7 of Our Favorite Disney Games

On this week’s Celebrations Magazine Podcast, we take a look at some of the best Disney games to play in the parks. With options like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas, Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, and Toy Story Mania (to name just a few) there are plenty of options available while visiting Walt Disney World.

But what about when you want a little bit of Disney fun and magic at home? Well, you’re in luck! There’s a whole host of brilliant tabletop games that are perfect for bringing family and friends together.

Villainous 

Have you ever wanted to test out your powers as a Disney villain? Admit it. You’ve thought about it once or twice. Why wouldn’t you? They get all the best songs. 

In the board game Villainous (created by Ravensburger) you get to do just that. Made for 2-6 players, the game gives you the chance to play as a classic Disney villain, racing to achieve your unique dastardly plans (which vary by character) before your opponents achieve their own. Games take between 45-120 minutes to play, and the artwork on the cards, figures, and other game pieces is stunningly gorgeous.

The basic starter pack includes the villains Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), Jafar (Aladdin), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), and Prince John (Robin Hood). Expansions are available with additional villains, as is a slightly different version of the game titled Marvel Villainous featuring favorite villains from the MCU.

Hocus Pocus: The Game

For a cooperative board game experience (i.e. you and the other players work together rather than in competition), you’ve got to check out Ravensburger’s Hocus Pocus: The Game. Another Ravensburger creation, the board game is inspired by Disney’s Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.

In the game, 2-6 players work together to defeat the nefarious Sanderson Sisters. By working together, you must collect ingredients (in the form of cards) to create a spell to help stun the witches. Stun them three times, and the sun rises on them! That means you and the children of Salem are safe. But run out of ingredients before sunrise and the Sanderson Sisters triumph. It’s not nearly as easy as it sounds, especially since the witches are working against you and casting spells that will thwart your progress.

Disney: The Haunted Mansion – Call of the Spirits

Published by Funko and developed by Prospero Hall, The Haunted Mansion – Call of the Spirits is a competitive board game for 2-6 players. The standard version of the game has box art featuring the Disneyland version of the Mansion, but there is a Magic Kingdom version available as well. The gameplay is identical and typically lasts around 30 minutes

Your goal in the game is to collect the most points, which are found in the forms of happy haunts, art, and other artifacts found throughout the classic rooms of the mansion. But beware! If you encounter the Hitchhiking Ghosts, you’ll be penalized!

With enchanting artwork and engaging gameplay, this game is perfect for friends and family hoping for a frightfully fun time. 

Codenames: Disney

Looking for a much quicker gaming experience? You might want to check out Codenames: Disney, designed by Vladimír Chvátil. The game only takes around 15 minutes to play, and is a perfect party game, with room for 2-8 players.

In Codenames: Disney, teams take turns giving one-word hints to identify Disney characters, locations, and items from a 25-card game grid. Each team has a “spymaster” who knows the specific cards his team is trying to identify and provides the hints. As an added twist, your team doesn’t want to accidentally choose cards belonging to the opposing team, and above all you don’t want to accidentally choose the “Game Over” card. Quick and fun, with great replayability, it’s perfect for Disney fans of any age. 

The Magical World of Disney Trivia

Think your knowledge of the Disney universe is unsurpassed? There’s one way to prove it. The Magic World of Disney Trivia features over 2,000 questions that span the breadth and width of Disney history from Steamboat Willie to the modern era. Players take turns rolling dice, moving along the game board, and collecting colors by answering questions. The first player to reach the end with all of the necessary colors wins!

Questions are available in adult and kids’ skill levels, so Disney fans of any age or experience can play. Plus, the game has some truly incredible 3D printed pieces featuring popular Disney locations (such as Pizza Planet and Cinderella’s Castle) and characters (like Minnie Mouse and Simba). 

Disney: “it’s a small world”

For younger players, or anyone wanting a simple, charming gaming experience, we strongly recommend the Disney “it’s a small world” game published by Funko. Made for ages 4 and up, teams of players travel on the happiest cruise ever to set sail and attempt to collect cards based on objects that can be seen along the way. 

Games only take about 20 minutes to play. Beyond the fun of the gameplay, the physical game is simply beautiful to look at. Patterned after Rolly Crump and Mary Blair’s artwork for the classic Disney attraction, the 3D board is a visual feast that you’ll enjoy simply setting up and looking at. 

Disney Gargoyles: Awakening

Gargoyles, the classic Disney animated series, provides the inspiration for this strategy game published by Ravensburger. Games typically last between 45-60 minutes and feature players assuming the roles of one of six classic Gargolyes characters (Goliath, Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, Hudson, or NYPD detective Elisa Maza). 

There are four different scenarios you can choose to play through in the game, three of which are cooperative and one that is competitive. Aside from the varied gameplay, the game offers a truly immersive experience by recreating the New York City seen in the classic cartoon in 3D form.