Behind The Locked Door – Building Entertaining Escapes In Whangaparāoa
What do a magical gnome's house, a zombie apocalypse and a royal heist have in common? You'll find them all behind closed doors at Escapism Escape Room Experiences, a locally owned escape room business that has been reshaping entertainment on the Hibiscus Coast since opening in August 2024.
With over 500 five-star reviews in its first year and a growing base of returning locals, Escapism has fast become a creative favourite among families, friends and thrill-seekers looking for something a little different. Every experience is designed and built in-house by owners David and Danni Dennis, with a strong focus on immersive storytelling, handcrafted props and clever, story-driven puzzles.
'There are no mass-produced puzzles, no copy-paste game formats. Every experience is built in-house, with careful attention to detail, with an emphasis on immersive storytelling, handcrafted props and clever, story-driven puzzles,' says David.
'We wanted to create spaces that take you away from the regular world, to escape. Building escape rooms was an accessible way of doing that, in a relatively small physical space we can take you to another time, another world. The story and the puzzles help anchor you there, focused while the time limit helps keep it exciting,' he adds.
From IT to Imagination
David began building his first room several years ago, but plans were put on hold by the uncertainty of COVID. During that time, he returned to work in IT, while he and Danni focused on raising their young family. With support from family and a fitting venue in Stanmore Bay, their vision for Escapism became reality.
'We put a lot of ourselves into it,' says Danni. 'This isn't just about running a business – it's about creating something that brings joy and gives people an experience they can really remember.'
The couple found the perfect location in the middle of Whangaparāoa's "Op-shop Hub" on Karepiro Drive. David often visits the local secondhand shops for props and inspiration, or even just to take a break from the intensity of escape room building.
'We found a place with a big concrete walled storage area, and Danni and I had the exact same thought - this would be perfect for a post-apocalyptic theme!' says David. That storage room later became their very first offering, Zombie Bite – a survival game where players must find their lost friend Scott and the vaccines he was looking for... before it's too late and they all become zombies.
A Carefully Crafted Experience
David crafts each room with care and consideration for every detail, aiming to make each one as effective and enjoyable as possible. That commitment to quality is especially evident in Gnome's Adventure, where players explore a charming – or creepy, depending on the chosen version – fantasy world, complete with working lanterns, a crackling fireplace and hidden doorways.
The customer experience goes beyond the room itself. Every booking is intentionally spaced out to allow time for personal interaction, from the welcome at the door to the final debrief – a choice that prioritises quality over quantity.
Accessibility and Community
Escapism also takes accessibility seriously. One of the rooms is fully wheelchair accessible, and staff are trained through a partnership with The Hāpai Foundation to support guests with diverse needs. The business offers early bird pricing, free parking and encourages customers to get in touch in advance to discuss any specific requirements.
That community-first mindset has made Escapism popular not just with locals but also with visitors from across Auckland – some travelling more than an hour to experience the rooms. As more rooms open and overall capacity increases, Escapism will also begin focusing more on team-building events.
Always Evolving
Part of Escapism's success comes from its commitment to continuous improvement. David and Danni regularly observe how players interact with each room and refine the experience accordingly.
'We try our best to make each new game a great one, however, you never really know how things will play out, until you get a real team in there. So as people we are open to feedback and improvements,' says David. 'The goal is to just keep improving. Almost a year later and Zombie Bite continues to get an occasional adjustment.'
With more rooms already in development, Escapism is expanding its offerings with plans for new storylines, unexpected mechanics and experiences that push the boundaries of what escape rooms can be.
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