Jason Phillips
Long before theme park turnstiles were biometric and arcade scores were stored in the cloud, entertainment in Central Florida relied on something simpler: wonder. It came in the form of talking mannequins, distorted mirrors, coin-operated pinball machines, and hands-on fun that didn’t require a smartphone to access. That world has changed—but not disappeared.
The newly launched Mystery Fun House Arcade Experience, opening summer 2025 at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort in Kissimmee, stands as both a nod to that analog past and a leap toward a digitally-enabled future. The 21,000-square-foot attraction blends historical reverence with high-functioning technology, offering a layered experience that spans generations without pandering to nostalgia or futurism.
The original Mystery Fun House opened in 1976 and operated for 25 years as one of Orlando’s first major family attractions. It was quirky, tactile, and at times deliberately disorienting—a mirror maze, a tilted room, and a cast of animatronic characters that delighted and unsettled in equal measure. Though it closed in 2001, its imprint on the region’s entertainment history remained. For Westgate founder David Siegel, who once owned the property, and whose mother worked there, the original Fun House represented a formative chapter in Central Florida’s development as a leisure capital.
Rather than attempt a replica, the 2025 version reimagines the format entirely. At its core is a high-capacity arcade hall, lined with state-of-the-art game consoles that track performance, offer digital leaderboards, and integrate seamlessly with a centralized PlayPass system. Next to it, a row of multi-sport simulators gives visitors a data-driven spin on traditional recreation—golf, baseball, football—each powered by motion sensors and real-time analytics.
But the analog magic hasn’t been erased. The Retro Arcade houses vintage games and restored pinball machines, many sourced to echo the 1980s golden era of coin-op culture. Across the attraction, subtle callbacks to the original Fun House appear in visual Easter eggs: a rebuilt animatronic figure here, a mirrored wall configuration there, and in one dedicated zone, a curated museum-like corridor known as Mystery Lane, where artifacts and original props are on display.
Furthermore, Mystery Fun House is announcing two new branded environments developed in partnership with Chuck E. Cheese. Inside the arcade, guests will find Chuck’s Arcade, featuring legacy-style games and nostalgic design, and the Chuck E. Cheese Fun Zone, a safe, energy-rich area for young children. For those looking to take a break from the action, Sid’s Bar connects directly to the arcade floor, offering a quieter place to relax with an adult beverage while remaining close to family activity.
Notably, the collaboration brings Chuck E. Cheese’s nationally scaled arcade platform into Westgate’s flagship family space, helping power the PlayPass system and integrating shared promotions for members across both brands.
What differentiates this new iteration is how seamlessly it integrates divergent modes of play. Digital and physical activities are placed side-by-side, not to contrast but to complement. One moment a guest is immersed in a high-resolution simulation, the next they’re navigating a mirror maze or bowling under ultraviolet lights in a space designed more for laughter than competition.
Food and beverage programs reflect the same synthesis of form and function. MEGAbites, a themed food hall, sits at the heart of the space and operates more like a stylized town square than a cafeteria. Multiple vendor counters serve everything from savory handhelds to street food–inspired plates. Sweet Dreamery, a pastel-toned dessert counter, completes the sensory arc with soft-serve ice cream, candy, and warm mini donuts.
There is no fee to enter Mystery Fun House. Guests are free to explore the space and activate gameplay using the reloadable PlayPass, which can be purchased and recharged via touchscreen kiosks or online in advance.
Check out mysteryfunhouse.com or visit the park to learn more.