With its combination of friction-free motion and wholesome fun, roller skating quickly replaced ditch-digging and dancing frenetically to "Shipoopi" as America's favorite first-date activity. Rediscover the appeal of the wheels with today's Groupon: for $12, you get admission (up to a $10 value each) and skate rental (up to $4 each) for two with two large sodas ($3 each) at USA Skateland Chandler, USA Skateland Mesa, or USA's The Great Skate Glendale (up to a $34 total value).
Bastions of junior-high social hierarchy, Skateland and The Great Skate create future memories of first skates, crushes, and accidentally skating into crushes at each of its jubilantly styled facilities. Pair up with your latest BFF and roll to Skateland Chandler, where families and groups of ebullient penguins skate against a backdrop of beach-themed walls, all soaked in airily swirled clouds and sandy shorelines. Skateland Mesa's expansive rink is whitewashed, offset by colorful murals, cellophane ceiling streamers, and the lost spirit of disco. Those looking to skate into the night at The Great Skate Glendale will rock the floor further amid bright streams of geometric lights and rotating mirror balls.
As groups work the rink in packs, nonmobile fun-seekers gravitate to the arcade, tossing balls up Skee-Ball ramps or watching hot dogs rotate on metal spindles in the concession area. Between chugging cola and comparing colors of rubber bands on their braces, teenagers plot their course of action for the next couples-only skate, guided by the edible inspirations of pepperoni pizzas and a fully stocked candy counter. Check open-skating schedules for Chandler, Mesa, and Glendale in advance to get the most from your Groupon.
Reviews
Three Yelpers give USA Skateland Chandler an average rating of four stars. Eight Yelpers give USA’s The Great Skate Glendale an average rating of 3.5 stars, and four Insider Pagers give the Mesa location an average rating of four stars.
- Whether your kiddo is just a beginner or an advanced skater, Skateland Chandler definitely offers something for everyone. – Calie W., Yelp, Chandler location, 8/12/2009
- Any place that will allow me to show up and roller skate while wearing a gold jumpsuit/skirt combo is a place for me. Just don't tell my behind that we are going to go back. – Amber W., Yelp, Glendale location, 6/16/2009
Skateland & Great Skate Glendale
Each Skateland & Great Skate location maintains an arsenal of tools for family fun: rows and rows of orange wheeled roller-skates, breezy air-hockey boards, and colorful arcade games. As skaters show their rolly-rink prowess, they whiz past colorful murals, depicting fireworks against a black backdrop or a beach populated by surfers and elderly grains of sand. When resting legs, kids operate claw machines, attempt levitating along with air-hockey pucks, or try their hands at skee-ball to win tickets that they can redeem for prizes. Add a reserved area, a party host, pop, and pizza to the equation, and the roller rinks also make for a exciting birthday.