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Difference between revisions of "The Walt Disney World Explorer"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Found a way to install on 64-bit Windows. I'm providing some additional notes to help others who might not get the 32-bit generic installer running.)
 
(55 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
−
|cover        = <!--The Walt Disney World Explorer.jpg-->
+
|cover        = The Walt Disney World Explorer.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Mindsai Productions}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Mindsai Productions}}
Line 7: Line 7:
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Disney Interactive Studios}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Disney Interactive Studios}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
−
<!--{{Infobox game/row/engine|Engine}}-->
 
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1996 (original version)}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 24, 1996|ref={{abbr|*|Original version}}}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|1998 (Second Edition)}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|April 23, 1998|ref={{abbr|**|Second Edition}}}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|September 24, 1996|ref={{abbr|*|Original version}}}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|April 23, 1998|ref={{abbr|**|Second Edition}}}}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid side  =  
 
|steam appid side  =  
−
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =
−
|strategywiki =  
+
|mobygames    =  
 +
|strategywiki = The Walt Disney World Explorer
 
|wikipedia    = The Walt Disney World Explorer
 
|wikipedia    = The Walt Disney World Explorer
−
|winehq      =  
+
|winehq      = 3879
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Relaxed }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      |  }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Educational }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Cartoon, pre-rendered graphics, FMV }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Contemporary, North America, amusement park }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Disney Parks }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|Disney Parks}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{ii}} Technically, this is an application that was made to promote the [[Wikipedia:Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]] in Florida, not a game. It has a few minigames, however.
+
|introduction      = '''''The Walt Disney World Explorer''''' is a point and select application about the [[Wikipedia:Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]] in Florida developed by [[Company:Mindsai Productions|Mindsai Productions]], and co-developed and published by [[Company:Disney Interactive Studios|Disney Interactive]]. This page covers both the original 1996 release and the 1998 ''Second Edition'' release.
−
{{ii}} Installing the Second Edition will overwrite any installation of the original version, meaning that if a user wishes to downgrade back to the original version, then the Second Edition has to be uninstalled first.
+
|release history  = The application was first released on September 24, 1996—a week before the 25th anniversary of the resort—for Windows and Macintosh. An updated version with new topics, '''''The Walt Disney World Explorer – Second Edition''''',<!--Bolded because the Second Edition redirects to this page.--> was released on April 23, 1998, the day after the opening of [[Wikipedia:Disney's Animal Kingdom|Disney's Animal Kingdom]]. Because of rapidly evolving technology, increased public access to the internet, and changes to the resort over the years, no further editions were made. The application is no longer sold by Disney as a result. The ''Second Edition'' adds a disclaimer in the credits and manual that reads, "Please note that because of continual improvements, some of the information contained in ''The Walt Disney World Explorer – Second Edition'' may not be current."
−
{{ii}} Although the program handbook for the Second Edition states that the original version must be uninstalled first, users can just run the installer normally without having to uninstall the original version first.
+
|current state    = Despite the low resolution, the application runs well on most modern systems, although some [[Windows Compatibility Mode]] settings are required to fully replicate the original experience and improve legibility on high-resolution screens, although Windows 11 has broken usage of the application with Windows Compatibility Mode.{{cn|date=2023-12-18|reason=}} AVI videos may not play within the application; see [[#AVI videos not available|AVI videos not available]] below for a fix. The application in both its original version and the Second Edition version uses a 16-bit installer. A workaround is available (see [[#Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows|Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows]]).
−
{{++}} Despite the low resolution, the application runs well on modern systems without needing to change compatibility settings.
+
}}
−
{{--}} Application (both the original version and the Second Edition) uses a 16-bit installer, despite the presence of 32-bit InstallShield 3 Engine files on the disc(s). A workaround is available (see [[#Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows|Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows]]).
+
 
 +
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_World_Explorer The Walt Disney World Explorer] on Fandom's The Disney Wiki, featuring a list of topics in the application.
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | CD |  |  | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | CD |  |  | Windows, Mac OS }}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} This application is not available digitally.
 
{{ii}} This application is not available digitally.
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} Installing the Second Edition to the same folder as the original version will overwrite it, meaning that if a user wishes to downgrade back to the original version, then the Second Edition would have to be uninstalled first.
 +
{{++}} Although the program handbook for the Second Edition states that the original version must be uninstalled first, users can run the installer normally without having to uninstall the original version first. It's also possible to have both versions installed on the same machine if they're installed in separate directories.
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|}}
 +
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{registry|{{path|hklm}}\SOFTWARE\Disney Interactive\Walt Disney World Explorer\#.0}}}}
 +
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}}The <code>#.0</code> in the above Windows Registry path corresponds to the two different editions of this application; i.e. <code>1.0</code> for the first edition and <code>2.0</code> for the ''Second Edition''.
 +
{{ii}}The only save data that the application saves are found Hidden Mickeys and the high score for The Walt Disney World Quiz Challenge.
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  =
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      =
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    =
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =
 
|widescreen resolution      = false
 
|widescreen resolution      = false
−
|widescreen resolution notes= The application runs at 640x480.
+
|widescreen resolution notes= The application runs at 640x480. Any unused space on a monitor is blacked out.<br>{{ii}}Use [[Windows Compatibility Mode]] to upscale the application and improve legibility on large resolution screens.
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 64: Line 88:
 
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
−
|60 fps notes              = It's only for scrolling through the main overworld, viewing the 360° panoramas, and dragging the monorail on the Walt Disney World Timeline. None of the animations run at 60 FPS and the full-motion AVI videos are 15 FPS.
+
|60 fps notes              = Only for scrolling through the main overworld, viewing 360° panoramas, and dragging the monorail on the Walt Disney World Timeline. None of the animations run at 60 FPS, and the full-motion AVI videos are 15 FPS.
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
Line 76: Line 103:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
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|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
−
|full controller          = false
+
|full controller          = unknown
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|full controller notes    =  
−
|controller remap          = false
+
|controller remap          = unknown
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
−
|controller sensitivity    = false
+
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
−
|invert controller y-axis  = false
+
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = unknown
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes   =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes         = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = false
 
|separate volume          = false
 
|separate volume notes    = No in-app settings.
 
|separate volume notes    = No in-app settings.
 
|surround sound          = false
 
|surround sound          = false
−
|surround sound notes    =  
+
|surround sound notes    = Audio is monaural; all Wave audio tracks are in mono and have a sample rate of 22050 Hz. Application mixes all stereo tracks (should one be used in place of one of the application's tracks) down to mono.
 
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = true
−
|mute on focus lost notes =  
+
|mute on focus lost notes = Without [[Windows Compatibility Mode]], any audio that was last playing when the focus was lost will restart upon returning to the application. With Windows Compatibility Mode, the application will continue running in the background uninterrupted; any slideshows, audio, and animations will continue to play even though the audio is muted from loss of focus.
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
−
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = false
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
−
  |audio    = yes
+
  |audio    = true
−
  |subtitles = no
+
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Issues unresolved==
 +
{{ii}} All issues apply to both versions.
 +
 +
===App refuses to launch or runs without audio and cannot play AVI videos===
 +
{{--}} On more recent versions of Windows 11, the application either doesn't launch when trying to open it from its installation folder or it runs completely muted with AVI videos unable to play, bringing up "Cannot find file" errors.
 +
Recent versions of Windows 11 somehow broke [[Windows Compatibility Mode]] for this application, thus preventing it from running normally when compatibility mode is turned on. Currently, the only way to fix this problem is to disable Compatibility mode (untick the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"), which will reintroduce the "one audio file at a time" issue but will allow it to run with sound and working AVI videos nonetheless.
 +
 +
Note that the "Run in 640 x 480 resolution" option does not cause these issues and can be left on.
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 +
{{ii}} All fixes apply to both versions.
 +
 
===Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows===
 
===Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows===
 
{{ii}} Both original and Second Edition disc releases use a 16-bit installer.
 
{{ii}} Both original and Second Edition disc releases use a 16-bit installer.
Line 140: Line 217:
 
# Extract the new installer into the folder you made.
 
# Extract the new installer into the folder you made.
 
# Run <code>setup32.exe</code> and follow the steps.
 
# Run <code>setup32.exe</code> and follow the steps.
 +
{{++}} You can leave the folder with the copied CD files on your computer if you want to run the game without the disc inserted.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Installing the application messes with Windows Explorer on startup===
 +
{{ii}} After installing the application on a modern machine and going through the mandatory restart after setup, blank Explorer.exe errors with yellow warning signs appear on startup, and the machine always opens the File Explorer windows that were open when the application was being installed. This is due to the application adding a deprecated string value to the Windows Registry during the setup that was supposed to be deleted upon returning to Windows after the restart.
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Fix registry|ref={{cn|date=March 2018}}|fix=
 +
# Open the [[Registry Editor]].
 +
# In the Registry Editor, go to {{registry|{{p|hkcu}}\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows}}.
 +
# Delete the string value named "run".
 +
}}
 +
 +
===AVI videos not available===
 +
{{Image|The_Walt_Disney_World_Explorer_AVI_video_error.png|The error as seen in the application; the video that is playing but cannot be properly shown is the "Backstage" video for the "Walt's Dream" topic.}}
 +
{{ii}} When playing AVI videos from within the application on a modern computer, the application will only play the audio and show a white box with red diagonal lines, a black border, and a message that says, "Video not available, cannot find 'vids:IV32' decompressor."
 +
<!--
 +
If there is a method to do this without downloading this codec, then please share.
 +
-->
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Install Indeo 3.2 codec|ref={{cn|date=February 2018}}|fix=
 +
# Download the [http://www.cucusoft.com/codecdownload/indeo32.exe Indeo 3.2 codec] (file name: <code>indeo32.exe</code>).
 +
# Run <code>indeo32.exe</code> as an administrator.
 +
}}
  
−
'''Notes'''
+
===Sound effects do not play on overworld maps or from Tinker Bell cursor===
−
{{ii}} This fix method works with both releases.
+
{{ii}} While the application runs well on modern machines, it can only play one audio file at a time when running natively on such. This means that sound effects from elements seen in the overworld maps and from clicking with Tinker Bell will not play; only the background music and the narration (which is supposed to play on top of the music, but instead interrupts it).
−
{{ii}} If <code>setup32.exe</code> isn't working properly, check to see if the are any other processes preventing it from running normally. Open the [[Task Manager]], go the Details tab, right-click on <code>setup32.exe</code> from the list, then select "Analyze wait chain" from the context menu.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/452lyf/32bit_setup_launcher_not_working_on_windows_10/</ref> If there are any processes running that causing the conflict, such as the Logitech Gaming Software's Discord applet,<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LogitechG/comments/6h6qq2/lgs_89486_logitechg_discordexe_cpu_usage_solution/</ref> tick the box(es) for the conflicting processes and click on the "End process" button.
+
{{++}} You can ignore this fix if you want to hear the overworld narration more clearly or if you find the sound effects distracting.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use [[Windows Compatibility Mode]]|ref={{cn|date=March 2018}}|fix=
 +
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\code</code>.
 +
# Open the properties for <code>wdw25.exe</code> (the application's executable).
 +
# Under the Compatibility tab, enable Compatibility mode (tick the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:") and select "Windows 95" from the dropdown menu.
 +
# (Optional) If you also wish to upscale the application's screen to be able to see the application more clearly and improve text legibility on a large resolution screen, tick "Run in 640 x 480 resolution".
 +
# Click "OK" or "Apply" to apply the new settings.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Tinker Bell cursor jumps and sticks to corners in virtual machine===
 +
{{ii}} When running the application on a virtual machine, the Tinker Bell cursor jumps to the corners of the application's screen when moving her, hindering usability. This bug also causes the main Walt Disney World overworld map to scroll too fast.
 +
{{ii}} This is probably because of how the virtual machine traps the cursor, which causes a problem for the application as it also traps the cursor within its screen.
 +
If you are using VMware Workstation, change the mouse optimization setting to "always." This should fix the issue.<br>Otherwise, install it on the native OS and follow any of the fixes above if you need to.
  
 
==Network==
 
==Network==
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|metal support          =  
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
−
|vulkan support        =  
+
|vulkan versions        =  
−
|vulkan support notes   =  
+
|vulkan notes           =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable     = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = unknown
 +
|mac os 68k app        = true
 +
|mac os executable notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
−
{{ii}} Below information is taken from the Second Edition.
 
 
{{System requirements
 
{{System requirements
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
 
|minOS    = 3.1, 95
 
|minOS    = 3.1, 95
−
|minCPU  = 486-66 or faster processor
+
|minCPU  = '''Original version:''' 486-50MHz or faster processor<br>'''Second Edition:''' 486-66MHz or faster processor
 
|minRAM  = 8 MB
 
|minRAM  = 8 MB
−
|minHD    = 20 MB for minimum installation on Windows 95<br>30 MB for minimum installation on Windows 3.1
+
|minHD    = '''Original version:'''<br>14 MB<br>'''Second Edition:'''<br>20 MB for minimum installation on Windows 95<br>30 MB for minimum installation on Windows 3.1
 
|minGPU  =  
 
|minGPU  =  
 
|minaudio = 8-bit sound card
 
|minaudio = 8-bit sound card
 
|minother = Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive<br>256-color VESA, PCI or other local bus video<br>Microsoft compatible mouse
 
|minother = Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive<br>256-color VESA, PCI or other local bus video<br>Microsoft compatible mouse
 +
 +
|recOS    =
 +
|recCPU  =
 +
|recRAM  = 16 MB
 +
|recHD    = '''Original version:'''<br>27 MB<br>'''Second Edition:'''<br>33 MB for normal installation on Windows 95<br>38 MB for normal installation on Windows 3.1
 +
|recGPU  =
 +
|notes    = {{ii}} Information is taken from both the original release and the Second Edition.
 +
}}
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Mac OS
 +
 +
|minOS    = System 7.1
 +
|minCPU  = 68040 or faster processor
 +
|minRAM  = 8 MB (16 MB for Power Macintosh)
 +
|minHD    =
 +
|minGPU  =
 +
|minaudio =
 +
|minother = Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive<br>640x480x256 color video display
  
 
|recOS    =  
 
|recOS    =  
 
|recCPU  =  
 
|recCPU  =  
 
|recRAM  =  
 
|recRAM  =  
−
|recHD    = 33 MB for normal installation on Windows 95<br>38 MB for normal installation on Windows 3.1
+
|recHD    =  
 
|recGPU  =  
 
|recGPU  =  
 +
|notes    = {{ii}} Information is taken from the original release only.
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 06:32, 7 January 2024

The Walt Disney World Explorer
The Walt Disney World Explorer cover
Developers
Mindsai Productions
Disney Interactive Studios
Publishers
Disney Interactive Studios
Release dates
Windows September 24, 1996*
Windows April 23, 1998**
Mac OS (Classic) September 24, 1996*
Mac OS (Classic) April 23, 1998**
Taxonomy
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Relaxed
Controls Point and select
Genres Educational
Art styles Cartoon, Pre-rendered graphics, FMV
Themes Contemporary, North America, Amusement park
Series Disney Parks
The Walt Disney World Explorer guide on StrategyWiki
The Walt Disney World Explorer on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Disney Parks
Subseries of Disney
Coaster 1993
The Walt Disney World Explorer 1996
The Walt Disney World Explorer - Second Edition 1998
Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour 2000
Virtual Magic Kingdom 2005
Disney Magic Kingdoms 2016
Disneyland Adventures 2017

The Walt Disney World Explorer is a point and select application about the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida developed by Mindsai Productions, and co-developed and published by Disney Interactive. This page covers both the original 1996 release and the 1998 Second Edition release.

The application was first released on September 24, 1996—a week before the 25th anniversary of the resort—for Windows and Macintosh. An updated version with new topics, The Walt Disney World Explorer – Second Edition, was released on April 23, 1998, the day after the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Because of rapidly evolving technology, increased public access to the internet, and changes to the resort over the years, no further editions were made. The application is no longer sold by Disney as a result. The Second Edition adds a disclaimer in the credits and manual that reads, "Please note that because of continual improvements, some of the information contained in The Walt Disney World Explorer – Second Edition may not be current."

Despite the low resolution, the application runs well on most modern systems, although some Windows Compatibility Mode settings are required to fully replicate the original experience and improve legibility on high-resolution screens, although Windows 11 has broken usage of the application with Windows Compatibility Mode.[citation needed] AVI videos may not play within the application; see AVI videos not available below for a fix. The application in both its original version and the Second Edition version uses a 16-bit installer. A workaround is available (see Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows).

General information

The Walt Disney World Explorer on Fandom's The Disney Wiki, featuring a list of topics in the application.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Windows
Mac OS
This application is not available digitally.

Version differences

Installing the Second Edition to the same folder as the original version will overwrite it, meaning that if a user wishes to downgrade back to the original version, then the Second Edition would have to be uninstalled first.
Although the program handbook for the Second Edition states that the original version must be uninstalled first, users can run the installer normally without having to uninstall the original version first. It's also possible to have both versions installed on the same machine if they're installed in separate directories.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows
Mac OS (Classic)

Save game data location

System Location
Windows HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Disney Interactive\Walt Disney World Explorer\#.0[Note 1]
Mac OS (Classic)
The #.0 in the above Windows Registry path corresponds to the two different editions of this application; i.e. 1.0 for the first edition and 2.0 for the Second Edition.
The only save data that the application saves are found Hidden Mickeys and the high score for The Walt Disney World Quiz Challenge.

Video

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
The application runs at 640x480. Any unused space on a monitor is blacked out.
Use Windows Compatibility Mode to upscale the application and improve legibility on large resolution screens.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Always runs at fullscreen.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS
Only for scrolling through the main overworld, viewing 360° panoramas, and dragging the monorail on the Walt Disney World Timeline. None of the animations run at 60 FPS, and the full-motion AVI videos are 15 FPS.
120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Required to use the application.
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
No in-app settings.
Surround sound
Audio is monaural; all Wave audio tracks are in mono and have a sample rate of 22050 Hz. Application mixes all stereo tracks (should one be used in place of one of the application's tracks) down to mono.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Without Windows Compatibility Mode, any audio that was last playing when the focus was lost will restart upon returning to the application. With Windows Compatibility Mode, the application will continue running in the background uninterrupted; any slideshows, audio, and animations will continue to play even though the audio is muted from loss of focus.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English

Issues unresolved

All issues apply to both versions.

App refuses to launch or runs without audio and cannot play AVI videos

On more recent versions of Windows 11, the application either doesn't launch when trying to open it from its installation folder or it runs completely muted with AVI videos unable to play, bringing up "Cannot find file" errors.

Recent versions of Windows 11 somehow broke Windows Compatibility Mode for this application, thus preventing it from running normally when compatibility mode is turned on. Currently, the only way to fix this problem is to disable Compatibility mode (untick the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"), which will reintroduce the "one audio file at a time" issue but will allow it to run with sound and working AVI videos nonetheless.

Note that the "Run in 640 x 480 resolution" option does not cause these issues and can be left on.

Issues fixed

All fixes apply to both versions.

Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows

Both original and Second Edition disc releases use a 16-bit installer.
Install with a modified 32-bit installer[1]
  1. Insert the CD.
  2. Create a new folder somewhere on your hard drive and copy the contents of the disc to it.
  3. Download the InstallShield 3 32-bit Generic Installer.
  4. Extract the new installer into the folder you made.
  5. Run setup32.exe and follow the steps.
You can leave the folder with the copied CD files on your computer if you want to run the game without the disc inserted.

Installing the application messes with Windows Explorer on startup

After installing the application on a modern machine and going through the mandatory restart after setup, blank Explorer.exe errors with yellow warning signs appear on startup, and the machine always opens the File Explorer windows that were open when the application was being installed. This is due to the application adding a deprecated string value to the Windows Registry during the setup that was supposed to be deleted upon returning to Windows after the restart.
Fix registry[citation needed]
  1. Open the Registry Editor.
  2. In the Registry Editor, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows.
  3. Delete the string value named "run".

AVI videos not available

The error as seen in the application; the video that is playing but cannot be properly shown is the "Backstage" video for the "Walt's Dream" topic.
The error as seen in the application; the video that is playing but cannot be properly shown is the "Backstage" video for the "Walt's Dream" topic.
When playing AVI videos from within the application on a modern computer, the application will only play the audio and show a white box with red diagonal lines, a black border, and a message that says, "Video not available, cannot find 'vids:IV32' decompressor."
Install Indeo 3.2 codec[citation needed]
  1. Download the Indeo 3.2 codec (file name: indeo32.exe).
  2. Run indeo32.exe as an administrator.

Sound effects do not play on overworld maps or from Tinker Bell cursor

While the application runs well on modern machines, it can only play one audio file at a time when running natively on such. This means that sound effects from elements seen in the overworld maps and from clicking with Tinker Bell will not play; only the background music and the narration (which is supposed to play on top of the music, but instead interrupts it).
You can ignore this fix if you want to hear the overworld narration more clearly or if you find the sound effects distracting.
Use Windows Compatibility Mode[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\code.
  2. Open the properties for wdw25.exe (the application's executable).
  3. Under the Compatibility tab, enable Compatibility mode (tick the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:") and select "Windows 95" from the dropdown menu.
  4. (Optional) If you also wish to upscale the application's screen to be able to see the application more clearly and improve text legibility on a large resolution screen, tick "Run in 640 x 480 resolution".
  5. Click "OK" or "Apply" to apply the new settings.

Tinker Bell cursor jumps and sticks to corners in virtual machine

When running the application on a virtual machine, the Tinker Bell cursor jumps to the corners of the application's screen when moving her, hindering usability. This bug also causes the main Walt Disney World overworld map to scroll too fast.
This is probably because of how the virtual machine traps the cursor, which causes a problem for the application as it also traps the cursor within its screen.

If you are using VMware Workstation, change the mouse optimization setting to "always." This should fix the issue.
Otherwise, install it on the native OS and follow any of the fixes above if you need to.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
2 Versus
Walt Disney World Quiz Challenge minigame.

Other information

API

ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Mac OS (Classic)

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 3.1, 95
Processor (CPU) Original version: 486-50MHz or faster processor
Second Edition: 486-66MHz or faster processor
System memory (RAM) 8 MB 16 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) Original version:
14 MB
Second Edition:
20 MB for minimum installation on Windows 95
30 MB for minimum installation on Windows 3.1		 Original version:
27 MB
Second Edition:
33 MB for normal installation on Windows 95
38 MB for normal installation on Windows 3.1
Sound (audio device) 8-bit sound card
Other Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive
256-color VESA, PCI or other local bus video
Microsoft compatible mouse
Information is taken from both the original release and the Second Edition.
Mac OS
Minimum
Operating system (OS) System 7.1
Processor (CPU) 68040 or faster processor
System memory (RAM) 8 MB (16 MB for Power Macintosh)
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Other Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive
640x480x256 color video display
Information is taken from the original release only.


Notes

  1. ↑ Applications writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE will be redirected to other locations based on various criterias, see the glossary page for more details.

References