GURNEE – Chances are anyone who's been to Gurnee Mills lately has seen Mobile Room Escape parked outside Value City Furniture.
It’s Lake County’s newest interactive attraction where participants of all ages are challenged to work as a team to solve a series of riddles, puzzles, clues and obstacles in order to free themselves from a “locked” room.
Live action escape room games originated in Japan, the first being created by SCRAP Entertainment in 2007.
“It came to the United States about four or five years ago and has blown up,” said Jason Garvett, creator and owner of Mobile Room Escape. “Every day I hear about someone trying to start a new one.”
Garvett, a father of two from Wheeling, said he experienced his first escape room in Chicago as a birthday gift.
“At first I didn’t want to do it. I thought it was going to be awful, but I had such a good time because everyone has to work together," Garvett said. "If you don’t work together and communicate, there’s no getting out.”
Garvett, a Miami native who works in the tour boat industry and has a background in theater,
said his experience was "absolutely amazing," so he started planning out his own business.
Last October, he began converting a 32-foot, climate-controlled trailer into an interactive adventure called Mobile Room Escape, which features a fully designed set with props and costumed actors.
What separates Garvett’s escape room from similar attractions is that it can be booked to travel to events such as birthday parties, corporate team building, even festivals and fundraisers.
“We can pull right up to your home or office. We will travel wherever the party is,” Garvett said.
Great fit
Mobile Room Escape rolled onto the Gurnee Mills campus just a few weeks ago. Their current lease runs through the end of the year.
“I wanted to be out in the suburbs where there was a lot of traffic, and Gurnee is such a big hub for people with Six Flags, KeyLime Cove and Gurnee Mills,” Garvett said. “I thought it would be a great spot and the village was absolutely wonderful to work with.”
Elizabeth Striegel, director of marketing and business development for Gurnee Mills, said they are excited to have another highly sought-after entertainment option at the mall.
“When Mobile Room Escape asked to partner, we knew it would be a great fit and of interest to Lake County residents. We are always looking to add new and diverse attractions like Mobile Room Escape to our roster of more than 200 outlet, value and full-price retailers, dining and entertainment options,” she said.
The trailer can leave for private events and is not parked at Gurnee Mills overnight. Hours vary, so those interested in buying a ticket are advised to visit the website and book in advance.
The current escape, "The Laboratory," features a mad scientist determined to create the world's most lethal neurochemical. It's up to the participants to find Professor Von Solace's supply and escape within one hour, before he unleashes it upon the world's water supply.
A new escape will be introduced after Halloween. Mobile Room Escape is not scary and can be enjoyed by people ages 7 to 107, Garvett said, adding groups with younger children can have an “escape artist” help them think outside the box and work together to solve the clues.
Sometimes the younger participants perform better than the adults, and there are times when a grown-up’s experience comes in handy, Garvett said.
For example, during one escape, a mixed group had to figure out the combination to a briefcase. The children rose to that challenge but couldn't figure out how to actually open it without the adults’ assistance.
“Everyone contributes something,” Garvett said.
If you go:
Mobile Room Escape
Where: 6116 Grand Ave, Gurnee (Value City Furniture parking lot at Gurnee Mills).
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Click "Buy Tickets" on the website to see daily show times.
Cost/Info: Tickets are $30. Capacity is up to 12 adults or 15 children. Mixed groups are welcome. Call 773-219-2922, email info@mobileroomescape.com or visit mobileroomescape.com for more information.