PINEVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) – A Chuck E. Cheese near Pineville is one of only five locations in the country still hosting a live performance from Munch’s Make Believe Band, the chain’s original five-piece animatronic band.
Chuck E. Cheese opened in San Jose, California, in 1977 and has grown into a national brand that has hosted millions of children’s birthday parties, according to Assistant Manager Tea Monfils. The animatronic show started in the original Chuck E. Cheese locations and expanded as the company grew.
Five characters make up the band
The animatronic show, called Munch’s Make Believe Band, consists of five characters: Chuck E. Cheese, Helen Henney on vocals, Mr. Munch on keyboard, Jasper on guitar and Pasquale the chef on drums, Monfils said.
The show runs on a combination of mechanical, pneumatic and electrical systems. It operates off air cylinders through a pneumatic system, and an electrical system determines when the parts move and at what time, according to Monfils.
One of five remaining in the country
Chuck E. Cheese began phasing out the animatronic shows from its restaurants around 10 years ago. A few years ago, the company designated the Pineville-area location as one of its legacy stores to preserve the animatronic show, Monfils said.
Five Munch’s Make Believe Band locations remain in the country: the Pineville-area location, two in New York, one in Illinois and one in California. An additional location is in Canada, according to Monfils.
The animatronic band at the Pineville-area location was built in 1981. Keeping a show of that age running requires significant work, particularly because replacement parts are no longer manufactured, Monfils said.
Families travel for the experience
The animatronic show has become a staple of the community, according to Monfils. Families who are not necessarily Chuck E. Cheese fans have traveled multiple hours to see the show, and visitors have come from the Netherlands, New Zealand and other countries specifically for the experience, Monfils said…