Everything You Need to Know About the Midship Detective Agency Game on Disney Cruise Line with VIDEO
There is so much to do on a Disney Cruise Line ship (check out our Disney Cruise Video). So much so, that I’m certain in our 3 night sailing, we didn’t even complete half of it. We didn’t even see the spa! One of the things the kids had a blast doing was the the interactive adventure, Midship Detective Agency Game. If you’re sailing on the Disney Dream or the Disney Fantasy make sure you give this game a play. I’ve tried to sum up the game and answer all of your questions (with the kiddos help) so you know what to expect.
What is the Midship Detective Agency Game?
You use your sleuthing skills to help Mickey and his friends solve the mystery of whodunit. You take a self-guided, electronically-aided journey using this fun and interactive game through almost the entire ship aboard the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.
With the help of Mickey, Donald and Goofy who have compiled a list of suspects, you will tail suspects, examine their stories and alibis and slowly check the bad guys off the list until you’ve discovered the criminal.
Which ships have Midship Detective Agency?
Fantasy and Dream ships both have the detective game. You won’t find it on any of the other ships currently (as of The First Quarter of 2018)
Where is the game located?
There are two locations where you can start the game. You’ll want to look for this Detective Agency booth.
One starting location is on Deck 2 (mid-ship) near the Enchanted Garden restaurant.
The other starting point is on Deck 5 near “it’s a small world” nursery and the kid camps.
How do we start Midship Detective Agency Game // What do you need to get started?
You only need your brain and thinking cap to start the game. Everything else will be available at the kiosk. Once you find the kiosk and you are ready to play the game, approach the motitor to get debriefing instructions from Mickey. You also want to make sure you grab your detective badge, casebook and a pencil.
Your detective badge will have a unique barcode. Using that along with your ship map in your casebook, you can find clues, dismiss suspects, take notes and crack your case. There are several case options, be it the Midship Detective Agency Case of the Missing Puppies, The Midship Detective Agency (Muppets) Case of the Missing Show, or the Midship Detective Agency Case of the Plundered Paintings**.
What are the appropriate ages ?
To play this detective game, you will need to be able to read, pay attention to videos, use a map and be able to get around the ship. The game is designed for ages 9 and up, but having siblings or families work together means it will work for preschoolers, tweens, teens, adults and families. Plus, you’ll get to see a lot of the ship, and familiarize yourself with it, too.
You can play the game alone, team up with one person, or get a whole bunch of people working together.
How do you play the detective game?
Once you’ve grabbed your badge, you activate it (scan it) at the kiosk. From there, you will get clues that tell you which of the more than 20 “enchanted” artworks cleverly disguised as ordinary art you will visit next. At each piece, your detective badge will activate a special effect in its LCD screen, magically bringing the artwork to life and leading you to your next clue. Should you go back to that artwork another time, you might see a different animated sequence, telling you a Disney story in a new and different way!
Can you stop and start?
Because your custom badge with barcode tracks your progress, you can stop and start as needed. Maybe you start a little before dinner, grab dinner and wrap up the game after dessert. Or, you can do it in one run.
How long does the Midship Detective Agency Game take?
The game is self-paced, so it’s partially up to the players. At a minimum, the game will likely take about 30 minutes from start to finish, mostly because you have to canvas the ship to find your clues and narrow down the suspect list.
How many times can you play?
There are several possible endings and multiple randomized events so each time you grab a new badge, you will have a totally different gaming experience with different culprits and stories each time. Play once alone, then with a sibling or family member to mix it up even more.
How much of the ship do you cover?
Your mission will likely have you covering the entirety of the ship! Our 9 and 11 year olds did their game working together to complete their mission. They were able to navigate the ship and the map and this is the first time they’ve been on board the Disney Dream, or any Disney Cruise Ship.
What does Midship Detective Agency Cost?
If you have made it onto the ship and have a cabin, then the game is included. I hesitate to say it’s free, because you paid for your cruise, but if you’ve paid for your cruise, you can think of it as free.
Tips
You won’t have to visit every location to solve the case, but you might have to visit quite a few. Also, some of the art work changes through the day, so be alert.
**The Agency’s current caseload (from Disney)
The Case of the Plundered Paintings: The phone at the Midship Detective Agency has been ringing off the hook with reports of paintings going missing aboard the ship. Mickey, Donald and Goofy need the help of Guests like you to recover the pilfered masterpieces and restore them to their rightful owners. So far, there are 7 unsavory suspects who may have a hidden love of art….
The Case of the Missing Puppies: Roger Radcliffe and Pongo seek your assistance in locating 99 missing little Dalmatians. Could Cruella de Vil be up to her usual nasty tricks or is one of 6 other Disney baddies to blame? Help put the purloiner behind bars by sniffing out clues, spotting suspects and searching staterooms.
The Case of the Stolen Show: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and a cast of more than 20 Muppets are preparing to stage a headline performance. But there’s just one problem: All of the props for the big show have been stolen by a cunning thief—or, more likely, another Muppet. Pepe the King Prawn offers to take on detective duties to help Kermit and the rest of the Muppets find their missing props. Kermit, dubious about Pepe’s detective skills, has turned to Guests like you for help!
There are a ton of things to do on Disney Cruise ships, but make sure you make time to play the Midship Detective Agency Game at least once.
Watch our Disney Midship Agency Detective Video
Looking for other games? Check out this Disney Frozen Trivia with Questions and Answers!
What a fun scavenger hunt. I need to check this out on our next Disney Cruise!!!
For sure. If you aren’t sure what it is, it’s super easy to walk past it, too!
Is this there on the Disney Wonder?
I double checked and no, it’s not on the Disney Wonder.
I hope they include this on the new three ships that are ready to be finished! This is a lot of fun!
I’m wondering if they will, too! It’s so much fun.
This is a great idea to keep the kids thinking and busy on the sailing days.
We didn’t even have a sailing day this time! Think how many more cases we would have solved.