Looking for a fun, really cool event to share with your friends this Halloween season? Look no more, as The San Francisco Dungeon just unveiled its newest addition – Escape Alcatraz Drop Ride! A perfect culmination to the 60 minutes tour that includes scary scenes, elaborate sets and surprises inspired by period events, that took place in San Francisco. Touted as the first and only underground drop ride in North America, I was curious to find out, first hand, what it’s like!
This was the first visit for me to The San Francisco Dungeon, located at Fisherman’s Wharf near Pier 41. This setting always makes me feel like I’m on vacation so it was nice just getting there and starting my day this way. The line was already forming as it was the grand opening today (Friday, Oct. 28) and that drew large crowds for this event. Guests were treated to some very delicious treats while waiting for the experience and relatively quickly (I got there very early) – me and my group got into The San Francisco Dungeon.
The San Francisco Dungeon
The show starts just as you enter the lobby and you are greeted with The San Francisco Dungeon’s special morbid humor. From there, you’re guided to scenes that play out in different “scare rooms” that create an authentic mood and different feeling in each one. Now, there is of course a live performance and the audience has a huge part in making it entertaining, as large parts involve interacting with guests. The larger your group is, the better it is, as you can make fun of each other. I was selected as the accused in one of the scenes and went on trial. Both me and a relatively small kid were sentenced to be hanged! It was hilarious.
Each scene, has different effects and interaction and the surprises keep on coming as you’re walking to each room and visiting the actual rooms. It was really surprising how large of a space feels! You really feel like you’re going to a dark adventure and from the outside you couldn’t tell how elaborate this storytelling and scope will be.
There were times I was genuinely scared by some of these actors! haha.
Escape Alcatraz Drop Ride
At the end of this dark voyage – awaits the Escape Alcatraz Drop Ride. The ride is highly integrated into the story and doesn’t feel like a separate experience. To be honest I couldn’t imagine this experience to end any differently! (don’t know how it ended before this addition). My group companions really laughed and were excited by this short, but fulfilling drop. The theming here makes it different from other drop rides. I loved this end!
The shop and .. Madame Tussauds San Francisco
I really liked the shop, it was really nice and had some really cool items to purchase. You can also get a collectible booklet with your pictures, which I thought looked great.
If you’re already visiting The San Francisco Dungeon, then you might as well visit Madame Tussauds San Francisco as it is located right next to the dungeon and makes a worthwhile addition to your experience. The one in San Francisco is really nice with local scenes and plenty of photo opportunities with unique and international ultra realistic celeb wax figures throughout history! Highly recommended!
It was a real fun experience visiting The San Francisco Dungeon and the perfect Halloween fun I was looking for. Take many of your friends with you- as it makes a huge difference! The new Escape Alcatraz is a great ending to this dark and scary adventure and a wonderful addition! Prepare to be .. afraid! 🙂
