2821 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA - Alpha (Store #358) Update

[Beach Bear]

At 8/12/08, I payed a visit to the CEC in Torrance, CA. I had planned going there for a while because I has tired of going to my run-down neglected show. And I have heard so many good things about the alpha Studio C, that I just had to see it myself.

As soon as I walked in the door, the Kid Check worker greeted me and stamped my dad and I. That's something my CEC hasn't done in months. We made it in just in time for the end of "Hot Sauce". As soon as I show the show, I was amazed. Chuck was moving smoothly, and he was fully functional. I didn't hear a single air leak in bird nor Chuck. But there where a couple of downsides. The most notable downside becomes noticeable during the end of a skit/show. The only problems I noticed were curtains still disabled (they had tracks), fiber-optic tubes burnt out, gemini burt out, and the warp appeared to be out. I didn't get there to the end of "Hot Sauce" so maybe they just didn't use the light. But, the main good thing this show had that my store didn't though was, good show volume.

So this is pretty much my entire trip to this CEC. I would have had pictures but I couldn't find the charger to my Digital Camera. So, if your thinking of coming to this CEC, you won't be dissipointed. It is one of the most well-kept Chuck E. Cheeses I have ever been too. (The only)

Here's my ratings:

Lighting Condition: 8/10
Robot Condition: 9/10 (You could see a little of metal between his hand, his nose was fading color, and his eyes where a little dirty. But, michanicly, he's in tip-top shape.)
Show Volume: 10/10 (Very easy to hear the show.)
Showroom Darkness Factor (In daytime): 6/10 (A darker showroom can make the lighting look better.)

[Larry the Tech]

It sounds like the store's technician actually cares!

[the_1rst_real_CEC_at_38th]

im 2 of the 4 and yhaa thats great i hope to have aour show fixed soon

[Munch's Make Believe Band]

I took a trip there last march

[YoungCaliHottie]

yes that alpha is deff one of the best. until i went there a couple years ago i didnt even know bird was supposed to be an animatronic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no other alphas had bird working at all. the manager and the tech take pride in their store. so i doubt the lights were out. well the fiber optics ya but not the others. if they were out im sure bulbs have been ordered. id be surprised to hear otherwise. as far as the curtains, i told them quite a while ago that they could turn them back on but they insisted they were supposed to according to corporate. maybe dept 18 should remind studio c's that its ok to turn the curtains back on? there are quite a few stores actually who still think theyre not supposed to.

[Beach Bear]

yes that alpha is deff one of the best. until i went there a couple years ago i didnt even know bird was supposed to be an animatronic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no other alphas had bird working at all. the manager and the tech take pride in their store. so i doubt the lights were out. well the fiber optics ya but not the others. if they were out im sure bulbs have been ordered. id be surprised to hear otherwise. as far as the curtains, i told them quite a while ago that they could turn them back on but they insisted they were supposed to according to corporate. maybe dept 18 should remind studio c's that its ok to turn the curtains back on? there are quite a few stores actually who still think theyre not supposed to.

Well, the Gemini and the warp was out when I went. But, I'm sure those burn out often. But yeah, that would make it perfect if they could re-enable their curtain. I'd repaint their Chuck's nose too because the paint it fading. But they could probably just use black shoe polish or something like that.

[Beach Bear]

I went again today and the tech fixed the fiber-optic tubes, and warp. The Gemini is still not working. So that means this alpha is perfect except for the curtains and Gemini.

[MMBBfan327]

The only problems I noticed were curtains still disabled (they had tracks), fiber-optic tubes burnt out, gemini burt out, and the warp appeared to be out.

Are you sure this is an Alpha? I'm no Studio C expert, but this sounds like a Beta setup as I know for a fact Alpha doesn't have a warp and the curtains SHOULD be working...

[pasqually333]

Are you sure this is an Alpha? I'm no Studio C expert, but this sounds like a Beta setup as I know for a fact Alpha doesn't have a warp and the curtains SHOULD be working...
that store does have a Studio C Alpha. I go to that store from time to time. the Alpha stages do have the warp.:) the store should have their curtains working by now.

[Beach Bear]

that store does have a Studio C Alpha. I go to that store from time to time. the Alpha stages do have the warp.:) the store should have their curtains working by now.

Yea I believe they are still disabled from the time where CEC decided to not use curtains anymore.

Somebody should go tell them to re-enable them. Because a lot of times the warp is projected onto the curtains and certain things like that. Plus, it looks sorta creepy, Chuck sitting with his head titled staring into space. It could also lead to possible damage to this almost perfect show. We want it to stay in the shape it's on right?!;)

[pasqually333]

Yea I believe they are still disabled from the time where CEC decided to not use curtains anymore.

Somebody should go tell them to re-enable them. Because a lot of times the warp is projected onto the curtains and certain things like that. Plus, it looks sorta creepy, Chuck sitting with his head titled staring into space. It could also lead to possible damage to this almost perfect show. We want it to stay in the shape it's on right?!;)
right:) I told them that they can start using the curtains again when I went there a couple of weeks ago but the manager told me that department 18 wants it open.

[Beach Bear]

Wow that's weird. I wonder why? I mean they use the EXACT same kind of curtains the betas use, and other Alphas use thier curtains. It's almost like Department 18 wants the show to break so it can be replaced with a 16-movement beta.

[pasqually333]

Wow that's weird. I wonder why? I mean they use the EXACT same kind of curtains the betas use, and other Alphas use thier curtains. It's almost like Department 18 wants the show to break so it can be replaced with a 16-movement beta.
well I already told them. so they should fix it. the one in Lakewood Ca used to have the curtains open but I told the manager that they can use them again and now their curtains are working:) its also up to the tech but Michael Hill says that its Mandatory that the curtains work so hopefully they fix it soon:)

[zeekeroo]

well I already told them. so they should fix it. the one in Lakewood Ca used to have the curtains open but I told the manager that they can use them again and now their curtains are working:) its also up to the tech but Michael Hill says that its Mandatory that the curtains work so hopefully they fix it soon:)

Who's Micheal Hill? He's the animatronics programmer for CEC Inc., right?
And the curtains definetly enhance the experience of seeing the show. It's so bad to hear that this show rocks but they won't use curtains on it.

[bzier]

Next time you go over there, just give the manager a kick in the pants. Maybe they'll get the message and get those curtains working again! ;)

[pasqually333]

Who's Micheal Hill? He's the animatronics programmer for CEC Inc., right?
And the curtains definetly enhance the experience of seeing the show. It's so bad to hear that this show rocks but they won't use curtains on it.
yep Micheal programs the animatronics for both the MMBB and Studio C stages. yea I know it really does suck that they won't start using the curtains again:(
the curtains are a good thing for the studio C. now that the curtains work for Studio C that means the tech doesn't have to spend so much time fixing up chucke since he doesn't move around anymore when the curtains are closed.

[pasqually333]

Next time you go over there, just give the manager a kick in the pants. Maybe they'll get the message and get those curtains working again! ;)
I'll be sure to let them know again next time I go there:)

[Beach Bear]

I'll be sure to let them know again next time I go there:)

Alright, because it's a little creepy seeing Chuck smile and tilt his head with his eyes open. Never blinking....:-O

[zeekeroo]

It's a little creepy seeing Chuck smile and tilt his head with his eyes open. Never blinking....:-O

He's a zombie! OOOOOOH!
...
What? Am I the only one in Halloween mode yet?

[Vega III CEC]

He's a zombie! OOOOOOH!
...
What? Am I the only one in Halloween mode yet?=)) Nope, you're not. You were just the first to express it. The non-blinking comment made me think of a more Exorcist-type thing, but... zombie works too.

[Beach Bear]

=)) Nope, you're not. You were just the first to express it. The non-blinking comment made me think of a more Exorcist-type thing, but... zombie works too.

Hahaha! Maybe they should disable it for Halloween. Imagine Chuck with the "Hey Kids!! I'm gonna eat you!" look. LOL it basically looks like that now.:))

[Vega III CEC]

Hahaha! Maybe they should disable it for Halloween. Imagine Chuck with the "Hey Kids!! I'm gonna eat you!" look. LOL it basically looks like that now.:))
If they did that and added a zombie-like costume to him, white-ish ghost face and all, little kids'd never mess with the animatronics again! =))

[Beach Bear]

If they did that and added a zombie-like costume to him, white-ish ghost face and all, little kids'd never mess with the animatronics again! =))

TOTALLY! CEC shoud start making Halloween masks and shirts for Chuck. Maybe a Halloween show or at least 2 or 3 segments on the September tape that only play on Halloween.

[Larry the Tech]

TOTALLY! CEC shoud start making Halloween masks and shirts for Chuck. Maybe a Halloween show or at least 2 or 3 segments on the September tape that only play on Halloween.
Last year, the Chuck E. Club sent you an email with Chuck E. and Helen masks to print out. Don't ask me for a copy, I don't have one. But all kids love Halloween. I think it would be cool to see the stages in trick-or-treat gear.

[Harmony Howlette]

TOTALLY! CEC shoud start making Halloween masks and shirts for Chuck. Maybe a Halloween show or at least 2 or 3 segments on the September tape that only play on Halloween.
I've been saying this for YEARS. Logistically, it probably wouldn't work, but how awesome would it be to have a Halloween overlay for the stage? And have the band do 'Monster Mash' and 'Ghostbusters'...ahhh I love Halloween.

[Larry the Tech]

Well the Halloween thing sounds cool but some toddler soccer moms would burn down the place down to ashes because they don't believe in Halloween.

[Harmony Howlette]

Well the Halloween thing sounds cool but some toddler soccer moms would burn down the place down to ashes because they don't believe in Halloween.
I think that's a little extreme, although I see your point...but come on, Halloween is more or less completely integrated into our culture. Hell, even Disneyland does Halloween now, and they're pretty much the most politically correct company on the planet.

[Beach Bear]

Last year, the Chuck E. Club sent you an email with Chuck E. and Helen masks to print out. Don't ask me for a copy, I don't have one. But all kids love Halloween. I think it would be cool to see the stages in trick-or-treat gear.

Oh sorry for the confusion I meant masks and shirts for the bots. :))

[Beach Bear]

I think that's a little extreme, although I see your point...but come on, Halloween is more or less completely integrated into our culture. Hell, even Disneyland does Halloween now, and they're pretty much the most politically correct company on the planet.
Yes, you bring up a valid point. I suppose it would be alright but I wouldn't empathize the Halloween thing too much.


Well the Halloween thing sounds cool but some toddler soccer moms would burn down the place down to ashes because they don't believe in Halloween.
Yes, unfortunately, and then we'd really have some jacked up shows. Then we'd proabably have shows where just the TVs work. OMG!! What a nightmare!

[Vega III CEC]

Well the Halloween thing sounds cool but some toddler soccer moms would burn down the place down to ashes because they don't believe in Halloween.
Who doesn't love Halloween? If anyone says they don't believe in it, they're communists. :)) But seriously if that word (word being Halloween) is such an issue, they can call them "fall decorations" or something. I honestly won't get why some people thing it's such a bad, evil holiday.

[Beach Bear]

LOL just thought I'd tell you guys, I went again today. The left eyebrow no longer works, Chuck's hands are default in the palm up position so when Chuck 'dances' his hands hit the desk, causing further damage but oh well... Besides that, everything else still works. One more thing about his hands. Lol when the wrist turn is engaged, while Chuck 'dances' it totally reminds me of the PTT times. Since Chuck's hand is like on his chest. And there is actually a point in the show where he goes totally PTT with one hand. Constantly spamming the arm in and out movement with his hand PTT-itized.

Also, Year 3000 was amazing (because the programming)!! I probably sound crazy thinking this but, I think it was really impressive some of those hand gestures Chuck made. I mean how many robots do you see that can do that? And do it smoothly? Only disney.... So yeah for the most part, this show still works good. Curtains are still disabled btw.