Bushra Griffith
Chuck E. Cheese, the American entertainment restaurant chain, has long been known for its animatronic bands, which have been a fixture of the kids' play place since its founding in 1977. However, in recent years, the company has been phasing out these animatronics in favour of more modern attractions. As of November 2024, only a handful of locations reportedly still have the animatronic shows, and that number is expected to decline further. So, how can you get your hands on one of these iconic animatronics?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Chuck E. Cheese restaurants | Nearly 600 |
| Number of US locations | More than 400 |
| Number of remaining animatronic bands | 30 |
| Last location of an animatronic band | Northridge, Los Angeles |
| Members of the animatronic band | Chuck E. Cheese, Helen Henny, Mr. Munch, Jasper Jowels, and Pasqually |
| Year of founding | 1977 |
| Year of phasing out animatronics | 2024 |
| Locations that still have animatronics | St. Louis, North Edmonton, Kansas City |
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What You'll Learn
History of Chuck E. Cheese's animatronics
Chuck E. Cheese, an American entertainment restaurant chain, was founded in May 1977 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Each location features arcade games, amusement rides, musical shows, and pizza and other food items. Former mainstays included ball pits, crawl tubes, and animatronic shows. The animatronic shows featured a band of singing animals, with a rat named Charles "Entertainment" Cheese as the frontman. Nolan Bushnell, Atari cofounder, established the Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatre in 1977. Patrons waiting for pizza could play video games and watch the animatronics band.
In 2017, the company piloted a new design concept at seven remodelled locations, branded as Chuck E. Cheese Pizzeria & Games, with upscale decor, an open kitchen, and a Play Pass card system to replace arcade tokens. Notably, the animatronic stage show was replaced by a dance floor area. In 2019, the corporation announced it would go public on the New York Stock Exchange, and it was reported that Chuck E. Cheese would no longer feature animatronics as part of its entertainment offering. This decision sparked disappointment among longtime fans, who voiced their displeasure and even prompted the brand to reconsider its initial plan to retire animatronics at all but two locations.
As of 2023, the company is remodelling its over 400 U.S. locations, and the remaining animatronic bands are being phased out in favour of interactive dance floors and large screens featuring Chuck E. By the end of 2024, almost every location is expected to retire its iconic animatronics. The Northridge outpost of Chuck E. Cheese in Los Angeles will be the last location to feature a full animatronic band, preserving a piece of entertainment history.
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Locations with animatronics
Chuck E. Cheese, an American entertainment restaurant chain, was founded in May 1977. Each location features arcade games, amusement rides, and musical shows in addition to serving pizza and other food items. The company has been remodelling its locations, and the last 30 or so remaining animatronic bands are being replaced with interactive dance floors and large screens.
As of May 2025, there are a total of six "Legacy Locations" in operation that retain their animatronic shows and other memorabilia from the company's history after getting the 2.0 remodel. These locations are:
- Northridge, CA
- Nanuet, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Hicksville, NY
- Springfield, IL
- Ontario, Canada
In addition to the Legacy Locations, there are a few other Chuck E. Cheese locations that have been reported to still have animatronics as of 2023, including:
- North Edmonton, Canada
- South Edmonton, Canada
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Novi, MI
- Toronto, Willowdale Ontario
It is important to note that the presence of animatronics at these locations may change over time as Chuck E. Cheese continues to remodel its locations.
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Public opinion on the removal of animatronics
Many customers, particularly adults who grew up with the animatronics, have expressed sadness and disappointment over the decision to remove the animatronics. Some have shared nostalgic memories of their childhood visits to Chuck E. Cheese and the excitement they felt when watching the animatronic band perform. They believe that the removal of the animatronics takes away a unique aspect of the Chuck E. Cheese experience and that families will miss out on a tradition that has been passed down through generations. There is a sense of losing a piece of their childhood, and some have even brought their children to Chuck E. Cheese specifically to share this experience with them. The robotic characters, with their double entendres, were not just for kids but also entertained the adults and their inner child.
However, others have welcomed the change, acknowledging that the animatronics may no longer be as captivating to today's children, who are used to modern stimuli and interactive experiences. The introduction of large screens, digital cards, and interactive dance floors has shifted the focus away from the animatronics, making them less prominent during visits. Some customers have noted that the animatronics are not as well-maintained or functional as they used to be, with technical issues affecting their performance. Additionally, Chuck E. Cheese has stated that the decision to remove the animatronics is part of their ongoing renovations and rebranding efforts, which include updated features and entertainment options for all ages. They have denied that the removal is related to the release of the horror movie "Five Nights at Freddy's," which features animatronic characters coming alive.
While the removal of the animatronics may be disappointing to some, it is important to consider the evolving preferences and expectations of modern audiences. Chuck E. Cheese, like any business, needs to adapt to stay relevant and appealing to new generations of customers. By phasing out the animatronics and introducing new features, they aim to create a fresh and engaging experience for both children and adults.
Overall, the removal of animatronics from Chuck E. Cheese has evoked a range of emotions among the public, with some mourning the loss of a beloved childhood icon while others embrace the change as a necessary step forward. As Chuck E. Cheese continues its renovations and celebrates its upcoming 50th anniversary in 2027, it will be interesting to see how the brand evolves while still honouring its nostalgic roots.
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Animatronics for sale
If you're looking to get your hands on some animatronics, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you can explore online retailers such as eBay, which offers a wide range of animatronics for sale, including pre-owned and vintage options. You can find various characters and themes on eBay, such as Halloween-themed animatronics like zombies, clowns, and ghosts, as well as rare plush animatronics and restoration packs for those looking to repair or build their own.
Another option is to turn to specialist retailers such as Spirit Halloween, which is well-known for its high-quality and creative Halloween animatronics. They offer a diverse range of options, from family-friendly to downright terrifying, ensuring that you can create the perfect ambiance for your haunted house or party. Spirit Halloween's animatronics are designed to be life-like and are constantly updated with new designs, ensuring that you'll be surprised each year.
Distortions Unlimited is another great option for those seeking animatronics. They offer a wide range of theme park animatronics and animated props that can be used for various attractions, mini-golf courses, water parks, and Halloween events. Their collection includes characters such as dragons, pirates, and talking trees, ensuring that you can find something unique and exciting.
Lastly, keep an eye out for auctions and equipment sales where animatronics might be up for grabs. For example, in 2018, a Chuck E. Cheese location in Aguascalientes auctioned off its equipment, which included retrofitted animatronics. Similar opportunities might arise, providing a chance to acquire animatronics for your personal collection or business needs.
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Animatronics in popular culture
Animatronics have been a part of popular culture for decades, with their roots tracing back to the Renaissance era when the first clockwork automated humanoid figures were crafted. However, the term "animatronics" was coined much later, in 1961, by Walt Disney, who pioneered the use of professional animatronics for entertainment and film. Disney's first foray into animatronics was in 1955 with Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride, followed by the Enchanted Tiki Room, which featured audio-animatronic singing parrots. In 1964, Disney unveiled the first fully audio-animatronic human, Abraham Lincoln, at the New York World's Fair. This marked a pivotal moment in the industry, as computers played a crucial role in creating this figure.
Animatronics gained further prominence in the film industry, with the 1964 movie Mary Poppins featuring an animatronic bird, marking the first use of animatronics in cinema. Directors like Steven Spielberg and Jim Henson embraced animatronics in their films, including Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park showcased a combination of computer-generated imagery and life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, highlighting the versatility of animatronics in filmmaking.
Beyond films, animatronics have found their way into television and theme parks. In the 1991 ABC sitcom Dinosaurs, animatronics played a crucial role in bringing the Sinclair family to life, with their expressive faces and groundbreaking full-body animatronic puppets. Theme parks, such as Disneyland, have long incorporated mechanical creatures into their rides and shows, blending storytelling and entertainment.
Animatronics have also left their mark on the restaurant industry, with Chuck E. Cheese debuting America's first animatronic band in 1977. The chain, founded by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, offered free entertainment alongside pizza and arcade games, captivating both children and parents. While Chuck E. Cheese is phasing out these animatronic bands, they remain nostalgic fixtures for many.
Animatronics have even made their way into homes, with the Furby toy craze in the late 1990s. These interactive toys, with their blinking eyes and moving beaks, responded to human interaction, captivating children and adults alike.
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Frequently asked questions
You cannot get a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic as they are not for sale. However, you can visit the Northridge, California location to see the last remaining animatronic band, Munch's Make Believe Band.
As of December 2023, about two dozen out of over 400 Chuck E. Cheese locations in the U.S. still have animatronics. However, by December 2024, only the Northridge location is expected to retain its animatronic band.
Chuck E. Cheese is replacing its animatronics with interactive dance floors and large screens featuring animated characters to appeal to a new digital generation.
The Chuck E. Cheese animatronics were slow-blinking, fuzzy robots that performed as a band. They were once a staple of the kid-focused pizza parlors and have been a fixture since the chain opened in 1977.
Disneyland has been using mechanical creatures in its rides and shows, and theme parks in the '80s and '90s also featured screen-based entertainment alongside animatronics. Additionally, animatronics have been used in Disney, Universal, and the former competitor of Chuck E. Cheese, Showbizz Pizza Place.
