Kamil Perry
Chuck E. Cheese's animatronic band, Munch's Make Believe Band, has been a beloved fixture of the pizza-and-arcade chain for years. However, the company had planned to phase out the animatronics at all locations by the end of 2024, replacing them with digital walls and dance floors. Following backlash from fans, Chuck E. Cheese decided to keep the bands at a few legacy locations. These legacy locations, also known as retro or hybrid locations, retain their animatronic shows and other memorabilia from the company's history despite receiving the 2.0 remodel. As of 2025, there are five legacy locations in the United States: Northridge, California; Nanuet, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Hicksville, New York; and Springfield, Illinois. These locations have become destinations for nostalgic parents and fans who cherish the memories of the animatronic shows.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Locations | 5 |
| Location 1 | Northridge, California |
| Location 2 | Nanuet, New York |
| Location 3 | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Location 4 | Hicksville, New York |
| Location 5 | Springfield, Illinois |
What You'll Learn
Locations with animatronics in 2024
As of 2024, Chuck E. Cheese has been planning to phase out its animatronic performances at most of its locations. However, there are still a few Legacy Locations that will continue to feature animatronics. These locations are known for retaining their animatronic shows and other memorabilia from the company's history, even after undergoing the 2.0 remodel. Here is a list of locations with animatronics as of 2024:
Northridge, California
The Northridge location is known for being one of the first Chuck E. Cheese venues and has become a global destination for fans of animatronics. The company announced that this location will be the permanent residency of Munch's Make-Believe Band. The location features a 2-Stage animatronic show, Phase 3 Hollywood and Wild West Shelves, and the PTT exterior sign frame with the 2.0 logo.
Nanuet, New York
Nanuet is the second Legacy Location and features a Studio C Beta animatronic. This location contains nostalgic elements such as Phase 3 & 4 wall art, Phase 3 Must C TV frames, and Phase 3 drive-in movie photos. Nanuet also hosts "Throwback Thursday Nights," featuring Avenger-era music videos and discounted menu items.
Hicksville, New York
Hicksville is the third Legacy Location and features a 1-Stage animatronic show. This location includes nostalgic elements such as the "Men in Black" parody picture and a mix of Phase 4 and 2.0 art.
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois, is the fourth Legacy Location and features a CU-1 Stage animatronic show. This location includes Phase 4 Art, such as kids' photos with Chuck E. and Warhol tribute pieces. Springfield also features Phase 4 Avenger exterior signage.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina, is the fifth and final Legacy Location, featuring a 3-Stage animatronic show. This location also has a Pizza Time Theatre/ShowBiz Pizza Time/CEC Entertainment memorabilia exhibit adjacent to the showroom. The exhibit includes PTT guest star posters, Phase 3 art, Phase 4 art, and an Avenger exterior sign.
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Locations with animatronics in 2025
As of 2025, there are only a handful of Chuck E. Cheese locations left that still have animatronics. This is due to the company's decision to phase out the animatronics and replace them with digital walls and dance floors. The COVID-19 pandemic and the company's financial struggles also contributed to this decision.
Northridge, California
The Northridge location is one of the first Chuck E. Cheese venues and holds a special place in the hearts of fans. It is known for its 2-Stage animatronic show and other nostalgic elements, including Phase 3 Hollywood and Wild West Shelves, and the PTT exterior sign frame. The location also offers exclusive items in the redemption area.
Nanuet, New York
The Nanuet location is the second "Legacy Location" or "Retro Location", known for retaining its animatronics and other memorabilia. In addition to the Studio C Beta animatronic, the location features Phase 3 and 4 wall art, Must C TV frames, a Phase 3 drive-in movie photo, and a Phase 3 Elvis photo. Nanuet also hosts "Throwback Thursday Nights", with Avenger-era music videos and discounted menu items.
Hicksville, New York
The Hicksville location is the fourth "Legacy Location" to reopen, featuring a 1-Stage animatronic show and other nostalgic elements such as the "Men in Black" parody picture and Phase 4 art mixed with 2.0 Art.
Springfield, Illinois
The Springfield location is the third "Legacy Location" to reopen, featuring an hour-long non-stop CEC song playlist performed by the animatronics. This location also includes Phase 4 Art, including Kids with Chuck E. photos, Warhol tribute pieces, and Phase 4 Avenger exterior signage.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The Charlotte location, also known as the Pineville location, is the fifth and final "Legacy Location" to reopen. It features a 3-Stage animatronic show and a Pizza Time Theatre/ShowBiz Pizza Time/CEC Entertainment memorabilia exhibit adjacent to the showroom. The exhibit includes PTT guest star posters, Phase 3 and 4 art, an Avenger exterior sign, and a "Tokens Over Time" collection.
In addition to these five official "Legacy Locations", there are a few other Chuck E. Cheese locations that may still have functioning animatronics or are in the process of transitioning away from them. These include locations in Tallahassee, FL; Firestone, Norwalk, and Huntington Beach, CA; Decatur, AL; Fayetteville, AR; St. Cloud and Maple Grove, MN; Muncie, IN; and Billings, MT. However, it is important to note that the presence of animatronics in these locations may change over time, and they may not be permanent like the "Legacy Locations".
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Locations with full-stage bands
As of December 2024, there are only a handful of Chuck E. Cheese locations that still have full-stage bands as part of their animatronics setup. These locations are:
Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville will be home to an exclusive collection of Chuck E. Cheese memorabilia. The animatronic band here is part of the CU 1-stage character format, with the band named 'Chuck E.'s Make Believe Band' instead of the namesake 'Munch's Make Believe Band'.
Hicksville, New York
Hicksville is one of the few locations that will retain the full animatronic band, including Chuck E. as the frontman, Jasper T. Jowls as the guitarist, Helen Henny as a vocalist, Pasqually as the drummer, and Mr. Munch on the keyboard.
Springfield, Illinois
The Springfield location will continue to showcase the full animatronic band on stage. This is the last animatronic Chuck E. Cheese band in the state of Illinois.
Northridge, California
The Northridge location will also retain the full band, with the animatronics tucked behind a curtain when they are not performing. This location is expected to be the last remaining stronghold of the Chuck E. Cheese animatronics in the United States by the end of 2024.
Nanuet, New York
The Nanuet location will only feature an animatronic Chuck E. Cheese character and not the full band.
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Locations with solo Chuck E. Cheese animatronics
Chuck E. Cheese has been phasing out its animatronic characters, with plans to remove them from all of its locations by the end of 2024. However, some locations are keeping their animatronics, either as solo Chuck E. Cheese figures or as the full Munch's Make Believe Band.
Everett, Massachusetts
This location features a solo animatronic Chuck E. Cheese figure. The store was renovated in spring 2024 to include trampolines but has retained its animatronic figure. Staff members at this location are unsure if or when the animatronic will be removed.
Methuen, Massachusetts
Methuen was home to a solo Chuck E. Cheese animatronic until July 8, 2024, when the space was renovated and the figure was replaced with a full-sized video wall.
Nanuet, New York
The Nanuet location is a retro store that features a solo Chuck E. Cheese animatronic. It is one of the five "legacy locations" that have retained their animatronic shows and other memorabilia from the company's history after receiving the 2.0 remodel. Nanuet celebrated its grand reopening as a legacy location on July 18, 2024, with discounted menu items and performances by the animatronic figure.
North Edmonton, Canada
The North Edmonton location has one animatronic that randomly moves around. It is unclear if this location still has its animatronic figure, as it was reported to be undergoing renovations in 2022.
Other Locations
Other Chuck E. Cheese locations that have been reported to have solo Chuck E. Cheese animatronics include those in Decatur, Alabama; Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; and Norwalk, California. However, the Norwalk location was later reported to no longer have animatronics as of 2023. Additionally, a comment from 2023 mentions that the North Edmonton location still has one animatronic figure.
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Locations with animatronics outside the US
Chuck E. Cheese's animatronics have become a thing of the past, with the company phasing them out in favour of screens and interactive dance floors. However, some locations still have them, and a few stores will retain the animatronics indefinitely due to public demand.
Outside the US, there are a few Chuck E. Cheese locations with animatronics:
Canada
Willowdale, Ontario: This location features a 2-Stage animatronic setup with Chuck's Rockstar jeans and a unique Munch mask.
Unknown Location
One comment mentions that the "North Edmonton" location has an animatronic that randomly moves now and then. It is unclear if this location is in the US or Canada.
It is important to note that the information on specific locations with animatronics may change over time, as the company continues to remodel and update its stores. The presence of animatronics in the above-mentioned locations may no longer be accurate by the time you read this response.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of 2025, there are five "Legacy Locations" in the US that still have animatronics: Northridge, CA; Nanuet, NY; Charlotte, NC; Hicksville, NY; and Springfield, IL.
The animatronics are operational to an extent, with limited motions like moving side-to-side, opening their eyes, and moving their mouths to music. They no longer speak or sing as those functions have been removed.
The animatronics are being replaced with digital walls and dance floors as the company modernizes its locations. Additionally, animatronic parts are becoming harder to find, and newer generations find them scary rather than entertaining.
