Funtime Pizza pony ride in Hackensack NJ

[cocacolafreshgirl]

that looks like fun!:)

[heine71]

You're never too old to ride an arcade horse like this!

[cyborgLIS]

...

I loved the arcades first and foremost, even though they didn't really keep up with all the newer games. I remember when you had your party there they would give you a practically infinite load of tokens. Final Fight, Ninja Turtles, P.O.W., and some wrestling game were my favorites. It was also the only arcade I ever saw with a copy of Street Fighter 1, though they desperately needed the newer ones.

Interesting, I don't remember it being called Showbiz Pizza Place.

[ilovehorseyrides]

The place in North Hackensack NJ was only Showbiz Pizza Place the first year it was opened, after that Showbiz merged with Chuck E. Cheese's but this location didn't want to continue as a franchise so they spun themselves off and changed their name to Funtime Pizza Circus.

[cyborgLIS]

Ah, nice piece of NJ history. Thanks for uploading and posting.

[mnetwork]

I had one of my birthdays at this place when I was in 1st grade. Good times...

[wtcvidman]

@ilovehorseyrides

I remember that. This is the one I went to a few times. I remember the ball crawl & playing arcade games like Galaga, Pole Position, Double Dribble, some of the Pac-Man games, Hang-On, and many others. It was a shame they closed the place. I think it used to be where the Friday's is now.

[cyborgLIS]

I used to have all my birthday parties at Fun Time Pizza as a kid. The animatronic animal band was a little creepy. The cake and pizza were great...

[ammalato]

I remember many a birthday party at the Hackensack Shiowbiz as a kid. I, like all kids, was fascinated by the band. At one point I was curious what was up the mouse cheerleader's skirt, so I looked and was upset to see some valves and springs. I then started screwing around with Billy Bob the bear until he came alive and said "DON"T DO THAT" which scared the hell out of me. I also remember the little one seater ferris wheel.

[10Tuxedo]

It is a Brazilian BBQ place now...

[wtcvidman]

@10Tuxedo

The Rodizio? Really? I thought it was where the Friday's is now located. Then again, I think the Friday's may have been a Ground Round before.

[10Tuxedo]

@wtcvidman The Ground Round was by The Coach House diner, it is now a Hooters/Firewaters

[wtcvidman]

@10Tuxedo

The Hooters on Route 4. I remember that now. I used to think it was where the Bennigan's was, but I think I remember both Ground Round & Bennigan's around together. The food at Hooters is bad & the girls there are probably not even 18, so I don't really care. The Ground Round had good food, but it took a while to get done. I'd like to see them come back. There was also one in Nanuet, NY by the White Castle on Route 59 but that one's gone too. I know Bangor, ME had one a few years ago.

[WaffleTron]

I'm curious if you have any other videos from that Showbiz that aren't you riding a pony. That's the Showbiz I used to go to as a kid and just seeing other areas would make me so happy. The Billy Bob Ferris Wheel at the end of your other video made my day. Thanks.

[ilovehorseyrides]

Gee I'm sorry but I don't. I did find another video clip of the outside of the restaurant after it closed for good at the end of August 1995. I think the only other actual souvenier I do have of the place is the Rock-A-Fire's LP record "Gee Our First Album!"

[ilovehorseyrides]

A few months after taping my pony rides at that Showbiz/Funtime, I actually joined the cast over at Chuck E. Cheese's on Route 22 in Union, where I did nothing but run around in the mouse costume all day long. I lasted there for 9 years until the franchise was bought out in late 2003 by the parent CEC company which then let go all the long-timers and hired all new crew. That was a sad day for me.