It’s the end of another year, and that means another US Escape Room Industry Report. If you only read one piece this month, read that one.
Additionally, we launched an Audience Census. If you’re a regular (or occasional!) reader of this website (or listener of REPOD or attendee of our events), please fill out the census.
Scroll to the end of this piece for those two links!
Announcing: Escape Immerse Explore Orlando 2026
We just announced Escape Immerse Explore Orlando!
This is our first 4-day tour in North America: Sunday, April 12 – Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
In addition to playing the top escape rooms in Orlando, this Tour will take you to Clearwater and Port Charlotte, cities on Florida’s west coast that are also home to award winning escape rooms that can be hard to get to… but we’ll have a bus!
This tour visits an impressive 7 Golden Lock Award-winning games, plus new 2025 TERPECA winner Cornstalkers at The Escape Ventures and brand new Doldrick’s game Galactic Beef: The Cosmic Adventures of Star Cow (reviews coming soon!)
Reviews
🔒 Golden Lock Winners
Antenna Palace, Trapgame (Charrat, Switzerland) – Antenna Palace took us on a most fantastical romp through a number of parallel universes. This is a must-play escape room. (Review by Matthew Stein)
The Dark Memories of Elisa Doll, Next Level Escape (Kloten, Switzerland) – The Dark Memories of Elisa Doll showcased ambitious storytelling techniques across a wide range of environments. (Review by Matthew Stein)
The House of Uncle Cornelius, Trip Trap (Geneva, Switzerland) – The House of Uncle Cornelius concocted precisely the sort of swashbuckling literary adventure that I’d long dreamed of. (Review by Matthew Stein)
West City, Trapgame (Charrat, Switzerland) – West City utilized multiple levels and an intricate network of smallish spaces to make the world feel expansive. (Review by Matthew Stein)
Escape Rooms
Route 51, PanIQ Room West Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA) – Route 51 was a whimsical alien-themed game in a retro environment with fun puzzles. (Review by Tammy McLeod)
Through the Sugar Glass, Quest Tavern (Pomona, CA) – Through the Sugar Glass transported us to a magical gingerbread house filled with candy, cheer, puzzles, and even more candy. (Review by Matthew Stein)
Something Different
DASH 12: Delightful Animal Sanctuary Holiday – DASH (“Different Area, Same Hunt”) returned in 2025. We played this puzzle hunt in New York City and had a great time! (Review By Andrew Reynolds)
Dungeon Spiral, The Tokyo Matrix (Tokyo, Japan) – Dungeon Spiral is a digital-physical hybrid game somewhere between a challenge arcade and a traditional escape room. (Reaction by Ryan Brady)
Podcast
REPOD S10E9: Disney Legend Imagineer Doris Hardoon – In this REPOD interview with Walt Disney Imagineering legend Doris Hardoon, our conversation spans design, leadership, creativity, and business.
Patreon Spoilers Club: Neil Patrick Harris’ Murder Mystery Getaway – Live vicariously through our Spoilers Club to experience this Murder Mystery Getaway with Neil Patrick Harris.
Recommendation Guides
The Top Escape Rooms of Montreal 2025 Edition [Tour Survey Results] (By Lisa Spira)
Commentary
US Escape Room Industry Report – December 2025 (By Lisa Spira)
Presenting the REA Audience Census (By David Spira)
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