Home » Theme Parks » Universal Studios » Universal Orlando

‘DIG: Escape The Room’ opens as popular new attraction concept at Universal Orlando for limited time

in Entertainment, Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Posted on by Ricky Brigante 2 Comments
A red-haired adventurer reveals a glowing red symbol on their back, hands resting on their shoulders, with the Universal Orlando cityscape below—capturing the thrill of uncovering Universal's new DIG: Escape The Room experience.

The “escape room” craze is sweeping the country with attractions in this relatively new genre popping up everywhere. The latest is a temporary installation at Universal Orlando (and Universal Studios Hollywood) called DIG: Escape the Room, promoting the upcoming USA TV show “Dig” that debuts this Thursday, March 5.

Now through March 8, Universal Studios Florida visitors can visit the park’s Studio Audience Center to reserve a time slot throughout operating hours. A minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 guests will enter the experience that requires interactive puzzles to be solved in order to “escape” the 2-room enclosed space. The attraction was created in partnership with Escape the Room NYC.

The banner at Universal Studios Florida showcases "Entrance DIG: Escape The Room USA #DIGDEEPER" against a realistic stone backdrop, inviting guests to experience the park's newest escape adventure.

DIG: Escape the Room is set up in the Disaster attraction extended queue, which Halloween Horror Nights fans will recognize as an annual location of many popular haunted houses. After receiving a quick introduction and viewing a teaser for the TV show, guests are immediately locked in and told simply to do what they have to in order to figure out how to escape.

The “DIG Escape the Room” attraction sign welcomes guests next to themed rocks and lanterns in a Universal Orlando promotional display, inviting fans to experience this thrilling new adventure.

A team member enthusiastically welcomes guests in front of the “DIG Escape the Room” backdrop, proudly sporting official merch for Universal Orlando’s newest adventure experience.

This being a temporary attraction, its design is fairly simple. But it fits the theme of the TV show and definitely requires some careful attention to figure out how to get out. There are locks, keys, books, and plenty of props to get hands-on with, all required to make it out in the 25-minute allotted timeframe.

A team of four guests immerses themselves in Universal Orlando’s Escape The Room attraction, with one writing clues, another crouching to examine details, a third bending over searching for hints, and the fourth standing by a wooden bench—working together in an action-packed race to unlock secrets and beat the clock.

For those who get stuck, subtle hints will appear on TV monitors throughout the space that push the experience along. Our team of 6 (two other reporters and our 4-person group of designers from The Republic) just barely made it out with 27 seconds to spare. The hard hats were just for fun.

A group of six guests celebrate their Escape The Room victory at Universal Orlando, smiling and holding signs like "We did it!" and "Geniuses!" in front of the attraction’s immersive themed wall.

The feasibility of a permanent escape room style attraction in a theme park is a tough, but intriguing possibility. Since only a small number of guests can experience the attraction at any given time, the vast majority of park visitors wouldn’t have the opportunity. But the longer duration and more interactive approach separates this type of experience from a ride, stage show, or even haunted house.

On its first day, DIG: Escape the Room filled all available time slots within a couple hours of the park being open, so it’s recommended to arrive early to ensure a spot. Guests can look for signs posted throughout the park for more information. An identical experience is also currently open at Universal Studios Hollywood for a limited time.

A striking red-haired character with a mysterious symbol on their back spotlights the thrilling new "DIG" series, airing Thursdays at 10/9c on USA, billed as an edge-of-your-seat experience rivaling Universal Orlando’s Escape The Room attraction.

View Comments (2)