Disneyland Drops Into Fortnite: Not Quite The Metaverse, But Still A Rollicking Good Time, Mate?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Disneyland has dropped a new creative island, 'Disneyland Game Rush,' into Fortnite for its 70th anniversary, offering themed mini-games and activities in a fun, albeit contained, experience. While it's not the 'new persistent universe' promised by Disney's investment in Epic, it's a delightful, temporary diversion for fans, despite cosmetics not being transferable.
Right then, gather 'round, curious gamers! You know that feeling when you've been promised a grand, reality-bending magical edifice, and what you get is... well, still pretty cool, but perhaps not quite the same scale? That's kinda what's happening with Disney and Fortnite, mate.
Ever since Mickey and Epic decided to properly tie the knot back in early 2024, whispering sweet nothings about a 'new persistent universe' within Fortnite, our collective digital ears have been perked up. We've been picturing sprawling, interconnected worlds, maybe even a place where my favourite lightsaber can duke it out with a Disney villain *and* I get to keep the loot afterwards. The hype was, shall we say, interstellar.
Well, that grand, universe-altering vision isn't quite here yet. But don't you fret, because Disney's decided to give us a little appetiser, a delightful amuse-bouche of Mouse House magic: introducing the *Disneyland Game Rush* creative island. Launched on Friday, November 6th, this isn't the 'new persistent universe' we've been patiently (or impatiently, let's be honest) waiting for, but rather a celebratory nod to Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Think of it as a rather fancy, themed party inside Fortnite, not the construction of an entirely new dimension. It’s a good old fashioned creative island, designed for a limited time, to fill that gaping, universe-sized hole in our hearts.
This new mode throws you right into the digital version of the Esplanade, that bustling little strip between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. It's your hub, your spawn point, your chance to boogie down and intimidate your opponents with some questionable dance moves (because, well, Fortnite). You can nose around, answer Disney trivia, and even snag some mode-exclusive cosmetics – mostly hats, from what I gather. And if you're a Disneyland veteran, you'll probably get a kick out of all the little Easter eggs scattered about. I'm always up for a digital scavenger hunt, even if it's just for the sake of nostalgia.
Now, for the slightly bittersweet magic trick: these lovely new hats? They don't transfer out of Disneyland Game Rush. So, no rocking those Minnie Mouse ears during the next *Simpsons* season in Fortnite, which is a bit of a bummer, innit? It makes you wonder about the long-term allure when your hard-earned digital swag is confined to a single, temporary experience. A wizard needs his trophies, after all, and they should be able to travel through realities with him!
The real meat of this digital theme park, however, lies in its five new games, all delightfully themed to iconic Disneyland Resort attractions. I had a peek at what Polygon’s Chris Hayner found during their hands-on, and while it's certainly not Battle Royale, it sounds like a rather fun, if somewhat basic, suite of mini-games. The core goal in all of them is simple: collect as many coins as possible. There are different types of coins, some for score, some to unlock those non-transferable cosmetics, and even a hidden Disneyland key in each game for the truly dedicated, which unlocks a golden version of a hat. Gold, even if it's digital, always sounds enticing, doesn't it?
So, what fantastical escapades await us? Let's dive in:
* **Star Wars Stormtrooper Showdown:** Ever dreamt of being in the thick of *Rise of the Resistance*, blasting Stormtroopers and even Kylo Ren? Well, here's your chance. It's a horde shooter, plain and simple, but with the added bonus of finding a hidden lightsaber or two. Because let's be fair, blasters are cool, but a lightsaber? That's a whole different level of awesome.
* **WEB Slingers: Spider-Bot Blaster:** Another horde shooter, but this one's got a twist – it's co-op! You and your mates team up to blast legions of Spider-Bots, based on the *WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure* attraction. There are hidden rooms for extra coins and strategic shooting spots. Take out enough of the pesky bots, and you'll trigger a boss fight against a gigantic Spider-Bot. Sounds like deliciously chaotic fun, especially with a few mates.
* **Space Mountain Rocket Rails:** For those of us who enjoy the simple pleasure of grinding rails in Fortnite, this one's a winner. It's an endless grind-fest through space, jumping from rail to rail, all while hoovering up coins. Sometimes, the most basic mechanics, when perfectly themed, are the most engaging. I reckon it'll be surprisingly addictive.
* **Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Sneak Out:** This is more of a platformer, set inside the *Mission Breakout* attraction. You're zipping around, collecting coins, and trying to avoid guards. Your only weapon? Boogie Bombs. But here's the kicker: your competitors *also* have them, and they work on everyone. Expect utter pandemonium and probably a fair few accidental (or not-so-accidental) boogie-downs among your fellow players.
* **Haunted Mansion Scavenger Haunt:** A scavenger hunt set in the iconic Haunted Mansion. It’s all about collecting coins, but with a wonderfully interactive twist. You can trigger all sorts of famous ride moments and bits of lore by interacting with objects. And here's a little wizard's tip, straight from Disney themselves: try to open *every single door*. Intriguing, eh? What untold secrets could be hiding behind those digital portals?
* **Indiana Jones: Tomb Runner:** If you like traps, you'll love this. It's a temple runner filled with spikes, arrows, and all sorts of booby traps ready to send you to a quick digital demise. Word to the wise from Chris: grab a controller for this one, as keyboard and mouse might turn it into a nightmare. Fair dinkum advice, that.
* **Matterhorn Slip and Climb:** This sounds like my kind of chaos. A platformer where you're trying to scale the legendary Matterhorn Mountain, armed with a grappling gun that *also* puts ice blocks on your feet. Slipping, sliding, falling – it’s a recipe for hilarious failure and eventual triumph. You get a bonus for reaching the peak, but there are plenty of coins to be had by just exploring.
It's a pretty solid line-up, though I'm a bit baffled by the absence of *Pirates of the Caribbean*. That's arguably one of the most well-known Disney ride properties out there! Perhaps they're saving it for the *actual* new universe. One can only hope.
Now, for those of you dreaming of an open-world Disneyland theme park experience, like some of those truly incredible community-made maps in *Minecraft*, you'll need to temper your expectations a bit. You're mostly restricted to the Esplanade hub until you jump into one of the specific games. It's a curated experience, not a free-roaming digital vacation. But hey, there are still rails to grind and plenty of Easter eggs to uncover in the Esplanade if you look hard enough.
While Disneyland Game Rush isn't the reality-bending metaverse Disney hinted at, it's a neat little digital escapade. It's a good add-on, perfect for some fun game nights among your Disney-loving, Fortnite-playing mates. It shows that even smaller, more contained projects can still deliver a burst of joy. And who knows, maybe this is just Disney testing the magical waters before they truly blow a hole through reality with that 'new persistent universe'. A wizard can dream, can't he?
This intriguing peek into Disneyland's digital debut was first illuminated by Chris Hayner over at Polygon. Cheers, mate!
Tags: Fortnite, Disneyland, Gaming Events, Creative Mode, Collaboration
Original article: Polygon