Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was an interactive game found in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The premise of the game is that Hades is trying to take over the Magic Kingdom and Merlin is recruiting park guests as new apprentices.[1] The player, in the position of new apprentice sorcerers helps Merlin the Wizard thwart Hades' plan by attacking notorious Disney villains that can be found throughout the park's themed lands (except Tomorrowland) by using special spell cards.[2]

The game was shut down in January 2021 as a result of "changes in guest use of mobile technology" and a general decline in interest, with the game's final day being January 24.[3]

Story

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Having grown tired of the dreary scenery in the Underworld, Hades decides to make the Magic Kingdom his new summer home, but Merlin would be able to easily repel an invasion with the power of his magic crystal. In an attempt to outwit Merlin, Hades sends Pain and Panic to steal the crystal, but their bumbling leads to the crystal being shattered into eight pieces that scatter to each area of the Magic Kingdom. Merlin recruits the player to help him find the pieces of his crystal, giving them magical cards with the Sorcerer's Crest on them; the crest itself is used when specifically needed.

Needing help himself, Hades revives Ursula, Maleficent, Scar and Dr. Facilier, promising them second lives in exchange for a crystal fragment. The two witches have schemes of their own to usurp power. Posing as Boss Teal - Underworld Crime Boss, Lord Indigo of the East Underworld Trading company, Prince Azure, Yama, the god of the dead, and Lazuli, god of the underworld, Hades also promises Cruella, Ratcliffe and Yzma something they each want in exchange for help; the 99 puppies, Pocahontas' land, and to be empress of Adventureland respectively. Under the alias and disguise "Prince Azure", Hades also forces genie Jafar into helping. Though he meant to guide the player throughout the kingdom, Merlin forced to fight off Hades' lesser pawns that are trying to invade. Therefore, the player's guidance comes from a foe of each villain: Sebastian, Merryweather, Rafiki, Mama Odie, Pongo, Pocahontas, Kuzco, and Genie.

When all the villains are defeated, the magic crystal is restored, but Hades isn't one to give up; he sends in Chernabog - his "Number 1 Guy", but was only a distraction to let Pain and Panic try stealing the crystal again; they predictably fail. Deciding to use brute force, Hades amasses his army of the dead, which is led by the other villains. Through Merlin's guidance, the player uses the magic of the Sorcerer's Crest to seal Hades and the villains inside the mystic crystal. The crystal is then returned to Merlin's study. Inside the crystal, Hades is left to wonder what went wrong with his plans.

Gameplay

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One of the portals of the game in the Tortuga Tavern restaurant in Adventureland.

There was no additional charge to play the game, unless players opted to buy cards or the card binder at the Emporium or the Frontier Trading Post. Players began by going to the Fire Station on Main Street USA to get the game set up and linked to a magic band or entry key. Once linked, players had to keep their original band or card in order to save their progress.[4]

First-time players were given a thorough run-through of the game at the Fire Station. There was formerly a card distribution location behind the Christmas shop in Liberty Square, but this location has since closed.

Once set up, players were given a set of cards and a map, and were told where to begin. The game was played at portals marked on the map in Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland/Liberty Square, and Fantasyland. Tomorrowland did not have any portals. Each land with portals had five, though construction limited this number.

Players activated a portal by placing their key (band/card) next to the keyhole. Once activated, an animation played and players followed the story from there. The animation was captioned, so hearing-impaired guests could play. Players 'fought' the villains by showing their spell cards when prompted to 'Cast your Spell'. Some interactions required the use of 'Sorcerer's Crest', which was on the back of the card. There were cameras in the wall by the animation screens that read the cards as they were presented. Lighting and angle/distance affected the read, which could cause an unexpected mechanical level of difficulty. Regardless of the outcome of the 'fight', at the conclusion, players were directed to another location symbol which matched a location on the map. If players travelled to the wrong portal, the portal notified them and re-displayed the correct location of the portal.

There were ten main villains and additional associated henchmen. Each had strengths and weaknesses based on the type of cards used.

There were three levels of difficulty: easy, medium, and hard. Easy and Medium followed the strength and weakness listing, but by 2013, Hard was changed to a random strength and weakness per villain.[5]

There was no time limit, and the game could be played during peak ride-wait times or as a specific activity.

Special Edition Cards

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During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party[6] and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party,[7] all guests are eligible to receive a complimentary special edition holiday-themed card. Only one is allowed per guest and they can be picked up at the Fire Station in Town Square.

Cards

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The Spell Cards in the game were divided into nine different spell classes: Toy, Machine, Animal, Fairy, Hero, Princess, Warrior, Monster, and Mystic, along with seven different types of attacks: Charming, Energy, Gross, Quick, Strong, Flying, and Wishful.

A card's rarity is classified by the symbol in the bottom left corner, right above the number out of 70. A Planet means that the card is common, a Crescent Moon means it is uncommon, a Star means it is rare and a Lightning Bolt means it is ultra rare.

Cards 61-70 started to be re-distributed via booster packs beginning in August 2012. These booster packs feature seven cards, tokens, and one of four gameboards for a home version of the game.

Also, beginning with the 2012 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween and Very Merry Christmas parties, special limited edition spell cards exclusive to those events started to be produced.

Spell cards
Number Rarity Spell name Character Other characters Franchise Spell class Attack type Attack Boost Shield Rhyme
1/70 Star Apprentice Mickey's Broomsticks Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey Mouse Broomsticks Fantasia Mystic Charming 4 1 1 Without the touch of human hands,

They're marching to their own commands.

2/70 Star Belle's Mountain Blizzard Belle Beauty and the Beast Princess Wishful 2 0 3 Soon you'll be a mighty wizard

Should you just survive this blizzard.

3/70 Star Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters Buzz Lightyear Little Green Men Toy Story Toy Energy 2 2 2 When trouble gets quite out of hand,

Call your friends at Star Command.

4/70 Star Doris's Bowler Hat Attack DOR-15 Meet the Robinsons Machine Quick 2 1 3 A hat! A hat! Imagine that!

When these start flying, you'd best scat.

5/70 Star EVE's Laser Blast EVE WALL-E Machine Energy 5 1 0 If the darkness you must face,

Bring laser beams from outer space.

6/70 Star Fa Mulan's Dragon Canon Mulan Mushu Mulan Princess Flying 4 1 0 Should you make a bold attack,

Be sure to load it from the back.

7/70 Star Flynn Rider's Flying Frying Pan Flynn Rider Maximus Tangled Warrior Flying 1 0 4 You might get a massive bruise,

When pan-demonium ensues.

8/70 Star King Triton's Trident King Triton The Little Mermaid Warrior Charming 2 1 2 If one sharp point will leave you sore,

Three will poke you even more.

9/70 Star Lythos's Rock Titan Boulder Throw Lythos Hercules Monster Strong 5 0 1 All the land erupts in panic

At a fusillade titanic.

10/70 Star Maurice's Wood Chopper Maurice Beauty and the Beast Hero Gross 4 1 0 How much wood would a woodsman chop?

I'm guessing he might never stop.

11/70 Star Maximus's Horseshoes Maximus Tangled Animal Quick 1 0 4 Silver horseshoes bring you luck,

But not if in your head they're stuck.

12/70 Star Merlin's Fireball Merlin The Sword in the Stone Mystic Energy 5 0 1 If sorcery you would acquire,

Don't get too close to balls of fire.

13/70 Star Monstro's Water Spout Monstro Pinocchio Animal Gross 5 0 0 Your thirst will be forever quenched,

Though after you'll be sorely drenched.

14/70 Star Nibs's Neverland Assault Nibs The Twins Peter Pan Hero Quick 4 0 1 Throw the axes, clubs, and stones

Enough to bruise a pirate's bones.

15/70 Star Rapunzel's Hair Whip Rapunzel Pascal Tangled Princess Quick 5 0 0 This is how a girl expresses

Her emotions through her tresses.

16/70 Star Robin Hood's Magic Arrow Robin Hood Robin Hood Warrior Flying 5 0 0 If with merry men you'd go,

Be polite and take a bow.

17/70 Star Simba's Roar Simba The Lion King Animal Quick 3 1 1 Beware the sound that shakes the trees

And brings the jungle to its knees.

18/70 Star The Fairy Godmother's Pumpkin Bash The Fairy Godmother Jaq Cinderella Fairy Quick 3 0 3 Bibbity bobbity bibbity boo!

A spate of pumpkins falls on you!

19/70 Star The Giant's Giant Stomp Willie the Giant Fun and Fancy Free Monster Strong 4 1 1 Stomp the castle! Crush the town!

What's built up will soon come down.

20/70 Star Tinker Bell's Pixie Dust Tinker Bell Disney Fairies Fairy Charming 6 0 0 With their magic dust so charming,

Fairies can be quite disarming.

21/70 Star Violet's Force Fields Violet Parr The Incredibles Hero Energy 1 0 4 Just because you cannot see it

Doesn't mean you shouldn't flee it

22/70 Star Woody's Cowboy Lasso Woody Slinky Dog[1] Toy Story Toy Quick 2 0 4 Twirl yer rope just like a cowboy.

You'll be catchin' crooks and how, boy.

23/70 Moon Aladdin's Lamp Aladdin Genie's Arm Aladdin Warrior Charming 1 2 2 Rub my lamp and out will fly

Fire and smoke to fill the sky.

24/70 Moon Bolt's Super Bark Bolt Rhino Bolt Animal Quick 3 0 2 BARK! GURR-RUFF! YIP YIP! AROOOO!

That's quite the canine ballyhoo.

25/70 Moon Cinderella's Magic Ribbon Cinderella Jaq, Birds Cinderella Princess Wishful 4 0 1 A villain may be loath to think

That he's beribboned all in pink.

26/70 Moon Colonel Hathi's Righteous Stomp Colonel Hathi Hathi Jr., other elephants The Jungle Book Animal Strong 4 1 0 You can make a fine example

Out of those you choose to trample.

27/70 Moon Eeyore's Gloomy Cloud Eeyore Winnie the Pooh Toy Wishful 2 1 3 Oh bother. This disturbs me greatly.

At least we've not had earthquakes lately.

28/70 Moon Frozone's Ice Blast Frozone The Incredibles Hero Energy 3 2 0 When freezing foes of ill repute,

Wear long-johns 'neath your supersuit.

29/70 Moon Lightning McQueen's Ka-Chow Lightning McQueen Cars Machine Quick 4 1 1 When that trouble comes a-knocking,

This response is something shocking.

30/70 Moon Mickey's Magic Beans Mickey Mouse Fun and Fancy Free Hero Wishful 2 1 2 A giant can be dark and Grimm,

And he won't like you "stalking" him.

31/70 Moon Mike's Grand Entrance Mike Wazowski James "Sulley" Sullivan Monsters, Inc. Monster Strong 3 2 1 And if behind the door you hide,

Beware what's on the other side.

32/70 Moon Pinocchio's Sawdust Blast Pinocchio Pinocchio Toy Gross 3 2 1 Could a bag of dust be good

For thumping foes? I think it wood.

33/70 Moon Prince Phillip's Enchanted Sword Prince Phillip Samson Sleeping Beauty Warrior Charming 2 2 1 You'll be like this dashing lord

Who's not afraid to use his sword.

34/70 Moon Snow White's Housecleaning Snow White Bird, Squirrel Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Princess Charming 4 1 0 Stay alert, or while you're sleeping,

I'll give you a thorough sweeping.

35/70 Moon The Headless Horseman's Exploding Jack-O-Lantern The Headless Horseman The Headless Horseman's Horse The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Monster Quick 4 0 2 Tossing bombs without remorse,

At least he's not a headless horse.

36/70 Moon The Mad Hatter's Tea Time The Mad Hatter Alice in Wonderland Mystic Charming 3 1 2 Hurry up, don't hesitate.

It's time for tea so don't be late.

37/70 Moon The Queen of Hearts's Card Army The Queen of Hearts Playing Cards Alice in Wonderland Warrior Strong 3 1 1 Go on, we'll give the cards a shuffle.

That will cause a fine kerfuffle.

38/70 Moon The Sugar Plum Fairies' Dewdrop Spiderweb Sugar Plum Fairies Fantasia Fairy Charming 1 0 5 The fairy spell can be quite tricky

Trapping you in webs so sticky.

39/70 Moon WALL-E's Trash Crunch WALL-E WALL-E Machine Gross 1 2 3 Cars, guitars, and vacuum tubes,

I'll crush you into tiny cubes.

40/70 Moon Yen Sid's Sorcerers Hat Yen Sid Fantasia Mystic Wishful 3 0 3 A wizard you shall be anointed

With a hat that's nice and pointed.

41/70 Planet Aurora's Rose Petals Princess Aurora Owl Sleeping Beauty Princess Wishful 1 1 3 Though beautiful, these magic petals

Strike a foe lik stinging nettles

42/70 Planet Baloo's Coconut Cascade Baloo The Jungle Book Animal Flying 2 2 1 Watch your step if you're a klutz,

Or you'll be crowned with coconuts.

43/70 Planet Caballero Donald's Piñata Caballero Donald Duck The Three Caballeros Warrior Flying 2 0 3 Inside you'll find a tasty snack

So grab a bat and take a whack.

44/70 Planet Dash's Whirlwind Dash Parr The Incredibles Hero Quick 2 2 1 Get a move on, make it fast

Until your speed is unsurpassed.

45/70 Planet Flower's Flowers Flower Bambi Animal Charming 2 0 3 Be mindful when a skunk proposes

Taking time to smell the roses.

46/70 Planet Gopher's Demolition Dynamite Gopher Winnie the Pooh Toy Energy 3 1 2 Digs a tunnel, den, or tomb

In one gargantuan kaboom.

47/70 Planet Grumpy's Pummeling Pickaxe Grumpy Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Hero Strong 2 0 3 Shovels, hammers, spikes, and picks:

Just don't tick off the other six.

48/70 Planet Lumière's Candle Blast Lumière Cogsworth Beauty and the Beast Warrior Energy 1 1 3 A fiery waxing soon descends.

My candle burns you at both ends.

49/70 Planet Mowgli's Swinging Vine Mowgli The Jungle Book Warrior Flying 3 2 0 You may wear the jungle crown,

But know it's still a long way down.

50/70 Planet Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Mr. Toad The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Hero Energy 3 1 1 Bounding round at blazing speed,

Now that's a wild ride indeed.

51/70 Planet Pocahontas's Colors of the Wind Pocahontas Pocahontas Princess Wishful 3 1 1 Awash in greens and reds and blues,

The winds bedecked in many hues.

52/70 Planet Pongo's Soot Bucket Pongo One Hundred and One Dalmatians Animal Gross 1 1 3 The thick black dust that I will throw

May cover you from head to toe.

53/70 Planet Prince Naveen's Army of Frogs Prince Naveen Tiana (in frog form), other frogs The Princess and the Frog Hero Gross 1 2 2 Don't disturb their lily pad.

Too late! You've made them hopping mad.

54/70 Planet Pumbaa's Odorous Gas Pumbaa The Lion King Animal Gross 2 1 2 Plug you mouth and hold your nose

And hope that soon a stiff wind blows.

55/70 Planet Quasimodo's Bell Quasimodo Hugo The Hunchback of Notre Dame Monster Strong 3 1 2 If a bell ringer you'd be,

You soon will find it tolls for thee.

56/70 Planet Rafiki's Wisdom Stick Rafiki Zazu The Lion King Mystic Charming 2 2 2 This might hurt, but I just gotta

Hit you with "Hakuna matata."

57/70 Planet The Blue Fairy's Wand Wish The Blue Fairy Figaro Pinocchio Fairy Wishful 2 2 2 If in fairies you confide,

Just let your conscience be your guide.

58/70 Planet The Woozles' Woozle Nightmare Woozles Heffalumps Winnie the Pooh Animal Wishful 1 2 2 With our magic we'll bamboozle

Those who doubt the mighty woozle.

59/70 Planet Thumper's Mighty Thump Thumper Bambi Animal Flying 4 0 1 With a force to make you shiver,

Thumping I will soon deliver.

60/70 Planet Tiana's Hot Sauce Princess Tiana The Princess and the Frog Princess Gross 3 0 2 This tasty topping has some minuses,

Most encountered by your sinuses.

61/70 Lightning Ariel's Bubble Attack Ariel The Little Mermaid Princess Quick 3 2 0 Your foe will be beset with troubles

In the form of see-through bubbles.

62/70 Lightning Dumbo's Pink Elephant Parade Dumbo Pink Elephants Dumbo Animal Wishful 1 3 1 These in no uncertain terms

Are technicolor pachyderms.

63/70 Lightning Finn McMissile's Missile Salvo Finn McMissile Holley Shiftwell Cars Machine Flying 5 0 1 Step right up, and don't be skittish.

Our projectiles are quite British.

64/70 Lightning Hercules's Tower Topple Hercules Hercules Warrior Strong 4 0 1 This display of awesome power

Sure will topple any tower.

65/70 Lightning Jasmine's Magic Carpet Tassels of Fury Princess Jasmine Magic Carpet Aladdin Princess Flying 1 2 2 Hiding in the highest castles

Won't escape my flying tassels.

66/70 Lightning Mama Odie's Magic Charm Mama Odie Juju The Princess and the Frog Mystic Charming 1 1 4 These magic charms are quite uncanny

Conjured by a kindly granny.

67/70 Lightning Merryweather's Stone Spell Merryweather Sleeping Beauty Fairy Energy 4 2 0 Don't just stand there like an ox.

You must beware of falling rocks.

68/70 Lightning Mr. Incredible's Power Heave Mr. Incredible The Incredibles Hero Strong 5 0 0 It can be quite entertaining

When conducting basic "training."

69/70 Lightning Mushu's Fiery Breath Mushu Mulan Monster Energy 4 1 1 Here's a simple demonstration

Of draconic conflagration.

70/70 Lightning Winnie the Pooh's Honey Bees Winnie the Pooh Bees Winnie the Pooh Toy Flying 1 0 5 What's that sound? Vamoose because

I hear those bees are all abuzz.

01/P 2012 Halloween Party Exclusive Chip 'n' Dale's Bag of Tricks Chip 'n' Dale Mickey Mouse Animal Gross 2 3 0 Don't be an unwitting stooge

To this chipmunk subterfuge.

02/P 2012 Christmas Party Exclusive Wayne and Lanny's Ornament Barrage Wayne and Lanny Prep & Landing Toy Quick 4 1 1 Should you meet their elvish gaze,

They'll put you in a holi-daze.

03/P 2013 Halloween Party Exclusive The Haunted Mansion's Happy Haunting Grounds The Hitchhiking Ghosts The Haunted Mansion Monster Flying 3 2 1 Come on in! Your gracious hosts

Would like for you to stay as ghosts.

04/P 2013 Christmas Party Exclusive Huey, Dewey, & Louie's Snowfort Barricade Huey, Dewey, and Louie Donald Duck Hero Strong 3 0 2 Brace yourselves! They're now attacking!

Fear the might of boys a-quacking.

05/P 2014 Halloween Party Exclusive The Pirate Helmsman's Bombardment Skeleton Helmsman Pirates of the Caribbean (attraction) Monster Quick 2 3 1 Fear the waves if ye be seein'

Pirates of the Caribbean.

06/P 2014 Christmas Party Exclusive Elsa's Icy Shield Elsa Marshmallow Frozen Princess Energy 2 1 2 Winter's here. Your fate's been chosen

When the Snow Queen's heart is frozen.

07/P 2015 Halloween Party Exclusive Minnie Mouse's Costume Chaos Minnie Mouse Daisy Duck, Clarabelle Cow Mickey Mouse Mystic Flying 3 2 1 Clarabelle and Daisy too

Will help concoct this bubbly brew.

08/P 2015 Christmas Party Exclusive Olaf's Snowgies Olaf Snowgies Frozen Hero Charming 1 1 3 A snowgie's like a winter breeze

That's summoned by a snow queen's sneeze.

09/P 2016 Halloween Party Exclusive Clawhauser's Tricky Treat Clawhauser Rabbit, Tiger Zootopia Animal Charming 3 2 1 House to house, kids are accosting

Folks with doughnuts glazed in frosting.

10/P 2016 Christmas Party Exclusive Goofy's Festive Fiasco Goofy Mickey Mouse Hero Energy 6 0 0 Botching Christmas decorations

Leads to wacky altercations.

11/P 2017 Halloween Party Exclusive The Country Bears' Moonlight Jamboree Henry, Ted, Big Al, Gomer, Sammy The Country Bear Jamboree Hero Charming 1 2 3 When those haunting jitters come in,

Music sends those fears a-runnin'.

12/P 2017 Christmas Party Exclusive Rover's Christmas Carousel of Progress Rover John, Jim The Carousel of Progress Animal Wishful 3 1 2 Christmastime is never dogless

at the Carousel of Progress.

13/P 2018 Halloween Party Exclusive The Orange Bird's Juice-O-Lanterns Orange Bird Sunshine Tree Terrace Flying Animal Charming 2 3 1 High atop the Sunshine Tree,

He makes each pumpkin wannabe.

14/P 2018 Christmas Party Exclusive The Tiki Room's Four Cawing Birds José, Michael, Fritz, Pierre The Enchanted Tiki Room Flying Animal Charming 2 2 2 In your calendar so tiki

Are surprises bold and beaky.

15/P 2019 Halloween Party Exclusive The Phantasmal Fireworks' Flash Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy Mickey Mouse Machine Energy 3 2 1 A brilliant night display commences,

Sure to please your dazzled senses.

16/P 2019 Christmas Party Exclusive Pluto's Toppling Popcorn Pluto Chip 'n' Dale Mickey Mouse Animal Charming 2 1 3 If by chipmunks you're beset,

Trust the sniffer of your pet.

References

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  1. ^ Wallace, Aaron (2019). The Thinking Fan's Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom 2020. Pensive Pen Publishing. pp. 216–220. ISBN 978-0998059228.
  2. ^ "How Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom works". WDW Prep School. 2015-04-30. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  3. ^ "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game shutting down at Walt Disney World".
  4. ^ Sehlinger, Bob; Testa, Len (2016). The Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World. Unofficial Guides. pp. 162–163. ISBN 9781628090550.
  5. ^ "Villains Get Trickier: Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom 'Hard Level' Rules Change". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  6. ^ "Orange Bird Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card To Be Released at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  7. ^ "Sneak a Peek at this Year's Very Merry Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-25.