A Disappointing Adventure: Spoilers Ahead for Krakit’s Alice in Wonderland Escape Room
Introduction to Krakit
Location and Overview
Krakit, located in Burnaby near the Lougheed SkyTrain station, is known as the first escape room in the area. With four different themes available, it caters to small groups of 2-3 players. The Alice in Wonderland room, however, left much to be desired.
Pricing and Booking Details
The experience lasts for 45 minutes and costs $25 CAD (approximately $19 USD) per adult on most days. Special pricing includes a discounted rate of $14 CAD on Tuesdays and a complimentary game if it’s your birthday. Most bookings are public unless you specifically request a private session.
Our Experience at Krakit’s Alice in Wonderland Room
Initial Impressions
Excited by our previous success at Find & Seek Entertainment’s Mystery at the Majestic Theater, we drove 30 minutes to Krakit with high hopes for their Alice-themed escape room. The concept seemed promising given its rich source material filled with riddles and whimsical characters.
Upon arrival, we settled into an Ikea-style waiting area while hearing commotion from another room—an unexpected precursor to our own adventure.
Entering Wonderland
A friendly game host guided us through the storyline: shrinking down to confront the Queen of Hearts while searching for a way back to normal size. However, as soon as we entered the dimly lit space filled with blaring Halloween music and swirling party lights reminiscent of Disney’s animated classic, our excitement began to wane.
The Room Itself: A Closer Look
Size Constraints
The cramped quarters felt more like a walk-in closet than an immersive escape experience. As Ben and I searched for clues amidst constant bumping into each other, it became clear that adding more players would have made this claustrophobic environment unbearable.
Sensory Overload
The incessant carnival music not only distracted us but also contributed significantly to our frustration—making it difficult to concentrate on solving puzzles or enjoying any thematic elements present within the room.
Puzzles That Missed Their Mark
Mechanical Failures
After finally discovering a hidden tunnel leading us into another section—the “room of mechanical nightmares”—we were met with poorly maintained props that felt cobbled together rather than thoughtfully designed. Many locks were worn out or malfunctioned entirely; even basic interactions often yielded no response from set pieces or puzzles.
One particularly frustrating moment involved battling the Queen of Hearts by throwing toy cupcakes at light switches—a task made impossible due to unclear mechanics that left us guessing whether we were doing anything right at all.
Staff Interaction: A Lackluster Experience
Despite needing assistance multiple times due to mechanical failures during gameplay—which took precious time away from solving puzzles—the staff appeared disinterested or irritated when responding. This lackadaisical attitude further detracted from what little immersion remained throughout our visit.
Conclusion: An Unfortunate Recommendation
While there may have been potential when this escape room first opened its doors, it’s evident that significant improvements are necessary before recommending it again:
-
Story Immersion: ★☆☆☆☆
The reliance on literal representations without deeper storytelling diminished any sense of engagement. -
Player Experience: ★☆☆☆☆
Ineffective hint systems wasted valuable time while breaking immersion. -
Technical Performance: ★☆☆☆☆
Numerous mechanical failures rendered many puzzles unplayable; accessibility issues also arose due to cramped conditions.
Overall Score: 1/5
despite my initial enthusiasm about visiting Krakit’s Alice in Wonderland escape room based on its theme alone—it ultimately fell short across multiple facets including design quality and player engagement levels. Unless substantial changes occur regarding maintenance standards or staff training focused on enhancing guest experiences—I cannot recommend this particular adventure for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape room challenge!