The Story Behind Amazon Falls: A Family Adventure Crafted by Grandma and Grandpa Gillespie
At Escape in Time, every escape room has its own unique backstory, but few are as special to us as Amazon Falls. This room wasn’t just an idea pulled from history or fiction—it was the brainchild of two remarkable people who helped shape our family business: Grandma Freda and Grandpa Jim Gillespie. Their creativity, love for adventure, and hands-on involvement turned a simple concept into one of our most immersive and popular experiences!
When the family first broached the idea of starting an escape room business, Grandpa’s reaction was priceless. He sat at the table, listened intently, and then asked, "What is an escape room?" After a detailed explanation, complete with diagrams and excited hand motions, he remained somewhat baffled.
It wasn’t until we took them to experience an escape room firsthand that the confusion subsided—although not completely. Mildly confused but enthusiastic, both Grandma and Grandpa jumped in with both feet, playing the roles of project managers, realists, dreamers, and skeptics all in one and we wouldn’t have it any other way. They jumped into a labor of love as much for US as for the customers who were sure to love this adventure.
It didn’t take long before they began suggesting ideas of their own. Having always been avid readers of adventure and mystery novels, particularly Clive Cussler books, they were captivated by the idea of building a story-driven room. Cussler’s thrilling tales of ancient treasures and perilous journeys spoke to their shared love for storytelling. So, when it came time to decide on a theme for one of our first rooms, they came up with the idea that would become Amazon Falls!
The adventure they envisioned was classic: an old 1940s riverboat, drifting along the mighty Amazon River. The engine has failed, and players must work together to figure out how to restart the boat before they are swept over a massive waterfall. With lush jungle landscapes, exotic wildlife, and the sounds of rushing water getting louder with every minute, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
But transforming a plain room into the immersive world of the Amazon was no easy task. We faced the challenge of making our players feel like they were really on that river, fighting against time and the elements. That’s when we brought in an incredibly talented team (all family)—artists to paint murals that extended the boat into the jungle, making it feel much larger than it was, and sound technicians who created an authentic soundscape of river water, distant wildlife, and the impending roar of the waterfall. Grandpa and Grandma were hands-on the entire way, overseeing every detail to ensure it met their high standards.
Their love for authenticity didn’t stop with the set design. The room is filled with period-appropriate items, from weathered maps to old navigational tools, creating an atmosphere that transports players right into the 1940s. And every puzzle in the room? It’s all mechanical. Grandpa had a particular fondness for those classic, hands-on elements, believing they added a tactile and satisfying experience to the game.
Grandpa Jim was especially fixated on one aspect of the room—the "wow effect." He would often ask, "How do we hide something in plain sight and create that 'wow' moment when it’s finally found?" It was his mission to ensure that players felt that burst of excitement and accomplishment at every key moment in the game. Whether it was unlocking a cleverly hidden compartment or solving a puzzle that revealed a vital clue, he believed that these moments were what made the experience unforgettable.
And if there’s one thing Grandma and Grandpa both loved, it was a good jump scare. So, be prepared for the occasional rattle or surprising moment that will make you jump—just one of the many ways they infused their mischievous sense of fun into the room.
The reception to Amazon Falls has been nothing short of extraordinary. One of our favorite reviews reads,
"If I could give 10 stars, I would. This is one of the best escape room experiences I’ve ever had."
Hearing that kind of feedback is incredibly rewarding, especially knowing how much love and effort went into bringing the room to life.
Recently, we’ve expanded the use of the Amazon Falls set. Recognizing that teens loved the room as much as adults, we adapted it for birthday parties, adding new layers to the experience that make it perfect for younger adventurers. Introducing a completely different version of the room, the Haunted Bayou, which is designed for teens and explores the mysterious story of the famed Swamp Fox.
The Haunted Bayou adventure follows the legend of the Swamp Fox, a Revolutionary War figure shrouded in mystery and romance, who lost a treasure long ago while aboard a riverboat in South Carolina (in our version). Players must navigate through this eerie storyline, solving puzzles and unraveling the mystery, all while trying to uncover the lost treasure. While the physical set remains the same as Amazon Falls, the entire puzzle structure and adventure have been changed to offer a completely new experience—one that’s full of thrills and surprises!
As we continue to expand and develop new adventures, Amazon Falls and its Haunted Bayou counterpart remain some of our most sought-after experiences!
And through it all, we never forget that it was Grandma Freda and Grandpa Jim who helped lay the foundation.
Their vision, passion, and attention to detail made Amazon Falls what it is today—an escape room full of adventure, excitement, and memories waiting to be made. We can’t wait to see what future adventures their legacy will inspire next.
