Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com sends us these photos from Walt Disney World.
I had a great opportunity my last morning at Walt Disney World. The Imagineers were conducting a public "play test" of A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas. This is a new interactive experience that will be opening in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom in the near future. The testing started earlier in the morning and I managed to make it there about 11:45am and was one of the last groups through, they shut down around noon. The adventure begins at the Enlistment Quarters, the old Crows Nest.
The only signs it was open for the play test was an open door.
On the other side a cast member was out to answer questions and he also gave the introduction to the game.
We were shown inside by the cast member and he explained what we were about to embark on.
He then issued us a talisman that would be our key to unlock the game.
We then could go to one of the three kiosks to start our adventure.
You put the talisman on the symbol and the video begins to play your first clue and it tells you which quest you will be embarking on.
There were five maps out. Since this was a play test they stressed what we were seeing may not be the final set of maps or content on the maps.
Our quest was the Guardian’s Curse. Here is a look a the map.
The introduction text on the map.
The map. We were told to head for the compass first.
Before heading off a look around the room.
Overhead…
The wall behind you (assuming you are facing the kiosks).
Our first stop was the compass. This is located across from Pirates. When you put the talisman on the symbol the compass springs to life and points to where you will be heading next (there is narration too). We were directed across the plaza to the parrot for further instructions.
Approaching the parrot symbol, it is on the gun handle which is on the crate. The parrot itself is in the shadow on the left in this picture.
A video clip of the parrot in action.
Next up for us was the bulls-eye. This stop is located down near the Swiss Family Tree House.
A couple video clips of the cannon fire and treasure unveiling and our final clue.
Our final stop, the captain’s hat. Located where the mini Jungle Cruise boats once sailed.
Video of the finale to our quest. After this played an Imagineer approached us, thanked us and asked for feedback.
They shut down the test at noon which was about the time we wrapped up our quest. So I did not have a chance to try any of the others or learn more. Here is a look at a couple of the other maps. Again note they stressed these are still works in progress.
Hope you enjoyed this look at a play test of the upcoming Pirates Adventure. For additional photos and details from this trip you can check out the full updates I posted on my site, http://disneygeek.com Also be sure to follow me on twitter @disneygeekcom for pictures from the parks.
Hey, we were there the same morning. My husband and I each played one of the games. He played the one with the parrot. His had more interesting stops. The one I played had an hour glass that turned over and at the end a cannon fired and a boat upside down on the shore was blown over; underneath the boat was the skeleton with the treasure jewel. The maps are well done and I was glad to see that you showed several of them. We were wondering what the others looked like. As a teacher I liked the idea of map reading for the young kids. I watched the areas for a while hoping to see the reactions of some young children playing; unfortunately I saw just adults playing. I hope some of your readers with young children that played will see this and respond.
Thanks for the informative posting.
This looks great!! Thanks for posting your adventure!!
Is there going to be a charge for this or is included with park admission?
*** Jason Reply ***
My understanding is it will be included in regular park admission just as the other in park interactive experiences have been (the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Phineas and Ferb, Kim Possible).
Thank you for this sneak peek. Any ETA for when this will be up and running? We are heading to WDW in 2 weeks and was hoping it would be available. Thanks!
*** Jason Reply ***
No time line was shared. I would guess it is in flux depending how the testing goes. If nothing else maybe you will luck out and a test will be going on. Enjoy your trip!
The adventure looks neat, hope it’s up for my August trip.
I am a little confused, though, as to the intent of the program. Is it meant to be a “scavenger hunt” of sorts, with you uncovering clues as you go? I think, with the map showing you where everything is, it might be a little easy, so is it meant more to be an interactive story that you just enjoy as you go. In other words, is there a ‘mystery’ as to where your final destination is that you have to figure out? Or is it all laid out for you, and you just sort of along for the ride. Either is fine, I just don’t get the intent of the attraction.
I’m asking as an avid Geocacher (who is disappointed Disney isn’t letting any on their property, haha), so my clue-finding senses are tingling 😀
Thanks!
**** Jason Reply *****
I think the intention is more of the interactive story route. We only did one so not sure how the variations work, etc.. we visited four of the five spots on our map. The narration/clues tell you exactly where to go and the map gives tips too. There was less discovery to this than say the Kim Possible or Phineas and Ferb games at Epcot. And definitely less interactivity than Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom since all you were able to do in this one is place the talisman to activate something. I am also assuming this is targeted at younger kids because of these elements. The time investment is not that large either. We completed ours in about 15 minutes (I was going quickly with hopes of a second one but no such luck). I would say a 20-25 min pace if you are reading the map and discussing the clues, etc.. would be about right.