It’s ESCAPE ROOM time with Family Days Out, and this time we challenged ourselves with back to back lock ins (we love escape rooms THAT much). So, did we find the puzzles and solves the clues all in 60 minutes and successfully escape? Keep reading to find out!
Last year we had taken on “Creepy Carnival” at Houdini’s Escape Room Experience Southampton (read about it HERE), and it really was an escape room experience that stuck with us. The excitement of a multi room challenge, the detail within the design and the atmosphere they created was one of the best we had ever been to – so it was a natural choice for our double bill our challenges!
Let’s escape! Or try....
First, let’s start with the arrival. Even though we had been to Houdini’s previously, the small door tucked away off the road was not the easiest to find and they could use a bigger sign that’s easier to spot. (Unless this is their way of subtly getting your mid working before your game time – in which case well played Houdini’s. Well played)
Once we found the entrance, we made our way down some curious steps and into their waiting room which transports you back to another time. The walls are adorned with Houdini posters, the odd taxidermy creature stares at you, and you can feel an air of excitement from both staff and those waiting for their game time to start.
The staff at Houdini's Escape Room are incredibly friendly, helpful and welcoming, and they walked us through the process of the the electronic waiver which is mandatory for every player, for every game.
Waiver signed, and we were on to Escape Room #1 – “Titanic”!
Escape Room #1 - "Escape From R.M.S Titanic"
During 'Creepy Carnival', I had heard about their Titanic room and I simply couldn’t wait to come back. This was the one I was most looking forward to. As soon as I stepped into the room, I felt like Kate Winslet. A huge iceberg to our right, some locked suitcases, and of course life jackets should you need them (although ideally you don’t because that means you made the life boat in time!)
In the corner there was also a fun old fashioned phone, which is your game masters way of communicating. It rings if they need to talk to you, or you can just pick it up if you need to speak to them. (Plus it’s a very cool looking phone!).
So, where to start? We spent a few minutes just looking around, seeing what was on the walls, on the floor – it always amazes me with escape rooms is something you might think is insignificant, actually turns out to be THE missing piece.
I was very impressed with how quickly we managed to solve the initial puzzles (pat on the back for us!), and of course the excitement when a door opens and it leads you to ANOTHER room! Here, maps, coordinates, compasses, and locked boxes really did put our minds to the test.
In true Houdini fashion, solving these opened ANOTHER door, taking us into a corridor where multiple doors, puzzles and clues awaited us.
What I loved about the Titanic room, is that just because you moved to another room, that didn’t mean your time in the previous rooms had come to an end. We had so much fun moving back and forth between the rooms… ‘perhaps this can help...?”, “what about what was written in the first room...?”, “maybe this key will open that other lock...?"
Crawling through tunnels, looking through peepholes, uncovering hidden messages…. with 4 of us in the team, there were certainly enough challenges for everyone.
Anyone who visits with teams of 6 or 8 can be assured no-one person will be idly standing around with nothing to do! There is so much to find and solve!
Suddenly, back in the room we started out in, it was announced we had successful cracked the code, made it to the last lifeboat before it departed and yes, we had escaped! Not only that, we escaped in 37 minutes! With 23 minutes to spare, we couldn’t have been prouder, and donned our life jackets proudly in our photo!
Then, excitedly and feeling confident, we checked in for the next room. “Forget everything you think you know” said the staff behind the desk. Here I was thinking we would fly through the next room because we were in Escape Room mode. How I was wrong!
Houdini's Escape Room Experience Southampton FAQ
Houdini's actually have multiple locations across the UK, but the one we visited was in Southampton at 9A Castle Way, Southampton, SO14 2BX
It's worth noting that even Southampton have a couple of locations, so make sure you head to the right one! The address will be on your booking confirmation.
Yes! Check their website before you visit and see the latest deals they are offering!
Prices start at £25 per person, per game. Each game and location is different so just make sure you check for the experience you want!
Each game is different, and on their website they will list how many players are suitable for each game. When you book, you are booking the room, so whether you have one person, or six, or eight, the room will be yours and only yours!
Whilst the door does shut behind you, the Games Master is always there to support you, and always in communication with you should you need it.
If you do need to exit the room, the Games Master will help you and you are able to leave so don't worry!
Escape Room #2 - "Dragon's Hoard: Quest for the Eternal Goblet"
As soon as you enter the 'Dragon's Hoard' room, it felt overwhelming because I didn't know where to start! We could see a curtained off room, a bookcase, some tables.... the lighting in this room was very dim, especially compared to the Titanic room, so we were told we could use our phones to shine light on clues and search around.
After about 10 minutes of reading, looking, analysing, our kind (and very patient) Games Master came over the speaker... "It seems you've been here 10 minutes and haven't solved anything yet....do you need help?"
Yes! We honestly didn't know where to start, and there were more metaphorical moving pieces than in Titanic. It felt more complicated, with more riddles to solve, spells to read and because it was quite dim, you really had to get close to things to see how they might be able to help.
Just like the previous rooms in Houdini's, Dragon's Hoard was a multi room experience, and again, just why we love Houdini's. Going back and forth between rooms, thinking you are done with one then realising you need to re-visit it.
One of our team was a HUGE fan of puzzles, Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, and he LOVED the fantastical nature of it all, so if you have any similar family members, this really will be for them.
Dragons, goblins, magic spells, offerings, reciting chants.... this room was much more interactive with the Games Master than Titanic. With Titanic you would solve a clue, and something would unlock. Instant reward. In 'Dragon's Hoard', you often solved something then had to check with the Games Master if that was correct, and then they would suggest what you could look for next.
Having the Games Master in this room was invaluable, because with nearly every puzzle we relied on her help. At one point she nearly had to come in and help us physically!
We did struggle, but it did make solving the puzzles even more satisfying once we did!
The final challenge was one everyone got excited with, it was really fun and probably my favourite challenge of the experience!
Can you believe.... we had THREE seconds to spare before our time was up. By the dragon skin of our teeth we made it! Phew! Certainly not without plenty of help from our friendly games master though....! But still, a win for the team :)
The only thing left is to make plans to try their EXTINCT Escape Room next (because who doesn't love dinosaurs). Apparently it's more challenging than Dragons Hoard... challenge accepted!
Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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