The game takes place in the Kingdom, a place primarily based on Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. Mickey Mouse is the protector of the Kingdom. When Maleficent casts an evil spell on the Kingdom, ridding it of all its powerful magic, the players have to help it get back, creating their own park. Occasionally, Merlin appears as a guide to advance the story.[1]
Progressing through the storyline unlocks more characters and attractions. Players can earn Magic and Experience by sending characters on quests and tasks, and sometimes Tokens to unlock or level up characters. Premium characters and attractions are unlocked using Gems, which are earned by leveling up characters, completing character collections, or viewing daily announcements.[1][2]
The game features chests, occasionally hidden in the Kingdom, but can be bought for Gems, which award different prizes depending on the type of chest, such as attractions, Tokens, decorations, or concessions. Also in the game is Merlin's Shop, in which the player can obtain Tokens and attractions through Elixirs, which are obtained by exchanging them for decorations and concessions in Merlin's cauldron.[3] The game also includes floats based on each franchise, which grant Magic, Tokens or Gems through parades.[2]
Playing during Major Events players can unlock limited-time characters and attractions. Once the Events are over, this content occasionally returns in limited-time chests, and less frequently in other types of Events.
Some characters also have costumes, which can be obtained through Tokens, Gems, or as a prize at an Event.
For the most part, the characters in the game are involved in storylines that serve as a continuation of the events in their respective films.[a]
Starting in Update 60 (July 2022), the game introduced the Season Pass, with which for a period of 90 days, players can earn prizes by earning Happiness Points for the Kingdom by completing some quests, which include tasks that are daily, weekly, and during the Events. The Season Pass is divided between the Free Prizes, which include prizes for all players, and the Kingdom Pass, which is purchased through a real money purchase, with which players can get extra prizes.[4]
Neilie Johnson for Common Sense Media gave the game a three out of five star rating and commented: "Unlike the carefully crafted theme park experiences that are designed to thrill guests and make them forget those long hours in line, this mobile Magic Kingdom is too focused on in-game purchases. The first 10 minutes are fun for kids, with players joining forces with Mickey, Goofy, and Merlin to get rid of Maleficent's evil magic. Players are taught how to assign tasks to characters and collect magic and items (used to upgrade characters); however, after 10 minutes, wait times increase, and upgrading characters only results in a brief animation. Also, being able to visit other parks is confusing: It's unclear why you're visiting, and it feels a bit like stealing to take earned potion. Perhaps worst of all is that players are told they can build attractions where and when they want to, but long build timers and a poor placement system make it difficult to set things up in an attractive -- or even sensible -- way. The upside? This is a mobile game whose lack of kid-friendliness could be addressed with enough player feedback. It's chock-full of favorite Disney characters, an engaging narrative, familiar Magic Kingdom attractions, and real Disney music. It could be great with less focus on meaningless missions and money and more on creativity and fun. As it stands, it may appeal to older players who are already used to this mechanic and who have practice in patience or their own money to burn".[88]
^The characters from Tangled and the original Star Wars trilogy being an exception, where they recreate the same events as in their films, while the storylines with the characters of Bambi take place at some point of the protagonist's childhood.
