Universal Orlando adding escape rooms to City Walk

I saw this article yesterday.

The Jurassic escape room sounds like a really fun idea!

I don't get escape rooms. The last thing I want to do as a leisure activity is spend time solving problems in a contained space with other people. That's called going to work at an office.

Jeez

Meh.

I've done a couple, and they were mildly fun. But I like puzzle games. And as well executed as the ones I've done are, I still feel like they could be so much better. Maybe Universal's will be? I don't know, my first thought is that an escape room would be one of the last things I'd consider doing in Orlando.

I've done a bunch of them. Mostly for work, but a few with family. Larry Kirchner's ones in St. Louis are really good... high tech, great effects. Most of those I've seen outside of there are very cookie cutter, and they all follow basic themes. Universal's will probably be done very well, but I can't see taking an hour or so out of the day at Universal to do this. And I definitely am not going to go, park, and go through security just for this on a day that I'm not visiting the parks.

I wonder the same thing about the theaters at CityWalk. I'm not going to Orlando to watch a movie, even if it's raining. If I'm going to do so, I'm not going through that hassle to go to that specific theater.

Do they get enough business from hotel guests and passholders? I guess so because that theater is still there. The theme park add-ons are not for me, though.

Escape rooms can be fun if you are with a group of friends and not with some strangers you get paired with. I am sure there are some less than stellar setups out there but the few locations in Orlando I have done have been great when it comes to theming, tech, and story. Escape rooms are popular and these will likely be a hit for Universal, and definitely something Disney should have done with the old Disney Quest building.

kpjb:

Do they get enough business from hotel guests and passholders? I guess so because that theater is still there. The theme park add-ons are not for me, though.

Both. When I lived over by Universal, City Walk was the closest movie theater to visit and the hassle was sometimes easier than getting into some of the local malls, especially Millenia at Christmas. Once you factor in restaurants, it can be an easier date night than having to drive around to a few different places to accomplish everything you can at City Walk/Disney Springs.

Trick to me with these types of activities is making them sufficiently difficult that people who really like them will find them interesting/challenging while at the same time not totally confusing the casual customer.

I have only done one of these. Somewhere in Pigeon Forge. It was an Egyptian theme. The kids thought it was really fun and the parents enjoyed it as well. We did have to give the kids some extra clues and nudges to get them to do the right thing when they got stumped on something.

kpjb:

Do they get enough business from hotel guests and passholders? I guess so because that theater is still there.

Mini golf is still there as well. If I lived in Orlando I would definitely go see a movie and follow it up a ride or two.

But only if you have a pass, because the parking cost is out of control.

Remember that Universal is a movie maker so isn't it only fitting that a multiplex be included in their entertainment district? Same with Springs- Disney has had cinemas there since practically the beginning and I always see people going in. I always assumed resort guests with a night off were the customers, but I can see locals going. Parking is free.
The last time I was there the latest Disney project had debuted and was heavily promoted.

Jeff:

But only if you have a pass

Well I am certainly not going to walk up and pay the full gate price half way through the day...

Parking is reimbursed if you are going to a movie between 11-6 and free for everyone after 6 unless it's Halloween Horror Nights season.

RCMAC:

I always assumed resort guests with a night off were the customers, but I can see locals going

I started thinking about this more and Springs, Citywalk, and Pointe Orlando are the three most used theaters by me in that order since moving to Orlando in 2011. Most of my close friends group uses Springs as well and it makes sense for us locals since you know you are going to get good service, clean theaters, expanded selections/amenities, etc. I can't say the same for other local theaters that I use except for maybe Cinépolis, which is relatively new to the area.

kpjb:

I wonder the same thing about the theaters at CityWalk. I'm not going to Orlando to watch a movie, even if it's raining. If I'm going to do so, I'm not going through that hassle to go to that specific theater.

When I worked at IOA a hundred years ago, I was at that theater more than once a week. Add employees to the list of people visiting that movie theater.

eightdotthree:

Parking is reimbursed if you are going to a movie between 11-6

Do they check your ticket for showtime? Because I think I just found a hack to pay $9 to park at Universal.

I don't actually know how it works. They might check your parking receipt for when you came into the garage to confirm you didn't visit the park all morning.

Shades:

I have only done one of these. Somewhere in Pigeon Forge. It was an Egyptian theme. The kids thought it was really fun and the parents enjoyed it as well. We did have to give the kids some extra clues and nudges to get them to do the right thing when they got stumped on something.

We've done that one as well. Tomb Egyptian Adventure was the name of it. It has since closed permanently. I thought it was well done.