FAQ - General

Can laser tag be played in the daytime?
I firmly believe that outdoor laser tag is actually better in the daytime. Indoor facilities have to use low light levels to enhance the game-play in the limited space available in a leased warehouse.

If you play in the day, how do you see the lasers?
Indoor and outdoor laser tag guns use infra-red light to safely "hit" the opponent's sensors. These beams of light are invisible to the human eye. Both indoor and outdoor laser tag guns use a red flasher to create the illusion of a laser beam being shot from the gun. Indoor facilities because of the very limited distance and the dark conditions allow a player to see a laser beam or more correctly a flash. In close quarters and in dark conditions my outdoor guns mimic that effect as well. My outdoor guns have red dot scopes to help accurately sight the guns onto the opponents sensors. If the players are close enough to each other you can hear that you hit the opposing player via the speaker on their gun. At long distance the players must read the opponents body language to tell if they hit them as the guns can easily shoot further than you can hear.

Do you do parties at night?
Yes. Many players want night parties because the want the ability to hide better and there are some people that feel the games are better at night.

How do you play at night?
First, I add colored lights to the guns to tell the teams apart. I suggest that some light be added from the home, ambient or direct, to increase the viewing capability for the players. Some clients reuse their holiday lights for additional illumination. Extra lighting should be added at any stairs, walls or other potential hazards. I eliminate any areas from play that may be inappropriate because of the low light levels. Then I yell a lot to get the players to come out of hiding to finish the game. Night games are much slower than daytime games.

Is my yard big enough to play laser tag?
Typically a small yard is great for laser tag. Parties held on smaller yards tend to play more games as the players are forced to interact as opposed to hide. Too large an area can actually be a problem as some players will hide thereby artificially prolonging a game to the detriment of all the other players. I had one family with a very small yard in South Arlington, Virginia as a client for their son's 10th, 11th and 12th birthday parties. Each time they had at least 20 players for some furious action in their tight space. Adults worry about this too much, the kids will have a blast just about anywhere.

Is laser tag dangerous?
Laser tag is generally safe but like any active sport there is a high potential for injury. Players run around creating the excitement of the game, but also creating the possibility of accidents. Players have fallen off playground equipment, accidentally hit each other with the equipment, run into or fallen over each other. Bumps, bruises, skinned knees and elbows are commonplace. Bee stings and poison ivy are sometimes unexpected hazards in the playing area. I work very hard to minimize hazards to players. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated. Please point out any areas of concern before the party so I can cordon off areas unsafe for game play.

Will the lasers hurt the players eyes?
No. My guns do not actually shoot laser beams at the players. Infra-red beams like the beams that are used in television remote controls are emitted by the guns. L.E.D. Tag or flashlight tag would actually be a more accurate names for the game but marketing people decided to give the game a more exciting name.

 

Is laser tag appropriate for my daughter?
ABSOLUTELY YES! My very first party in 2003 was for a ten year old girl. She and her girlfriends had a blast, just as every ladies' party since.

Can you accommodate players with special needs?
Yes, I encourage anyone play to the best of their ability and try to use any parental suggestions.

We have a younger child as well. Can they play?
Younger siblings are always welcome to play. The guns weigh 4.5 pounds and can be difficult for them to handle. Younger children also have more difficulty understanding the team play concept. My policy of starting players at eight years old is mainly meant to insure a good time for all the party goers and to avoid a party of 20 five year olds. Any one for herding cats?

Do you have adult parties?
Of course! I occasionally have corporate events and adult parties. I had a fifty plus year old woman's party in a Fairfax county park. The crowd of men that ringed the hillside watching this party was almost as much fun to watch as the ladies battling it out in the valley. Adult couples parties are fun but be prepared, almost every time the favorite game played is husbands versus wives.

How far do you travel?
My main service area is the Washington DC metro area but I will go almost anywhere. I did a forty year old husband's surprise party on Long Island , New York in the Summer of 2007 and his son's birthday party in 2008 . I worked a graduation party for Chapel Hill North Carolina high schools at the UNC student union in June 2006, 2007 and 2008. I have even done two parties at my son's college in Lima, Ohio. Long distance parties take more planning and are generally scheduled on weekdays, if possible, as they can interfere with my local clients.

How do you figure long distance travel fees?
Typically all parties within one hour of Falls Church, Virginia are considered local parties. I use mapquest.com directions to calculate our travel times. My nine digit zip code is 22042-1018. Enter your address and my zip code to determine the travel time to your home. I generally charge $50 for each hour after the first hour of travel time. This only a general guide, specifics can alter this. Ask for a quote.

Do you charge a reservation fee?
I do not charge my private birthday parties, church youth events or school based events a reservation fee. My clients have been wonderful to-date. I do ask if your plans change, please give me as much notice as possible so that I can attempt to reassign the time to another family. I understand that life sometimes can get in the way of our plans.

How do we pay you?
I accept cash and checks as payment at the time of the party. I have chosen to not deal with credit card companies and my fees are low enough to not create a hardship. I strongly prefer cash as this policy eliminated bad checks in the second half of 2008. I had only one bad check in all of 2009 since stating a cash payment preference. I really do appreciate the extra effort that remembering to stop by the ATM causes and I thank you in advance.