Solve the Mystery of the Stolen S.E.A. Artifact with Imagineering’s Fifth Clue

For theme park fans who love deep-cut lore, there is nothing quite like the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). From its subtle nods in queue lines to fully realized backstories across Disney parks worldwide, S.E.A. connects a web of beloved attractions. Now, Walt Disney Imagineering is inviting fans into a massive digital scavenger hunt to solve a mystery first teased at D23: the theft of a rare S.E.A. artifact.

Imagineering has officially released its fifth clue, sending sleuths deeper into the dusty archives of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad lore to figure out exactly who swiped the treasure and where they hid it.

The Puzzle Board Grows

The ongoing interactive hunt has been slowly unfolding online, piece by piece. Previously shared materials—which included letters, old newspaper clippings, and a virtual bulletin board tied together with red string—pointed directly to a classic Disneyland attraction: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland.

Specifically, the trail of evidence centers on the legend of Jason Chandler, an inventor who became a prominent figure in the Big Thunder lore. According to the story, Chandler was heading back to the American Frontier to attend a grand celebration in a town called "the biggest little boom"—Rainbow Ridge. The celebration was in honor of their latest discovery: the glowing Ridge Jewel.

However, before the celebration could take place, a mysterious thief—who we recently learned was rejected from joining S.E.A. altogether—stole the glowing stone.

Deciphering the Fifth Clue

The fifth clue, shared on Walt Disney Imagineering's Instagram page, is a typewritten poem left behind by the culprit. The poem reads:

Someone saw how I loved its glow, its glitter,

Then they stole it, leaving a taste so bitter.

I knew they must have hid it away,

But I’ll return it to its feted day.

In your quest for my name, have a think

Where there’s poker, billiards, and where glasses clink

After mountains, after mines, a booming little frontier town

Where a pair of letters watch the trains chug ’round

For my letter, just need one – I drink alone,

‘Til I return the jewel to its rightful home.

— Walt Disney Imagineering

This riddle asks players to identify a specific location within the park, pointing toward a spot in Disneyland's Frontierland. "Where there's poker, billiards, and where glasses clink" and "where a pair of letters watch the trains chug 'round" points directly to the miniature town of Rainbow Ridge, where trains from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad pass by, and where the local saloon features classic gold rush details.

How to Play Along from Home

Imagineering has made it clear that while Disneyland fans are welcome to search for clues physically in the park, anyone can participate in this mystery. S.E.A. Archivist Bonnie Booker notes that the entire adventure can be solved entirely at home. By searching for historical photos of Disneyland's Frontierland—and specifically the details in the town of Rainbow Ridge—online sleuths can isolate the specific "pair of letters" referenced in the poem to unlock the next piece of the puzzle.

Each solved riddle provides a letter. Once all the riddles are complete, players can unscramble the letters to reveal the full name of the thief.

While this digital hunt doesn't require a theme park ticket, it's a great way to brush up on your park history. If you do plan on visiting the parks in person soon, keeping an eye out for these subtle story details can make waiting in standby queues a much richer experience. To prepare for your next trip, you can check out details like EPCOT's newly upgraded World Celebration Gardens or the freshly painted rustic facade at Disneyland’s Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition, which has just shed its refurbishment scrims. Happy hunting, adventurers!