My Completely Honest Review of Escape Room Lancaster and a Giveaway That Will Shock You

A few months ago my husband mentioned something about an escape room and how they are becoming really popular. I had no idea what an escape room was. As he described it to me though, I became intrigued! To be trapped in a room for an hour and you have to work with a team to find your way out? I love puzzles!! Yes, please!

We quickly Googled “escape rooms in Lancaster” and found (wait for it . . .) Escape Room Lancaster! 🙂 Since my 35th birthday was quickly approaching, I kindly hinted to my hubby my desire for him to make this happen.

We organized a group of eight people—ok fine, the truth is I carefully pre-selected our team and plotted our victory as I hand-picked our friends and family who I thought would be destined for success! (And it was a good thing too, because after we signed up, they told us we picked the hardest room with only a 33% success rate!)

Choosing a Room

We decided on the 1920’s Lancaster Train Station Room. I chose it because of the local aspect (based in Lancaster County)—I love history!—and I’m not into scary stuff and thrills so this sounded very safe to me.

In researching escape rooms in other areas, I just wanted to be sure it wasn’t going to be anything zombie or fear based, where I’d be more scared, then trying to solve the puzzles. (Now that I’ve experienced an escape room though, I think they are probably all more puzzle based than anything else.)

Before we went, I literally had no idea what to expect. Would it be hard? Would it be intense? Would my heart be pounding? Would we get out?

A big question I had was, would we need to know any local history? Do I need “Jeopardy-Knowledge” to win this thing? Let me answer this for you right now.

NO, YOU DO NOT.

Everything you need to know to solve the puzzle and get out of the room is in the room itself. (Besides a possible math problem, but trust me, its basic math, and you can do it!) 😉 Jeopardy-knowledge or history facts, are not needed.

What was the Escape Room like?

When you arrive at the Escape Room Lancaster, there is a quaint little waiting room with some locks and puzzles for you to test out and get your wheels turning!

As you walk back to your room, your guide will tell you the details. You will actually be locked in the room but if you do get claustrophobic, there is an emergency door, and everything you need is in the room and easily accessible. There is no need to push, shove, pull, or use strength to break anything open. You will have ONE HOUR to get out of the room.

In the Lancaster Train Station Room, he points you to the typewriter which starts your story off, leaves and locks the door. The clock starts ticking.

A Sneak Peak Into The Room

At this point you are probably wondering, what does the room look like? How big is it? Are you hand-cuffed? (Ha! No, you are not hand-cuffed.)

Here is where it gets exciting! I can’t show or tell you the specific details of the room, but I did get permission to give you a sneak peak into the room!! Most people don’t get to see this until they arrive, but check this out!!! This is what the room will look like before your team goes in and starts solving the mystery!

As I mentioned earlier, the train station room starts off with a story in the old-fashioned typewriter on the desk. It gives you the background of who you are, why you are there and then explains your mission—to find your train ticket, get it stamped and unlock the door before your train leaves!

And you’re off! You have complete access to everything in the room to find clues, unlock locks and solve one puzzle after another.

Special Note >> The Lancaster Train Station Room will be closing on April 23!! This was the first room they opened almost two years ago—so its time for some renovations. The new room will open in May and be announced on their facebook page soon. To book your last chance at the Lancaster Train Station Room visit their website to sign up before April 23!!

Who would enjoy the Lancaster Escape Room?

1. This is perfect for a small group. It is team building and it helps teach you about each other. As I shared earlier in this article, one of my favorite parts was seeing my teammates step up and own what they were good at, in their part of solving the puzzles. Everyone had unique gifts and used them differently.
2. A work group or team under a manager would also greatly benefit from this team-building exercise. I would add that the manager should definitely be part of it too—it shouldn’t just be for the team. The manager will gain deep insight into his team and what they are good at or where their weaknesses might fall. For me, I walked around the room, looking for clues but also observing everything that was going on, seeing where I could help and fit in, and watching the rest of the team own their part. I learned about myself that I am probably more of a manger-type person, wanting to help people fit in where their gifting can be used the best.
3. I would recommend this for a date night for couples to do if you organize a group of couples. I prefer to work with people I know. However, you might be more of an extrovert, and want to try this challenge with people you have never met before. In that case, you can still sign up just as 1 or 2 people and be added to a group of other people. They ask for 8 people to a room—I’m not sure if you can do it with less people, but I do know you can ask for special circumstances to do it with more than 8 people. (I thought 8 was perfect, more than that could feel kind of tight.)
4. It would also be an excellent activity for a group of singles to enjoy together. It really helps you get to know each other and step out of your comfort zone.
5. You may think, this isn’t for me, I’m an introvert. To you I would say you should still go for it! Trust me, when you are in that room and you feel the pressure of getting these puzzles solved as quickly as you can, you won’t be able to be reserved and just stand there — you’ll push yourself to get involved, ask questions, provide insight and you might even surprise yourself and figure out some of the solutions!
6. This would also be a good fit for a high school youth group event. They would definitely be capable!
7. A group of stay-at-home-moms who want to get out with some girlfriends and prove to themselves they can do more than just change diapers at this stage of life. 😉 It really does keep your brain in use and it is a confidence builder as you feel your self-esteem boost after every small puzzle you solve.
8. A family of five or more. I would recommend that the youngest child be no younger than 7 or 8 years old. This would be an excellent team-building activity for both the children who would enjoy the excitement and learning they are capable, and for the parents who might find value in learning to let go of a little control and allow their children to test out new ideas.

Would I change anything about the Escape Room Lancaster?

While I absolutely loved our time there, and wouldn’t exchange it, I am the type of person that is always finding ways to improve things, so yes, I would change a few things.

1. I would have liked to see a little more “theme park type feel” to it. For instance, maybe starting us off in a dark room with a movie introduction or audio dialogue with background sounds. Making me feel as if I really was going back in time and “waking up” in a new place. Perhaps even just blindfolding us, taking us into the room, and then reading the story on the typewriter and saying “go!”.
2. The ending was neat, seeing our time on an iPad immediately when we opened the door. It is a picture I will always remember in my mind! But, again, I would have liked a little more excitement. Maybe some victory music, or big high fives, or confetti, or a special medal or keepsake to remember that WE WON!
3. I know I said I don’t like thrill or fear, but I do think it would have added to my experience to have a clock ticking down or a clock in the room. There was a clock in the room with our actual time on it, but it was hard for me to remember exactly when we started and how much time we had left.

Would I go back again?

Absolutely! We all thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle solving and honestly, I did not want to leave! My first thought as we were leaving was, “can’t we stay and do the next room too?” There are three rooms—the Lancaster Train Station, Escape from Hades and Medieval Castle.

When is the best time to visit?

When my husband initially said these escape rooms are becoming popular, he wasn’t kidding. Many of the rooms at EscapeRoom Lancaster are booked for a few weekends in advance. I recommend planning ahead if you want to take a group and have your first pick at rooms. If you do want to get in quickly—the Lancaster Train Station room is usually booked first, but it is more available on week nights. We went on a Thursday night at 6:30pm. They typically only offer each room once a night on week nights.

You Won’t Believe This Giveaway!

Escape Room Lancaster is so excited about your interest and desire to check them out that they are generously giving away a pack of tickets for 4 visitors. Who would you invite to lead your team to victory?!

Want to find more fun things to do in Lancaster County?

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