ORLANDO, Fla. — Do you consider yourself a Disney aficionado? Do you think you have what it takes to answer challenging Disney trivia questions? Every year, Disney World employees get to test their knowledge and problem-solving skills in an event called Goofy’s Mystery Tour.


What You Need To Know


The after-hours event, which is only open to cast members, involves 300 teams of four answering Disney-related questions before attempting to solve puzzles scattered throughout the park. They can win prizes, and, of course, bragging rights.

On Thursday, the teams gathered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a night of brain teasers and friendly competition. This was the second time Angie Podlasek-Clarke, a horticulture associate at EPCOT, had participated in the event after volunteering a few years ago.

“I grew up watching Disney films like a lot cast members here,” she said. “I grew up visiting the parks so when I heard there was an SAT trivia competition specifically catered to Disney facts, I was very interested. That’s what got me into it.”

For the event, some teams wore matching shirts, while others were dressed in more elaborate costumes. Podlasek-Clarke, who was captain of one of the teams this year, made sure her team came prepared.

“Basically, I’m in charge of everything from making sure everybody signs their waivers and paperwork to making sure everybody has all the materials we’re going to need,” she said. “Everybody’s got clipboards and flashlights.”

The first part of Goofy’s Mystery Tour took place inside Theater in the Wild, which holds performances of Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond during regular park hours. After opening remarks and a rundown of the rules, it was trivia time.

Teams were given 30 minutes to answer over 70 multiple-choice Disney trivia questions on their mobile device. The questions covered a variety of Disney topics—attractions, movies, company history—and ranged from easy to challenging. Who was the first person to buy a Disneyland ticket? What is the name of Donald Duck’s sister? What game can you find in the lobby area of Tower of Terror?

After the trivia portion, teams were sent into DinoLand U.S.A. and given two hours to solve a dozen puzzles. The puzzles, set up at different stations in the park, also proved challenging. Some required teams to sing or dance, while others involved a bit of math.

Goofy’s Mystery Tour, which started at in 1991, is a popular employee event. Only 300 teams of four can participate, and the slots go fast. This year, the event was fully booked within 45 minutes, according to Disney.

“So it’s kind of like Ticketmaster, Taylor Swift tickets,” Podlasek-Clarke said. “You’re waiting, you’re stressed out, but it’s very exciting once you get in.”

The event, which is modeled after a similar event at Disneyland called Minnie’s Moonlit Madness, has been held at different parks over the years, including Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. And event gives employees a chance to interact with each other and just have fun.

“It is a one-of-a-kind event,” Podlasek-Clarke said. “I think it’s special because it’s one of the few opportunities you can’t do unless you’re a cast member. There are very special opportunities we get working for this company, and this is one of them.”

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