Courtesy of Thrillz and Brown Bag Marketing
The day before school started, my husband, 7-year-old daughter, 10-year-old son, and I checked out Thrillz, the new indoor amusement park in Doraville, for one last summer hurrah. Was I overstimulated within three seconds of entering? Yes. Was it worth every second to see the joy on my kids’ faces? Also yes.
The first words out of my son’s mouth were, “Woah! What is this place?”
Set in a bright pink warehouse just off I-85 near Spaghetti Junction, Thrillz, which opened in July, is every school-aged child’s fantasy, teens included. It’s an assault on the senses in the best way: colorful neon lights everywhere you look, upbeat music punctuated by happy screams, and adrenaline-inducing rides and slides scattered throughout. The list of attractions is long and varied, including VR rides, carnival rides, massive slides, inflatable obstacle courses, trampoline sports, laser tag, arcade games, and a toddler zone.
We arrived at 11 a.m. with pre-paid tickets and were able to skip most of the line. Numerous packages and a la carte options are available, with pricing based on activities and day of the week. We grabbed a small locker for $5 to store our belongings, including phones, hats, and shoes. Thrillz sticky socks are required for everyone participating in the attractions and cost an additional $5.
Our two hours allotted for “slides and sports” began immediately, so we dove right in, tempting fate on the Space Shot slides, which took us headfirst on yoga-style mats down a steep slope, soaring through the air before landing on an airbag. Hearts racing, we climbed to the top of Mega Slide Tower where we each chose a colored slide and raced down through twists and turns.
Courtesy of Thrillz and Brown Bag Marketing
Next, we competed for best time on the interactive climbing wall, where rotating gears and shifting poles threatened to push us off. I was the only one who tumbled. My rotten balance continued through the Sweeper, where rotating horizontal poles felled me again and again. My kids, however, had no trouble jumping over or crawling under and kept trying to coach me as my husband laughed. I fared better on the rolling barrels, spinning log, and swinging lily pads, though I had to pause for a breather between challenges. What a workout! My son and I loved the inner tube zipline, where dropping onto the cushioned stuntman-style landing zone sent me into a fit of giggles.
Next, my kids took a quick detour through the 10,000-square-foot soft play jungle gym, designed for ages 4 to 10. But there were bigger thrills to be had. The Cyclone Slide dropped us down, then sent us spinning around an orange toilet bowl-shaped vessel before releasing us through the center. The black-and-white checkered Phoenix Slide reminded me of a halfpipe at a skate park. Instead of riding on a skateboard, we were face-first on a mat, soaring down and back up until eventually sliding to a halt in the center. My daughter’s favorite was the Quad Showdown, which is similar to the Super Slides at fairs of my youth. She loved racing the family side by side.
Courtesy of Thrillz and Brown Bag Marketing
Tummies were grumbling by the time we reached the trampolines and sports courts. Still, we squeezed in a few minutes of bouncy basketball and volleyball before heading to the café for a well-earned break. Lunch was what you’d expect at a place like Thrillz: hot dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, and fries. If you’re hoping for something lighter, plan to eat elsewhere.
Energy restored, we hopped on the Spinning Coaster, which is less scary than it looks. Riders sit two-by-two in cars that rotate 360 degrees as they hurtle along the track. It was over as quickly as it had begun. Next, we got in line for Grave Digger VR, a giant green Monster Truck and one of the first attractions you see when entering Thrillz. It only holds six people at a time, so the wait moved slowly, especially since birthday party guests are permitted to skip the line. When it was our turn, we donned VR headsets and entered the Monster Jam arena, our seats jostling and vibrating as Grave Digger raced over dirt hills and through canyons. We saved the Drop Tower and VR Coaster for another day, and none of us were brave enough for Rush 360, a crazy-fast soaring, flipping, spinning ride that requires participants to be at least 50 inches tall.
Courtesy of Thrillz and Brown Bag Marketing
My kids could’ve stayed at Thrillz all day, but after four hours, I was beat. We gave in to one round of laser tag, running guns blazing through a black-lit Aztec jungle and ducking behind barriers to shield ourselves. I liked being able to choose between teams or free-for-all. It eliminated the usual scuffle over who was with whom.
A few parent notes: arrive early, book online if possible, bring or budget for sticky socks, and consider doing rides at the beginning of your visit before it gets crowded. A few hours are enough for a taste, but thrill-seeking kids will absolutely want more time.
As we retrieved our belongings from the locker and let our eyes adjust to the sunlight outside, we reflected on the day. “It was awesome!” my son exclaimed. “When can we go back?” my daughter wondered.
Suffice to say we’re already looking at birthday party packages for next year.
Courtesy of Thrillz and Brown Bag Marketing
