Gymboree Play & Music

Yeah for Mamapedia! I had been hesitant to try Gymboree because of cost and commitment so Mamapedia gave me the window I was looking for with their deal.
We signed up for an hour music class and it was cool to see my kid finally «get it.» She sat down and actually paid attention. They played lots of different instruments, sang a lot of the same songs from week to week so the kids got the know them, and gave them all special attention. I will say, this class size was super small. In the month we were going, the largest the class ever got was 3 kiddos. The instructor, Andi, was very attentive, energetic, and enthusiastic without being too over the top.
On top of the the class, we were able to do the open gym time. We went to the two hour window on Thursday mornings. It was pretty great. They have things to climb, small slides, different size balls, tunnels, hoops, and all indoors with sweet, sweet A/​C. I felt that it never got too crowded, everything was cleaned and fun was had by all.
I found the people that work there are super nice and seem to really like their jobs. They always have smiles on their faces, are happy to see the kids, and are accommodating.
So some things that are not so awesome:
–A month is about 3.5 weeks in their eyes. My deal was for a month of Gymboree with unlimited open gym time. They signed me up for 4 weeks of classes. At the end of the fourth class, I asked about the open gym later that week and they said my month was up with my last class. That equals 3.5 weeks, not a month. I protested and they accommodated, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. However, with the way the billing is set up for the ongoing students, I don’t think this would be a problem.
–No one answers the phone. They say on the voicemail someone will respond to you promptly. Promptly to them is 48 hours. I put off going in one week because I didn’t read the deal until the morning I wanted to go and it said you needed to call first. No one answered or got back to me for about 48 hours. Also, my first time there, my GPS had me driving in circles. I know they can’t be blamed for my screwy GPS, but they can be faulted for not answering the phone when they know a new customer is coming in, is lost lost and is trying to find them.
–Facility is a bit run down. The toys and equipment the kids use is fine, just the facility itself is a bit run down. They need a service guy to go in and fix it up a bit. The toilet runs, bathroom sink leaks, there’s at least one hole in the wall, paint is chipped, one poster has fallen off the wall and been tucked away while the screws to hold it in place are still there and there is paint on the walls where kids have hung or «missed» their art projects.
Overall, with the open gym time included in the regular price, I really feel that it is definitely worth the money to have a membership. My kid and I had a really great time.

Thanks to mamapedia and groupon I have had the pleasure of getting to partake in the classes and open gym at Gymboree, otherwise this little people’s place is a bit out of price range for our normal outings.
The classes are fun and the teachers are engaging, but the real gem here is the open gym time. BIG fan. When it is so hot in Austin that you can’t step outside without getting a wretched sunburn, Gymboree provides a place to get your kiddo some activity with other kids in AC. Oh yes. AC is delicious when it is 115 degrees outside. Another plus? It’s not an inflatable place — all the equipment is high quality wood and cleaned regularly. And don’t get me started on their bubbles. I couldn’t resist buying them and I show them to MY friends. Amazing. I will be sad when my mamapedia month deal is up, but that won’t stop me from asking for gift certificates here for the little man’s birthday.

My friends organized a birthday party for their daughter at this location.
My son went to this Gymboree location for regular Gym play and learn classes too. This location also provided sports class which is not provided by other Gymboree location.
The party lasted 2 hours. The first hour is the regular class content. The second hour is food and cake time.