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Introduction

When Walt Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge first opened its doors back in 1994, it stood as a testament to storytelling, with every element of the resort handing the story. To embrace this story, the resort originally provided all guests a copy of The Silver Creek Star which told the story of Ezekiel Moreland, his daughter Jenny, and her friend Frederich Alonzo Gustaf. This played a vital role in welcoming guests to the Resort for close to a decade before the tradition faded into memory and the story of Ezekiel became available to only those who went searching for it.

As part of the 50th celebration, the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will be expanding upon its once readily-available story. Guests will follow in the footsteps of Ezekiel Moreland as they search for the greatest treasure mentioned throughout this journal. No part of the resort will be left unturned as family’s, siblings, and tourists seek out the treasure, meanwhile building memories of their own.

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Technology Implementation

Due to the growing prevalence of mobile technology in the world, it can be expected that nearly 99% of guests spending time in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will have access to a Mobile device by 2021. To allow continuous play during the course of the stay, we at Imagineering felt that it was best to maximize this experience through the use of these mobile devices. We felt that a continuous experience would allow for more natural play in a families schedule instead of forcing families to carve out a dedicated span of two hours to explore the resort.

When guests first open the mobile application (provided for free via a link found in the My Disney Experience App), they will be greeted by a short introduction video on how to play. From there they will be taken to the main screen, a digital copy of Ezekiel Moreland’s Journal, which will provide players with their first real clues to their adventure. However guests are not helpless. They will also have the latest in Imagineering Historical Analysis Software (IHAS for short) helping them to explore the Resort.

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Imagineering Historical Analysis Software (IHAS)

Through the use of Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence, the IHAS system will allow guests to utilize both the GPS and Camera on their personal mobile devices. Through the simple act of taking a photo, guests will be able to cross reference every location of the resort with sections of the journal in an attempt to find Ezekiel’s Missing Treasure. Likewise, the internal GPS and provided map will allow guests to see where they have been and where the next clue might be. See examples to the right..

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How to Play

This game utilizes the abilities of the Modern technologies bring guests into the adventure in a way that has never been done before. In previous iterations of Adventure Games, a large amount of hand-holding was required to ensure guests were able to discover where they were going and what they are doing. However, with mobile devices and machine learning, they get to become the investigator taking photos of the objects. As they photograph buildings and items, the application will tell them their significance or if it might be related to their goal. So as they receive clues, guests are encouraged to explore where they think that clue takes them while taking as many photos as possible and looking for as many clues as possible.

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Story

The Wilderness Lodge has stood as a testament to the spirit of Human Exploration for well over a century as people explored the western landscapes and the wilderness of America. Sadly throughout the years much of the history has been lost through the sands of time and the passing of the great storytellers. Where once the story of the Lodge’s founding and founder could be found through the halls, all that remains after all this time are the opening pages of Ezekiel Moreland’s Journal.

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The Beginning

As mentioned in the How to Play listed above, when the guests open the application for the first time they are presented with the initial page of Moreland’s Journal.

“During my years of Fur Trapping, I saw many lands and many people but none that stood out like the natives of Copper Creek Springs. When I first stepped foot into the southern regions of Copper Creek, the natives welcomed me to their lands”

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The Initial Campsite

Following the clue “into the southern regions,” our guests should find themselves near the fire pits on the south side of the resort. Through the use of IHAS, guests should be able to find to find a small remnant of the original native settlement that Moreland discovered during his first visit. As guests approach the piece, the journal will update, unveiling a new section.

“After spending weeks with the natives of Copper Creek, I have fallen for this land and have decided to spend my winter holed up in the valley before making my way back home. I have decided to provide the natives with their space and decided to set up of camp at the mouth the of the creek.”

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A Chilly Winter

Whereas the previous clue told guests to explore the southern regions, this clue is suggests that they explore the new, northern side of the resort. They should approach the mouth of Bay Lake, where the boats pass on their daily trip to the Magic Kingdom. As they the northern tip, the remains of fabric can be seen hanging from the trees deep in the woods. Approaching the center, guests will find remains of an ancient campsite that will trigger the next entry,

"Perhaps giving space to the natives wasn't my best idea. These winter winds have been brutal on my tents, and I can start to see the fabric ripping. I won't survive much longer in these conditions. I need to find the Eternal Warmth mentioned by the Elder Running Elk.”

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The Warming Springs

These clues should be a fairly simple clue for the guests to follow. The Eternal Warmth is a direct reference to the Warming Springs of Wilderness Lodge. As guests approach the springs, they will find what looks like a small cave with ancient paintings along the walls. As they enter the cave, the walls come to life as the story of the natives is projected on the ceiling as animated paintings. Looking for a clue, guests will be able to find the initials of Ezekiel Moreland carved into the wall. Once they take a picture, the ceiling changes, portraying the cold winter before updating the journal on their phone.

"These springs have truly been a life saver for this winter. During my time here, the Natives have also joined me. Apparently, it's a yearly tradition for them to spend the coldest period of winter near these springs, it's nice to have some company again. I miss my daughter."

"It's amazing how active these lands are, I have found myself particular found of the avian stone by the fiery fountain."

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Eruption

Leaving the cave, guests shall find themselves on their way toward Fire Rock Geyser, however, the Avain stone is not something that is obvious to guests. It's not next to the Geyser but a point just south of the geyser that servers more a lookout. Taking a photo of the Eagle shape stone will trigger the next bit.

"No matter how many times I witness this, the eruption of Fire Rock Geyser still startles me from time to time. Who knows how many supplies I've dropped due to this. I can't wait to bring my daughter here, I think we are going to build the first cabin nearby so we can watch the eruption every day."

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The Return

This last journal entry will be one of the most difficult of the game to discover because there is only a reference to where the building would be built. Not what it looks like, or a building name to work off. To complete this challenge, guests will have to rummage through all the smaller buildings found south of the Geyser. This will involve pulling on loose wallboards, or rummaging through stacked supplies in the corner of the stores until a loose wallboard slides to the slide and unveils a date that users will take a photo of.

"It's a pleasure to be back in Copper Creek with my daughter Jenny and her friend Gustaf. It's been a long journey and I think my next journey is to build a Lodge for all to come and enjoy this resort. When I'm done I'll spend my days reading in the shadows of the fire. I hope we never experience the loss of Copper Creek."

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Finale

Following the final clue to the library lounge area, guests will proceed to search the bookcase for a book containing the name of the Wilderness Lodge’s Famous Fountain. Once they find it (there will be two books, which allow for two rooms to open up, thus allowing multiple families finding the answer at the same time), all the guests will have to do is pull on the book which will trigger a secret door to open. Walking down the hallway, the adventurers will find their way into a cozy gallery with the walls lined with paintings. As they look closer, it will become clear that each one is a painting by Ezekiel Moreland and showcases Ezekiel and his family.

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Finale

The voice of Moreland will fill the air:

“I see you have discovered my greatest treasure. Each of these paintings represents a moment from my adventures, a point in my life with the ones I hold dear. I hope that in your quest to find my greatest treasure, you created some treasures of your own. If you don’t mind, please stand in front of the green chair and when your read push the button to create a memory of their own”

Once guests are ready, a press of the button will snap a photo which will be altered to look like a painting. A digital copy will be sent to their phone and a complimentary copy will be sent to their room along with a copy of The Copper Springs News. After a few seconds, a new door will open, and guests will find themselves escorted back to the lobby

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Advertising

Unlike most brand new Disney Experiences, Ezekiel’s Quest will not utilize the traditional advertising techniques. There will be no major advertising campaigns played coast to coast on every ABC station. Instead this experience will utilize a localized advertising technique.

Method 1: This form of advertisement is not really advertisement per say, but more of an aspect of the experience. During core check-in and guest walkthrough hours, a local will found wandering the lobby rambling about some lost treasure trying to grab the attention of guests as he passes. This is a subtle but unique form of advertisement to those checking in who might be unaware of the addition.

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