If you’ve ever had one of those moments where your kids latch onto a show and suddenly your entire household is living in that universe, that was us with Stranger Things this year. We had just wrapped up Season 4, and the timing couldn’t have felt more perfect when I heard that the “Stranger Things: Face the Dark” immersive experience at Netflix House Dallas was set in that in-between space before Season 5.
Dallas is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive for us, and with family in the area, it made for an easy, affordable weekend trip. We picked a Monday we had off school, rolled in around noon, and pulled into the Galleria’s purple parking garage, where it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. From there, we walked straight up the stairs and were immediately greeted by the grand entrance to Netflix House, which does a solid job of making a first impression.
Outside, there were several characters available for photos – our favorites were easily the Demogorgon, Demodog and Wednesday Addams.
Walking inside is where the “wow” factor really kicks in. The ceilings are high, there’s a sweeping staircase, and everywhere you look there are nods to different Netflix shows. We stopped for photos with a giant “Thing” hand and a detailed Creel House setup, both of which were highlights before we even got to the main event. On the ground floor, you’ll find the entrances to both the Stranger Things experience and one themed around Squid Game, along with friendly staff members who help get you signed up for time slots. We booked the 1:00 PM Stranger Things entry without any trouble.
Upstairs is where things start to feel a bit more like a money grab. There’s Netflix Bites, a restaurant with creatively themed food and high pricing. When we saw that a small pizza was $17, we collectively decided we were not that committed to the theme. We had heard about there being a Surfer Boy Pizza and Scoops Ahoy to eat at, but apparently we were mistaken – they were nowhere in sight.
On the same floor as the restaurant is a smallish arcade filled with Netflix themed games that looked fun but were similarly overpriced. We opted to watch others play for a bit and then kept moving. The merchandise area was packed with everything from t-shirts to plushies to LEGO sets, and while the kids had a great time browsing, I had prepped them ahead of time that we were there to look, not buy. That being said, there were a few more photo ops – a particularly good one with a floating Vecna – and plenty of ideas for things we might try to make later at home for much less money!
Because we needed a bit of a snack, we stepped outside, went up one level, and found a small food court where we fed our entire group at Sbarro for about the same cost as a single pizza downstairs. That felt like a win.
We headed back down just before 1:00 to line up. Staff gave the standard warning about using the restroom beforehand since you “can’t leave once you’re in,” though later clarified there was, in fact, an exit signal if needed. Just put your hands over your head in the shape of an “X” and someone will pull you out. We were divided into four groups of roughly ten people each and then stood there – slightly bored – for about 15 minutes. Overall, it felt manageable and not overcrowded, which I appreciated. Perhaps it would be more crowded on a busier day?
Now, a word about what ages the Stranger Things experience is appropriate for – because I was scouring the internet for intel beforehand and didn’t find a whole lot. I brought my daughters, ages 12 and 9. I was pretty confident about the older one, less so about the younger, but she had seen most of the show and was determined not to miss out. We made a plan that she could take off her headphones and close her eyes if needed, and that turned out to be important. There were several other kids in line with us – probably none younger than 9 or 10, though. There were many tweens and teens – most of which had on Stranger Things t-shirts so you could tell they were fans of the show and had some idea of what they were signing up for.
Ultimately, I don’t think this is appropriate for kids much under the age of 10 unless they are super comfortable with eerie environments and horror themes. I do think anyone 13 and up can handle it, unless they are super sensitive. It is very easy to take of your headphones if things get too intense, so you can give kids that advice in advance. In the spoilers below, I’ll tell you when to look out for jump scares and intense moments. If you want to be surprised, stop reading!
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Once inside, each of us was given headphones and a flashlight and told the premise: three kids were missing, and we were residents of Hawkins helping search locations like the high school, police station, Eddie’s trailer, and Castle Byers. The sets themselves were impressively detailed, though the darkness made it hard to fully appreciate them unless you were very intentional with your flashlight. I found myself wanting just a little more visibility to take it all in.
There are clues scattered around, but they don’t really end up meaning anything or helping you in any way. The biggest thing the clues tell you is that a girl named Penelope has been investigating Vecna’s murders. This is only important because we meet Penelope later in the game. I’d suggest just taking in the details of the sets and not getting too bogged down with looking for clues.
For those going with kids, it’s worth noting that the first half is far less intense than the second. I kept bracing for jump scares that never came. There are a couple of moments—a slightly disturbing video sequence in the classroom (bones breaking a la Crissy) and a loud bang against one wall in Castle Byers—but nothing that felt overwhelming.
Things shift in the second half. An alarm sounds, you’re ushered into a bunker, and the experience becomes more audio-driven, with a storyline unfolding through your headphones. They also make you give up your flashlight so darkness is used more often to set the mood There are some slightly creepy visual elements in the bunker —a Demogorgon on a screen, banging on the doors, the appearance of Vecna’s grandfather clock—but nothing that really crosses into truly frightening territory. The tension builds more through sound and atmosphere than the visuals.
The creepiest section is easily inside the Creel House, where narrow hallways, actors, and interactive elements create a more immersive feel. Henry makes an appearance in the hallway (watch out here for the biggest jump scare!) and there are doors you can choose to open if you’re feeling brave (we didn’t). After that, a scene with a very well acted (and very eerie) mother character adds a bit of theatrical tension before you move into the final set – Vecna’s mindscape.
Vecna’s mindscape is visually striking, with lighting effects that disorient you at first and then reveal a detailed Upside Down environment. The conclusion uses both audio storytelling and actors, with a nod to “Running Up That Hill” that fans will appreciate. It felt a bit slow, but still fun to watch.
Just when you think it’s over and everyone starts celebrating, there’s one final scene involving Penelope’s gruesome end. It mirrors the more intense moments from the show (again… breaking bones a la Crissy) and while partially obscured by glass, if you have sensitive kids, that’s a good moment to look away.
END SPOILERS
The entire experience lasted just under an hour and cost about $150 for the three of us. From a value standpoint, it’s hard to say it’s worth it unless you’re a dedicated fan. I wouldn’t go out of my way to do it again, and I would have been fine skipping it. That said, my 12-year-old, who is fully invested in Stranger Things, thought it was incredible and couldn’t wait to talk about it afterward. My 9-year-old made it through, technically, though she spent most of the second half with her face buried in me while we narrated what she missed later. Still, she was proud of herself!
As for Netflix House as a whole, it’s pretty clearly designed to separate visitors from their money. If you’re not interested in overpriced food, games, and merchandise, there’s not much reason to linger. You can absolutely do what we did—enjoy the free photo opportunities, grab a complimentary cup of water, and head out—but that only makes sense if you’re already in Dallas. Don’t make a special trip for this.
If, on the other hand, you have a big budget and love shows like Stranger Things, Squid Game, or Bridgerton, you’ll probably find plenty to enjoy. It just depends on whether you’re there for the full experience or the atmosphere, because the price tag is hard to ignore either way.