 | Another 72-hour Disney TripThis weekend, Elaine and I decided to go on a somewhat impromptu trip to WDW. We had requested off from work, but our Thanksgiving plans fell through. Rather than stay at home and get stuff done, we decided we'd leave early Friday morning and come back Sunday—something we're known to do and others find crazy. |
We were well aware that the crowds following thanksgiving would be somewhat crazy, and there were few FP+ availabilities and even fewer dining reservations, so we decided to visit the parks in a different way than we typically do. We avoided the many of the "E" ticket attractions, only going on such rides if we happened to score a FP+ or if we were fortunate enough to pass the attraction at a time when the wait became too short to pass it up.
The rest of the time, we did things we hadn't done in a long while, or we'd never done before. We watched the Main Street Electrical Parade. We watched Elsa freeze the castle. We went to the last showing of the night for Country Bears Jamboree. It was a lot of fun, and no stress. If something had too long of a line, we just moved on. That's the benefit we've found with being Annual Passholders. The parks don't get old or boring by going more often, they become far more enjoyable. It wasn't a big deal that we didn't get to ride Space Mountain; we just rode it a couple of weeks ago, and in a month or so we'll ride it again. It's not stressful when our 72-hour trips are not rushed or hurried. It makes it fun.
The rest of the time, we did things we hadn't done in a long while, or we'd never done before. We watched the Main Street Electrical Parade. We watched Elsa freeze the castle. We went to the last showing of the night for Country Bears Jamboree. It was a lot of fun, and no stress. If something had too long of a line, we just moved on. That's the benefit we've found with being Annual Passholders. The parks don't get old or boring by going more often, they become far more enjoyable. It wasn't a big deal that we didn't get to ride Space Mountain; we just rode it a couple of weeks ago, and in a month or so we'll ride it again. It's not stressful when our 72-hour trips are not rushed or hurried. It makes it fun.
Time to do Something New
Since we weren't on a tight schedule, we decided to give the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game a shot. Our thinking was two-fold 1) no one from the podcast has played the game, so we haven't been able to personally review it, though we have stated that it looks like fun and is something we would like to do, and 2) we're in the park without an agenda, so now would be a good time to try it.
It was a blast!
We could immediately see the draw to the game. It's an RPG/Trading/Collecting/Scavenger hunt mashup. Wow, that sounds way too nerdy. It's not as nerdy as I just made it sound. First, you have to understand that Elaine and I don't do pin trading/collecting, so we're not super into that kind of stuff. As close as we get to that is we each buy a vinylmation on every trip, but we don't trade them, and we don't collect whole sets. We just buy them. Also, though we've gotten into Disney's Infinity recently, we're not gamers. I've played dice RPG's a few times, but neither of us was ever into Pokemon, Magic, or D&D. That's not us. Now hunting for stuff at WDW, we do love that—hidden Mickey's, the Everest Challenge, that kind of stuff is just fun.
Anyway, living with your parents and wearing a cloak are not pre-reqs for enjoying this game. Initially, it takes very little skill, though the game progresses with you. If you've played before, you may know far more about it than I do. In that case, feel free to add to what I miss in our SOTMK forum, or correct me if I'm wrong. If you haven't played before, I'll provide you with more than you need to know to get started.
It was a blast!
We could immediately see the draw to the game. It's an RPG/Trading/Collecting/Scavenger hunt mashup. Wow, that sounds way too nerdy. It's not as nerdy as I just made it sound. First, you have to understand that Elaine and I don't do pin trading/collecting, so we're not super into that kind of stuff. As close as we get to that is we each buy a vinylmation on every trip, but we don't trade them, and we don't collect whole sets. We just buy them. Also, though we've gotten into Disney's Infinity recently, we're not gamers. I've played dice RPG's a few times, but neither of us was ever into Pokemon, Magic, or D&D. That's not us. Now hunting for stuff at WDW, we do love that—hidden Mickey's, the Everest Challenge, that kind of stuff is just fun.
Anyway, living with your parents and wearing a cloak are not pre-reqs for enjoying this game. Initially, it takes very little skill, though the game progresses with you. If you've played before, you may know far more about it than I do. In that case, feel free to add to what I miss in our SOTMK forum, or correct me if I'm wrong. If you haven't played before, I'll provide you with more than you need to know to get started.
GamePlay
Hades is recruiting villains to help him overtake the Magic Kingdom. In order to take over the kingdom, Hades has to get a crystal that is in Merlin's possession. He's employing all of Disney's best baddies to get that crystal, resurrecting them from the dead when necessary. Merlin needs help fighting off all of the villains, so he's training up sorcerers to help him out.
Playing this game does not require spending any additional money. It's included in your park entrance. That's why you'll see a lot of locals and snowbirds playing the game. While we were playing, we saw a girl gain the ranking of "Master Sorcerer Gold." I don't know how much play that takes, but as far as I know, Elaine and I have no ranking at this point.
Each day, you can go to the Volunteer Fire House on Main Street or to a kiosk behind Liberty Square and get a deck of five card. You collect these cards in an attempt to build a full deck of 70 cards, but with just five cards you'll be able to get started.
The first time you get cards, they'll give you a key card, a map, and training on how to play the game. They'll also give you your first starting location, somewhere on mainstreet. During training, you'll see a short video segment which will give you your starting location by showing you a building facade and a unique portal symbol. Simply match up the symbol with a location on the map and make your way to your first portal.
Playing this game does not require spending any additional money. It's included in your park entrance. That's why you'll see a lot of locals and snowbirds playing the game. While we were playing, we saw a girl gain the ranking of "Master Sorcerer Gold." I don't know how much play that takes, but as far as I know, Elaine and I have no ranking at this point.
Each day, you can go to the Volunteer Fire House on Main Street or to a kiosk behind Liberty Square and get a deck of five card. You collect these cards in an attempt to build a full deck of 70 cards, but with just five cards you'll be able to get started.
The first time you get cards, they'll give you a key card, a map, and training on how to play the game. They'll also give you your first starting location, somewhere on mainstreet. During training, you'll see a short video segment which will give you your starting location by showing you a building facade and a unique portal symbol. Simply match up the symbol with a location on the map and make your way to your first portal.
When you find the first portal, touch your key card to the portal's padlock, step back so you're standing on the Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom Crest, and then follow the on-screen instructions. It may just tell you to go to another portal to chase down a classic villain, or it may tell you to cast a spell.
Early on, the game typically only takes one card at a time to play. The opponents you face are not that strong. Often all you'll need to show is the back of a card, which is emblazoned with the Sorcerers' Crest. As the game progresses, you'll need to hold up multiple cards at the same time, combining the cards' abilities. When playing at the highest level of difficulty, you'll have to match the right type of card with the right villain. Sometimes you figure out which card to use through trial and error. Other times, there may be cues in the video. For example, if I villain mentions being "spotted," you may need to play a 101 Dalmatians related card.
This game is self-paced, so you can do it fairly quickly, or play a little here and there. To continue an adventure simply visit the next portal. If you cant remember which one you need to go to, visit one of the two kiosks or go to any portal, tap your key to the lock, and it will tell you where you were supposed to go.
For great videos on how to play, visit Inside the Magic.
For all the info you could possibly need visit the The Sorcerers App.
Have any questions or comment? Join the discussion in our forums!
Early on, the game typically only takes one card at a time to play. The opponents you face are not that strong. Often all you'll need to show is the back of a card, which is emblazoned with the Sorcerers' Crest. As the game progresses, you'll need to hold up multiple cards at the same time, combining the cards' abilities. When playing at the highest level of difficulty, you'll have to match the right type of card with the right villain. Sometimes you figure out which card to use through trial and error. Other times, there may be cues in the video. For example, if I villain mentions being "spotted," you may need to play a 101 Dalmatians related card.
This game is self-paced, so you can do it fairly quickly, or play a little here and there. To continue an adventure simply visit the next portal. If you cant remember which one you need to go to, visit one of the two kiosks or go to any portal, tap your key to the lock, and it will tell you where you were supposed to go.
For great videos on how to play, visit Inside the Magic.
For all the info you could possibly need visit the The Sorcerers App.
Have any questions or comment? Join the discussion in our forums!
For the Impatient Types Who Enjoy Spoilers
While not an official way to play the game, you can find all the high resolution copies of all the card images online, and download them into a photo album on your phone. When asked to cast a spell, you can hold up your phone. I have not tried this, but did see some do this. I don't know how it would work if you were trying to combine spells. If you want to get all the cards, you can get them from The WDW Planner.
I won't think less of you for taking this option, but I'm not going to. I enjoy the luck of the draw aspect of the game. Also, I don't trade pins or anything else, so I may try my hand at card trading.
I won't think less of you for taking this option, but I'm not going to. I enjoy the luck of the draw aspect of the game. Also, I don't trade pins or anything else, so I may try my hand at card trading.
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