DeepSummary
The hosts David Spira and Peih-Gee Law, along with their guests Mark Larson and Steve Ewing, discuss various topics related to immersive gaming and theme park experiences. Peih-Gee shares her entertaining experience of becoming the mayor of Ghost Town Alive at Knott's Berry Farm, where she made laws and paraded around with a sash. They talk about Mark's involvement in organizing DASH, a global puzzle hunt, and the process of creating puzzles for it.
David raves about his mind-blowing experience at the Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge, calling it the most magical theme park experience he has had. He also discusses his upcoming trip to the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser and shares his wife Lisa's reactions to watching the Star Wars movies for the first time.
Towards the end, Mark shares a hilarious story about his terrifying experience on the Tower of Terror ride at Disney World, where he screamed uncontrollably throughout the ride. They also briefly discuss the discontinued Battlestar Galactica board game and its excellent mechanics.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Ghost Town Alive at Knott's Berry Farm is an interactive Western-themed experience that allows visitors to participate in storylines and become immersed in the environment.
- DASH (Different Area, Same Hunt) is a global puzzle hunt that takes place across multiple locations, with teams solving puzzles and following clues to progress through the hunt.
- The Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge is an incredibly immersive and magical experience that sets a new standard for theme park rides.
- Puzzle hunts can vary in difficulty, and it's recommended to start with more approachable events like DASH or Puzzle Pint before attempting more challenging ones like the MIT Mystery Hunt.
- Knott's Berry Farm has a rich history, having started as a roadside stand selling berries and fried chicken dinners before growing into a massive theme park.
- Personal experiences and reactions can greatly enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of immersive gaming experiences.
- The discontinued Battlestar Galactica board game is highly praised for its mechanics and ability to capture the tension and paranoia of the show's premise.
- Theme park rides like Tower of Terror can elicit extreme reactions, even from those who may not typically enjoy thrill rides.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?“ by Peih-Gee Law
- “I didn't scream the most on that ride. And I go, no, no, you did not. I did so that's how good I am on amusement park ride.“ by Mark Larson
- “There's only room for one mayor in this town. Okay.“ by Peih-Gee Law
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Episode Information
Reality Escape Pod - Escape Rooms & Immersive Games
David Spira & Peih-Gee Law
8/14/23
It’s the dog days of August, and nothing screams summer more than theme parks, fried chicken, Star Wars, and ice cream... except for episode guest Mark Larson, but you'll have to listen to the end for that story. In this special release of a patron-exclusive bonus episode from S5E11, Peih-Gee and David discuss their recent trips to Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge and Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town Alive. We’re joined by editor Steve Ewing and game designer Mark, who chats about his involvement with DASH: Different Area, Same Hunt, a global puzzle hunt. Mark also created the ridiculously fun Shop of Theseus game exclusively for RECON23. (Tickets are still available for this limited edition event.)
We start with fried chicken ice cream. Then Peih-Gee gives a short history of how Knott’s Berry Farm grew from a roadside stand selling berries and fried chicken dinners to a massive theme park. She also discusses Ghost Town Alive, Knott’s Berry Farm’s interactive Western-themed experience, and the gang regales you with the hilarious story of Peih-Gee’s unhinged rise to Mayor Law in Calico.
Mark Larson explains how DASH works, and we talk about some other approachable puzzle hunts. David raves about the ride Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge and talks about snagging some of the last tickets for the Galactic Starcruiser. He also discloses that his wife Lisa had never watched any of the Star Wars movies and breaks down her live reactions to watching them for the first time. We close out with a chat about the now-discontinued Battlestar Galactica board game.
Show Notes & Timestamps
Episode Sponsors
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Reality Escape Convention - RECONEscape room conventions should be as fun, collaborative, and immersive as the games we celebrate.
RECON is our very own escape room and immersive gaming convention. Whether you’re an owner, creator, player, or you’re escape room curious, you are invited learn, connect, and play with our wonderful community.
RECON Remote 23 will take place August 19 – 20, 2023, online.
RECON 24 will be in person.
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Music CreditsOur music was created by Ryan Elder.
Production CreditsBonus REPOD is produced by Lisa Spira and edited by Peih-Gee Law.