Save VMK! : VMK Blog

VMKer Comments: Teacher Comments

Penny1 // 3 weeks ago
"As a teacher and Disney fan, I found a way to connect with my students through VMK. We often "meet" on VMK after school for some Disney fun. This bond I have worked hard to build is being torn away. My students are disheartened, as if in some way they are losing a part of their teacher. I am hoping Disney will do the right thing and leave VMK alone. There are so many ways Disney could capitalize on marketing VMK, it seems foolish from a financial stand point to pull the plug on a successful venture. But what do I know? I'm just a consumer, family member, teacher, friend, traveler, and role model to hundreds of children..."

Source: Comment from iReport

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9,896 have signed the petition to date

VMK Listed Under Parks and Resorts in Disney Corporate Fact Book

On page 18 of the 2007 Walt Disney Company Fact Book (link), Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) is listed alongside all the other Disney Parks.  Doesn't look temporary/promotion to me!
View Factbook Page 18 2007.pdf

Seven Months After VMK Launch: Virtual Magic Kingdom Hits Million Player Mark

VMK History Backgroud & Metric information...

"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online Announces Millionth Character Milestone and Expansions to Online Theme Park

Barely more than seven months after its official launch, Virtual Magic Kingdom, a free multiplayer gaming community inspired by Disney's famous theme parks, has acquired the one-millionth character in its virtual community, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online announced.

Quickly establishing itself as one of the coolest destinations online for gaming fans, the virtual theme park at vmk.com has grown to include several new lands, fun new games and more than 1.3 million personalized rooms created by its players.

"We're thrilled that so many players have embraced the fun of VMK," said Paul Yanover, senior vice president and general manager of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online. "To reach this milestone so quickly after the community debuted is extremely satisfying to everyone on the VMK team. Just like in the real parks, we strive to constantly improve and expand our online park to exceed players' expectations."

Where Are We ... Frontierland Newly Added!

In December, VMK opened Frontierland, a Wild-West neighborhood with new areas to explore and brand-new games. Players can create their own log flume ride or hunt ghosts in a new Haunted Mansion multiplayer game.

By Land or Sea ... Adventureland, Main Street and Fantasyland!

Players can enjoy tons of fun activities as they explore a virtual community inspired by Disney's famous theme parks and attractions. Adventureland offers players the chance to steer through treacherous rivers aboard the Jungle Cruise Photo Safari or battle other players in high-seas competition inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and movies. On VMK's Main Street, players can create funky music mixes and share them with other players. Fantasyland lets players compete against 100 other characters in an amazing fireworks display game. Throughout each land, shops offer creative items players can purchase to decorate their personal space - or trade with other characters. More than 1,000 virtual items currently are available for sale and trade within the VMK community.

In a future phase set to launch later this year, Tomorrowland will add an exciting, outer-space dimension to the virtual theme park. Guests can catch a sneak preview of Tomorrowland with three new arcade-style games available now in the Tomorrowland section of VMK: Airlock Escape, Hyperspace Mountain and Blast in Space.

From the Virtual World to the Real World

The fun continues on as it transcends its online community. Gamers can visit VMK Central in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and participate in exciting real-world Quests. And, best of all, guests who successfully complete a VMK Quest in the real world will earn secret codes for game credits and other cool virtual rewards to enhance game play.

Always Something New

Part of the reason VMK is such a fun, high-energy destination is because there's always something new to do. A glance at the VMK Web site at VMK.com gives players a calendar of special online events designed to challenge and entertain while offering the chance to win rare virtual items. These new social activities and community-driven events enhance the dynamic nature of the game, complementing the permanent features players can enjoy throughout VMK. In February, VMK added a cool new game where guests can build their own Expedition Everest ride in celebration of the Spring opening of Expedition Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Beyond VMK

Other new Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online destinations allow players an opportunity to take advantage of great VMK tie-ins. At VMK, guests can link to disneyeverest.com, an all-new web site for the thrilling new Expedition Everest attraction at Florida's Walt Disney World Resort where players can learn about the ride and win free stuff for VMK. A downloadable game called Yeti Vision lets players become the feared Yeti from the new attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Protect the sacred realm from intruders and earn Yeti Vision Rewards to redeem in VMK by destroying train tracks, causing avalanches and solving ancient mysteries. After each episode, guests can earn different virtual prizes such as Everest pins, Everest ice furniture or an Everest guest room.

Creating the "New" You

When players enter VMK they can really express themselves. Each character is completely in charge of the universe he or she creates, right down to their "look." Blue spiky hair is "in" and your wardrobe is your own, with dozens of colorful clothing pieces to buy or trade. Plus, Virtual Magic Kingdom lets players create personalized guest rooms and decorate them any way they want to reflect their own style.

Experience the magic firsthand at vmk.com. The fun is just a 'mouse' click away!"

Source: Disney Corporate

Shockwave Videos with Disney VMK Reference

Does anyone know an easy way how these shockwave videos can be viewed?
Here is the Advanced Search Google Results that has the three videos.

VMK Concept Dates Back to 1996

Another resume reference dating the Virtual Magic Kingdom concept back to 1996...VMK was in development long before Disneyland's 50th Anniversary promotion.  It may be been rolled out during the 5oth Anniversary, but fingers point to the fact that VMK was in development to be a longstanding venture into virtual worlds.

"Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom” - concept development for Disney Interactive - 1996
(Concept continues through 2007 as a web-based game for Disney Online)

Source: Ed Olson Resume

Players Beware: POTC May Be Promotion as Well

As reported in an earlier post, it appears that Pirates of the Caribbean Online will not be here to stay either...will look out for more corroboration to this effect...

"The most response we got from what appeared to be a Disney Official was a brief conversation that basically said the exact same thing verbatim about VMK being a promotion. I asked about other games and social networks and got an interesting response that Disney Games are promotional vehicles for merchandising, including Pirates of the Caribbean!"

Associated Press: OMG! VMK is Going Away

"A group that has invested three years in playing a free online game called Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom is upset that the house that made Mickey Mouse is pulling the plug on the world.

The game, launched in the summer of 2005 to promote the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, attracted thousands of fans who created more than 1 million avatars who trade virtual items and play games to earn credits.

On Saturday morning, members of the group plan to protest the game's shuttering around the entrance to Disneyland in Anaheim. The game is set to close on May 21 at 10 p.m. Pacific time.

"I've put three years of my life into this," said Andrew Lawson, a 16-year-old from Sun City, Calif.

Lawson said he plays the game 20 hours a week and has developed friendships with other players that can't be replaced elsewhere..."
read entire article

Source: Associated Press

Virtual Protest at VMK Esplanade and Castle Forecourt

Protest at Disneyland: Update

"What an exciting and interesting day at Disneyland. The morning started with a quick mile walk from the hotel to the intersection where we were planned to protest with about a half dozen in tow. Within an hour we decided that we needed to relocate to the Shuttle Entrance where there was more foot traffic and we could relay our message more efficiently.

Once there another dozen Protesters joined the group and we got the attention of Disney security and they sent traffic over the North section of Disneyland to prevent visitors from seeing the protest. They also hung around in plain clothes for some time with different set of them coming out throughout the morning. And of course our last security visitor who come out about 10 minutes to 11:00A at which point we knew why he was there and did not want to give them the benefit of telling us our time was up and concluded the morning with those there at the end signing the banner, giving their hugs and moving on with their day. Press took pictures from across the street and one reporter from the OC Register hung out with us for a while.

The most response we got from what appeared to be a Disney Official was a brief conversation that basically said the exact same thing verbatim about VMK being a promotion. I asked about other games and social networks and got an interesting response that Disney Games are promotional vehicles for merchandising, including Pirates of the Caribbean!

Basically the time we invest in building friendships within these games does not matter to Disney (as we know) and the single purpose of the Communities they create is to sell products and in a year when Pirates of the Caribbean is no longer on DVD that game too will be retired to the back of Disney’s Vaults along with the magical friendships, forever.

This was a quick reminder to an article I wrote some time ago about synchronous vs asynchronous relationships. Both types of relationships do exist and regardless of the medium used to delivery the limited stimuli it is still a building block of “real” relationships.

The problem I had with the recent press coverage is the use of portions of what is said vs the concept of the entire message to make it portray a different picture. By Sonya Smith, OC Register Reporter quoting, “Our real life is in this game” for one is not a correct quote. If certain conversations were taken as such she failed to reference the healthy balance that was clearly mentioned that our family has with school, sports, scouting and the community and was mentioned only to draw a negative response from those that read this article.

Well it is late. I am hoping that someone will send some pictures in and we can share them with everyone. Again thank you all for showing your support."

Source: DisBoards