FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
We have tried to answer all the FAQs below. If you have a question that we haven’t answered, contact us and we will be happy to provide a response. Or we’ll make up something that sounds convincing if we don’t know the answer.
General Escape Room Questions
- What is an Escape Room?
An Escape Room is a type of physical adventure game where you are locked in a room with other participants
and you need to solve puzzles, find clues, and escape the room before time runs out. They are a real-life version of the Room Escape genre of online and computer games. The question is: In the real world, can you escape in time?
- Am I really locked in the room?
Yes and no. While some rooms may be locked during game play, there is an emergency key or exit button next to the door. You are free to leave the room any time during game play. You will not automatically lose if you do leave the room, but the clock keeps ticking! So if you need a bathroom break, please exit the room rather than use the corner … but you probably want to make it quick!
- Is there a staff member in the room with us?
No. Unlike many escape rooms, Escape This does not put staff members in the room with you. We prefer the voyeur route of using cameras to spy on you, watching and listening from a control room rather than getting in your way or making you feel awkward. But if you get stuck and need a hint, just ask out loud – we’ll hear you. If we think you are stuck, we will send you a hint without waiting for you to ask – we believe you should have fun trying to escape the room instead of struggling! However, if you don’t want hints unless you ask for them, just let us know before you start and we’ll keep mum.
- How many players do your escape rooms hold?
All of our PRIVATE rooms can accommodate up to 10 players, but a skilled team of 2 can escape from any of our rooms. Since the “Divide and Conquer” strategy usually works best to solve the puzzles and escape successfully, having a larger group makes a successful escape more likely.
- There are only two of us; will we be placed with other players?
No. Even for groups as small as 2, the rooms are PRIVATE.
- What if I don’t solve the room in time?
The floor opens and drops you into a pit of alligators… or not… Once your time runs out we will open the door. Then if you want, we can review the room with you and show you what you missed, or you can hold out and try again to see if you can beat the room next time.
Escape This Questions
- How is Escape This different from other Escape Room challenges?
Escape This believes that you should have fun trying to escape the room, while being challenged JUST enough to keep you perched on the edge of your seat. Our rooms are designed to be hard enough to make you sweat, but not so hard that you can’t solve them. We love doing escape rooms ourselves, and we want you to love the escape room experience you have with us. Our goal is NOT to have unbeatable escape rooms, but we do want you to be holding your breath until the very last minute!
- I’ve never done an escape room before – are any of your escape rooms good for beginners?
Escape This offers several different escape rooms with varying levels of difficulty. Our “DEFCON” room is an easier escape room, great for people who are new to escape rooms or for younger players. If you are a player with some experience already, try “DEFCON” without any hints.
- I’m an old pro – hit me with your best shot!
Give “The Hustle” a try! This escape room is a challenge even for experienced players. You really need to pay attention to how everything links together. And you’ll get fewer hints.
- What if I need a hint?
While the Escape This staff will leave you by yourself in the escape room, we are always watching and listening through our camera system. Just ask out loud and ye shall receive.
- What if I don’t want hints?
No problem – just let us know before you start and we won’t say a word. (And if you change your mind, just shout out.)
- Is this a BYO activity?
Maybe? – players will want to have their full wits about them as they attempt to escape the room. No one who appears to be impaired will be permitted to enter the game rooms, and no drinking is permitted within the premises. There are several wonderful dining establishments in the immediate vicinity that serve alcohol that you can visit after completing your room to celebrate your victory, or to drown your sorrows.
Children and Escape Rooms
- Can children attempt an escape room?
It depends on how old the child is. Our puzzles are designed to be a challenge for teens and adults, so kids under the age of 12 may have a harder time maneuvering the room even with hints. So while it may not be the best choice for most 8 year olds, a young teen or older should have a great time. However, feel free to bring younger children if they are part of your overall family outing with adults. We don’t disallow younger kids, but we know that younger children may get frustrated by some of the puzzles, and we want everyone to have fun at Escape This. For supervisory and safety reasons, we do require that anyone under the age of 14 must have at least one person present who is at least 18 years old.
- Can you watch my child while I play?
No – we already will have our hands full making sure you are having fun, while struggling just the right amount, trying to escape the room.
- Can I wear my baby while I play?
Yes, although you will probably want your hands as free as possible. (Yes, this is a real question! We had no idea what to say the first time we heard it other than to ask “Um, how do you wear a baby?”)
Escape Room Parties
- Do you allow private “Escape Room” parties?
Definitely! Escape This offers a unique experience for private parties. From surprise parties to proposals, we can work with you to make your event extra special. Our Game Masters can hide items in the room ahead of your game such as gifts, cakes, engagement rings or other items. For full details, see Private Parties.
- Can I host my child’s birthday party at Escape This
It depends on how old your child and the other partygoers are. Our puzzles are designed to be a challenge for teens and adults, so children under the age of 12 may have a harder time maneuvering the room even with hints. It might not be the best choice for a group of 8 year olds, but a group of young teens and older should have a great time. That said, feel free to bring younger children if they are part of your overall party with other older children and adults. We don’t disallow younger children, we just think young kids in a party setting may appreciate a more physical and less mental activity. For supervisory and safety reasons, we do require that anyone under the age of 14 must have at least one person present who is at least 18 years old.
- Can I hold an adult party at Escape This?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that no alcohol is permitted on the premises. Outside of that, we would be happy to have you here, and we can even hide a cake, present, engagement ring, etc. in the room to be found. Contact us for more information.
Pricing, Gift Certificates, and Cancellations
- What does it cost?
$30 per person. It’s a nice round number, and includes all taxes and fees.
- Do you offer Escape Room gift certificates?
Absolutely! Escape This gift certificates make great presents for friends and foes alike. Give a gift certificate to a friend and see if they can escape. Give one to a foe and hope they can’t.
- How do I use my gift certificate or code during booking?
After selecting your room, date, time, and number of people, you will see a link below each individual player’s information that says “Add promo or discount code”. Click the link and enter your code. If the link is not present, codes may not be allowed on that particular date or time.
Some codes can be used on multiple players at the same time, but a gift certificate code can only be used on one player. If you purchased a gift certificate for multiple players, you should have received an individual code for each player purchased.
- What is your cancellation policy?
Full payment is due at the time of booking. If you need to cancel for any reason we require at least 24 hours notice before your reserved time. If it is less than 24 hours notice, we will allow you to apply the balance to a new booking for a new date and time. There are no re-booking fees.
Location, Directions, and Parking
- Where is Escape This?
Escape This is located in northern NJ, nestled in the heart of Bergen County. We are easily accessible from Rt 17, Rt 287, Rt 208, or the Garden State Parkway. Escape This is also convenient to lower NY State, providing an Escape Room Challenge to NY residents as well.
See our Directions page for our location and directions.
- Do you have parking?
Escape This offers a large amount of FREE off-street parking.