Last
update: October 2006
See
our new DisneyQuest Photo Gallery!
 1.
What exactly is DisneyQuest?
According
to the official Disney Web page, "Create your own adventures in
this one-of-a-kind indoor interactive Theme Park bursting with games that
give "state-of-the-art" new meaning. Discover five floors exploding
with cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and 3-D experiences —
all fueled by Disney innovation and imagination. The entry portal, Ventureport,
leads to four different zones: the Explore Zone, a virtual Adventureland;
the Score Zone, for superhero quests; the Create Zone, for artistic endeavors;
and the Replay Zone for nostalgic fun. Anyway you cut it, you're in the
Zone at DisneyQuest!"
DQ is entirely contained in a large, five-story building. You might call
it the video arcade/virtual theme park/entertainment center of the future,
or you might just call it fun! It opened on June 19, 1998.
2. Where
is it located and how do I get there?
DisneyQuest
is located in the West Side section of the Downtown Disney area, near
the House of Blues, Cirque du Soleil, and AMC 24 theatres.
To get
there from any WDW resort hotel, take the Downtown Disney bus and exit
at the Pleasure Island Stop (there is no longer a bus stop at the West
Side).
There is
no direct bus service between any theme park and Downtown Disney. You
will have to go to one of the resorts and change buses.
From outside
WDW, take exit 67 off Interstate I-4 and follow the signs to Downtown
Disney.
3. What
are DisneyQuest's hours?
As of
10/06:
Sunday - Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - Midnight
4. When
are the best times to go?
As with
many things Disney, it's great to get there at opening time for the
smallest crowds. However, crowds are manageable at almost any time except
from 9 p.m. to midnight, or on a foul-weather day. Generally, if you
go to DisneyQuest on a weekday, in the morning, or between the hours
of 4:30 and 7 p.m., you should have no trouble with crowds. Your mileage
may vary, though!
5. How
much does DisneyQuest cost?
Prices
current as of 10/06:
DisneyQuest 1 Day - including tax: $38.34
(Ages 10+); $31.95 (Ages 3-9); children under 3 are free.
Disney Quest Annual Passport - Good for one year from date of purchase
- unlimited admissions to Disney Quest. Adults $94.79 (includes tax);
Children 3-9 $75.62 (includes tax).
Disney Quest & Water Parks Annual Passport - Good at Disney Quest
and both water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, for one year
from date of purchase. Adults: $137.39 (with tax), Children 3-9 $105.44
(with tax).
Kids under
3 enter free, but no strollers are allowed inside. Kids under 10 must
be accompanied by an adult. You can leave and re-enter any number of
times in the same day at no charge; your wrist will be stamped when
you first enter the building to prove that you were admitted
that day.
As with
many things Disney, there are discounts -- just ask. Some current discounts
include:
For Disney Vacation Club Members: $4 off adults, $3 off children.
For Annual Passholders: $4 off adults, $3 off children.
Admission
to DisneyQuest is now a benefit of the Premium Annual Pass.
If you
have a Magic Your Way Ticket with Water Parks & More Option, admission
to DisneyQuest is included; and if you're on a WDW travel package that
includes a "flex feature," you may use the feature for admission to
DisneyQuest.
6. Are
there any extra charges once I'm inside?
Your admission
includes unlimited use of all attractions, except a few arcade-type games in which you can play for a small fee and potentially win a prize like a DVD. (There are no longer games that give tickets to be redeemed for prizes later.)
You'll
also have the option to purchase any artistic items you create in the
CreateZone (e.g. at the Animation Academy, Magic Mirror, Living Easels
or Sid's Create-a-Toy). Playing with these attractions is free in itself,
however, and there's no obligation to buy your creation afterwards.
7. I have
an old DisneyQuest ticket with points still left on it. Can I trade it in toward a
new ticket?
Absolutely!
When DisneyQuest first opened, it operated on a "pay-per-play" system,
with each attraction costing a certain number of points to play. The
point system has since been discarded, but if you hold one of those
old tickets that still has any number of points on it (even one!), you
can trade it for a full one-day admission.
8. Can
I enter for free if I don't play any games?
Unfortunately,
no. Everyone over the age of 3 who enters the building must have a ticket.
Some folks have asked if they can go in just to eat at the restaurants,
but this is not permitted.
9. What
are the "zones" inside DisneyQuest?
DisneyQuest
is divided into four "zones:"
- Explore
Zone, a virtual adventureland where guests are immersed in exotic
and ancient locales.
- Score
Zone, a superhero competition city where guests can match their
gameplaying skills.
- Create
Zone, a private "Imagineering" studio for artistic self-expression
and invention.
- Replay
Zone, a carnival on the moon where guests experience a retrofuturistic
spin on classic rides and games.
When
you enter DisneyQuest, you'll board the Cybrolator, an elevator with
a few surprises. It will let you off at the Ventureport, which
has gateways to each of the four zones.
Just choose a zone and start exploring!
10. What
games and attractions are available?
Plenty!
Here are just a few:
CyberSpace
Mountain
With the help of Bill Nye the Science Guy, design your own roller
coaster on a touch-screen computer. Physics are no object -- this is
a roller coaster in space. When you're done, you can jump into a simulator
and actually ride your creation in full 360-degree motion! Anyone can
create a coaster, but you must be 51 inches tall to ride the simulator.
Virtual
Jungle Cruise
Climb aboard a life-sized rubber raft with your friends and family,
pick up a paddle and start rowing. On the screen in front of you, you'll
see yourselves moving down a river during the age of the dinosaurs.
The raft will pitch and roll along with the river, and watch out --
you may get splashed!
Aladdin's
Magic Carpet Ride
Straddle a magic carpet, put on a virtual reality helmet, and you're
transported into the world of Aladdin. Collect precious jewels along
the way on your search for the magical scarab, and when you find it,
you'll have to reckon with Jafar and rescue the Genie!
Ride
the Comix
Mistress Khan, Leader of All Supervillains, instructs you in the
pre-show for this attraction. You'll wear a virtual reality helmet and
use a laser sword to do battle with supervillains in a 3-D comic strip
world. (Here's a picture.)
Invasion!
An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
In your virtual-reality spaceship, you and your friends will team
up to steer the ship over an alien planet, rescue the human colonists
there, and destroy hostile aliens.
Buzz
Lightyear's Astroblasters
These are the bumper cars of the future. Two people team up in each
car -- one to steer and one to shoot balls at the targets on the other
cars. If you're hit, your car will spin out of control! There's a 51-inch
height requirement for this attraction.
Animation
Academy
Sit at an electronic drawing pad and take a lesson in drawing a
Disney character from a live instructor. You can purchase your drawing
when it's finished, if you like.
Mighty
Ducks Pinball Slam
In this pinball game, you are the ball! Stand on a giant-sized joystick
and watch your progress as you steer yourself among the other live balls
on an enormous screen. There's a 48-inch height requirement for this
attraction.
Pirates
of the Caribbean - Battle for Buccaneer Gold
This attraction, based on Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom,
allows you to steer a pirate ship while the rest of your group mans
the cannons. Travel over a virtual waterfall and capture gold from the
other pirate ships! There's a 35-inch height requirement for this attraction.
11.
Are there any activities for younger children?
Young kids
would probably enjoy the Create Zone the
most -- there are plenty of hands-on activities there that appeal to
all ages, like Sid's Create-a-Toy (based on the evil child from the
original Toy Story film who liked to make toys from the parts of others).
However, most of DisneyQuest's other attractions seem to be best for
approximately ages 10 and up. Also, please note that strollers are not
allowed inside and the environment can be very loud -- toddlers might
quickly become overwhelmed.
12. Is
there a height requirement for any attractions?
Yes: Cyberspace
Mountain, 51 inches (to ride the simulator - anyone can design a coaster);
Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters, 51 inches; Pirates of the Caribbean:
Battle for Buccaneer Gold, 35 inches; and Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam,
48 inches.
13. Are
all the attractions accessible to people with disabilities and larger
folks?
Nearly
all. Larger people may have trouble fitting comfortably in the seats
at CyberSpace Mountain, but they should do just fine with any other
attraction at DisneyQuest.
CyberSpace
Mountain may be a sticking point for people with disabilities as well.
There is a wheelchair lift to bring folks to the ride simulators, but
it's a bit of a climb up and then down a couple of steps to get into
the simulators themselves. They are rather small and confined inside,
and some folks with disabilities may have difficulty climbing in and
out -- I'm able-bodied and petite, and I had to maneuver a bit to get
out. Also, anyone who has a fear of small spaces may not be comfortable
in the simulators, but there is a "panic button" that you can press
at any time to stop the ride immediately.
For
the following attractions, guests can remain in their wheelchairs:
CyberSpace Mountain (the design portion)
Animation Academy
Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold (those in ECV must
transfer to a standard wheelchair)
Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam
Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride (the low, motorcycle-like seat can be adjusted
so that guests may remain in their wheelchairs)
Radio Disney SongMaker
Living Easels
Sid's Create-A-Toy
Magic Mirror
The
following attractions require guests to transfer from their wheelchairs
to a ride vehicle or other seat:
CyberSpace Mountain (the simulator)
Virtual Jungle Cruise (sitting in a rubber raft)
Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (sitting in a cockpit
seat)
Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters (sitting in an enclosed bumper car)
Ride the Comix (stationary stool while wearing a VR helmet)
Daytona USA
Classic Arcade Games at Sports Arena Arcade,
Underground Arcade
Some attractions,
especially those involving virtual reality, may cause motion sickness
in those who are prone to it. The most likely culprits include Ride
the Comix, Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, and Pirates of the Caribbean:
Battle for Buccaneer Gold. Of course, the attractions that involve real
motion may cause discomfort as well: the CyberSpace Mountain simulators,
Virtual Jungle Cruise, and Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters.
No smoking is allowed inside DisneyQuest.
14. What
food options are available?
The Cheesecake
Factory runs the food concession at DisneyQuest, and they offer a great
selection of food options. At FoodQuest,
you can find pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, salads, burgers, hot dogs,
wraps, and assorted snacks. At the Wonderland
Cafe, you'll find specialty coffees and plenty of desserts,
including endless varieties of cheesecake. The Wonderland Cafe also
features some booths with Internet access. Both restaurants are inside
DisneyQuest.
15. Is
there a gift shop?
Of course!
All manner of DisneyQuest souvenirs can be found in the DisneyQuest
Emporium, which is also the only way to exit from the building. The
shop, unlike the restaurants, is accessible from the outside. (There
may be a 10% merchandise discount for Annual Passholders and DVC members
-- just ask.)
READER
COMMENTS:
One of
the best things we (my wife and I) have found to do on our first night,
is to go to DisneyQuest. The first time we went, it was late in the
afternoon and definitely too late to go to a park. We wanted something
with some fun and excitement to it, so we decided to go to DisneyQuest.
It was great! After a little familiarization, we were able to entertain
ourselves for several hours. With places to eat inside, it was a self-contained
funhouse, to keep us occupied for as long as needed. The first night
is a unique experience. You arrive, and you're tired, but there is something
that makes you want to make the most of every minute. So, if you want
the excitement of a park, without all the price (it does cost to get
in), then we would suggest relieving all that built up energy at DisneyQuest.
(Rusty Sweezy)
Thanks to waxwing@sirius.com
who originally maintained this DisneyQuest page.
As
with everything else around WDW, this information is bound to change at
any time. Please send submissions, additions and changes to Deb
Koma.
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