Last month I introduced you to Escape Countdown, which has locations in Sarasota and Tampa. We were given 4 tickets to go and experience one of the rooms for ourselves. On Sunday, March 6th Ron, Aaron, Jordan and I headed to Gulf Gate Plaza in Sarasota to check out the Mad Hatter room at Escape Countdown and to celebrate Aaron’s 23rd birthday with some family fun.
Escape Countdown in Sarasota leases part of the Bank of America building, so if you are headed down there, don’t get confused! There can be up to 8 people in a room each session. We were joined by a family of 4 that included 2 teenagers, a daughter and a son. They had done an escape room in Ft Myers before so they had more of an idea of what we were about to experience.
Once we all signed our waivers we were led through the red door and into the enchanted forest. The room was beautifully appointed and looked like something you would find in a Disney park, not a bank building. Once the door closed, the countdown began and we started scrambling for clues to solve puzzles and unlock locks. We worked together well as a group each excelling in different kinds of tasks and puzzles. We got through the enchanted forest room in good time with few clues and then the large tree/door opened and we headed to the tea party room.
The tea party room seemed a bit trickier to us and we spent a lot of time on the directional lock; we had the correct answer, we just weren’t clearing the lock properly! There were a lot of laughs and a few more clues and we exited the room with 10 minutes to spare! The worker told us that we were one of the fastest groups to finish the Mad Hatter Room and with just a few clues!
We all had a great time and we can’t wait to go back. It does cost $29.99 a person and the rooms are not re-playable so those would be the downsides. On the upside, there are 3 different rooms currently open with two more in the works. I know my husband had a great time because he scoffs (and usually refuses) to pay $8.00 for a movie ticket, but he is already working to get a group of friends together to do the Prison Break room!
If you have an escape room near you, I recommend you give it a try. If you are in the Tampa/Sarasota or Atlanta areas checkout Escape Countdown!
Thanks so much, for the update. I have been waiting to hear how you all did!