Save VMK! : VMK Blog

VMK to Re-Open until Halloween? Could it be True?

Wouldn't this truly be the Year of a Million Dreams?

"Just got this from Ridley Pearson, the author of several wonderful books where characters talk to one another inside VMK. The entry is on his website, and is dated today, Friday, May 23, 2008:

"There are rumors circulating about VMK possibly being extended (for long time users) for a few months longer. I can't confirm anything at this time, but keep your fingers crossed."

We now have word from trusted sources who say that VMK will open through October -- but only for those who are already signed up on VMK. So we'll see what happens. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available... Thank you, Ridley, and everyone of you for your support!! Save VMK!!!!"
Source: Ridley Pearson Blog | SaveVMK.com

ETA 5/25/08:
Update from Ridley :(

Sunday, May 25, 2008 False VMK I'm now told by my "insider" that indeed it may be only a rumor (about VMK). Sad, because my "source" of the rumor was another top insider. But alas, I'm afraid VMK is gone. I'm disappointed too.... Ridley
Source: Ridley Pearson Blog | SaveVMK.com

A Message from Madison

"We asked Madison if she had anything to say to everyone about VMK closing. She wrote and said:

"I'd like to thank YOU and everyone at SaveVMK.com for all your help in trying to keep VMK open. I felt really sad yesterday but tried to have as much fun as possible on the last day. I closed in my castle suite room because I was finally home. I waited a long time to get that room (thats all I ever wanted on VMK). I was so happy but then got really sad when that room came out for me to buy last week. I wish I had a longer time to enjoy it. I t was a very special place for me. I took lots of pictures of all my rooms and will treasure those memories forever. I wish disney would realize that this wasn't just a game for me and for so many others. It was a way for me to do things i can't do in real life. Just like the carnival games that came out yesterday on the last day. I would love to be able to play a carnival game myself in real life but I can't. I finally could in VMK and they made it so simple and easy for me. I built a Buzz Lightyear ride too. I could sit and ride without my mommy holding me. I just came back from WDW a couple of weeks ago and my favorite ride was Buzz. Can you believe this? Disney said VMK was a promotion that went way longer than it should. But it looks like VMK had plans for a Toy Story month with the release of these new items. I think that would have gotten people to go to the parks just to try the new ride. NOTHING will replace VMK but hopefully I can find my friends again in VFK or somewhere else. It just won't be disney and I love disney so much! I kept the same name- princessmadiro so if you see me there please say hi. Thanks again to everyone! My VMK friends are the greatest! Glove and hugs!  "Madison-princessmadiro."

Source: SaveVMK.com

VMK R.I.P. 05.21.08

IsadoraQ from SaveVMK.com Would Like to Say Something...

"I have been thinking, and I wanted to say this:

In this world we come across many different types of people. We may find that people are generally doing positive and helpful things. Or, they may be doing negative and harmful actions, either by themselves, or by allowing others to do so.

It is always wise to try to steer clear of those who are so wrapped up in their own concerns that they will hurt others -- either on purpose, or indirectly because they simply don't care enough about other people to think about the consequences of what they are doing.

Even when we are careful about who we choose deal with, it can still be disappointing to find people choosing these negative actions, whether it is a single person, or a group of people, like a company.

We are sadly surprised to find Disney in this category. We are stunned at the way they have treated people all over the world, especially kids. They did not even give a sincere apology, but instead watered down their explanation with excuses and defenses. It is also sad to see how different the Walt Disney Corporation is now from the man, Walt Disney, himself. He was a good businessman also, but he kept his focus on making people -- especially children and families -- happy. He once said:

"A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive."

Happily for us, as in the words of Walt Disney, something even better has come along when something else goes away. Maybe VMK went away, so a better thing could come alive?! We want to express our profound gratitude and admiration for the folks over at www.virtualfamilykingdom.com. They are concerned families, just like we are, who wanted to help and not allow the friendships and lives of VMKers to die. The people at VFK have been working so hard to have their kingdom ready for everyone, so that no one need be disappointed. Their new world looks lovely and exciting! We feel very happy that they stood up and decided to help, thus becoming a true hero for us all, and saving the fun and friendships we enjoyed on VMK, and giving hope to all of us. May their kingdom last forever, and our friendships, too!!

Walt Disney also said,

"You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

This is, no doubt, true. But I don't think anyone -- including Disney himself -- would ever have imagined that the Walt Disney Corporation would be the one kicking millions of children in the teeth.

Lizzie_Magic wrote today, and said,

"Thanks so much for setting up this site IsadoraQ! It is too bad that Disney still refuses to listen to the voices of the people. I don't know about you, but after VMK is over, there is no way I am going to support the other Disney websites that they are trying to switch us to. Did you ever find out the REAL reason why they are shutting it down? Well, we have one day. Maybe there will be a sign tomorrow that says: BIG NEWS! VMK LIVES ON!!!! Otherwise, there will be a great sadness throughout the world. Oh well. Thanks again!"

So we will see what happens tomorrow. Regardless, please know that SaveVMK.com will still be here. Hang in there. Talk to your parents, or others who care about you, about how you feel. And, I'll see you all at Virtual Family Kingdom!!

Thanks to everyone for their support,
        IsadoraQ "

Source: SaveVMK.com

AN IMPORTANT NOTE FROM VMKBLOG.COM...
VMK KIDS PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not post your e-mail address on any blog, YouTube video, comment, discussion forum or otherwise, with the hopes of tracking down your VMK friends.  I do not know what VFK has in store for us, but it is probably safer than posting your info online in an effort to find your friends.  PARENTS: PLEASE discuss with your kids/pre-teens/teenagers, etc. the risks of posting your personal information online.  DISNEY has most certainly let the VMK community down by not creating a safe harbor or transition period for the kids of VMK.  Disney hoped VMK kids would just transition over to their new virtual worlds, but due to understandable trust issues, it cannot be assumed they will automatically convert into a toon, pirate, penguin, fairy or car. 

Message Sent...

Hello,

I, like so many others, are asking you to please reconsider your decision to close Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK).  You will not see a letter from me.  Instead my “letter” consists of my blog, www.vmkblog.com, which I have been actively posting to regarding virtually each and every aspect of VMK’s closure.  Among the hundreds of posts, you might be interested in some of the headlines you have been creating (listed at the end of this message). 

You have billed VMK as a “promotion” when in fact you knew from the very beginning that you were building a community.  You never told the kids/families that VMK would not be around for the long haul.  Now you have tens of thousands doubting Disney, and the magic that it so often embodies.   

In closing, I thought you would be interested in the following video that was sent to the Los Angeles Times.  They are interested in covering the story as many other media sources have over the past several weeks:

This song was written and sung by a “VMK’er” hoping to help Save VMK with her music video…please watch it.  It is another example of children reaching out and trying to make a difference in their “world”.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qLVeQpTRZk

Please let their voices be heard, the media exposure and positive feedback from the VMK discussion-forum community has helped them feel like they have a voice and an impact.  However, they feel their actions have fallen on deaf ears as it concerns Disney and its executives.  Their efforts do not end poverty or end wars, but it is a youthful display of activism and it deserves to be recognized, encouraged and supported.

Thank you for your consideration (and see below),
vmk blog

VMK CLOSURE: RECENT PRESS COVERAGE
Los Angeles Times
There's no Tomorrowland for the Virtual Magic Kingdom of Disney

Wall Street Journal
Fans Resist End of Virtual Disneyland

OC Register
Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom explained by virtual world expert

The Industry Standard
When Virtual Worlds Die

Associated Press
Associated Press: OMG! VMK is Going Away

The Motley Fool
Disney Trashes Its Kingdom

CBC Radio: Spark
Corporate Responsibility to Online Virtual Worlds

NextUp
Does Disney "Get" Virtual Worlds?

Central Florida News 13
Breaking News Video: Online Disney Dilemma

Virtual Worlds News
On Another Note: Nielsen: Club Penguin Growth Slows

Virtual Worlds News
WSJ Notes Virtual Magic Kingdom Backlash

Los Angeles Business Journal
Media Coverage on VMK Closure

GameSpot
Editorial: Ideas for the Mouse

Sydney Morning Herald
Why Games Matter

NewsTalk 710 Seattle Radio
NewsTalk 710 KIRO from Seattle - TBTL Show

Silicon Valley Insider
‘Casual Gamers’ Not So Relaxed If You Mess With Their Games (DIS)

Church of the Customer Blog
Closing a Disney Community

VMK Blog Commentary
Club Penguin...Obvious Fit...HUH???

NBC Local News 6
Local 6 - Save VMK Media Coverage

United Press International
Fans protest end of Disney online game

VMK BLOG CATEGORIES OF INTEREST:
Home Page
http://www.vmkblog.com/

Media Coverage
http://www.vmkblog.com/media_coverage/index.html

Commentary
http://www.vmkblog.com/commentary/index.html

Daily Picture
http://www.vmkblog.com/daily_pic/index.html

You Tube
http://www.vmkblog.com/you_tube/index.html

An Analysis of VMK, from Chris

"No need to try to contact me unless you wish to.

I noticed the following things that happened in rapid order:

Following the end of the pirate celebration, specifically the big pirate quest, there was the Yavn "scolding" about all the cheating and other stuff going on in regards to that quest. A couple of days later, VMK announces its closure. The next day, I start seeing a surge in the "Year of a Million Dreams" television promotion. Then, I see commercials for the Disney pirates online game within days of that. As April rolls around, a new batch of Disney travel shows on The Travel Channel(which I have recorded). Also, notice sites such as MSN and other high traffic sites with Disney travel banner ads.

Obviously, Disney is spending millions on marketing, promotional and other advertising, with no real method of finding out what is working for them.

And here it is, VMK, a great promotional tool, which they have used to promote a good many things Disney. And like the print, television and internet ads, no real way of knowing what is driving income into the big pot of money that is Disney. The other games are not open ended enough to allow the direct and blatant interjection of promotional material. VMK allows this. Proof? Pirates stuff during the releases of POTC3. High School Musical mania promoted via a long running quest. Hannah Montana and Twitches got similar treatments. Ongoing games from the Narnia, POTC and Terabithia promotional sites handing out codes for use with VMK. The game helped get my little kids excited about their trip to WDW last November.

So, axe VMK. Let's make every a penguin. Make everyone a pirate. Make everyone a toon. Soon, make everyone a fairy(let's avoid crude jokes). Let's make everyone a car.

Sorry. I like Disney parks. I want to be me. Unlike some people, I chose to make my little avatar look like me. I walk around in black shorts, black shoes, wear glasses and it even came with hair similar to mine.

VMK: I could be ME in Disney, as if I was there without the costs. My daily escape. The other games won't do it for me.

Oh well. I'm a technician. What do I know about marketing?"

Source: Save VMK Comments (please give this page time to load, there 4,311 comments)

LA Times: There's no Tomorrowland for the Virtual Magic Kingdom of Disney

"The online game created to celebrate Disneyland's 50th anniversary in 2005 is to be closed today because it 'never achieved scale,' a company spokesman says. Thousands of loyal players are outraged.

By Dawn C. Chmielewski and Alex Pham, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
7:47 AM PDT, May 21, 2008

With the aid of a special mouse pad and on-screen keyboard, Madison Reed has found a way to venture beyond the protective confines of her home in suburban Columbus, Ohio, and play with other children in a Disney theme park.

Madison, who suffers from a severe neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy, gravitated to Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom, an online game that re-creates aspects of the company's theme parks. It was in this online world that she took her first steps. She rode a ride without being held or sitting in a wheelchair. And, at the age of 11, she celebrated the first birthday party with friends in February..."
read entire article

Source: Los Angeles Times

NOW!!! Long Live VMK - Time Capsule / Frozen in Time Project!

Get all the details and updates at the DisBoard post here.

Would you like to have your feelings "frozen in time" so to speak when the gates close tomorrow night? If you do, please go into all your Guest Rooms and add "Long Live VMK", or the like, to the beginning of all your Room Names and if you want to go another steop further the Room Descriptions.

The room names will be frozen in some Guest Room database and who knows, the DIG might do market research on their other worlds (i.e. see which rooms were popular, trends, themes etc.) and lookie what they will find...little nuggets of our effort to Save VMK...frozen in time. A Virtual Time Capsule.

This also goes for changing your signature before the final close. (sniff).

If anyone has ideas on top of the above, please chime in!!!

And post here when you have completed your time capsule, to keep this guy bumped up and in plain view!!!

This project will continue to the bitter end folks! woot! (sniff on the woot...)

UPDATE: SAVE VMK E-Mail Blitz to Continue to the "Bitter End"

Yep, things are going very well with the SAVE VMK E-MAIL BLITZ...you can get the latest information and updated Master E-Mail list at the DisBoards at this post.

Save VMK - Make Some Noise!!!