celebrate the spooky season in style).
I enjoyed my game and ended the evening in an unexpected way. I have recently started to take an interest in escape rooms. They were never on my radar before, so I can’t imagine how many times I’ve walked past this door and thought nothing of it.
However, tonight I decided to give it a shot and I thoroughly enjoyed the Zombie escape room experience. Although I have not played all that many, I can say this was one of the most visually engaging escape rooms that I have done and I had a great time with one more attraction during my visit to Apex Entertainment in Albany.
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
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