Given all these facts it is no wonder that Disney created this card game. It's a mix between the old Kim Possible (from Epcot) meets Pokemon. Guests wishing to play sign up for Free at the Firestation upon entering the Magic Kingdom. You're given a Key Card and a set of five playing cards per person. After a brief introduction you are sent on your way.
The Plot: Disney's villains are doing something bad in the Magic Kingdom. It is your job as the sorcerer to use your magic cards to stop them.
Once you begin you are sent on your way to find your first Portal. The Portals are located in each of the Magic Kingdom lands, except for Tomorrowland. The technology is quite fascinating. The key activates the Portal, either by QR code, touch, or magic. You watch the screen for the plot and are prompted to use the cards. Then you are sent on your way to the next location. Overall the game take hours to play.
From an operations standpoint, it is an interesting way to manipulate crowds. I'm sure it's not manipulating too many people, but since there are so many combinations and locations, the game can move people to less crowded areas. I found myself running from one side of an area, all the way back to another. My feet hurt.
When you add the Disney factor to anything, you have die hard people. I found a lot of them today. People who "professionally" play this game. We saw people with binders of cards, traveling alone, just playing. There are unofficial trading locations where people gather to trade cards. There's even an underground economy, where people buy these cards on eBay. Right now, the highest price card on eBay is going for $999.99. So, apparently, it's a big thing.
John and I felt like n00bs using the map to find the Portal locations. A number of times, people just told us where to go to get us out of the way. Despite playing for five hours straight, we did not finish the game. I cannot say that I am "hooked," it's not my thing, but I will definitely go back and play this again. It's good for kids to keep them occupied, but I would not pay full priced admission to run around the park all day.
Interesting concept. Fascinating subculture. Only in Orlando.
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