Disney Cast Members Celebrate Trivia and Teamwork at Goofy’s Mystiki Tour 2026

Cast Members Tackle Trivia and Teamwork at Goofy’s Mystiki Tour 2026

When the sun sets over the Tree of Life and the gates of Disney’s Animal Kingdom close to the public, a different kind of wild energy takes over. This year, the park became the playground for one of the most anticipated events on the #DisneyCastLife calendar: Goofy’s Mystery Tour.

For 2026, the event took on a tropical twist as Goofy’s Mystiki Tour. This cast-exclusive competition isn’t just a walk in the park; it’s a high-stakes, brain-busting marathon featuring 300 teams of four. Each group navigates a gauntlet of challenging Disney trivia, cryptic puzzles, and scavenger hunts across the park’s immersive lands.

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A Team Built on Tradition and “Clutch” Plays

While the competition is open to all lines of business—from custodial to communications—one team exemplified the heart of the event. Led by Claire Embil from Walt Disney World Communications, the squad featured a powerhouse lineup: a veteran from EPCOT Attractions, a representative from Disney Cruise Line Communications, and their “clutch player,” Claire’s mom, Janet.

Janet flies in from Chicago every single year for this tradition. For Claire, the choice to bring her mom as her one permitted guest is a no-brainer.

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“My mom surprised me with my very first trip to Walt Disney World when I was four,” Claire shared. “That trip set me on my path. It’s because of her love and hard work that I get to have a career making magic for others today.”

While Janet has attended cast previews for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the Mystery Tour remains her favorite. “It is really challenging, but really exciting because we get to do it together,” Janet said.

The Strategy: Training for the “Mystiki”

You don’t just show up to Goofy’s Mystery Tour; you train. Every year, Claire hosts a virtual practice session. The curriculum is intense:

• Study Topics: International parks, Disney history, Marvel, Star Wars, and obscure TV shows.
• The “Clue Crew” Puzzles: These are the brain teasers that can make or break a score.
• The Secret Weapon: Janet. While the rest of the team handles the trivia, Janet “sails through the puzzles,” a testament to the ingenious designs created by the event’s “Clue Crew.”

Before heading to the park, the team gathers for a traditional dinner—a moment to reconnect, strategize, and laugh. For Claire, it’s a “fun throwback” to the days when she worked alongside her teammates daily.

Solving the Mystery in Asia

Under the glow of the lanterns in the Asia section of the park, the teamwork was on full display. Despite being stumped by complex riddles, the group leaned on each other’s strengths.

• Alyssa noted the pure joy of the night: “Genuinely, every moment was filled with so much fun!”
• Celina highlighted the synergy: “The way we just bounce off of each other and got each puzzle done was so incredible.”

For the third year in a row, the team achieved their ultimate goal: solving all 12 clue puzzles.

More Than Just Points

While they take the competition seriously, Claire is quick to admit they aren’t necessarily topping the leaderboard. “Our P.R. (personal record) is in the fun and not the points,” she joked.

Ultimately, Goofy’s Mystiki Tour is a vibrant reminder of the unique culture within Disney. It’s an evening where the “magic” isn’t just something cast members create for guests, but something they get to experience with their chosen family. It’s about staying in touch with old friends and sharing a piece of the Disney life with the people who inspired them to get there in the first place.

As the team drove home, still buzzing from the puzzles and the moonlight trek through Animal Kingdom, one question was already on everyone’s mind: “What’s the theme for 2027?”