The Crying Cactus

The theme of this game was very unique, and we were super excited to try it. Unfortunately, the room suffered from severe logic leaps and several operational issues. ​Right away in the first room, we hit a broken puzzle that required the Game Master to give us the answer directly just to move on. The second room was even worse—the puzzles had such massive logic leaps that even after getting the answers, we still had no idea how they were supposed to be solved mathematically or logically. To make matters worse, a key was placed in the wrong box during setup and a second element was broken, completely halting our progress. ​Out of a 75-minute game, we lost roughly 30 minutes entirely to room errors, broken components, and setup mistakes, which ultimately prevented us from escaping. Even the Game Masters struggled to explain how the final puzzles were meant to be completed. ​We love non-linear games, but some designers confuse non-linear play with puzzles that simply make no sense. Hard games are great; impossible, ill-maintained games are just frustrating.

The best things about this experience were the decorations and the GM. Our biggest issue with this room was there were so many things to read on clipboards and binders. We had so many papers everywhere and there wasn’t really anywhere to put them nearby. We were unable to escape (partly due to a broken lever) but we were about 99% done. We actually want to try this experience again someday now that we know how it works.

I thought it was a lot of fun and a unique theme! Always looking for unique theming. We were four minutes over time with only two people. Overall, it was not bad!!

I appreciate the effort put into the theming but the story did not really flow and the puzzles were overly complex for what they were. Lots of instructions and paperwork required. It would have been nicer if the puzzles flowed.

Great job

Sad they used AI video instead of a human. Fun room overall, the 75 minute time was really more of a product of two disparate area and the first area being a bit disjointed. Still, good time and would recommend EXCEPT I hate that AI video was used in the room multiple times. Hire a real person, use a worker if you can’t afford an actor, but PAY a person don’t replace with AI.

If you find yourself in Daytona, we highly recommend the Daytona Escape Room Experience. From the moment you walk through the door, you're greeted by a creatively designed lobby that immerses you in the various themes of the rooms. The escape rooms are advertised with marquees reminiscent of classic movie theaters, adding a fun, nostalgic touch. While waiting for your room, there are puzzles to engage with, keeping the excitement going. We had the chance to chat with Mike, the owner, while our room was being reset. Mike is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the escape room industry, and it’s evident that he’s passionate about what he does. He designs all the rooms and props in-house, ensuring that you won’t find any generic decorations here—everything is custom-made and carefully thought out. We played The Crying Cactus Cantina, and from the moment we entered, we were hooked by the atmosphere and the story. The attention to detail is top-notch! In the game, you stumble upon a cantina in the middle of the desert, but it's eerily empty—what happened here? We felt like detectives piecing together a mystery, fully immersed in the environment. The puzzles were well-designed, fitting seamlessly with the setting and story. Some of the challenges were unlike anything we had seen before, making the experience even more exciting. The design truly made us feel like we had discovered an abandoned establishment in the desert. Our game master Becca was phenominal. She was extremely attentive and gave the exact nudges we needed. This is definitely not a room for beginners—I'd recommend it only for experienced players looking for a real challenge. Overall, Daytona Escape Room Experience offers an unforgettable, immersive adventure that is well worth the visit!

Great room! My partner and I were able to talk to the owner and were accommodated to allow us to play with only two people! We set our pride aside and asked for hints when we needed it so that we could make sure we got out and we did! The theme is funky and cool, there are a few red herrings but if you focus on the task at hand they don’t become much of a time waster. Their mix of tech and locks was well balanced and had a blast solving these challenging puzzles! Overall, great set design, fun themed puzzles, and a wacky plot twist halfway through. Come play it!

Very immersive, awesome set design, unique theme, and overall a ton of fun! Unfortunately we were unable to experience the room at it's best due to either technical or gamemaster training issues, but what we did experience was top tier. The puzzles (particularly in the 2nd room) were challenging, although intuitive for the most part. We did this room with just 2 people and made it close to the end, but were unable to escape due to all the issues we experienced (unsure if we would have escaped if things ran smoothly). But it really is a challenge for just 2 people. 3 people is ideal in my opinion and 4 is really pushing it. Any more than that and it's going to feel crowded and there may not be enough to keep everyone busy the whole time as its a linear room. Would absolutely recommend experiencing this room with an experienced gamemaster, Mike (the owner) did an awesome job with this one. Love all the Easter eggs and humorous parts!