the mommy avenger

If you’ve been around here long enough, you already know our family has a special place in our hearts for Castle of Chaos. It’s one of our favorite haunts every Halloween—literally. But what I didn’t know until recently is that the fun doesn’t end when October does.

Turns out the property is alive year-round thanks to Escape Utah, home to some seriously impressive escape rooms. We’ve done our share of escape rooms over the years, but when we heard they had a brand-new room called Dragon’s Quest, we were in. No hesitation.

What is Dragon’s Quest?

The premise feels like something straight out of a fantasy novel. Evil forces are rising, the kingdom is in trouble, and it’s up to your team to uncover hidden artifacts, unlock ancient magic, and basically save the realm before time runs out. It’s immersive, it’s theatrical, and it hooks you fast.

And let me tell you—the scale is wild.
3,000 square feet.
Yes, you read that right. This escape room is literally bigger than some homes I’ve lived in. It’s also the most detailed room I’ve ever stepped into. I can’t show you pictures or spoil anything (believe me, I wish I could), but imagine being dropped into a medieval castle with winding chambers, mysterious corridors, and puzzles tucked into every nook.

It wasn’t just a game. We were in our own adventure!

This room is massive, and you actually need a big group to cover ground. Dragon’s Quest allows up to 16 players, and honestly, the more the better. Everyone has something to do. Everyone gets to contribute. And with a full 90 minutes to explore, you really get lost—in the best way.

If 90 minutes sounds long, don’t worry. The time disappears. Once you’re inside, you forget about phones, notifications, to-dos… all of it. It’s rare to have an hour and a half of pure presence with the people you love, but that’s exactly what this game forces—in a good way.

One of my favorite things about escape rooms is watching what people naturally gravitate toward. Maybe someone who’s usually quiet becomes the MVP, cracking codes left and right. Maybe you discover you’re unexpectedly good at deciphering Olde English riddles. As for me? Apparently, I can wield a wand and brew potions like I’ve been training at Hogwarts for years. (Who knew?) You definitely get to find out all the hidden skills your friends and family have been hiding. It’s team-building disguised as play—zero awkward corporate trust falls required.

Did we escape? Nope.
Not this time.
But honestly? We didn’t care. We laughed, we explored, we shouted clues across torch-lit chambers, and we loved every minute of it. Our whole group walked out buzzing, already plotting when we could go back. And we most definitely will go back to try to conquer this room and the many others offered at Escape Utah!

Ready to book your own quest?

If you’re looking for something unforgettable to do with family or friends—especially with the holidays sneaking up—Dragon’s Quest at Escape Utah is a slam-dunk. It makes a great family outing, a memorable group gift, or a new holiday tradition. We were so impressed with the entire experience, I really can’t rave about it enough.

You can check out availability and book your very own experience directly online. Gather your crew, step into a castle, save a kingdom–or at least have a blast trying!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}