Room Escape Artist

That’s a spicy meatball!

Location: Orlando, FL

Date Played: February 16, 2026

Team Size: 2-8; We recommend 2-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $44.95 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None that we’re aware of

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

We weren’t surprised to hear Mama Peruso’s Italian Restaurant was a front for the mob. There’s no other way they could afford rent in New York with only 2 tables! As we stepped into Downfall of the Don, we were obviously supposed to be entering an Italian restaurant and kitchen. However, the space was unrealistically empty, which made the scene feel hollow and lifeless.

The puzzling commenced as we opened the briefcase provided by our contact. We found all of the puzzles and interactions throughout Downfall of the Don to be solvable. Yet, we never felt that we had any momentum in the escape room. Due to poor lock mapping, faded labels, several audio clues that could not be replayed, and a lot of reading, several of the solutions seemed a bit obtuse. Though, we certainly felt very clever when we finally solved those vague puzzles.

The most frustrating part of Downfall of the Don was the ratio of game quality to ticket price compared to other rooms at Will to Escape. Downfall of the Don was priced the same as every other experience at the location, which includes both Disappearance: Last Location and Cinema 7. Both of those previous games were of significantly higher quality and puzzle design and well worth the price tag. Alternatively, Downfall of the Don reminded us of many games that we played in 2014 and was a significant step back in set construction, puzzlecraft, and general escape room design from their last experience, Cinema 7. We didn’t see the growth that we had hoped for from Will to Escape and we wouldn’t recommend playing Downfall of the Don at $45 per player.

Who is this for?

• Completionists who want to play ALL the games in Orlando

Why play?

• Nostalgia for 2014 style escape rooms

Story

As NYPD officers, we finally had the chance to bring down Don Peruso, a ruthless mobster. We also had intel that the Don’s informer left enough clues around at Mama Peruso’s restaurant to identify them. It was up to us to break into the hideout, figure out who the rat was, steal the Don’s sawed off shotgun, and get out.

Setting

The set included many of the trappings of an Italian restaurant and kitchen such as a stove, high-top tables, a host stand, employee lockers, and a door to the walk-in fridge. Yet, the space was largely empty and unused. There was no soul here, and we never felt connected to or immersed in our surroundings.

Gameplay

Will to Escape’s Downfall of the Don was an in-person escape room with an easy level of difficulty.

The gameplay required some searching, but revolved around a variety of puzzles including deduction, making visual connections, and deciphering audio clues.

Analysis

➕/➖ Before we entered the room, the gamemaster instructed us to pay very close attention to any phone messages because they couldn’t be replayed. We were grateful to be aware of the information, but found it strange that messages had no replay option even if you re-entered the phone number.

➖ Every game at Will to Escape is the same price. There needed to be price stratification based on the quality of the games. The ticket price for Downfall of the Don should not be the same as the ticket price for Cinema 7.

➖ The set felt off. The gamespace had the objects that you would expect to see in a restaurant and a kitchen, but they were placed at the periphery of the scene with large empty spaces in the middle.

➕ Downfall of the Don was a logically solvable escape room. The objectives laid out at the beginning of the experience were completed as promised during the course of the game.

➖ The labels on some props were faded and challenging to read even though the room opened fairly recently.

➕/➖ There was one puzzle that was cleverly implemented and a fun, satisfying solve. However, the set piece used in conjunction with the puzzle added ambiguity to the solution since it wasn’t customized to the game.

➖ The puzzle flow of Downfall of the Don was choppy. Between poor lock mapping, a lack of clue structure, and a lot of reading, there wasn’t any point where we felt we could build and maintain momentum.

Tips For Visiting

• Give yourself time to park. There is a parking structure nearby, but it is a 5-10 minute walk to the venue. They provide a QR code for discounted parking.
• There are many different restaurant and food options in the vicinity.

Book your hour with Will to Escape’s Downfall of the Don, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.