Mountain Play Lodge

It's a cold, gloomy day in the mountains, so today's adventure: Asheville's Mountain Play Lodge. 
Location: 3389 Sweeten Creek Rd.
                Arden, NC
Prices: Over 12: Free
            3-12: $11.99
            2 and under: $6.99
            Infants: Free (If you hold them the whole time.)
This was not our first visit to the Play Lodge. On past visits MPL has been pretty quiet with just enough kids to not get bored, but not so many that you can't have any fun. Today they were slammed, and I mean SLAMMED! Kids were running around everywhere and it was hard for parents to find a spot to sit and to keep track of their tots. When we've come in the past, Mommy could sit and read and keep an eye on the kids easily no matter where they played. Today that was nearly impossible. Another disappointment today was that for the first time, we had to pay for brother who is less than a year old and not yet walking.
My personal bottom line is that the place is too expensive for what you get. Although they are running a weekday summer special. Ages 3-12 are $8.75 and 2 and under are $5.50 Monday through Friday through the summer. This helps out quite a bit and we do think it's a good place to go on a rainy day to get out of the house.
Socks are required at all times for adults and children; shoes are not allowed inside the play area. There is a snack bar with cupcakes, muffins, cookies, coffee, juice, and water. Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside, however there is a table outside where you can eat your own food. (Which we did for lunch.) The picnic table is right next to the parking lot so keep an eye on your tot outside!
When MPL first opened there was concern about the entrance. You come in through an automatic door and at the front desk are asked to read and sign a safety waiver before paying admission. Then you go through a swinging half-door to the play area. Some moms were raising concerns over how easy it was for a child to get out and into the parking lot. I'm happy to report that they've remedied the problem with the swinging door. It now has a piece holding it shut so kids can't escape as easily.
On to the play space; here's what's inside:

 Four bounce houses, slides, and obstacle courses.

A variety of soft play structures including animals, bridges, a canoe, a wagon, and tree with a small slide. The carpet in the play area is well padded and has a scene on it that these structures fit into.

A train table.

A variety of imaginative play and dress up areas including a fire house and burning building, a beauty salon, a stable, a grocery store, a huge castle, a doctor's office, and a house.

And wireless internet access for parents to enjoy while tots enjoy the play space.  It's a fun rainy day place for little ones.