Stephen King and Jason Egan make your fears come alive in ESCAPE IT, the ultimate movie-based attraction…
The fictional town of Derry, Maine, has a big problem. Don’t be fooled by the welcome signs and warmly lit shop fronts. Something evil dwells here and has been around for centuries. Buy a ticket to the Capitol Movie Theater, and you may never be seen again. That is, unless you can ‘Escape IT‘.
Much like the wildly successful theatrical films, Escape IT is divided into two distinct “chapters”. Entitled “The Sewers” and “The Fun House”, they can be experienced separately or as a combined adventure.
VEGAS 411 took you to the opening of The Fun House in this feature. At the time, The Fun House was entitled “IT Chapter Two“, and The Sewers was known as “IT Chapter One.” The rebranding offers a more distinctive description of each experience.
You may have heard that the township of Derry and its supernatural clown are set to return in “IT: Welcome to Derry“, an HBO series. Actor Bill Skarsgard reprised his role as “Pennywise” in this nine-episode prequel to Stephen King’s epic novel. It will explore the centuries-old backstory of the terrorized town and its unearthly underground dweller.
With all of the excitement building for the series, and no less than three Stephen King films hitting theaters this year, now is the perfect time to return to Escape IT….and that’s exactly what we did. On this visit, our adventure led us into The Sewers, and it was a terrifyingly great time.
Welcome to Derry
It’s the late 1980s, and New Line’s NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET Part 5 will be opening soon at Derry’s Capitol Theater. Authentic, fully operational vintage video games line the lobby, where you can purchase snacks and tickets for your cinematic adventure.
Lisa Wilcox in A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Dream Master (photo via New Line Cinema)
I invited a friend, actress Lisa Wilcox, to be my teammate for Escape IT: The Sewers. Horror fans know Lisa as “Alice Johnson”, the protagonist of Elm Street Parts 4 and 5. Seeing her film advertised as a “Coming Attraction” was quite a thrill, and I got to snap the moment.
Actress Lisa Wilcox of Nightmare of Elm Street 4 and 5
Although Lisa was there as my guest and not in an official capacity, her presence was spotted by fans, which added to the cinematic excitement. Entrepreneur and creator Jason Egan joined our group, sharing introductions and preparing us for what lay ahead. Then we were off on our quest.
You’ll need to sign a waiver before being escorted to the Derry Public Works Facility. Once inside, a clerk will present an instructional video, then assign you to a Derry search team. Following the plot of the book and film, townsfolk are trying to locate missing children who disappeared in the sewers.
Enter the Sewers
The Derry Public Works facility leads to an underground maze. For the next hour or so, you’ll be immersed in Derry’s catacombs, following clues to rescue the missing and return them to the surface. Along the way, you’ll encounter everything from fog and scents to flashing lights, banging doors, ominous sounds, living and deceased victims…and of course, Pennywise!
Sets and props are rendered in amazing detail. Live actors and animatronics are part of the journey. You won’t always know who is a plant. Clues are well-hidden, but not so much that you’ll be stumped. Diehard escape room fans will find Escape IT invigorating, and newcomers may become hooked on the concept.
Egan Productions are fully-realized marvels that are open year-round. They include the John Wick Experience, Escape the Blair Witch, and SAW Escape Room. Each attraction is on par with those created for Disney and Universal Studios theme parks. Jason Egan and company take the level of realism to unbelievable heights.
Escape IT is not for children. All participants are required to provide valid identification and agree to follow all regulations and restrictions (click here for further details). Due to the nature and structure of the experience, advance reservations are required. Walk-in guests cannot be accommodated, and no refunds will be issued to those who deem it “too scary”. This is an intense attraction, and it’s meant to be.
The photos and clips above are just a small part of the Escape IT experience. There are numerous rooms, corridors, traps, and escapes. We wouldn’t want to give away clues or spoil surprises that await you. Eventually, we made it back to the surface, where a welcome party awaited.
Safe Return to The Midway
“Shocker”, Jason Egan, Joey Simpson, and “Bizarro”
Derry Historical Museum
The Derry Historical Museum is filled with authentic props, artifacts, and set pieces from the films. There’s also a gift shop packed with officially licensed merchandise that can’t be purchased anywhere else.
Whether you’re a fan of horror films, escape rooms, Stephen King, or movies in general, Escape IT is a thrilling way to spend a few hours. Don’t miss it.
Escape IT is open Wednesday through Sunday and is located at 273 South Martin Luther King Blvd, near World Market Center and downtown Las Vegas. Hours vary by day. Ticket prices vary with general admission starting at $54.99, 2-room experiences at $79.99, and VIP private game tickets at $74.99. Reservations are required. Visit EscapeIT.com or call 702.637.1335.
Editor’s note: At the time of this publication, Escape IT was offering a 75% discount on a second combo admission with the purchase of one at full price. Click here to check for the latest deals.
