CINCINNATI — 80s and 90s babies rejoice! A Discovery Zone is opening in Ohio, so prepare yourself for a rush of nostalgia.
The original Discovery Zone was a chain of entertainment spaces featuring games, indoor mazes, roller slides, climbing structures and of course, ball pits galore.
Discovery Zone was a hot spot for children’s parties in the 90s before the company was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. The chain sold some of its locations to the owner of entertainment competitor Chuck E. Cheese three years later. By the end of 2001, the remaining Discovery Zone locations were closed.
Although Discovery Zone suffered a tragic downfall that left Millennials, and even some Gen Z-ers, with nothing but memories of the fun experiences had at the indoor playground, restored hope has been presented to those in the newest generation.
A brand new Discovery Zone is expected to open in Cincinnati on Feb. 7.
Located inside of EastGate Mall, the new Discovery Zone is like a blast from the past, with games, indoor mazes and plenty of climbing features. There are party rooms available for birthday parties, just like the good old days.
At first glance it does not appear the new Discovery Zone has the legendary, but dangerous, roller slide that many 80s and 90s babies lost some hair to and crushed their fingers in too many times to count. Foam pits appear to have taken the place of ball pits—another major difference from the Discovery Zone of the past.
News 5 reached out to the indoor playground to see if there was any actual connection, other than the name, between the new entertainment zone and the Discovery Zone from the 90s. We are waiting to hear back.
It’s around a three-and-a-half-hour drive to get from Cleveland to the new Discovery Zone, but for a trip down memory lane with the next generation in tow, it might be worth it.
EastGate Mall in Cincinnati is located at 4601 Eastgate Boulevard.
For more information and updates on the opening of the new Discovery Zone, click here.
