Have you heard about the 'Escape' events or rooms that have become popular? Our area has a number of them and our kids have visited many, along with some of their good friends. Usually, these involve some sort of theme and then clues to unlock the room and 'Escape'. Recently, they decided to turn their whole house into a series of 'Escape' rooms and throw a Mystery Party for their friends to try it out. My husband and I got a preview, along with our son-in-law's mother. We decided that it was quite ingenious in many areas and we would have struggled for a long time to figure most parts out.
There was a theme and a video setting the stage - a murder had occurred. Ten friends were invited and were emailed their 'character' details. There were 6 suspects and 4 detectives. The goal was to discover the Murderer and arrest that person. Like a life-sized Clue Game, only with ciphers and locks and secrets. See what you think:
Everyone is locked in!
After watching the video and setting the stage, clues will be found in the jigsaw puzzle. Or maybe not!
Some hints were on the back of the wall decorations.
A map of select locations in Austin - pictures corresponding on the walls - make sure to follow in the right order...
The 'master' map showing all the rooms and the clues and locks. Complicated, right?
The Library - clues maybe hanging from the ceiling or in the bookshelves - wait, some were on the dolls' feet!
Another view of the Library - a desk calendar was not to be overlooked...
A maze with a magnet and a key - my husband had no trouble deciphering how to retrieve the key.
The Theater had the maze, a recording to listen to for hints, and the chain on the floor. That chain had to go out the window, drop down below to another window, and then the back door could be unlocked.
The Poker Room - all 4 walls were a 'word search' puzzle, plus the number of poker chips and the playing cards were also clues.
A rope puzzle box - I would never have untangled it. Our son-in-law built all the wooden puzzles and mazes.
Giant decoder ring - can you figure out the cipher?
Solution was in this trunk - so, who was the murderer? Only the detectives know!
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The party went very well, I'm told. Everyone had a great time! It took about 4-1/2 hours and the participants arrested the wrong person - Ha! - however, gift cards were handed out as prizes. Pictures were taken of each person in 'character' and the group is off to find their next 'Escape' adventure.
I'm not much of a partygoer, although I've thrown a couple of epic ones. This sounds like it's even more fun for the creators than it is for those attending-- and that's saying something!
ReplyDeleteI think it was fun for them - at least thinking it up was fun. Though the daughter told me that those letter for the 'word search' were a literal pain in the back and legs. Lots of stooping. They put paper up on the walls then stenciled the letters on.
DeleteThat's so creative and it sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI thought so.
DeleteHow fun! I've been wanting to try an Escape Room.
ReplyDeleteThey are really popular in our area.
DeleteThis sounds like a lot of fun! A bunch of us did an Escape Room for my dad's birthday, and I basically just watched, I was awful at it!
ReplyDeleteSeems like the team concept is a great thing for families to try or work colleagues or friends. :-)
DeleteWhat a fun event! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI told them that I was going to share with my blog. I'm not sure they thought people would be interested. Ha!
DeleteHow fun! I have been to mystery dinner theaters but have never heard of this type of thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a big deal in this area. Lots of these 'Escape' venues. Of course, people just 'escape' one room, not a series of them like here.
DeleteHow clever! I don't think I've heard of an escape party before--so much work! I have a good friend whose sons are setting up a commercial Escape Room in Shreveport(LA). I know they visited other cities to see how others construct theirs. My friend is a poet and she is writing some of the clues. My friend said the biggest hassle has been just getting different inspectors in to approve each phase of the building they are overhauling for the escape room. Maybe your daughter and SIL have the right idea--keep it private.
ReplyDeleteI can understand what you're saying. They told us about several they have participated in and it sounded way complicated. Like you, I think the private party angle was a good one. Plus dressing up like your assigned character. They got some great shots of their friends.
DeleteI don't care to join in on group games but my life group agreed to it one night because the gal who set it up was testing it for a church retreat function. We gladly helped out and immediately got into it. I don't consider myself competitive but I was flying down to that last lock and then someone beat me. My partner kept turning this box over I was trying to work on and the final clue was inside the box and she kept turning it over. I was a bit miffed! It takes a lot of planning so kudos to anyone who can do it successfully.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, our kids are quite clever. I think they and their friends had a fun night, even though it took longer than they predicted. They fed them a nice dinner beforehand. LOL
DeleteHow fun! That is so hilarious that they arrested the wrong suspect. I have heard of those places around town where you can do this and I've always wondered how they are.
ReplyDeleteI know. It is funny that the wrong person was arrested. Yes, they've been to a bunch of the escape places in the Austin area.
DeleteThat sounds like SO much fun!! I know others who have participated in such parties or who have gone to escape rooms. The idea intimidates me and intrigues me. I don't know whether my competitive side would come out or if I would doubt everything I know.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've been told, they seem fun. Though some events are more fun than others. Everyone contributes something - skillwise, I mean.
DeleteThis sounds amazing! I'm not much of a party goer these days but I went to a 20s murder mystery party and it was pretty fun. This looks even better because it's not just investigating by listening to fake conversations it's solving real clues!
ReplyDeleteYes, this was kind of a melding of the two types of events - there was a mystery to solve and people came in character, but there were also clues and actual locks.
DeleteSome people are SO creative! I'm so not one of them. I'm impressed by all the planning and hard work that must have gone into this party -- it looks amazing. I've never done an escape room, but I'm pretty sure I'd be terrible at it. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI think they had a good time planning it, though they said it was actually a lot of work.
DeleteHow fun! I'm not one for parties, but this is my kind of party!
ReplyDeleteYes, I liked the 'mystery' aspect - maybe not so much the locks. I do well with puzzles in a story though.
DeleteThat is amazingly impressive! What a lot of time and work it took to get it set up; I'm sure their friends loved it!
ReplyDeleteI think their friends thought it was a great time.
DeleteWOW! How creative of those two. I'm very impressed!
ReplyDeleteKind of cool, right?
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