Frequently Asked Questions

 Only those who like to have fun can take part. (Those who don't like to have fun should sign up for the new course offered through Parks and Rec called, "Shaving My Head with a Cheese Grater While Chewing Tinfoil".) Escape rooms are great for birthday celebrations, date night, team building, girls night out, family time - or for no reason at all other than you want a unique and memorable thing to do. Kids between 10 and 16 are welcome in our 'adult rooms' with at least one paid and attending adult in the room. 

Currently (April 2025) we do not have an escape room suitable for kids under age 10. The AR games have 2 options that would be suitable for kids as young as 6.

As for very young kids (under 6) and infants/toddlers, we STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST this. They could easily get hurt (nothing in any of our rooms was designed to be child/toddler proof, there are trip hazards, there are electrical wires they could access, etc). They won't get the puzzles and they will get bored. They will distract the parent(s) and/or other group members. So please leave those under age 6 at home with someone responsible. Or give them a wad of cash and send them to the nearest Starbucks. Who are we to judge your parenting style? 

(UPDATE as of April 2025 - -the original kids room has closed, a new one is in the design/build phase...) We had a room designed for kids aged 6-10, and hope to design a new one fairly soon (as of this webpage update in April 2025). However, the sad reality is that I have 2 other jobs that keep me kinda busy, and working on a new room takes a fair bit of time. But as soon as plans get clarified and a space identified, I will be building out the new kids room. For now, kids 10 and older are welcome in our 'adult' escape rooms, as long as there is at least one paid adult in the room with them at all times. This is for two reasons: 1) kids are much better at finding things than adults, but they are much worse when it comes to knowing what to do with the things they find; and 2) you can keep a better eye on them and make sure they don't get too "enthusiastic" while in the room.
 

We here at Escape Corvallis love animals, and we support Heartland Humane, Safe Haven and Chintimini Wildlife all the time. Having said that, please do NOT bring any animal that is not a trained Service Animal (NOT an Emotional Support Animal) to Escape Corvallis. There are too many risks for us and for you (everything from your untrained animal nipping at another customer, to relieving itself in our rooms, etc), so please respect that! 

In addition, we ask that you send us an email ahead of time (at least 1 day before your booking, ideally) to tell us you will be bringing a trained Service Animal. This is because we host an adoptable cat from Heartland Humane once a month or so, and we would need to prepare if a service dog was going to be in the facility. 

If you just can't imagine doing anything without your emotional support iguana, then our outdoor-based AR games would be a perfect fit!

 We ask that you show up 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of your game. This allows time for waivers to be filled out, instructions to be given, and neurons to be roused from slumber. The game itself will take 60 - 75 minutes (depending on the room you are doing), and then there's usually 5-10 minutes or so at the end for 'debriefing', discussing what puzzles may have stumped you, and generally basking in your intellectual awesomeness. Be aware that if you are late, then that time may come off of your total time in the room (especially if we have a follow-up room right after yours). This will be at the discretion of the Escape Master.
 

The only things you'll need will be a sense of curiosity, a desire to have fun, and a willingness to think outside the box a little. And maybe your reading glasses, if you use them. You will need your phone to do the waiver in the lobby, so please have it with you. We will lock it up once you go into the room, as well as any pocket knives, tool kits, mini-flame throwers, etc. Likewise, you don't need any special skills or knowledge (like knowing how to balance a chemical reaction, or the difference between alliteration and assonance - but if you do know those things, good for you! It will definitely help you later in life as you try to become a 'social influencer' ...)

For the AR games, dress appropriately for the outdoor conditions (meaning, it's Oregon, so ALWAYS be ready for rain) and have at least one cell phone among your group.

When you book, you'll be taken to a secure portal to make payment, via PayPal (but you do NOT need a PayPal account to use the portal). We never see or have access to any of your payment info. Meaning, it is as safe as anything we do these days, under the all-knowing, all-watching eyes of our TikTok, NSA and DOGE overlords.

Good for you for eschewing the modern banking/financial system! While we would love to get hold of some of that gold and silver you are hoarding in your panic room, unfortunately our booking system only deals with cards. This means you will not be able to reserve a room. However, you can show up during our regular open hours and either take a shot at getting the room you wanted as a walk up, or you can pay with cash to reserve a future room. On site, we take exact cash or credit cards.

You will be mocked endlessly by friends and family. People will point at you on the street. Your life insurance premiums will likely increase. But because we care so much, the Escape Master will be monitoring and can offer hints if you're truly stuck, to help you try and avoid such a fate. Every group gets 3 hints if needed. After that, further hints are at the discretion of the Escape Master.

Sorry, but there are no refunds for cancellations or no-shows. If you believe you have some extenuating circumstances, you will need to contact info@escapecorvallis.com to plead your case. (You will get much farther if you don't approach that request with a sense of righteous entitlement. Just sayin'. ;-) 

Please note as well that if you cancel or change your reservation with less than 24 hours notice, you will likely be charged a $60 fee to rebook. Why $60? Because our minimum booking is for 2 people, and if you cancel or ask to reschedule with short notice, we will charge that amount to offset the fact that you prevented another group from booking the same room and time. And last, if any refunds are given, we now need to impose a fee of $2 per person per refund. This is because PayPal no longer refunds their service fees to merchants when the merchant issues a refund.

We require at least 4 people to run the Happy Hour room (because your group is split into 2 groups at the start, in 2 different rooms), and at least 2 people for the Jailbreak, REC and Lockdown 2020 rooms. Generally, you'll have more fun and have a better chance of escaping with more people. Not saying you can't do it with just 2, but keep in mind the rooms were typically designed for 4-8 people.
 

Yes, we have a single-user bathroom at each end of the building. 

Yes, in terms of door widths, hallway widths, etc. However, the location (301 SW 4th St, Suite 280, Corvallis) does not have an elevator, and there are 16 steps to the 2nd floor, where we are located. Also, not all puzzles / challenges / parts of rooms would necessarily be accessible to someone in a wheelchair or with other mobility issues or disabilities.  

We do! And our gift vouchers are the perfect way to say, "I'd like to lock you away for an hour or so!" Go to the Booking Section above and click the "Gift Vouchers" icon/link.

Not any more, ever since a little thing called Covid! All bookings are private, and once a room is booked, it closes to further bookings. So please try to have your whole group accounted for when you make your booking. But if other friends and family heard about this awesome thing you're about to do and now want to join in, who can blame them? You can add people the "day of" as we take credit cards (and cash) on site. 

Generally yes, but as rooms are sometimes booked days in advance, if you have your mind set on a particular time and room, then reserve your spot. But if you're out and about and you see us and think, "I've always wondered what's in that mundane-looking building near Block 15", then come up and talk to us. We might be able to fit you in. You'll need exact cash OR a credit card to pay on site. 

Good question. The door is closed during your game but if you need to get out, or want to get out, or have to get out, you can do so easily. 

Yes, almost definitely. We have bright-eyed and bushy-tailed staff who eagerly want more rooms to work! Contact us at info@escapecorvallis.com and we can likely work out your custom room. 

In a school bus, yes. In our escape rooms, not so much. The rooms as currently configured can handle anywhere from 8 - 12 people each (depending on the room), for a total of 34-36 in our 'adult' rooms. We can run all rooms essentially at once. But talk to us, we're happy to work with your larger group and make it happen!
 

Despite my professional (and personal) aversion to the phone, we have finally adopted 19th century technology. Our number is 458-250-3539. Of course, we are hoping that you still read through these FAQs to get most (if not all) of your questions addressed. The phone would be great for those trying to organize a company team building, for example, or for someone with questions about special needs related to doing one of our rooms. Or even better, call us to leave a message about how awesome our staff was during your visit, or how cool the room was! (If you have complaints about staff or the rooms, please call 202-456-1111)
 

We will host a dog or cat once a month (or so) at Escape Corvallis. The animal can join you and your group during your room, if you'd like. And the best part...Escape Corvallis will pay the adoption fee if you are the successful applicant for the animal! All animals will be provided by Heartland and will have been determined to be safe to be around people. Having said that, use the same approach and behavior you would around any dog or cat you're meeting for the first time, and let them decide if they want to meet you. We aim to bring animals that are pretty well-socialized, but sometimes even the happiest pup or kitty needs a break from people! If any group does not want to be around the dog or cat, then Escape Corvallis staff can crate the animal while you are here. 

​Ok, first, take a deep, cleansing breath while counting slowly to 10, mentally take yourself to your happy place while reminding yourself that you are a super-special, unique individual (just like everyone else). Second, email us at info@escapecorvallis.com, and we can likely address the issue.