PHOENIX — As Arizona's stay-at-home order is set to expire at midnight on Friday, some attractions around the Phoenix area -- bowling alleys, arcades, laser tag, and ax-throwing venues -- have either opened already or are planning to reopen soon. Others, including most museums in the Valley, remain closed or have not announced their official plans.
Outdoor shopping centers opened last week, but on Saturday, May 16, indoor shopping malls, including Arizona Mills and Scottsdale Fashion Square, will reopen, though not all stores at those malls will open.
Here are the attractions that we have confirmed have reopened or plan to reopen soon.
OPEN NOW
GOLFLAND SUNSPLASH
Golfland Sunsplash opened a few of its rides and attractions, such as bumper cars and go-karts, at the beginning of May. Beginning this weekend, May 15-17, the water park will reopen some of its raft rides, water slides, and wave pool. Open swim areas remain closed.
The attraction said on its website that all employees will have their temperatures checked and that cashiers and customer service employees will be required to wear masks, guests are encouraged to wear masks, six foot markers have been placed in queue lines, and employees will continue to clean and sanitize. More information.
LUMBERJAXES - TEMPE & GLENDALE
Lumberjaxes reopened both of its ax-throwing venues in Tempe and Glendale on Friday, May 15, according to their Facebook page. Among the changes they've implemented: employees will be required to wear face masks, tables and groups will be spaced at least six feet apart, each person will have their own ax, and employees will clean more often and hand sanitizer will be provided. More information.
URBAN AXES - DOWNTOWN PHOENIX
Urban Axes, an ax-throwing venue in downtown Phoenix, reopened on Friday, according to a post on its Facebook page. Among some of the changes they have implemented are: reducing group sizes, reducing overall capacity to a max of 25%, having all employees wear masks, as well as sanitizing common areas and axes before and in between throwing sessions. More information.
CRACKERJAX
CrackerJax in Scottsdale partially reopened Friday with its driving range, batting cages, and miniature golf. The clubhouse and other attractions -- arcade, go-karts, bumper boats -- are closed and will reopen at a later time, according to a note on its website. More information.
SEA LIFE ARIZONA AQUARIUM
Sea Life Arizona at Arizona Mills mall in Tempe will reopen on Saturday, May 16. For a limited time, admission has been reduced to $10 (it is normally $15-$20). The aquarium said to encourage social distancing and keep its staff and guests safe, they are only accepting debit and credit cards as forms of payments, have placed markers for social distancing, increased cleaning, and have hand sanitizer available. The interactive tide pool, kids play area, Critter Canyon, and River Race are closed. More information.
BOWLERO
In a Facebook post, Bowlero said its Gilbert bowling alley would reopen on Saturday, May 16. It was not clear when the other locations in the Valley would reopen.
On its website, Bowlero said it was beginning to reopen locations on modified schedules. Among the changes it is implementing, groups will be limited to 4-6 people per lane and groups will have a one-lane buffer between them. Balls cannot be shared and equipment will be sanitized. Employees will also undergo temperature checks and wear masks. More information.
TOPGOLF - SCOTTSDALE
Topgolf said it will reopen its driving range in Scottsdale on Monday, May 18. The two other venues in Gilbert and Glendale remain closed, according to its website. It is not known when those locations plan to reopen.
In an email, TopGolf said it has implemented new safety guidelines and protocols throughout the venue to emphasize social distancing, including installing dividers between its hitting bays, disinfecting its outdoor hitting bays, golf clubs, and golf balls in between groups, and requiring its employees to wear masks and gloves. Customers can also book tee-times via Topgolf's website. More information.
CASTLES N COASTER (MINI GOLF)
Castles N Coasters said mini golf would reopen on Monday, May 18, according to its website. It is unclear if or when the rides and other attractions plan to open. We reached out to Castles N Coasters for additional information, but have not heard back.
OPENING SOON
OCTANE RACEWAY & MAVRIX
Octane Raceway and Mavrix both plan on opening on Friday, May 22, according to a spokesperson.
Among its cleaning producers, Octane Raceway said its go-karts would be sprayed and fogged with disinfectant after each race and helmets will be cleaned after each use. Velocity VR's arena will be reduced from eight players to six players and equipment will be cleaned after each use. For the arcade, single-use gloves are available.
The owners behind Octane opened Mavrix, an entertainment venue with interactive bowling, laser tag, and an arcade, in March, weeks before businesses were shut down because of the pandemic. When it opens, employees will undergo wellness checks and increased cleaning and sanitization. Groups who are bowling will have a one-lane buffer between them, laser tag is reduced to 10 people per game, and equipment is cleaned after use. At the arcade, like at Octane, gloves are available.
MAIN EVENT
Main Event said it would reopen its entertainment center in Avondale on Friday, May 22. However, its locations in Gilbert and Tempe would remain closed and it is not exactly known when those will reopen, said Chris Morris, CEO of Main Event.
He told ABC15 during a Zoom interview that employees will have their temperature checked before clocking in, will be required to wear masks, and that Plexiglas barriers have been installed at the cash registers. He said they have also redesigned the laser tag arena and bowling attractions to maintain social distance. "Every single part of the Main Event experience has been elevated and enhanced," he said.
