Virginia

Chasing the White Rabbit Almost Got Us Killed – Room: Return from Wonderland – May 26, 2018

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever fantasized about the fantastical world of Wonderland.

Avoid if… you don’t know a spade from a club.

THE BASICS

Room Escape Williamsburg:

Address: 1215 Mount Vernon Ave, Suite E, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 757-229-1215
http://www.roomescapewilliamsburg.com
[email protected]

Room – Return from Wonderland:

Description (from the company website): You’ve fallen down the rabbit hole just like Alice.  What strange creatures and environments will you encounter down there? You have 60 minutes to find your way out or you might be stuck in this strange world forever! Curiouser and curiouser…

Difficulty: Success Rate is 32.2%; average escape time is 48.51

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: A small lobby with a few stools and games to play on. There is an ante-room where you get your video briefing.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Williamsburg, VA, so no direct public transportation as far as we know. But, there is plenty of parking.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off in a room with multiple doors and not much else…

Understanding of the Mission: Like Alice, you’ve followed the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and found yourselves in Wonderland. Unfortunately, getting into Wonderland is much easier than getting out. There is one portal that will allow you to return to the real world, but it closes in 60 minutes. Can you navigate through Wonderland, find the portal, and return home?

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 12:07 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: We did well with 4 people, all of whom have done multiple rooms, but there is enough for 6 people to do.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather and Steph

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Antonio’s Italian Restaurant – we ate here before going to the room, and it was EXCELLENT!
  • You’re in Colonial Williamsburg. Tons of shops and restaurants to choose from.

Continue reading →

Well, That Was Certainly Fishy – Room: Bowl Voyage – April 30, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you have one of those lights in your bedroom that makes it seem like you’re sleeping under the ocean.

Avoid if… shimmering lights make you queasy.

THE BASICS

Room Escape DC:

Address: 3949A University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-270-0377
https://roomescapedc.com/

Room – Bowl Voyage:

Description (from the company website):You and your teammates are the prized collection of Wilfred Larium, senior citizen and rare fish collector. You live happily in his aquarium, for fish, but stormy waters are on their way: Larium’s rambunctious granddaughter, Lily, is on her way to his house for a visit. The last time she visited, Wilfred gave her a choice of any of his fish to take home with her. You never saw the last pick once he was selected, but the look of horror on his face when placed in the energetic hands of Lily will haunt you forever.

The only way to escape is to find a way to get Wilfred to take you out of the tank so you can make make your way into the sewer line before Lily arrives. Do you have what it takes to escape the chaotic kid before you’re sleeping with the fishes?

Difficulty (1-10): 1/3

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27 per person, but use ERG15 to save 15% off your price on games booked between Mondays and Thursdays

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-4 people

Staging Area: Small-ish lobby with plenty of seating and vending machines

Metro Access/Parking: No metro access, but ample garage/lot parking

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You enter a small room that has swimming lights and is decorated like a fish tank.

Understanding of the Mission: Find out a way to have your owner take you out of the aquarium so you can escape before his granddaughter, Lily (squisher of animals), claims you as a new pet, thereby shortening your already short life span.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 22:30

Our Suggested Party Size: 2 was good

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): None

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Interview with Cville Escape Room (Charlottesville, VA) – June 23, 2018

Video ~ ~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

The ERG and friends traveled to Charlottesville, VA for the weekend and, of course, did an escape room. This time, there were 6 of us, and we would need it.

We’ve been to Cville Escape Room before (we escaped Spy’s Demise for Jason’s birthday a while back), but they recently moved a few blocks away from their original space. So, not only did we get to play their newest room, we got to check out their new space (and the Wonka-vator-esque elevator out front), and talk shop with owner, Jessie.

Additionally, they now have a key wall, dubbed the “Lock & Key Club,” where once you’ve completed 4 rooms, you get a ribbon with your names written on with a small, antique key. For every additional room you complete, you get a smaller key pin added to the ribbon. Looking forward to getting ours up there. (Picture below)

Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Stay tuned for our review of Conspiracy X. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Interview with Room Escape Williamsburg – May 26, 2018

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

We never rest from doing escape rooms, even while on vacations or weekend trips. So, when we headed South from Alexandria, VA to Williamsburg for the weekend, we researched a few of the local rooms and decided to check out Room Escape Williamsburg and their Return from Wonderland room.

While we were there, we had the opportunity to do an audio interview with Jay, one of the managers.

Stay tuned here for our reviews of Return from Wonderland AND Quest for the Holy Grail. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Interview with One Way Out Escape Rooms (Lynchburg, VA) – June 2, 2018

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

While visiting a friend down in Lynchburg, VA, we headed over to One Way Out Escape Rooms to check out their Search for the Lost Professor and The Experiment rooms (we also spontaneously ended up doing a third room as well… The Shuttered Room).

We were fortunate enough to be able to talk to Kristina, one of the managers, as to what makes One Way Out unique from other locations in the area.

Stay tuned here for our reviews of Search for the Lost Professor, The Experiment, and The Shuttered Room. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

I DO Believe in Faeries! – Virtual Reality Ride: Battle for Eire: May 26, 2018

~ Jason

VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever wanted to go to Ireland and catch a leprechaun.

Avoid if… you get motion sickness.

THE BASICS

Busch Gardens:

Address: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 757-229-4386
https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/rides/virtual-reality-battle-for-eire/

Experience – The Battle for Eire:

Description (from the company website):

The Otherworld needs a warrior. Team up with the last fairy guardian, Addie, and set out to rescue the sacred Heart of Eire. Hang on tight as you soar above the lush landscapes and mystifying powers of the Otherworld. Prepare to battle the dark forces on this motion simulator, virtual reality ride.

Will you be a hero? Take flight and fight the evil Dark Lord, Balor, to bring light to the darkness. Test your courage and send your spirit soaring on this one-of-a-kind, thrill ride.

A 360-degree virtual reality adventure

Minimum Height Required: 42″

Thrill Level: Moderate

Length of the Experience: Roughly 5 minutes (simulation time only)

Cost: Included with admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (located in the Ireland section of the park)

Ride Type: Family Ride

Staging Area: The line starts at the entrance to a castle, and progresses indoors through a series of corridors.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the ride experience:

This is the video we took just after we completed the ride experience:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to check out this experience for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off outside a castle, and then traverse the line by roaming through corridors underneath the castle. There is an ante-room before you get into the VR experience, which is really cool (we’re not going to spoil the surprise) and then the VR room looks like a small movie theater, but each of the seats have a seat belt.

Understanding of the Mission: We have to help the last, remaining fairy guardian Addie (real name is Aednat, pronounced EY-nit) resume the Sacred Heart of Eire from the Dark Lord, Balor.

Did We Succeed: Yes, but we’re not going to tell you how (obviously)

Our Suggested Party Size: We had four, but they count as you enter the anteroom, so we’re guessing it can accommodate any party size as long as you can all fit in the theater.

Members of our group (other than the ERG): Heather and Steph

We donned the Emerald Helmets to secure our Enchanted Lenses to enter the Otherworld and save Ireland from the clutches of the Evil Lord Balor.

Worth the wait? Absolutely!

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • You’re in Ireland (in Busch Gardens)! Check out one of the local pubs or restaurants.

Continue reading →

Winter Sucks, but a Nuclear Winter Sucks Even More – Room: Aftermath – April 22, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you have your own bunker or have one designed in your head.

Avoid if… the fear of being locked in an underground bunker by an automated computer system for the rest of your life makes you a little, um, well, uneasy.

THE BASICS

Exit Plan:

Address: 201 Royal St SE, Suite F, Leesburg, VA 20147 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-777-4710
https://exitplanva.com

The Room – Aftermath:

Description (from the company website): Earth’s nuclear holocaust is over and after several years the air is finally breathable again. The shelter Network has unlocked the airlock for one hour. If the airlock is not utilized in that hour, the Network will assume everyone is dead and seal the shelter forever. It is up to you to follow the clues and unravel the puzzles the Caretaker created to ensure his safety. In the end it led to his demise…will it lead to yours??

Difficulty (1-10): 8/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $29 per person – Use ERGUYS15 to get 15% off per person when booking your reservation for any of their rooms

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: EXIT Plan has a great reception area (two, actually) with lots of chairs. There is a large flight of stairs to reach the main lobby.

Metro Access/Parking: This spot is in downtown Leesburg in the historic district. Lots of street parking, and there is a small lot right behind Macdowell Brew Kitchen.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start out in a very bare bunker with nothing but a flashing light [Kill me now… -Jason] and a locker and some stuff on the walls, but that changes quickly (in our case, at least).

Understanding of the Mission: A very straightforward mission: find your way out of the bunker into the airlock so that you’re not sealed in forever.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 10:06 minutes

Our Suggested Party Size: This room is rated 2-8 people, and we had 6 experienced people, which should be good number.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph, Heather, Steph

Team Disturbed Friends (Steph, Mike, Heather, Steph, and Jason) were able to emerge from the hidden bunker before being sealed in for eternity.

Worth the time and money? yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

We Thought We Were Going to be Eating CEREAL… Boy, Were We Wrong… – Room: S3R1AL – April 22, 2018

~ Jason ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… a good and challenging investigation into the mind of a serial killer sparks your interest.

Avoid if… you can’t watch an episode of “Criminal Minds” without all the lights in your house on.

THE BASICS

EXIT Plan:

Address: 201 Royal St SE, Suite F, Leesburg, VA 20147 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-777-4710
https://exitplanva.com

The Room – SERIAL (a.k.a. S3R1AL):

Description (from the company website): You awaken to darkness, and realize you are trapped.. a captive in a room you cannot see. You scream, but no one can hear you. Or can they? You hear something move. There is someone in there with you. Is it him?? No, thankfully HE is gone..but HE WILL be back. And you have 60 short minutes to free yourself and your fellow captives from his twisted lair. But HURRY! You remember what happened to the last group he caught trying to escape…

Difficulty (1-10): 9/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $29 per person – Use ERGUYS15 to get 15% off per person when booking your reservation for any of their rooms

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: EXIT Plan has a great reception area (two, actually) with lots of chairs. There is a large flight of stairs to reach the main lobby.

Metro Access/Parking: This spot is in downtown Leesburg in the historic district. Lots of street parking, and there is a small lot right behind Macdowell Brew Kitchen.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: Picture the beginning of the first SAW movie (handcuffed to the walk, white bathroom tile, and some blood spatters on the walls, etc.) Yeah, that. But with some chairs.

Understanding of the Mission: You have 60 minutes before your killer comes back and you end up like the last of his/her victims to make your way out of his/her lair to freedom.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 18:54 (we made the leaderboard!)

Our Suggested Party Size: This room is rated 2-8; we had 6 and think that was perfect (if you all have some experience).

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes (especially one of the Stephs because we left her in cuffs…)

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph, Steph and Heather

Team Disturbed Friends (Steph, Jason, Steph, Heather and Mike) took one of the top spots on the leaderboard!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

I Thought This Was the Airport Shuttle?! – Room: The Jail Bus – July 2017

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you loved Prison Break (the tv show), or always thought you’d be able to figure a way out of jail in the event you were *coughs* wrongly convicted.

Avoid if… you can’t even watch The Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption.

THE BASICS

Room Escape DC:

Address: 3949A University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-270-0377
https://roomescapedc.com/

Room – The Jail Bus:

Description (from the company website): You are facing life in prison, and you have one last shot at freedom. Will you take it? You and your gang of bank robbers have run out of luck and are on your way to a life sentence in the toughest prison in America. Luckily for you, one of the guards suddenly passes out, the victim of severe food poisoning. You’re still handcuffed, but you have 40 minutes to find a way off the bus and find freedom. Can you find a way to make crime pay? Only if you escape the Jail Bus, the top-rated escape bus in the US!

Difficulty: 1/3

Time Limit: 40 minutes

Cost: $27 (+ tax per person + cost of delivering the bus onsite), but use ERG15 to save 15% off your price on games booked Mondays through Thursdays

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: Wherever you have them park it

Metro Access/Parking: It’s coming to your location, so you would know better than we would. 🙂

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video Jason took before he entered the room:

This is the video Mike took just after he completed the room:

Logistics:

Description of the room: The bus is an airport-shuttle style bus with a cage inside. Can’t really say more.

Understanding of the Mission: After the guard passed out from food poisoning, you and your fellow convicts have to do everything in your power to get yourselves out of the handcuffs and off the bus so you can be free again. Otherwise, back to jail, and this ain’t the Hilton… hell, it’s not even a Motel 6.

Mike (left) and Jason (right) had their mug shots taken right before they completed the Jail Bus.

Did We Escape: Yes (both Jason’s and Mike’s team escaped)

Time Remaining:
14:00 – Jason
13:05 – Mike

Our Suggested Party Size: It gets a little cramped, so we wouldn’t recommend more than 6.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes, for the most part.

Members of our team (other than the ERG):
Jason’s Team (first one below): Ryan, Cheryl, Scott, Mike, and Mark
Mike’s Team (second one below): Stacy, Kelly, Devin, Tara, Gary, and Judi (5 Escape Room Virgins and one newbie)

Jason’s company.
Mike’s Company

Worth the time and money? If you can get a large enough group to offset the transport fee, absolutely.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We both did this during work hours… at work, so really can’t go drinking anywhere. Lunch, well, that’s another story.

Continue reading →

I Always Thought It Was a Feast “FOR” the Eyes… Not “OF” Eyes! – Room: The Frightful Feast – November 16, 2017

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ll try anything – food wise – once.

Avoid if… cannibalism makes you queasy.

THE BASICS

Room Escape DC:

Address: 3949A University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-270-0377
https://roomescapedc.com/

The Room – The Frightful Feast:

Description (from the company website): You and your teammates wake up in a poorly lit cell and can’t quite remember how you got there. As you come to your senses, you can just make out three monstrous voices planning a party. It seems they’ve decided to have you over for dinner…in a manner of speaking. The ghastly group has left you unattended for just one hour to attend to the last details of their frightful feast, giving you just sixty minutes to avoid becoming tonight’s main course.

Can you escape this disastrous dinner before the next course? Only time will tell. Good Luck.

Difficulty:: 3/3

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27 per person, but use ERG15 to take 15% off your price on games booked between Mondays and Thursdays

Identifier: R2 (replaced Dr Panic)

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: Small-ish lobby with plenty of seating and vending machines

Metro Access/Parking: No metro access, but ample garage/lot parking

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start in a room with a table set for 3 people and several pieces of furniture. Almost looks like a kitchen. Almost.

Understanding of the Mission: You’re trapped in a room where, if you don’t get out in an hour, you’re going to be prepped for a very ghoulish dinner.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 15:22

Our Suggested Party Size: We were 6, which was pretty perfect. 8 would be a little too crowded.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Eric, Tara, Heather, and Katie

Team Disturbed Friends (Eric, Tara, Heather, and Katie) escaped the kitchen and easily avoided becoming dinner!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →