RATING: 6 Keys RESULT: Win TEAM SCORE: 63
“My adventures in Wonderland began when I putted the white golf ball down the rabbit hole…” – Alice (probably.)
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”
Alice’s Tee Time ushers in a whole new genre of attraction; this is the country’s first “puzzle putt.” It’s equal parts escape game and miniature golf (you read that right) – all set in the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. This attraction gives Rabbit Hole Escape Games the namesake offering it’s long been missing, and its new hidden gem.
Curious explorers quite literally venture down the rabbit hole and enter a world most curiouser and curiouser. Following along in Alice’s timeless story, with one brilliantly clever twist: this time, it’s a Mad TEE Party. Nine completely narrative-driven holes await, each a combination of escape game puzzles and mini golf obstacles.
But don’t worry; in this Wonderland, you’ll never be late (for a very important date.) Alice’s Tee Time does not limit play duration, guaranteeing cats and rabbits, and everything in between, will get to enjoy this classic story as it unfolds with each putt of a golf club. (But for those who do keep a tight schedule with no time to say hello, goodbye, the average play duration is roughly ninety minutes.)
“This would be a curious place to find the rabbit!”
Rabbit Hole Escape Games has a uniquely distinct scenic style – always high in its whimsical spin. It should come as no surprise given the subject matter that Alice’s Tee Time is right up their alley. Equal parts cartoony and fantastical, each scene carries its own flavor, while constantly remaining bright, colorful and visually fun.
Each of its nine holes spotlight different parts of the classic Lewis Carroll novel, beginning, appropriately, with a trip down the rabbit hole. From there, the Pool of Tears washes up the Dodo along with all the creatures of the sea just outside the White Rabbit’s house. The Caterpillar is, of course, present to share his advice, while the Cheshire Cat is quick to offer directions – all of them, in fact: forward, backward, inward and outward! (In hindsight, he’s not very helpful.)
A Mad Tea Party (with a six stroke maximum) offers a brief respite before venturing further to the royal castle – its hedges surrounded by freshly bloomed white roses (but the Queen, she likes ’em red!) Inside, the royal court is set for a trial, presided over by the Queen of Hearts herself. A bit of advice: curtsy while you’re thinking. It saves time.
“Shall we play croquet?” [Rule 42: The Queen always wins!]
Alice’s Tee Time is like no other game – in all the best possible ways. Each of its nine holes seamlessly blends escape game puzzles with classic mini golf obstacles. Some holes require its puzzle to be solved prior to putting, while others need golf balls to trigger the awaiting task. This ever changing flow brings the disjointed spirit of Wonderland to life, with each moment truly as mad as the rest of us (we’re all mad here.)
Everything is controlled by the official Alice’s Tee Time app, which can be downloaded to your own personal smart phone prior to playing. It keeps score, offers hidden bonus badges (like our Facebook selfie check in) and shares special instructions for each hole. This custom app also acts as a hint system, as well as showing where your team ranks on the game’s leader board at the end (don’t judge us.)
Some obstacles require bending the laws of gravity, by allowing golf balls to roll up in a very Wonderland style. Others make use of growing and shrinking mushrooms straight out of Alice’s own imagination. There’s even an opportunity to join the Mad Hatter and March Hare for a spot of tea in celebration of a very merry unbirthday (this time, with an invitation.)
The journey to the castle is full of all the obstacles one could ever imagine. Painting the roses red requires coordinated team work (and not just because if the Queen saw white instead, she’d raise a fuss and each of us would quickly lose his head.) And naturally, as respectful guests it’s only proper that we trade in our mini golf putters for flamingo-headed mallets in a traditional game of croquet prior to taking audience with the Queen of Hearts herself. Just don’t forget Rule 42 – or it might just be your head on the line in the impending trial.
“That’s enough! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!”
Rabbit Hole Escape Games opens a tiny door to Wonderland with one of the most unique, clever, and downright fun attractions we’ve seen in a very long time. Not only is Alice’s Tee Time full of challenging escape game puzzles, but it’s also so story-driven from start to finish that it’s easy to become lost in this fantastical Wonderland and become immersed right into Alice’s adventures.
The inclusion of the miniature golf component only serves to make this game all the more whimsical – offering something previously not found anywhere else in the United States. But don’t let its hybrid stylings make you second guess a trip down the Rabbit Hole — Alice’s Tee Time is unquestionably an escape game; it’s just as non-traditional as everything to be found in Lewis Carroll’s actual Wonderland.
And while we’d imagine it’s merely a matter of time before more Puzzle Putt games pop up across the country, in this moment, Rabbit Hole Escape Games puts both itself, as well as the entire Central Florida market on the map as the only destination to experience such a unique new genre of entertainment. This venue was already home to our favorite traditional game in Tampa – the epic adventure of Shadows of the Skunk Ape, but it’s Alice’s Tee Time that’s truly Rabbit Hole Escape Games’ triumphant hole in one.
“I’m sorry, but how can one possibly pay attention to a book with no pictures in it?”
You can find an extended photo gallery from visit to Alice’s Tee Time in this exclusive album on the Escape Authority Facebook page! While there, why not give us a “LIKE” if you haven’t already? We’ll give you candy! (We promise it will neither make you grow nor shrink.)
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Venue: Rabbit Hole Escape Games
Location: Tampa, Florida
Number of Games: 3
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: Not timed / average playtime of 90 minutes
Capacity: 3 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: This venue has permanently closed.
We thank Rabbit Hole Escape Games for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.