Romp n’ Roll

My three-​year old twins love Romp n’ Roll on the West Side. While they are in school every day they go to an assortment of RNR classes in the afternoons and on weekends which they are always excited to go to. The staff is very accommodative and friendly. They know the twins well and are always happy to see them. They attended RNR summer camp last year and they are signed up again this summer.

The family and I visited this Romp n’ Roll today for a friend’s 2^nd birthday party for their son. This was my first time visiting this location, but have been to other franchises (Chesterfield) before — both times for birthday parties. This location was a bit smaller than the one on the Southside (Courthouse Rd /​Midlothian Tnpk), but this location’s staff was much more friendly, helpful, and energetic.
For those that haven’t been to RNR before, it is generally an open, padded gym with different activities for kids to play, climb, and, well, romp and roll on. Monkey bars, basketball hoops, climbing walls, etc. are all over the gym and has plenty to keep kids occupied.
The approach for birthday parties was generally the same for both locations: a brief intro to the gym and the corresponding rules, as told by the party leaders and the stuffed mascot, Rompy. Then the kids get approximately 15 minutes to freely explore the gym, then the staff tries, with varying degrees of success, to corral the kids back to a central location for a set of organized group activities for another 15 mins, then 15 mins more free time, then more corralling. This went on for just over an hour, then the group moves to the party room for snacks and cake (for both parties, this has been parent-​provided, not supplied by RNR). A big plus here is that RNR hypes «mess free parties» where they do all of the set up and clean up.
After about 30 mins in the party room, kids are released back into the gym where the big draw for the 2^nd half is an inflatable bounce-​house. After 15 mins — you guessed it – more corralling, more structured activities, and then 15 mins of free time. Both parties lasted about 2 hours all together and the kids seemed to have a blast.
I love the concept of RNR, and really like the mix of free play and structured activities, BUT, the constant back and forth is very unorganized, and, depending on the number of kids and their respective ages, it can take just as long as the activity itself to get the kids together for said activity. For older kids (3+), this is an easier task, but for a group of 2 year olds, it was utter chaos.
In summation – good, clean fun with helpful staff, if you can tolerate organized chaos and LOTS of noise. If you are going to have a party here, I would recommend an age group of 3+.

We have attended many events at Romp n’ Roll over the years — classes, camps and birthday parties starting in 2006. My son pulled up to standing for the first time during a Mommy and Me class there, and now, years later, he still loves his stuffed Rompy dog. He’s had lots of fun times and encouragement in music, arts and physical skills over the years. We’ve found the instructors to be fun, kind and energetic. Romp n Roll has definitely helped make many great childhood memories for my son and our family.

Am I the only one who finds it EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to get excellent customer service at Romp n’ Roll? I have tried to cancel my membership with RnR, after moving my daughter from class to class hoping to find one that impressed us. The girl who claimed to handle my cancellation SIX MONTHS AGO did not cancel it and my card has been charged every month as usual.
How hard is it to provide stellar service?
It’s bad enough that you charge an exorbitant «termination fee.» Every time I call I have to talk to a very young girl who clearly does not have incentive to improve lead generation. Forget about the owners – or a manager for that matter – picking up the phone in a timely manner or pecking out an email to address a concern. They completely ignore you and just hope you go away. Once you sign the contract, they have you tied in and they know it. PARENTS BEWARE! The classes are brief, way too structured for free spirited and intelligent children, and most of the «free gym» times are smack in the middle of nap time. This is no accident. We are very unsatisfied with our experience at RnR. What a gyp.

What a great place for kids! Great programs for my very active grand kids. Very clean and very attentive and friendly staff. This was a great value for the money. Much better than the worthless Chuck E. Cheese… or, as I like to call it, Adult Hell. We’ll be coming back to Romp n’ Roll back on every Richmond trip!