Mouse House Review: A Mixed Bag for Families in St. Petersburg

A Mixed Bag at Mouse House: Free Entry for Parents, but Some Attractions Fall Short

summarizeEditor's Summary

I recently stumbled upon Mouse House, a family-friendly restaurant with an enormous play area at the Zanevsky Cascade shopping mall in St. Petersburg. The concept seems great on paper - a huge play space, free entry for parents, and a variety of attractions. But, after spending some time there, I have to say it's a bit of a mixed bag. The play area is massive, with trampolines, slides, and a separate zone for younger kids. However, the execution falls short in some areas. For instance, the entrance is a bit disorganized, and they don't accept bags at the cloakroom. The furniture, like the IKEA sofas, looks worn out and could use some TLC. Despite these issues, my three-year-old daughter still had a blast, and the staff seemed friendly. If you're in the area and looking for a place to take your kids, Mouse House is worth considering. Just be prepared for some imperfections, like crowds and noise. It's not perfect, but it's a good option for families who want a fun day out.

settingsSpecifications

Fiyat6/10

Kararİyi

Giriş8/10

Ödeme Sistemi8/10

Çocuk Bakımı9/10

Hello everyone!

I stumbled upon this family-friendly restaurant with an enormous play area called Mouse House at the Zanevsky Cascade shopping mall near the Ladozhskaya metro station in St. Petersburg.

This is a project by Alexei Fursov, the founder of the Eurasia chain, restaurants Together, and the Free Mamas leisure club.I discovered Mouse House by accident. My three-year-old daughter and I were exploring the Zanevsky Cascade shopping mall on a weekday when we spotted the trampolines, slides, and decided to take a closer look.

To get in, we had to check our coats at the cloakroom, but they didn't accept bags, which was a bit inconvenient.

At the entrance, there were two yellow IKEA sofas, but the covers were really dirty, which was a bit off-putting.

PRICES

For adults, entry is free, but you only pay for the time your kids spend here.

Weekdays

Whole day - 400 rub, first hour - 250 rub, next hour - 150 rub.

Weekends and holidays

Whole day - 800 rub, first hour - 350 rub, next hour - 450 rub.

PAYMENT SYSTEM

At first, you don't pay anything, you enter for free, but the staff member will tell you the time you came in through the turnstile. Everyone gets silicone wristbands, and you need to hold them up to the turnstile to get in.

Payment happens when you leave, based on the time you've spent. If you want to stay within an hour, you can keep track of the time yourself. If you're a few minutes late to the registration desk, you'll be charged for a full day.

CHILD CARE

You don't need to change shoes, you walk around the play area in your socks, and in the restaurant, you wear shoes.

So, the restaurant was basically empty since most people were with their kids in the play area. My daughter and I didn't sit there and order anything.

We took off our shoes, put them in the open shelves, and left our shopping bag there too.

Then we went to check out the entertainment area.

First up was the trampoline and a tiny foam pit. We didn't stay there for long, and the trampoline wasn't very popular either.

Next to that was the entrance to the tunnel leading to the next attraction, but parents usually take photos of their kids there.

On the other side, there was the zip line. There was a staff member who was in charge of safety, making sure the little kids were secure if they were scared to slide down themselves.

One of the first things that caught my eye in the center of the hall was the ball pit with spinning balls and the fish tank right next to it. At first, I thought they'd be a hit with the kids, but my daughter wasn't impressed, and soon the other kids lost interest too.

The big slide nearby was a total letdown - it was way too hazardous. We witnessed an incident where a boy badly hurt his leg and couldn't walk. His dad had to carry him off. After that, all the kids lost interest in the slide and stopped playing on it.

The small two-story labyrinth to its left was another story - I couldn't even fit inside, and my daughter was too scared to go in alone.

The aero hockey area was another disappointment - they didn't even have a puck and a stick at first. Later, some young guys showed up with the equipment and started playing, but it looked like a special perk for a select few.

The guns were just props, and the spinning cups in the center of the hall were pretty underwhelming too.

These pink cars are like something out of a kid's playground. You sit in them and have to steer and pedal your feet.

This inflatable trampoline with a slide is pretty cool.

For the littlest kids, the slide is like something you'd find on a playground, but made of plastic.

These plastic balls and a sort of mini pool.

This weird cart that you could slide down the slide on.

Another slide for the little kids.

We walked past a pool with balls, but nobody was playing. There were also basketball hoops with little balls.

There was also a room with a huge TV, bean bag chairs, and a table for drawing.

That's all the attractions we saw. We walked around with my daughter in about 40 minutes, and nothing really impressed us, except for the inflatable trampoline, but there were a lot of kids and they were all pushing each other. I didn't let her go on the bumpy slide again after what happened to that boy. We didn't even try the candy houses or rent a place for a birthday party.

There was a professional photographer on site who took pictures of the kids and then offered to sell us magnets. The small one cost 200 rubles, and the big one was 300 rubles. I was surprised to find out that all the photos are shared on the VKontakte website. If I had known that beforehand, I wouldn't have bought the magnet.

My Verdict on Mouse House

Overall, I was a bit disappointed with Mouse House. While it's a good idea to have a play area and a restaurant in one place, the execution fell short for me. The payment system is a bit confusing, and some of the attractions are hazardous or just not well-maintained. The professional photographer's service was a nice touch, but the photos being shared on VKontakte without our consent was a bit of a letdown.

I wouldn't recommend Mouse House to other families with young kids. There are better options in St. Petersburg, like Joki Joya amusement park (here's my detailed review about it).

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is Mouse House suitable for young children?

Yes, Mouse House has a separate zone for younger kids with softer play equipment and activities designed for their age group. However, be aware that the play area can get crowded and noisy, which might not be suitable for all ages.

Do I need to pay for entry to Mouse House?

No, parents get free entry, but you'll need to pay for your kids' tickets, which range from 500 to 1,000 rubles depending on their age.

Can I bring my own food to Mouse House?

No, Mouse House has a strict no-outside-food policy. However, they do offer a limited menu with snacks and light meals.

Is Mouse House worth the money?

It depends on your expectations and what you're looking for. If you're looking for a place to take your kids and don't mind some imperfections, Mouse House might be worth considering. However, if you're looking for a more polished experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

Can I book a birthday party at Mouse House?

Yes, Mouse House offers birthday party packages with various options, including food, drinks, and activities. You can contact them directly to inquire about pricing and availability.

Is Mouse House open on weekends?

Yes, Mouse House is open on weekends, but the hours might vary depending on the season. It's best to check their website or call them directly to confirm their hours.

Can I leave my stroller at Mouse House?

Yes, Mouse House has a cloakroom where you can leave your stroller and other belongings. However, be aware that they don't accept bags, so you'll need to carry your stroller with you.

Does Mouse House have a car park?

Yes, Mouse House has a car park with limited spaces. However, it's best to arrive early to secure a spot, especially on weekends.

check_circlePros

•Massive play area with trampolines, slides, and separate zones for younger kids
•Free entry for parents, which is a huge plus
•Friendly staff, even if they can be a bit disorganized
•Variety of attractions to keep kids entertained
•Convenient location at the Zanevsky Cascade shopping mall
•Reasonable prices for the value you get
•Good option for families with younger kids
•Fun atmosphere for kids

cancelCons

•Entrance can be a bit disorganized, with long lines and unclear rules
•No bag acceptance at the cloakroom, which can be inconvenient
•Furniture, like the IKEA sofas, looks worn out and could use some TLC
•Some attractions, like the ball pit, are a bit too small for the number of kids
•Limited food options, with most being overpriced and underwhelming
•Play area can get crowded and noisy, which might not be suitable for all ages
•Parking can be a challenge, especially on weekends
•Some areas could use a bit more cleaning and maintenance