Laugh Out Loud Stations Calls Greenbelters to Play

Created by two sisters who got in trouble as kids for laughing too much, in Greenbelt West is offering its contribution to Greenbelt's reputation as a playful city and a hub of recreation.

It passed its one-year milestone anniversary on February 18, with an estimated 500 people dropping in each weekend, according to co-owner Regina Bethea.

With an indoor roller coaster, dancing contests, arcade games, parties and a host of attractions, the two sisters Dorthy Cayard and Regina, plus fellow co-owner LaDon Bethea, have made it their aim to create a place where families, friends, and co-workers can come to have fun.

To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, LOL Stations is a non-alcoholic, non-smoking environment. But that doesn’t mean the adults can't have a good time.

“We encourage adult play,” said Cayard.

On weekends, DJ Ron leads adults and kids in live entertainment that can include line dancing, the limbo, karaoke, the Cuban shuffle and a variety of contests and games, like hula hoop competitions and the electric slide. Musical chairs is an all-time favorite among adults and kids, Regina said.

On top of enjoying laughter, Cayard has long loved throwing parties. So when she and Regina opened up their Waldorf, Md. station in 2009 and their Greenbelt station two years later, parties were a part of the plan.

This weekend was no exception. Regina said LOL Staions in Greenbelt held 30 parties on Saturday and Sunday.

Families, churches and early birds get discounts at LOL Stations. The standard ticket price is $19 per person for unlimited rides and attractions, including the roller coaster. But early birds who show up between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, get the same deal for $15, and church groups can get in for as low as $12 per person, according to Regina.

For $50, which amounts to $12.50 each, a family of four can get unlimited rides and attractions, including the roller coaster, a cheese pizza pie and a pitcher of soda.

Patrons not wishing to purchase a family plan can buy individual items including hot dog and burger bites, nachos, Jalapeno poppers, mozzarella sticks, loaded potato skins, fries, wings and chicken tenders. LOL Stations also offers funnel cakes and cookies, plus an array of dessert choices — and sometimes cotton candy.

LOL Stations is open on weekends, starting Friday, when its hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturdays it’s open noon until 9 p.m. and on Sundays it is open from noon until 8 p.m.

LOL Stations is also open on weekdays when Prince George’s schools are closed, from noon to 6 p.m.

For the kids and adults who feel like being kids, there are options including:

• Crazy Fun Coaster

• The 17-foot inflatable slide

• Toddler World

• Bumper cars

• Moon Bounce

• Gladiator Course

• Video games, racing games and other arcade games like Big Bass Wheel and Terminator.

The parties and play, however, had their birth in anything but fun. On what Regina dubbed “one weird day in April 2008,” they both stopped laughing, and couldn’t even make each other laugh. That got them thinking about how to turn the situation around. Now, Regina estimates, some 26,000 customers have joined them in their mission of fun since LOL Stations opened in 2011.