BEAT THE HEAT: FAT CATS

A Lotta Fun for Not a Lotta Cash

June 05, 2025

THE ASSIGNMENT

In case it’s not already obvious in my writing, I’m wrapped a little tight.

And—well this is embarrassing to admit—I ended up at Fat Cats because I recently received a spiritual directive to have more fun.  Which, after decades of living in survival mode, does not come naturally to me.

But as we settle into a different way of life here in Arizona, a different way of living is coming along with that; the kind of life that it is way more peaceful and a little less stressful. In fact, it was moving here (in June of 2021) and realizing this life doesn’t mix well with the level of stress that the fast-pace of living and working ‘Orange County Style’ requires that was part of what finally gave me the courage to change.

In December of 2022, I left my long-standing, demanding and extremely stressful OC career (a job that was sucking the life out of my soul) and then… fell into a deep depression. What followed was the loss of my entire identity, a few deaths in my family, and several years of intense grief that didn’t start to lift until the idea for The Buckeye Buzz found me last June.

Why am I telling you this? Because I’m on a quest to put more LIFE in my LIFE and maybe you are too. It’s crazy that I can’t just go have fun, but I’m weird and not wired that way. I’m actually having to learn how to live differently.

And, also, these are the words that want to be written; I’m not one to interfere with the powers that be. So, this backstory must be meant to help someone. I’ll trust that.

Now that you know my life story, we can get into this outing.

FINDING JOY

After receiving my ‘assignment,’ I went about wracking my brain about what I ‘brings me joy’ (other than my hermit hobbies: reading, writing & working) and I heard two words: Movies & Galaga. What can I say, I’m a simple girl, except when it comes to getting to the point.

Because there were such great deals to be had, I settled on…

FAT CATS

There are lots of different things to do at Fat Cats but I focused on what makes me happy, that being the movie and the games. G-Buzz (my oldest) agreed to go with me that day. He’s home from college and bored. Obviously. Ha!

THE THEATER & MOVIE

I was enticed by ‘$5 Tuesdays!’ (I’m all about sharing the deals here) and selected the ‘Movie + $10 Arcade Card’ special at checkout. Click the link to see all their specials. Plan ahead though. I didn’t and there were limited seats available when I went to purchase tickets via the app.

We saw Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (which I now know is 8th film in the series), having never seen any of the others. I sat through it—for almost 3 hours—having no idea what was going on. I can’t tell you whether it was good or not but the special effects were epic.

All that mattered to me though was I was ‘having fun,’ in a cushy chair, in the air conditioning, trying hard to focus on the plot and not the people munching popcorn (like I said, wrapped a little tight). I was glad I brought a sweater with me as I found it a bit chilly. I also find the volume in these theaters extremely loud.1 I was wishing I had brought earplugs, probably could’ve had a nice little nap.

As for the seating, these were by far the best & most comfortable theater recliners I’ve found. I plan on coming here on the regular for a cool summer escape.

THE VOUCHER

Once you figure out how to scan the voucher and get the arcade card, it comes loaded loaded with 40 credits. Each game in the arcade range from 4 to 24 credits each, which are equal to $1-$6 per game.

However, figuring out how to scan the ticket at the kiosk and exchange it for an arcade is a brain bender in and of itself. Luckily, the lady behind me in line, watched (and was entertained) by my trying to figure it out and then stepped in to save me. She said she had to ask someone to help her the first time too. Try it, you’ll see what I mean.

THE ARCADE

After the movie, we hit the arcade. I ran around like a little kid, searching for Galaga. G-Buzz was quick to remind me that I’d never find it because ‘it’s not the 80’s.’2  

Turns out the 80’s is hanging by a thread at Fat Cats. You’ll find 2 pinball machines in the corner. Of course we played; it’s the only game I could win.

We also played (and I also got crushed at):

  • Air hockey

  • Skee ball

  • Shooting Range

  • Auto Racing

  • Ax Throwing (h-a-r-d)

There are other games for younger kids too. The point of all of it being, that you rack up points and then redeem the tickets. We skipped that part.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

In addition to the movies and the arcade, they also have:

THE COST

The outing for the day for both G-Buzz and I was $21 total, for the movie & what translated to a half-hour of arcade time (which was more than enough for me).

They have some really incredible specials which makes for a lotta of fun, for not a lotta cash. If you really want to stretch those bucks, you could see the movie on one day and then go back and spend the vouchers on another.

THE DETAILS

⏰ Hours: 10 AM - 11 PM (7 Days a Week!)

📱Find Them Online:

GETTING THERE

Fat Cats is right off the 303 at Waddell Road in the Prasada Shopping Center, an estimated 30 minutes from my house in Verrado.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It gets pretty crowded here and the movie on the day we went ($5 Tuesday) was sold out. Plan accordingly. If you go earlier in the day, Fat Cats is a fun & really cool way to chill out. If you go, let me know!

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Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.

©️ 2024 The Buckeye Buzz | All content and information set forth above was curated, cultivated & then created by Vanessa Kinsey for The Buckeye Buzz and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.  

1  So loud in fact that I’m now remember once when my gramma, Margie, who was nearly deaf, insisted on finding the manager and making them turn the sound down. She couldn’t find anyone to help, so we ended up having to leave. I miss her, still making me laugh from beyond the grave.

2  Someplace, somewhere has Galaga (& hopefully Centipede & Phoenix, but that’s probably pushing my luck). If you know where, email me. I’m serious.

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