iEscape Rooms — Attraction in Carolina Beach

STAY AWAY - Navigating traffic in Carolina Beach at the height of summer is more entertaining than iEscape Carolina Beach.

The owner puts his rules over his customer's. He needs to control the overall experience that there is literally no point going.

My family was excited to experience the new Christmas room. We made the 40 minute drive. Upon arrival, it was clear we made a mistake. The dark stairs leading to the reception area reminded me a of a New York City walk up in drug infested slums lined with warn and dirty carpet. As we stepped into what looked like a converted apartment (complete with kitchen and dining room), I became quickly unsure whether or not I would need actual police to come and get us.

Let the excuses begin...we were told we were the first paid participants in this new game.. Then, he said there was one display within the room that had already been broken. Then came the rules - you can use the provided walkie talkies to ask for "2 hints". In the other room, he allows 3; however, in the Christmas room, only "2".

He asked if we had done an escape room before. One of our party had done a zombie room before but said she didn't care for it because if you were touched by the zombie, you were disqualified. The owner seemed to be sympathetic saying he didn't think it was fair someone would be disqualified who had paid to play.

As we entered the room, we were disappointed by the paltry Christmas theming. However, we could get beyond that. He was kind enough to point out the broken display in the new exhibit.

The room was poorly lit. Many of the clues involved small numbers written on objects, cards, etc. When I tried to use the flashlight on my phone, I immediately heard barking on the poor quality walkie talkies. I honestly could not understand it and continued. After several attempts, his words finally came through - "No cell phones". I responded, "I'm just using the light to see....it's dark in here." His response, "You CANNOT use a light." I reiterated, "My eyes are not great in the dark and I cannot see anything." Again he shouted, "That's part of the room. The rules are no cell phones or lights."

If we had been with other people besides our party, I might have understood his desire to protect the experience; however, it was just us 4. Was the same guy who thought it was wrong to have a zombie disqualify someone who had paid to play now telling me that I could not use a light for the next hour in a poorly designed, poorly lit room? YES!

That was the first 5 minutes.

As we began gathering clues, about 15 minutes later, he started trying to direct our efforts over the walkie talkies. He would literally say, "The guy by the desk..look to your left. Pick up the cards on the table...what do you see?" This kind of thing continued for the WHOLE hour. He entered the room 3 times during our time.

Was the same guy that told us we could only ask "2 questions" now directing our entire movement? YES!

Finally, when it was over, he came in to tell us how close he had come to solving the puzzle by pulling our strings - well, not exactly, he tried to make it our effort; however, with his constant bombardment of direction, there was literally no effort.

When he tried to help us with the finishing touches, he struggled with: his poor writing on objects that were supposed to be clues - 4s looked like 1s, etc....not a big deal unless you need the numbers to unlock combination locks his finale puzzle didn't work - there was a drawer knob with a hidden magnet in it that was supposed to be placed on exactly the right drawer in exactly the right spot so that it would unlock...it took him nearly 2 minutes with the knob to find the "right spot"... never mind that the drawer was wooden and no one would think to use a magnet on a wooden drawer. the key required for the exit door could not be found - "i put it in an obvious place...where was it? I think it was over here...or was it over there? Well, when you use the key that I can't find, the door opens and you...

My co-workers and I scheduled via the website to try out the “Cell Block D” room one afternoon. Upon our arrival, we met the owner who was upbeat and excited we had decided to come. The “dark stairs” as mentioned in Tony’s (below) review were not “warn” with “filthy carpet.” Yes they were carpeted, but the carpet was clean and it did not remind me of any kind of drug infested apartment.

The area is a converted apartment, however it is an open space that is clean filled with little mini games you can complete while waiting. The kitchen was installed (as described by the owner) so that you could host a work gathering or such there. This struck me as an excellent idea and I wished I lived closer so that I could host a Christmas party or birthday party there. The kitchen would come in handy during those events in my opinion.

The owner began to explain the rules of the game, and provided a walkie talkie that we could use for hints. He explained that he typically gives three clues, however if he sees that we are stuck and wasting a lot of time he would assist us if we wished. All of our members had to agree on the clues and assistance prior to him helping us to make it fair. It was very clear to us that we all had to agree before we would get help, which we all agreed too. Another rule, that is common among escape rooms, is that you cannot use your phones for any reason during the room.

After the rules were explained, we began the room. Without giving away details, which you are not supposed to do in reviews TONY, the room was well thought and extremely fun. We did not get out in time, however it was because of our lack of communication between us that hindered us from completing the room. This room does have numerous puzzles to figure out, so bring your smart friends! The room was fun and not impossible to complete. We did ask for several clues during our time in there, and the owner helped us out whenever we said we needed it.

After the time was out, the owner came out and allowed us to finish to the room with some help from him. Most escape rooms I have completed do not allow you to do this, so I thought it was cool of him to allow us to complete it so we did not leave there defeated.

Due to us having some more free time, the owner stated we could complete the other escape room for a discounted price. We agreed, and he gave us a little back story on how the room came to be and what we needed to know before going into it. The owner explained that one of the exhibits was broken, but he had replaced the clue it held before we even started.

The room was decorated for Christmas, and yes...was dimly lit, however it was meant to represent a normal house which is not lit up like a runway. It was not so dimly lit that you could not see, but added to the theme of Christmas.

On to Tony’s review. It was not so dark in there that you could not see the clues, everyone in my group had ZERO issues seeing everything that needed to be seen due to the fact there was a lamp in there to assist with that. As far as Tony giving away key secrets to the room, that is a low blow. Everyone knows that you are not supposed to give away the clues in reviews and the fact that he did shows his true character. I will not give away details (even Tony already did) but ALL of the puzzles worked for us. The numbers are clearly written, and if you complete them correctly you will have no problems completing the room. Maybe it was operator error as to why you did not complete room Tony?

We completed the room, and had a ball. If you are into escape rooms that allow you to complete numerous separate puzzles that are not impossible, this is the escape room for you! And no, the owner did not pay me to write this review or anything along those lines. I just hate to see a local business owner lose business for something that is out of his control and...

I don't typically write reviews but feel a lot of people could benefit from our perspective, as this could have been enjoyable. My group of 4 was scheduled for 5:15, we showed up at 4:55 (it is very clear that it takes 15 minutes to prep before you go into the room and you need to show up 15 minutes early) so we were 5 minutes ahead of our required 5:00 arrival. We showed up and there were about 10 people in the waiting room for the game show portion, they were waiting on a few more that were late so the guy decided to take us in early. He handcuffed us in front of the entire group and then we had to slink by everyone that was standing waiting, blocking the door for us to get out, it was very awkward and uncomfortable. The explanation of what we were supposed to do was VERY RUSHED. We were thrown in the cells and left to figure things out on our own after a 5 minute explanation, because he had to get back to his other group. This was our first Escape Room and while this could have been fun and maybe worth the $130 it cost for the 4 of us we wasted an hour of our time trying to escape a cell with very little help with clues. They even told us the code to the box 4 different times but it ended up being the wrong code. When they came to get us when our time was up we asked the worker to show us how to solve one of the puzzles and as he was trying someone else that worked there needed his help so he told us that it was too complicated to explain. Like I said, it probably would be fun if they aren't too busy with other customers. A lot of money for a very little bit of entertainment. I thought I would at least get a family photo out of it holding a sign that said "we didn't escape" but didn't even get that. Won't go back and...