I’ve Finally Gotten Into Disney Lorcana, And I’m Now Making It Everyone’s Problem

As an entertainment journalist and lifelong Disney kid (see my Zootopia 2 review for the proof), I’m always up for some magic. Somehow, I had previously escaped being sucked into a pleasant black hole of joy that exists for people like myself: Disney Lorcana! A Trading Card Game like Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering, gaming brand Ravensburger’s claim to fame was something I’d heard of, but hadn’t fallen into.

That changed in 2025, with this past weekend marking my official descent into Lorcana Mania. So if you’re curious how this happened, and if this life is right for you, sit back. Let me put on my sorcerer’s hat, and weave my Disney Lorcana origin story for you. Not as a cautionary tale, but rather a welcoming path into the world of this card carrying joy fest. 

I Blame The Disney Lorcana Gateway For My Entry

It all started with a gift, as some of the biggest obsessions in life do. At some point last year one of my brothers randomly gifted the Disney Lorcana Gateway box, as well as The Reign of Jafar Single Player Deck. Right in front of me, I had the tools to learn the game, as well as an expansion deck. So why didn’t I do it then? 

To be honest, 2025 was a very rough year on all fronts, and I wasn’t left with a lot of energy to focus on entertaining pursuits such as this. That sadly changed after my unfortunate lay off left me in need of some joy. So while I started to rebuild my career, my Disney Lorcana journey continued through, what else, my love for Disney. 

Collecting Cards From Disney Properties Drew Me Further Into Lorcana’s World

Like a small cat that indicates the start of a side quest, another twist sent me further down the Disney Lorcana rabbit hole. Thanks to the opening of the game store Round 2 Gaming at a nearby mall, I was able to add a ton of ink to my well. Mostly thanks to single cards on sale through the store’s bulk collection. 

What started as a habit of purchasing Dungeons & Dragons jerky and a bottle of water each visit turned into a collection. My goal was to seek out the characters of my favorite underrated Disney titles, a project akin to thumbing through that Disney Legacy box set, I was hoping my deep cut favorites were represented. Considering the amount of Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire cards I have, alongside more mainstream favorites like Zootopia and Lilo & Stitch, I’d say the answer is yes, they are. 

After Learning To Play The Game, I Was Officially In The Grasp Of Disney Lorcana

I could have very easily given this hobby up at this point. Disney Lorcana didn’t need to be a part of my life, with a good chance I’d have lost interest eventually. However, good friend and fellow THS writer Ben Silverio taught me how to play last week, during my weekly visit to the shop. 

Armed with my Gateway set, and Ben’s knowhow (also on display in a previous interview with Lorcana’s creators), I learned the basics rather quick. As a result, people my wife and I had casually run into during our regular visits became friends, leading me into into my first tournament – set to take place the next morning. 

Did I come in dead last? Yes, of course; I’d only learned the game the night before! But did I make new friends, gain experience, and walk home with a couple promo Daisy Duck – Paranormal Investigator cards? You bet your mouse ears I did. 

2026’s Lorcana Sets Have Already Burrowed Into My Mind

This particular moment in time is simultaneously the best/worst time to get into Disney Lorcana. On one hand, the three new additions to the lineup – Winterspell, Wilds Unknown, and an unnamed set that brings Turning Red into the fold – are all further catnip for my habit. Bringing Pixar into the fold, as well as Mickey’s Christmas Carol, are superbly attractive prospects for collecting and deck building. Not to mention, Lilo & Stitch: The Series’ Angel is finally joining up; as seen in the adorable snowy setting you see above.

Rest assured, I’m sticking with Disney Lorcana for the long haul.  Even if that means I’ll need to look at my play budget extra hard, thanks to current life circumstances. Considering the community I’ve found, and the joy I’ve actually gotten out of this game, I’d call that money well spent.

For now, the immediate future sees Winterspell on the horizon as Lorcana’s next expansion. The pre-release box will drop on February 13th for select locations and game shops, with February 20th seeing the set released everywhere. In the meantime, you can also checkout the previous 10 (?!) expansion sets, most likely wherever you buy your tabletop gaming products. Also, if anyone has tips for deck building, or any other concerns in this particular realm – leave ’em in the Comments below.