Mystery Fun House, why did they take you away? You had mystery, and fun!
Growing up in Orlando was good and bad. The bad part was, if you wanted to do something fun on the weekends, you had to pay tourist prices for attractions. But there were a few places that you could take the family and have a day of fun for less money. One of those being the infamous Mystery Fun House. Located across the street from Universal Studios, the building donned a giant blue wizard on the front. Here is my recollection of the amazement that was MFH:
You walk into the front door; spooky music plays. You pay your admission and head into the first room, a glass and mirrors maze. After you found your way to the other side, you head into the crooked room where everything was tilted, and you had to lean to stand up straight. The walls are out of perspective and a ramp that appears to be going down, actually goes up! So mysterious…so fun. Next came a room called “forbidden temple” where there was a long rickety bridge. When you crossed it, you could look down and see a volcanic pit. There was a small pitch-black cave you had to crawl through. Then there was a room that appeared to be in the midst of an earthquake. Then you went through a cage maze where you had to find the rubber bars that would allow you to pass through. I remember one part where you crawled out of a dog house. Finally, there was a rotating tunnel. If you were strong enough (or tall enough) you could hold on and go all the way upside down and around.
At the end of the funhouse they had laser tag called Starbase Omega, and a haunted house kinda deal, I think. I remember being too young to do the scary part. After you came out of the funhouse, there was an arcade where they served pizza and sodas. There was cotton candy and prizes! If you were really good, you could sometimes talk your parents into a round of Jurassic Golf or maybe getting an Old-Timey picture taken of the family. Did I mention the animatronic singing Elvis lion? There were many other mysterious and fun things that happened at the Mystery Fun House, but that was a long time ago, and I don’t remember it all. If anyone refund this remembers any other details, or has any memories from this enchanting little “second tier” tourist attraction please share!
Mystery Funhouse, you encapsulate so many of my fondest childhood memories. Thank you for 25 amazing years of service. You will not be forgotten.
Jennozen 