7 Tips & Tricks for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Editor’s Note: All good things come to an end. Unfortunately, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom has been retired and is no longer available.

Apprentice Sorcerers needed – no experience necessary! Join forces with Merlin and fellow Sorcerers at Magic Kingdom in an attempt to defeat Hades and other Disney Villains from taking over Magic Kingdom as their own!

1 – Where to Begin

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is a fun, interactive scavenger hunt that is free with a park ticket! Head to the Firehouse on Main Street U.S.A. to the left as you enter the park. Look up to notice the large “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” banner hanging from the Firehouse. Once inside, you will be instructed by Cast Members how the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom works.

2 – How It Works

The Cast Members will instruct you or your apprentice sorcerer on some basic information that will be needed for your quest. First, they will scan your MagicBand (or provide you with a card if you don’t have a MagicBand). This MagicBand is your key to unlocking portals throughout the park. Second, you will be provided with 5 spell cards. These cards have the Sorcerers Crest on the back and an image of a Disney Character on the front. Finally, the Cast Member will take you to a test portal and show you how to use your MagicBand to open the portal and how to use your cards when asked to “Cast A Spell.”

3 – Portals

Portals are found throughout all areas of the park, except for Tomorrowland. This means your quest will take you through Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square. Portals are typically set up in windows. Just outside of the window is what looks like a lock that you will need to scan your MagicBand on to open the portal. Once your MagicBand is scanned, a video image will begin to appear in the window. This video guides you to take your next step. Keep in mind you must use the same MagicBand you scanned at the Firehouse to open a portal. If you go to the wrong portal, the portal will open, but tell you that you are in the wrong place and will tell you where you need to go. TIPS – some portals are tricky to find, be sure to keep your Sorcerers Map handy for an easy guide. Just a note – you’ll notice one portal, in particular, that seems to have a curtain in the way. When you unlock this portal, however, the curtain is pulled back.

4 – Time for Action

Merlin comes on the portal screen and is asking desperately for your help to fit against Hades and the evil Villains he has recruited to join his team. They are seeking crystals that are hidden throughout Magic Kingdom that will provide the Villains with the ability to overtake Magic Kingdom. Listen closely to the video (or read the words provided on the screen), and it will guide you on what to do next. Sometimes you are asked to “Cast a Spell” or show the Sorcerers Crest on the back of your card. Hold the card out in front of you and BAM! You’ll knock the featured Villain out! TIP – stand tall when holding your card out in front of you to cast a spell. Our 8-year-old daughter had to hold her card up slightly as we caught on she was holding it too low for the scanners to read her card.

5 – Spell Cards

The first five spell cards you receive are free from the Firehouse, and really are the only cards you will need to successfully defeat the game. However, cards are highly collectible, and you can collect all 70 in total if you’d like! Each time you visit Magic Kingdom, enter the Firehouse and receive another pack of 5 cards. Each card is unique with a Disney character and has noted what spell they provide and what their powers and strengths are (much like a Dungeons and Dragons game card). The Cast Members say the key is to use one card repeatedly as the more you use a card, the more strength the card has against Villains. If you are having a hard time defeating a Villain (it gets harder as you go on), you can hold up more than one card to add to your power. According to Cast Members, you can hold up a total of 5 cards to defeat the hard Villains. The portal video sometimes provides key words like 101 Dalmatian references about “spotting” something. If you have one of the Dalmatian spell cards, this would be a good one to use – otherwise, use whatever you’d like! TIP – While one spell card might be more powerful than another for a specific round, Cast Members say really any card or combination of cards can be used. It is still fun however, to try to combine spells and use what would seem like the most powerful spell against the Villain.

6 – Several Rounds

Fighting Villains can be a tough feat for Sorcerers! Just when you’ve completed one section of the park, you will be directed to another area, even if you have already been directed to that area previously. There are several rounds of challenges and multiple Villains – but we suspected that as a Sorcerers job is never done! Due to the placement of the portals and the way you will be going from one area to the next, we don’t recommend Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom for first-timer visitor, unless you prefer to spend your time fighting the bad guys instead of waiting in line for attractions. The great news, however, is that if you want to get started and just do a few rounds, the MagicBand scanned will hold the location of your next portal and all of your previous work for up to 18 months!

7 – Final Tips

Be aware that some of the portals are located in busy areas. We’ve had people sitting in front of the portals we’ve had to ask to move, folks walking in front of the portal, and even a parade going by making the portal video impossible to hear. Thankfully, the words are printed on the screen! We suggest you be prepared to read the portal video to any young apprentices in your party as they may miss the plot of the story or not know when to Cast a Spell if they can’t read. As an easy wrap up of some of the tip above:

• The scanned MagicBand at the Firehouse is the only one you can use to open the portal. Even if you come back on a different trip with a different MagicBand, bring this MagicBand with you to continue your game.
• Your MagicBand will hold your progress for up to 18 months.
• Try your best not to lose your Sorcerers Map – you’ll need it!
• Use the same spell card as much as possible to build strength – or plan on using more than one spell card (up to 5 spell cards at once) to cast a spell. Also, listen for key words that relate to a Disney character to see if you have a spell card that will work even better for the job.
• For young apprentices, hold the card up when casting a spell for the scanners to read it, and be prepare to read the video to your young apprentice if needed due to surrounding noise.

Have fun Sorcerers defeating those Villains and saving Magic Kingdom!