 |
 |
||
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
||
 |
|||
John Elderkin, assistant editor, Funworld
This year IAAPA invited FECs from around the world to enter its inaugural Top FECs of the World awards program. Eleven winners were chosen, and each issue of Funworld this year will feature one of the winners.
Top FEC ¡Recórcholis! Lerma’s success comes in part from its affiliation with Grupo Diniz, which owns the leading national chain of Family Entertainment Centers in Mexico. Grupo Diniz’s ¡Recórcholis! group opened its first FEC in 1989, in the city of Toluca, Estado de Mexico, and since then it has grown steadily, with 13 branches in eight Mexican states.
Established in 2002, ¡Recórcholis! Lerma is situated in the Las Plazas Outlet shopping center in the city of Lerma. A large 4,500-square-foot space, the center is divided into five areas: Kids, Games and Fun, Snacks, Bowling, and Big Attractions. Each of these sections of the center offers guests entertainment options that encourage return visits.
One of the unique features of ¡Recórcholis! Lerma’s operation is its use of the Cointech and Recordcard system. This is software that works much like a bank debit card. Customers can load money on the card, then use it as they please. All games have a magnetic reader that shows the game price and the customer balance. In the Kids area, a strip ticket system works as an identification program that allows young visitors to enjoy themselves while parents can confidently go for a meal or partake in some other aspect of the center. Children under 12 can play and learn in the Interactive Pavilions, which are sponsored by Crayola, Hasbro, Lego, Little Tikes, and Nintendo. In the pavilion, professional advisers guide and coordinate activities that allow children to interact and learn while being entertained. The advisers are hired because of their experience working with children. A kindergarten-teacher profile is the preferred qualification for this position.
The Games and Fun area is the place where families tend to gather together to enjoy the wide variety of modern games. For example, the Vertical Videos area lets competitors of all ages interact with 33-inch monitors while deluxe loudspeakers crank up the excitement.
Food and beverages can be enjoyed in the Snacks area, which offers a video wall where customers can enjoy watching sports and music. A candy shop appeals to children, while adults can order cold beer, nachos, and sandwiches.
The Bowling area offers six alleys with equipment that is automated, programmable, and uses an electronic scorer. The alleys are designed so that children can compete and excel at the game.
Perhaps the most exciting draw at ¡Recórcholis! Lerma is the Big Attractions area. Here visitors will find the carousel, go-kart racing, eurobungy, bumper boats, and the midway games. The go-karts are one of the most popular attractions on offer. Ten single and four double-passenger karts race on a 180-meter track, and both adults and children can compete, which means the whole family can join in. Meanwhile the eurobungy offers high-flying thrills, and the bumper boats allow for safe smash-up fun. For visitors who aren’t looking for that kind of excitement, the midway offers prizes to winners at games such as Air Ball.
The center’s theme is tied together by its mascot, Tato. Tato is a magical being who comes from a fantasy world and who encourages children to enjoy all the fun available. He represents the spirit of good times and happiness, and he is also found at all the ¡Recórcholis! FECs throughout Mexico.
