Williamsburg

We Played… Wisely – Room: Quest for the Holy Grail – May 27, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you ever fantasized about being one of King Arthur’s Knights of the Roundtable

Avoid if… you hate drafty castles.

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 – Quest for the Holy Grail:

Description (from the company website): You’ve heard word of a legend, a mystical cup that can give you eternal youth! You’ve got one hour to traverse this medieval castle and find the Holy Grail. Can you find it while you’re still young, or will you be doomed to age like everyone else?

Difficulty: Success Rate is 38%; average escape time is 52:16

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, 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 enter a castle room, with tapestries on the walls, a table with symbols and swords embedded into it, and some other furniture.

Understanding of the Mission: You are a group of archaeologists who believe that they’ve stumbled upon the legendary castle of King Arthur! You find clues that the Holy Grail is possibly inside. Unfortunately, you’ve triggered a trap where the castle will crumble to the ground with you in it, so you only have 60 minutes to find the Holy Grail and escape!

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 16:07

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 worked pretty well

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

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 →

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 →

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:

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 →