Anyone who loves cruising knows that a vacation at sea is one of the most exciting, fun and relaxing ways to spend their hard-earned vacation dollars. In my experience, a Disney Cruise Line vacation is simply amazing, and made even more special by all of the Disney magic and pixie dust included in each voyage. The Midship Detective Agency is a revolutionary game found on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy where passengers become detectives and try to solve “crimes.” This activity is just one example of the innovative “extras” you can find on a Disney Cruise Line vacation.

What is it?

The Disney Dream was the first ship to debut the Midship Detective Agency, an exciting interactive mystery game that can be played alone or with a group. The name comes from the area of the ship where you can grab your game card (which serves as your detective badge), your detective casebook and learn about your mission through a short video; Deck 5 Midship is the location of the main kiosk and computer screen. On the Disney Dream, passengers choose from two capers: The Case of the Missing Puppies and The Case of the Plundered Paintings. The construction of the Disney Fantasy also included the Midship Detective Agency as well, and added a new case: The Case of the Stolen Show, featuring the Muppets.

Deck 5 Midship is where you get started!

So, how do I play?

Around the ship Disney Imagineers have placed Enchanted Artwork, paintings that “come to life” when passengers stand in front of them. Some of these are used in the game. After obtaining a casebook and unique game card, Guests search for clues, eliminate suspects and try to solve the crime by holding their game cards up in front of the Enchanted Artwork. These animated paintings (framed LCD screens) come alive with short video clips that require detectives to complete a task (turning pipes on the screen or virtually vacuuming – all done with your “detective badge”) before a clue is revealed. At that point, each detective can take notes and typically eliminate a suspect or two. Be sure to use your detective casebook! If you are like me, you will never remember all of your clues.

Crime Scene Map for the Midship Detective Agency

The Case of the Stolen Show on the Disney Fantasy is unique, and not just because it stars everyone’s favorite frog, Kermit. Clues for this case can be found not only through the Enchanted Artwork, but also from a Muppets Message Board (located near the Buena Vista Theatre) and the miniature stateroom of Pepe the King Prawn. Pepe resides in stateroom 5148 ½ (near the Oceaneer’s Club) and his door offers clues for detectives, along with a special surprise. Pepe has posted the number to his Wave Phone on his door, and let’s just say you won’t want to forget to call him … at least once.

Pepe’s door with clues: Disney Fantasy Midship Detective Agency

DIStracted Tip: Each game card sports a unique barcode that keeps track of where you are in the game. While an entire game takes between 60-90 minutes to complete, you don’t have to complete your mission all at once. Come back later that day or stretch it out for your whole voyage … it is up to you! This unique code also determines the culprit in each case, meaning that the resolution is not always the same … so you can try to solve the same case more than once with a different outcome.

Animated Artwork: Part of the Midship Detective Agency Case on the Disney Fantasy

Want to work off some of the calories from the extensive dining opportunities on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy? Then this game is for you. Clues guide detectives throughout the ship, from forward to aft and back again, not to mention how you’ll search high and low (from decks 2-10) as well! Hours of operation vary, so always check your Personal Navigator for times. If you are a fan of Disney Villains, love adventure or are just looking for a way to spend some quality family time, be sure to check out the Midship Detective Agency, a must-do on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy.

The Muppets Call Board Contains Clues for the Midship Detective Agency: The Case of the Stolen Show