The original Walt Disney World Resort theme park, aka Magic Kingdom, has many areas to explore.  One area that you may be very familiar with, but never really noticed, may be the Town Square just within the entryway to the Magic Kingdom.

Setting The Stage For Family Fun

Like a classic Disney Movie the entrance to the Magic Kingdom sets the stage for a day where families can:
"Leave Today and Enter the World of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy"

Main Street USA certainly fills the bill for the World of Yesterday and the Town Square is the Disney guest's introduction to this idealistic vision of small town America during the early 20th century.  The Town Square provides a central meeting point for people to gather, a train station, the City Hall, a Fire Station, Barber Shop, Restaurant, Theater, and Shops.


All of these well-themed locations filled with Disney details and often they are all overlooked because the Town Square also happens to frame the Disney World guests first glimpse of Cinderella Castle and provides the entrance way to the rest of the Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom Town Square Landmarks

The Town Square is filled with iconic landmarks.  Starting with the patriotic flag pole prominently positioned in the center of the square.  Each day before sunset a special flag retreat ceremony is held.

Pictured above is the Main Street Railroad Station.  The railroad is an important part of all of the Disney Magic Kingdom locations around the world and is the only official attraction (ride) that is located on Main Street.


The Town Square Theater is where you can find Mickey Mouse and have your picture taken with him.
Special Disney Insider Hidden Secret:
This is also currently also the only place at the Walt Disney World Resort where you can have a conversation with Mickey Mouse.



Tony's Town Square Restaurant is a Disney Table Service Restaurant that is themed according to The Lady and the Tramp and features Italian specialties.



The City Hall is where you can find Guest Services and get a special celebration button.


The Fire Station is where you can get signed up to play the FREE interactive Sorcerers of The Magic Kingdom game.  All guests who sign up get a pack of FREE collectible game cards to keep as a souvenir.


The Magic Kingdom also has a fully functioning barbershop located on Town Square.  Many a child has gotten their memorable first haircuts here.  They don't take reservations, so don't be surprised if there is a long line waiting out the door or prior to its opening.


The last landmark is the second most famous statue in the Magic Kingdom.  This one depicts Walt's brother Roy sitting on a bench with Minnie Mouse.

Character Greetings

Often you can meet Disney Characters in and around Town Square.  The characters change from day to day so you have to be on the lookout or consult a Disney Cast Member as to the schedule for the day.

Main Street Transportation

The last little known Disney World Hidden Secret about Town Square is that there a several special vehicles that you can ride up and down Main Street USA.  You are most likely to see them early in the day and during times when the park is less crowded.  There are signs around the Town Square where you may board the vehicles. ...and the best part is that they are FREE!

Don't Overlook The Town Square Ever Again!

Hopefully after you have read this article it has sparked your interest to pay closer attention to the Main Street Town Square and all it has to offer.  I have only scratched the surfaced on all there is to see and explore on and around the square.  Don't be afraid to slow down a little and check out the Town Square, even if that time is when you are heading on your way out of the Magic Kingdom!

Collectors of the Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom cards will be delighted to learn about the new design that will be available exclusively for guests attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.  Like prior years, this special card has a unique design that collectors and traders covet.

If you are attending one of the MNSSHP parties this year, do not forget to go pick up your FREE cards.

Here are more details as presented at the Disney Parks Blog:

When Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park September 1, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fans are in for an additional party “treat” – the chance to pick up another event-exclusive game card.

In case you’re a Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom newbie, SOTMK is an in-park interactive experience that allows guests join Merlin in a quest to defeat a team of Disney villains who are scheming to take over the park. Guests use maps to search for villain’s lairs throughout the park. When they find a magic portal, guests use spell cards that each feature a different magical power to foil a villain’s plan. This complimentary experience begins in the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A., where you can pick up everything you need to join in the fun.

This year’s special event card features the Helmsman pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

The Pirate Helmsman’s Bombardment card will be distributed in addition to the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs (yes, you can still pick up both while attending the party). Guests must show their party ticket and event wristband in order to get one.

There is a new adventure to experience in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.  It combines interactive gaming technology, collectible trading cards, and Disney Characters and Storytelling to make a compelling new attraction to experience.  The best part of it all is that the Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom is included with your admission to the Magic Kingdom Theme Park.


Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom
Merlin is looking to recruit Sorcerers to help him defeat Hades and other Disney Villains in an effort to retrieve portions of a crystal ball with magical properties.  By agreeing to help Merlin you can spend as much or as little time as you wish traveling to different lands of the Magic Kingdom (currently Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland, & Main Street ) to participate in the story and help Merlin defeat the Disney Villains.


The process starts at the Fire Station (Engine Co 71) on Main Street.  Here you can get signed up and take an initial tutorial to learn how the game works.  All you need to participate is your theme park admission ticket.


After you check in, the Cast Members will swipe your Park ticket and give you a Key Card and a pack of 5 Spell Cards.


While you are here you may see Merlin and hear him describe your mission.


You will also see Hades and hear how he is planning to defeat Merlin and gather the pieces of the crystal.



When you receive your key card (shown above) and your 5 spell cards you will also be given a map to all of the portals that you will be using to play the game.  The Cast Member will also let you know which portal you need to go to in order to start your adventure.  This is important since you can only start at the specific portal that they tell you.  If you go to a different one, it will let you know that you are in the wrong place and show you where you need to go next.

Do not lose your key card.  Although it does not look special, it actually has an RFID device embedded in it that reacts with the games and uniquely identifies you as the player.  This information is then linked to your park ticket.  Pretty impressive use of technology.


Playing The Game
Once you get to the designated portal it is time to play the game.  You take your key card and touch it to the lock at the portal (see picture above).  This activates the system and starts the interactive video.


Follow the on-screen instructions to play along.  They will prompt you when it is time to use one of your spell cards.


To actually use your card you hold it in front of you and cameras recognize the card that you are using and have a specific response based upon the spell card that you have chosen to use.


Each mini-adventure takes approximately 5 segments to complete.  You can continue on additional adventures until you have defeated all of the Disney Villains.


Spell Cards
One exciting aspect of this interactive game is the collectible trading cards that you receive for free.  Each day you can get another free pack of 5 cards.  Currently there is 70 different cards in the series with each having a unique Disney Character and scene.


The reverse side of the spell cards all have the Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom crest.  You are asked several times during the game to use that side of the cards to help you defeat the villains.

The cards are fun to use to help you cast different spells as you battle the Disney Villains.  They are also collectible and they are fun to trade in order to try to collect a complete set.  Currently you cannot purchase additional cards from Disney, you can only receive them for free in daily packs of 5.


Great Use Of Interactive Technology!
The Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom is a fun game that is surprisingly addictive.  You saw people both young and old enjoying the game and collecting the cards.  This is a great activity for people that have done all of the attractions and are looking for something different to do or an alternative activity to avoid long lines.  It is highly recommended to check out during your Disney World Vacation.

Starting in February, Disney World Guests will have the opportunity to experience a new interactive activity at the Magic Kingdom, but to also obtain FREE collectible trading cards.  The Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom allows the guests to do battle against Disney Villains and come to the aid of Merlin to recover his crystal ball.

Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom
When the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game debuts at Magic Kingdom Theme Park in February, it will provide a new FREE activity for all Magic Kingdom visitors.  Similar to the Kim Possible Adventures in Epcot, except instead of having the special "Kimmunicator," guests will receive 5 collectible trading cards that provide Spells that they can use to battle Disney Villains in 4 different lands: Main Street U.S.A, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Frontierland.

The Spell cards are part of a set of 70 cards that are randomly distributed in packs of 5 with guests allowed to receive one pack per day.  The Spell cards can be used over and over again, not just for that day.  There are also 3 levels of scarcity for the cards from common to uncommon to rare.  Some of the cards are pictured below.

Here is the post from Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager for Disney that appeared originally on the Disney Parks Blog:
When the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game debuts at Magic Kingdom Park in February, it will be up to our guests to defeat Disney villains who are wreaking havoc through the theme park.


In this role-playing game, guests become Merlin’s apprentice sorcerers and embark on a quest to stop more than 20 Disney villains – including Hades and Cruella De Vil – from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s crystal ball. Armed with spells in the form of special cards, guests search for the magic symbols that lead them to villains’ hiding places in Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Once there, apprentices use magic keys to reveal a villain’s hideout and use spell cards to stop them in their tracks.

According to the game’s developers, the cards really are the secret weapons of the game. There will be 70 different spell cards available and guests will receive five complimentary cards when they play. Each card features a different Disney character that offers a spell unique to him or her. Guests can use more than one card simultaneously, casting multiple spells at a villain at one time.

Some of the cards you may encounter include:

•Lumière’s Candle Blast – This card shows Belle’s favorite candlestick spurred on by his loyal ally, Cogsworth.

•Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – This card shows Mr. Toad’s car careening through the underbrush.

•Prince Naveen’s Army of Frogs – This card shows Tiana’s prince enchanting his amphibian army to action.

•Rafiki’s Wisdom Stick – This card shows Simba’s counselor ready to imbue some knowledge on the enemy’s forehead.

•The Woozles’ Woozle Nightmare – This card shows a Woozle dreaming of his most delightful vision: A gang of other Woozles ready to bang some noggins.

I do have some additional details for guests who want to collect or trade these cards. The 70 cards are divided into nine different spell classes, such as Princess cards, Hero cards or Warrior cards. In addition, all cards are marked with one of three designations – a star symbol, which indicates a rare card; a moon symbol, which signifies an uncommon card; and a planet symbol, which indicates a common card.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will debut in late February and is included in the cost of theme park admission.