WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY GUESTS I WILL HAVE
BECAUSE MY GUESTS ARE NOT RSVPING?
We don’t need an exact count before the party starts, but an
estimated count is needed. This will help us make sure there are
enough supplies for everyone in your group. If you order goody
bags we will need a final count for those at least 2 days prior.
IS PARKING INCLUDED IN THE PARTY PRICE?
QUESTIONS ABOUT
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
PARTY PLANNING
WHAT HOURS ARE AVAILIABLE FOR MY CHILD’S BIRTHDAY PARTY?
Basic Parties are offered on Saturdays and Sundays only. Party
times are: Saturdays 10:00-11:30am, 12:30-2:00pm, 3:00-4:30pm
and Sundays 1:00-2:30pm, 3:30-5:00pm
Ultimate Parties can be held any day of the week in the evening
and on Sunday mornings. Party times are: Monday-Friday 5:307:30pm | Saturday 6:30-8:30pm | Sunday 10:30am-12:30pm
WHERE DO PARTIES TAKE PLACE?
Basic parties take place in either our Imagination or Saunders
Foundation classrooms on Level 3. Parties with a View take place
in a third of our Event Hall and include access to our Park Terrace.
Ultimate Parties are held on Level 1, but you have access to all
Museum exhibits.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY PARTY?
Birthday parties must be booked a minimum of 14 days in
advance. We cannot guarantee party availability if you request a
party within 14 days of your desired date.
The Museum does not have private or dedicated parking. All
parking with access to the Museum is managed by the City of
Tampa. The closest parking garage is the Poe Garage, located
adjacent to the Museum for $1.20 per hour. Please contact our
reservation team at 813 443 3821 for information about paying for
your group’s parking in advance if you wish to do so.
IS MUSEUM ADMISSION FOR MY GUESTS INCLUDED?
Yes. Every party guest has admission to the Museum on the
day of the party. If your party is later in the day, your guests
can arrive early and play before the party. Just ask guests to
check in at Visitor Services upon arrival and return to the lobby
approximately 10 minutes before your party starts to be escorted
to the party room.
CAN I HOST A PARTY FOR TWO CHILDREN?
Yes. There is no additional charge for an additional birthday
child. However, the total guest count does not increase with an
additional child.
CAN I TOUR THE BIRTHDAY SPACES?
Please call our reservation team to schedule a guided tour of
the birthday party rooms and spaces. The rooms and spaces are
frequently used for educational programs and special activities, so
in order for us to guarantee a tour please schedule at least 24 hrs
in advance. Birthday tours are not available on the weekends.
WHAT IF I BOOK A PARTY AND THE NUMBER OF
GUESTS EXCEEDS THE SPACE’S CAPACITY?
Due to safety regulations, party spaces cannot exceed maximum
capacity. If you have more RSVP’s that your party space allows,
please upgrade your party to accomodate your guest count.
DO I HAVE TO PAY WHEN I BOOK?
You will be required to pay 40% of your total party cost at the
time of booking. This payment is 100% refundable if you cancel
up to 21 days prior to your party date. Cancellations made 14-20
days prior to your party date receive a 75% refund, and 7-13 days
prior receive 50% refund. There is no refund 1-7 days prior. If you
would like to reschedule the date of your party we will do our best
to accommodate but we cannot guarantee availability. Credit card
information will be kept on file until birthday is paid in full.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY PARTY?
We understand emergencies, illness and other issues can
sometimes interfere with party plans. If you need to reschedule
your party, rather than cancel it, please contact our reservation
team. For more information or to make changes to your party,
please call 813 443 3821, Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, or email
[email protected].
I AM A MUSEUM MEMBER. DO I GET A DISCOUNT?
Premium and Deluxe members receive a 15% discount on
party location and theme. Discounts do not apply to any
extras, add-ons, or food.
WHAT IF MY GUESTS ARE MUSEUM MEMBERS?
All party guests (both children and adults) are included in the
total number of guests except children ages 0-12 months who are
free. Museum members are not exempt from the total of birthday
party guests.
HOW MANY GUESTS CAN I INVITE TO MY PARTY?
Basic Parties include 15 guests plus the birthday family of 5,
totaling 20 guests. Members receive 10 additional guests, bringing
the Basic Party total to 30. An Ultimate Party includes 45
guests plus the birthday family of 5, bringing the total to 50. All
additional guests are $12 each. Maximum guests allowed per party
space include: 40 in a Basic, 50 in a Party with a View, and 75 in
an Ultimate Party.
CAN I INVITE MORE THAN 75 GUESTS?
We happily welcome large birthday parties at the museum as
special private events. If you are looking for a party for 75+,
please contact our Administrative Coordinator at 813 443 3822.
THE PARTY
HOW EARLY CAN WE ARRIVE?
Your reservation includes 15 minutes of set up time prior to your
party. Because our birthday buddies have limited time to clean up
and reset, you may not arrive any earlier to your party room.
WHAT IF I ARRIVE LATE?
If you are running late, please inform our reservation team so
we can tell your birthday buddy. Because other parties may be
booked, we cannot extend your time if you are late.
CAN I BRING MY OWN DECORATIONS?
The Museum provides decorations based on the theme and
colors chosen, but you are welcome to bring your own materials.
Materials can be dropped off with Visitor Services a day in
advance, however, your room cannot be decorated until 15
minutes prior to your party with no exceptions. If you wish to
decorate your room with the assistance of your birthday buddy,
please arrive on time to take advantage of the 15 minutes.
CAN I BRING IN BALLOONS OR A PIÑATA?
Yes. Balloons must have weights attached. You can also purchase
standard helium balloons from the Museum at $25 for 15. Piñatas
must be pull-string style and may not contain confetti nor can
they be suspended from the ceiling.
CAN I BRING MUSIC TO PLAY AT THE PARTY?
Yes. We have an auxiliary cord to connect your phone or iPod into
our computers or stereo system. We can also play CD’s if you wish
to bring one from home. The Museum provides fun and fitting
party music for each theme, should you wish to leave it to us.
DOES THE MUSEUM SUPPLY PAPER GOODS AND UTENSILS?
The Museum supplies 7” dessert plates and beverage napkins in
basic solid colors. We also provide forks and clear 7oz. plastic
cups. Other items supplied include plastic tablecloths and basic
decorations. Cake cutters and candles are not provided.
CAN I BRING A PHOTOGRAPHER OR VIDEOGRAPHER?
Yes. The photographer will need to check with Visitor Services
when they arrive. The photographer may only photograph your
party guests, not other Museum patrons.
CAN PARENTS DROP THEIR KIDS OFF FOR MY PARTY?
Yes. An adult from your group will need to greet all guests in
the lobby and escort them to the party room. The Museum does
not facilitate the pick-up of guests so an adult from your group
will need to arrange for a suitable pick-up location and wait with
children until all are picked up.
If your group intends to visit the Museum after your party, please
note we require a minimum of one adult per 10 children and
children must stay with an adult chaperone at all times. Birthday
buddies are not responsible for chaperoning party guests outside
of the party room.
CAN PARENTS DROP A CHILD OFF AT A PARTY AND VISIT THE
MUSEUM WITH A SIBLING AS THE PARTY IS GOING ON?
Yes. Parents may visit the Museum with other children at their
own cost or with their membership while another sibling joins a
party. However, please note that the same rules apply: Parents
may not enter the Museum without children during a party, as all
adults are required to be accompanied by a child for admission.
BIRTHDAY BUDDY
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BIRTHDAY BUDDY?
Every party has a birthday buddy to keep you supplied with
drinks and paper products, help with cake, and facilitate the set
up and clean up. The buddy will help keep your party on schedule,
and will prepare the group to go into the Museum at the end of
the party. They will also collect all presents, leftover cake, and any
supplies you brought and store them on a cart behind the scenes
until your family is ready to leave the Museum.
WHO IS MY BIRTHDAY BUDDY?
Birthday buddies are members of our education program team
and have duties outside of birthday parties. Because of this,
buddies are assigned during the week prior to a party, so it is
unlikely that you will know who your buddy is in advance. You
can always request a specific buddy and we will do our best to
accommodate.
CAN I SPEAK TO MY BIRTHDAY BUDDY IN PARTY ADVANCE?
Because our buddies are not assigned to parties in advance, it
is better to talk to the reservation team about special concerns
or requests. The reservation team prepares a full report of
requests and instructions for each party, and these are given to
the birthday buddies the morning of the party. While the party is
happening, please feel free to mention any specific requests such
as games to your buddy, and he or she will be happy to help!
CAN I SIT BACK AND LET THE BIRTHDAY BUDDY RUN THE SHOW?
The Glazer Children’s Museum is designed to facilitate family
interaction and play. While your buddy might seem to be running
the show, please remember that we will always defer to a parent
for behavior correction, timing, etc. Additionally, with very young
children, we will often ask for parents to help with crafts and
games. We want you to have a fun and relaxing party, too!
HOW LONG WILL THE ACTIVITIES LAST?
Our motto for parties is to over prepare and follow the kids’ lead.
For example, if a group is perfectly content spending 30 minutes
or more doing one craft, we may allow them to keep going.
Likewise, if a group needs a change of activity every 10 minutes,
we’ll accommodate. Generally we allow 30 minutes of your party
time for food and cake, and another 10-15 for social time at the
beginning and end of the party. Please let your buddy know at the
start of the party if you plan to open presents at the party, as that
takes time as well.
CAN I TIP MY BIRTHDAY BUDDY?
No. The birthday buddy staff are not allowed to accept cash tips,
however, if you and your guests have a wonderful experience with
a birthday buddy please leave your comments and feedback on
the birthday survey you will receive at guest check out. You could
also consider making a donation to the Museum.
CHECKOUT PROCEDURES
Please report to Visitor Services no later than 15 minutes prior to
Museum closing time. Since all party guests will have signed in
with Visitor Services upon arrival, we will review your guest count
to determine if changes need to be made to your bill. You will also
receive a survey at this time. A Museum staff member will assist
you with your belongings to your vehicle. Payment is to be made
with a credit card or cash. We do not accept personal checks.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
WHEN MUST MY FOOD ORDER BE PLACED?
Food orders must be placed no later than Monday at 5pm the
week of the party. Any food orders received after that time are
not guaranteed. Please contact the reservation team at 813 443
3821 for a menu and more details.
WHAT IF MY GUESTS HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES AND I WANT TO
BRING MY OWN FOOD?
With the exception of your birthday cake, no food or beverages
may be brought into the Museum. You may contact our
reservation team to discuss special requests.
IS TIME SPENT EATING INCLUDED IN MY PARTY TIME?
Yes. Your birthday buddy will allow at least 30 minutes for food
and cake during your party.
CAN I BRING ICE CREAM?
No. The Museum does not allow ice cream or ice cream cakes.
CAN I ORDER MORE FOOD WHILE MY PARTY IS TAKING PLACE?
Yes. Limited menu items can be prepared the day of your party.
Please ask your birthday buddy for the available options and if
there is time to accommodate your request. All additional orders
will be added to the total bill upon check-out.
CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE BEVERAGES INCLUDED IN THE PARTY?
The birthday party packages include lemonade and ice water
which will be available at your party. Additional selections are
available for purchase by the pitcher (64 oz) as listed on the
birthday party food menu.
IF MY GUESTS DON’T EAT THE FOOD, DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY?
For any unopened products such as chips or bottled drinks, we
can take the charge off of your bill. Prepared food such as subs,
pizza, and chicken fingers cannot be returned but will be packed
up in to-go boxes for you to take home at the end of your party.
PARTY EXTRAS FOR PURCHASE
The Museum has the following items available to make your party
even more fun! The party extras must be booked at least 2 weeks
in advance. Please note, all additions to a party are subject to
Hillsborough County sales tax of 7%.
FACE PAINTING $50 for 1 hour. A trained staff member will paint
faces for anyone in the party.
BALLOON TWISTING $50 for 1 hour. A trained staff member will
create swords, puppies, flowers, and more for your guests.
BALLOONS FOR DECORATION $25 for 15 helium balloons. Choose 3
colors. These balloons are yours to take when the party is done.
GOODY BAGS $6 per bag. Our goody bags are gender neutral and
contain 4-5 small toys. Note, we do not include candy or stickers.
110 W GASPARILLA PLAZA,
TAMPA FLORIDA 33602
Conveniently located in
the heart of Downtown
Tampa, minutes from the
Tampa International Airport,
Port Tampa Bay, and the
Ybor City Historic District.
813 443 FUN1
G L A Z E R M U S E U M .O RG