Disney World for Video Game Lovers
Can’t Ditch the Device?
In Fantasyland, you can step through a magic mirror and be transported to Belle’s library. Walk to Frontierland and join the gaggle of foolish mortals awaiting their death certificates in the Haunted Mansion. Travel back in time on Spaceship Earth and witness history unfold as if you were right there with Gutenberg when he invented the printing press. Wherever your journey takes you in Walt Disney world, you can be sure that you’ll be fully immersed into whatever world you’re experiencing- it’s a big part of what makes Disney, Disney!
When my entire extended family visited Walt Disney World together last year, we feared my teenage cousin would be a tough sell. He’s someone who would rather spend his summer vacation shooting hoops in the backyard and when he got too hot, switch to video game mode on the couch with a tall glass of Coke. To our surprise, he was eager to get out and explore the parks and was more than willing to hop from attraction to attraction, protest-free!
As I was thanking our lucky stars, he made a fantastic correlation when he said “I LOVE it here, so many of the rides remind me of my favorite games!” I guess he didn’t fully disengage from his video game universe, but it got me to thinking: teenage girls and boys obsessed with gaming won’t have to be forced away from their devices when you visit WDW, at least not with this plan, they won’t!
Play the Game
If you’re traveling with a teenager who would rather play games on their device than ride the attractions with the rest of the family, don’t worry! There are so many attractions out there perfect for video game lovers, and based on experience, I know the following attractions will not only hold the attention of your gamer, but make them wish for more ride time when the vacation is over! Each of the following attractions let you literally play, just like a real video game!
- Toy Story Midway Mania- Shrink to toy size and board a ride vehicle that will twist, turn, and careen you from mini-game to mini-game. Take aim with your blaster and see how many points you can tally! Don’t forget, you’re playing against your entire ride vehicle, so rack up as many points as you can!
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin- Do you want to be a Space Ranger like Buzz Lightyear? Well, you’ve got to pass Star Command’s rigorous intergalactic test before you can don a super cool space suit like Buzz. Aim your laser at evil Emperor Zurg for the max amount of points and the best chance at being accepted into Star Command Academy.
- Test Track- While you can’t actually drive the car through the sim track, you can design your very own car in a video game-like interactive touchscreen before you climb into the ride vehicle. Then, see how your design holds up in categories like efficiency and speed.
Feel the Game
While there isn’t anything to ‘play’ at these attraction locations, my cousin gives each of them his stamp of approval for making him feel like he was in a video game when he rode. That’s good enough for me, and if you saw how exhilarated he was at the end of these rides, it’d be more than good enough for you too!
- Soarin’- I’ve ridden Soarin’ more times than I can count, but I still dangle my feet in anticipation of them touching the top of Mt. Everest every time! Delivering a sim ride feel like no other, Soarin’ will thrill lovers of video games like no other!
- Flight of Passage- The newest attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the epitome of ‘immersive’. With unparalleled 3D screens, ride motion to match your scope vision, and a breathing Banshee between your legs, it feels like you’re really steering your Banshee through the dips and peaks of the Valley in this one of a kind ride experience! Don’t believe me? Well, this attraction was recently awarded the Industry Award for Outstanding Visual Effects!
- Star Tours- I love that Star Tours offers multiple video options, you might never get the same ride twice! No matter which video you get in the Star Tours Roulette, the video game likeness is always there. Throw your body and mind into the attraction and you’ll get a sim experience so akin to a video game it made my cousin proclaim “It felt like my PS4!”
- Mission Space- Billed as the attraction that makes space travel accessible to us mere mortals, Mission Space has video game elements woven into its basic design. With real feel G-force and a launch sequence designed to simulate a real shuttle launch, game lovers are who Mission Space is geared for!
Live the Game
- Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire- It’s a bit surprising, but the newest, most advanced technology isn’t located in one of the theme parks, but at Disney Springs! The hyper-reality experience lets you literally step into the Star Wars universe, roam around freely, and walk side by side with your favorite characters…and other people in the game! This separate ticket experience combines the best of simulation and virtual reality and takes it to a new, never-before seen level with the addition of a multi-sensory environment! Do you have a game lover in your travel party who will experience Secrets of the Empire? What about the other gamer-geared attractions? Let us know in the comments below!
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer/musician thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!