Kyar! I Tips Me Hat to Ya Sir Disney!

With all the augmented reality games and real life, GPS Pac-Man being played across the country, it’s sad that it took Disney’s collosal bank roll to finally do something unique with the DS. Starting Tuesday (to coincide with the release of the game), visitors to Walt Disney’s Parks and Resorts can use their DS to go on a “treasure hunt” around the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. Spot an ‘X’ like the one pictured and slap your thumb (or stylus) on that DS Download Play button. Up for grabs are several cheats and alternate outfits for the game, available only at DisneyPlace locations.

“We are committed about giving our Disney park visitors an innovative, relevant and rewarding experience every time they visit,” said Michael Mendenhall, executive vice president of global marketing for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “As we look for new ways to enhance our guests’ visits, the Nintendo DS is a perfect fit for our program since it is popular and easy to bring to the Disney park.”

It’s a cheap marketing ploy, but one that I’d love to get reeled into myself… maybe for a better game. If Nintendo did something similar for, say, Animal Crossing you can bet I’d be right there on the ground at Babies ‘R Us next to some 9-year-old.

P.S. Lemme know if that pic shows up or not.