Frequently Asked Questions
What Is TE101?
Tactical Escape 101 creates LIVE ACTION ADVENTURE GAMES that challenge your team mentally and physically. Players explore an immersive environment, uncover clues, solve puzzles, complete hands-on challenges, and work together to accomplish an objective before time runs out.
Think of it as an adventure-based scavenger hunt, interactive mystery, and team challenge combined into one unforgettable experience!
Will We Play With Other People? What Is the Price?
No! All games are booked privately. Your group will enjoy the adventure without strangers joining you.
Private booking prices vary by location, adventure, and group size. Select your city and adventure online to view current pricing.
Charging a group minimum allowed us to make private games a permanent part of the TE101 experience in 2020.
Do We Need Reservations? How Far in Advance Should We Book?
YES! Reserving ahead is strongly recommended.
To keep our prices as affordable as possible, we schedule staff based on the reservations we receive. Nearly every reservation has its own dedicated Game Master.
When you know you are coming, reserve for the minimum number of players required. Additional players may be added and paid for when you arrive, up to the adventure’s maximum capacity.
If your group is larger than one adventure can accommodate, please reserve early. With enough notice, we may be able to schedule additional employees, bring in support from another location, or make other arrangements for your group.
Do not miss out. Get those reservations in! If a time is available online, you are welcome to reserve it.
What Ages Can Play?
Our LIVE ACTION ADVENTURE GAMES are primarily designed for adults, but young teens and families can also have a fantastic time!
- The recommended minimum age for players joining a family or mixed-age group is 9.
- A paying adult must participate with any group that includes players younger than 16.
- Our adventures are not designed for groups made up primarily of children younger than 13. Younger children often have a wonderful time playing alongside their families, but a full group of young children may not have the same experience.
- Some adventures have their own age restrictions or special rules. Please review the individual adventure description before reserving. A few select adventures do not allow children, and exceptions cannot be made.
These guidelines help us provide every group with a safe, enjoyable, and valuable experience.
Children younger than 4 must remain secured in a baby carrier or stroller. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children at all times. If a Game Master believes a child’s safety is at risk, an adult will be asked to leave the game with the child. Refunds will not be provided.
Safety is always our number-one priority at TE101.
Why Doesn’t Anyone Answer When I Call?
If your question is not answered in this FAQ, please leave us a message. We will return your call as soon as possible!
We are a small business, and our owner, Jennifer, or her second-in-command and daughter-in-law, Natasha, personally answers calls for all our locations. They care about you and want to help!
If you need a quick answer that is not included here, please use the WhatsApp button on our website.
What About Fear or Claustrophobia?
Breathe easy! Every door has an emergency exit, and many of our adventures have objectives that do not involve leaving through a locked door. Some doors remain completely open or unlocked throughout the experience, while others lead your team through a second exit.
Guests with significant claustrophobia have successfully participated and told us they felt as comfortable as they would in a room at home.
If someone needs to step out, they may do so at any time. The clock will continue running while the rest of the team plays.
No worries. We’ve got you!
Are the Adventures Difficult? Are They Scary? Do the Clues Change?
Difficulty: Yes, our adventures are challenging. It would not be much fun if they were easy! If your group needs help, your Game Master will gladly provide clues and hints. Let us know what kind of experience you want, and we will help you get the most from your adventure.
Themes: Almost everything needed to solve the puzzles is included within the adventure. Basic knowledge, such as simple math, may be expected. If specialized information is required, such as the value of a chess piece, that information will be provided within the game.
Fear factor: If an adventure includes scary or intense elements, this will be explained in its name or description.
Clues and puzzles: The clues do not change. Once you have played a particular adventure, you will already know some of its secrets. Some guests choose to play again and remain quiet when they know an answer so the rest of the group can experience the discoveries for themselves.
How Are Difficulty and Capacity Determined?
We do our best to provide helpful difficulty ratings for every adventure, but assigning those ratings is not easy.
We consider:
- The number and complexity of the puzzles
- Codes, ciphers, and other forms of encryption
- Changes in scenery or environment
- Lighting and special effects
- The amount of available space
- The number of players the adventure can comfortably accommodate
The greatest variable is always the group itself. An adventure that feels easy to one team may feel much more challenging to another because of differences in life experience, communication, and group dynamics.
Our best advice is to bring a team with a variety of ages, backgrounds, skills, and ways of thinking. Leave your inner control freak at home, communicate with one another, and trust the process!
How Long Are the Games? What Times Are Available?
Most LIVE ACTION ADVENTURE GAMES provide up to 60 minutes to complete the objective. Please plan for your total visit to last approximately 90 minutes, including check-in, instructions, the game, a short follow-up, and team photos.
Late arrivals may lose game time, forfeit fees, or both. Please be considerate of other guests and our staff by arriving on time and ready to play. That means taking care of any restroom needs before your scheduled start time!
Available times vary by location. Select your city and adventure online to see the current schedule. Each location has its own availability, so reserve as soon as possible.
Are the Games the Same as Others I Have Played?
No, and sometimes yes!
If you have already played a specific Tactical Escape 101 adventure, you have played that version of the game. We occasionally move adventures between our locations, but many are custom-built for their spaces and only exist once.
If an adventure moves to another location and keeps the same name, it is the same game. However, adventures with different names, such as Kraken’s Revenge and Pirate Wars, are different games.
If you have played a similar theme at another company, the puzzles will not be the same. There may occasionally be small similarities, but our Puzzle Master, Jennifer, and her creative team develop our games from scratch.
For example, playing a pirate-themed game in another city or state does not mean you have already experienced our pirate adventure, Kraken’s Revenge.
Do We Need Waivers? How Do We Add Extra Players?
Waivers: We prefer to have everyone complete a waiver upon arrival. If needed, there will be time to complete waivers before your adventure begins. If you are bringing children, simply include their information on your adult waiver.
Adding players: Because all our games are private, you may bring additional players up to the adventure’s maximum capacity. We will collect payment for the additional players when you arrive.
For the safety of our employees, some locations do not accept cash. Please be prepared to pay for additional players with a credit or debit card.
How Are the Adventures Cleaned?
Each adventure is sanitized after every group, and this has always been our practice.
You pay us to touch our stuff, and we take that seriously! The health and safety of our guests and employees have always been our number-one priority.
Oh No! I Have an Expired Voucher!
Do not worry! We offer two Voucher Amnesty Periods each year when we accept any expired voucher:
- Monday through Wednesday during the second week of May
- Monday through Wednesday during the second week of September
Reservations using expired vouchers must be made by phone. Please call us so our team can assist you.
