VMK Central Closing in Disneyland New Update Yavn Speaks!!

[Lovela]

So does it mean we can't buy camera film anymore?

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

So does it mean we can't buy camera film anymore?

Lovela,

The VMK Central in Disneyland is closing its doors. That is the place in the parks you go to redeem IN Park Quests to receive special VMK prize cards.

The VMK Central in the computer game will still be there. No worries your character can still buy film.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

to all of our DLR friends. I haven't had time to read all of the posts, but I don't think this decision bodes well for VMK in WDW or VMK as a game at all. Yavn may say VMK is not closing, and I believe him. But, and not to be a source of rampant panic here, things can change and I personally am beginning to think the game's days might be numbered. Let me be clear: this is just my personal opinion/hunch, and not a statement based on any rumors or "inside info." It really may be an issue of the Disney honchos not thinking the cost of running the game is not worth any money taken in because of the game. The reasoning Yavn gave about this decision made no sense, which further makes me think something is wrong here. Saying it was only intended for the 50th and it lasted a lot longer than it should've made no sense because in which case why is WDW keeping questing running? The HCOE is long since over for WDW as well. This just all seems very odd to me, and I too think Yavn had little to no influence in this decision. I think this came from the higher ups.

 

[Lovela]

Lovela,

The VMK Central in Disneyland is closing its doors. That is the place in the parks you go to redeem IN Park Quests to receive special VMK prize cards.

The VMK Central in the computer game will still be there. No worries your character can still buy film.

Oh alright

 

[Belle1997]

Wow so shocking. And I really wish that if they have another prpgram in place that they would tell us what it is instead of leaving the people of Disneyland high and dry. Now this in park VMK merchandise that people are talking about does that not create a game that now the rich in real life can dominate the poor. The more money you spend the more VMK items you get.

Also the VMK were a disaster for out of State guests. As for shipping VMK pins to Canada is was astronomical in price. Costs more to ship than the pins themselves.

And even after trying to get people to buy them for me they would find it was out of stock.

So if these become available through Disney shopping.com then the people who are not living in the States will have less availability. Unless you can send it to a friend in the USA.

I was highly disappointed with the VMK in the pin sale. If you are in the USA it was better but Disney should not forget about the millions of Disney Fans outside the USA.

I also do not think it is Yavn's decision.He seems to be caught in the middle. Remember he said how much time it takes to get a quest organized because of all the lawyers involved. Until the next phase is approved he can not say much. But for great customer Disney is known for they always seem to fall short when it comes to VMK. Now why is that?

 

[disvaclub92]

I am agree with Lauralee but do see your points as well Grumpy.

My question is did DLR VMK Central sell any items besides giving out the cards? Never been there so I had to ask.

I know WDW VMK Central sold alot of Pirates Stuff, Princess stuff, and DVD's. Not that we purchased them, but they did make a bunch of sales there.

It really would be nice to know why the decision was made. Is it a cost cutting effort, is the free game getting to run then in the red, or is it like I said more pins (cha ching) with VMK cards attached?

Inquiring minds want to know!!

 

[4orm]

Yvan did mention something about instore promotions in the future at DL didn't he?
Perhaps instead of quests and whatnot in DL it will be card with purchase like magic mirror, etc...

 

[BusyBeaBee]

Hey, we could always look for a silver lining,
this may be paving the way for us to get items more easily?
like the pirate pins and cards,
that was more than likely a test product and when it went over so well
(such as many of the passionate VMK players buying many many pins via mail)
that is it possible that they will have more items like that in the future, therefore allowing more people to have access to the items, not just those who go to the parks?
just a thought
b

 

[aliceblue]

My question is did DLR VMK Central sell any items besides giving out the cards? Never been there so I had to ask.

I know WDW VMK Central sold alot of Pirates Stuff, Princess stuff, and DVD's. Not that we purchased them, but they did make a bunch of sales there.

VMK Central is is set up very differently at DLR. The small outside booth is devoted entirely to the distribution of quest material; it is not a merchandise location. The computers are all inside Innoventions, which does not sell anything either.

 

[doodlebug]

All I have to say is

We haven't had the chance to make it to DLR yet to do a quest and were looking forward to doing them later this year.. We will still go and have an incredible time but will miss getting some VMK stuff for FREE!! Why should we suffer and WDW still get to play in park?

 

[Bugdozer]

Ok, so I'm currently in Laguna celebrating our Senior trip. I get on the internet in our room briefly to download the Pirates 3 soundtrack from iTunes.

Then I check the DIS to see if there has been any update to VMK. I didn't imagine that I'd see this...



Bug, I know you and Slink had a wonderful time with Yavn, but this is seriously pushing me into unheard of territory when it comes to disrespect for the man.

I have been complaining for MONTHS that DLR is given the short end of the stick when it comes to VMK. I always assumed that perhaps they would update it, fix the problems.

Nope.

Put a damper on Pirates Month, will ya, Yavn?

Peace out fellow players:

This Pirate is done with VMK.

Hi Pirate,

Now matter what kind of time Ink and I had I truly think this was not Yavn's choice. When he talked about VMK he spoke with enthusiasm and passion for the game. But even he must have to answer to a higher power. I am sure in time we will know what is going on and my only hope is that they are not phasing the game out. We actually asked him if he saw VMK ending anytime soon and he said no but as in any business things can change in a minute. We must remember this is a game to us but a business to Disney. Let's just hope whatever is being planned will keep VMK around for a while.

(Hugs) To the VMK team this must not be easy on any of them.

Bug

 

[mordux]

to all of our DLR friends. I haven't had time to read all of the posts, but I don't think this decision bodes well for VMK in WDW or VMK as a game at all. Yavn may say VMK is not closing, and I believe him. But, and not to be a source of rampant panic here, things can change and I personally am beginning to think the game's days might be numbered. Let me be clear: this is just my personal opinion/hunch, and not a statement based on any rumors or "inside info." It really may be an issue of the Disney honchos not thinking the cost of running the game is not worth any money taken in because of the game. The reasoning Yavn gave about this decision made no sense, which further makes me think something is wrong here. Saying it was only intended for the 50th and it lasted a lot longer than it should've made no sense because in which case why is WDW keeping questing running? The HCOE is long since over for WDW as well. This just all seems very odd to me, and I too think Yavn had little to no influence in this decision. I think this came from the higher ups.

I say, I have to agree with the duck on this one

 

[aengus]

Hi Pirate,

Now matter what kind of time Ink and I had I truly think this was not Yavn's choice. When he talked about VMK he spoke with enthusiasm and passion for the game. But even he must have to answer to a higher power. I am sure in time we will know what is going on and my only hope is that they are not phasing the game out. We actually asked him if he saw VMK ending anytime soon and he said no but as in any business things can change in a minute. We must remember this is a game to us but a business to Disney. Let's just hope whatever is being planned will keep VMK around for a while.

(Hugs) To the VMK team this must not be easy on any of them.

Bug

I just hope they choose to give an explaination, it would go along way.

 

[Nanarule]

There is only one word for today.... , Wow! What a shock!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry to all who are affected by this loss,..there are really no words that can help right now, but I and Bobthemighty my grandson are sending you all a Huge !!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure Yavn and all the staff are very upset at this decision but are very hard at work with many new's for Us!!!!

 

[DaraAllen]

I am so sorry for all of you west coast folks. I was at DLR last August and met up with some DISers (PrinceJeffrey, CoasterGuy, Lady Bodaeica) who were very, very liberal with sharing DLR exclusive stuff with me.

I promise you West Coast people that when we go to WDW in December with our 7 or 8 people, I will gift at least one set of whatever is available to someone who is no longer able to acquire quest items at DLR.

 

[caribbound]

I'm very sad for my DLR AP holders who have so much fun with the VMK aspect of their visits.
I think perhaps the reason for WDW staying open is that, if it is as rash a decision as it seems, given such little warning, VMK Central in WDW would sit empty compared to just taking down the quest booth. WDW also brings in the revenue from merchandise sales and I'm sure someone somewhere (perhaps Yavn) pushed to keep at least WDW open to finish out the year of special seasonal cards. That would give them enough time to come up with a new plan for the space VMK Central occupies and I wouldn't be surprized if the computer stations at DLR and all in park quest opportunities are gone by next year June. Look how much they have to update/change servers (sorry I don't know the whole computer server handling issue, but it doesn't matter) to accomodate the number of players. Having 7000 players on when VMK has been open not even 2 years? Another 2 years would add at least that many players and that many more crashes. Please don't criticize these thoughts since I don't know much of what I'm talking about, only offering ideas why they don't feel the need to promote.
In the big scheme of things, I'm sure VMK players are still a small percentage of AP holders or just visitors. Granted i wouldn't have considered my last trip to DLR if not for VMK, but had the opportunity come up 2 years from now, after the dust had settled about losing the quest cards, I'd still have made the trip. I still think I will take my family there in a couple years if Disney still interests them just to see the parks, the state, and for me to see my friends I've made through VMK.

Cheers friends, it's still just a game and not worth high blood pressure.

 

[Cabelle1863]

So much for getting in some quests during our Feb 2008 trip. My daughter is pretty bummed right now. Without VMK Central we have no interest in visiting Innoventions. We'll still have a good time like we've always done before we knew about VMK but it would have been fun to try some of the quests.

I'm disappointed that this was announced now with little to no preparation for it. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Yavn himself was told just a short time ago. Seems like with the strange twists & turns I've seen with the Disney company over the years boils down to money. More often than not it seems like they're overly fixated on the short term and end up negatively impacting the long term.

Right now I can see any number of things happening. Such as different pin card sets many others here have mentioned. I wouldn't be surprised at all either if VMK Central at WDW gets shut down in the next 6 months to a year. And sadly I can even see the higher ups deciding that VMK is superfluous and either charging a fee to players to keep it running or shutting it down entirely. I think we should be prepared for anything to happen.

 

[aeryn]

... VMK Central in WDW would sit empty compared to just taking down the quest booth. WDW also brings in the revenue from merchandise sales and I'm sure someone somewhere (perhaps Yavn) pushed to keep at least WDW open to finish out the year of special seasonal cards.

Actually, VMK Central at WDW was a shop before VMK moved in, and would simply return to being strictly a shop after. It certainly wouldn't sit empty -- they'd merely yank out the computer kiosks and toss in a few merchandise fixtures.

I find it more interesting that VMK Central at DL is the one going. They had the thematically designed play area, with cactus & saddle chairs, space rooms and what all. At WDW, it's clearly been wedged into an existing space with a mere 5 computers that don't always work and no theme to speak of.

I hope that Poohbrlvr is correct and this heralds in the era of collectors card packs and other cool merchandise. Freebies are cool, but this is Disney and free doesn't usually last long.

 

[bopper]

Wasn't the point of VMK to advertise the PARKS? This makes no sense, I really don't care if this was supposed to be a 50th celebration treat, maybe they should have warned everyone a while back. I live way to far from both parks, and this summer we planned on going to DLR.

I know my DH would stop by DLR when he was on a business trip just to get VMK stuff...now that is $$ they won't be getting. We still go to WDW for vacations as that is closer.

 

[mking624]

I guess I would have more respect for Yavn and the VMK team if they actually explained the decisions that are being made. Yes Yavn answers to a "higher power" but that doesn't mean that something can't be explained so that players understand what's going on. This decision is just one of many that people are frustrated with. It's just the icing on the cake. Perhaps TWDC decided to keep mum about this decision, therefore preventing Yavn from being able to give one right now. Why not say "at this time, details are unable to be given." But there are other decisions being made in the game that his "higher powers" would have nothing to do with...i.e. the Red Space Suit Magic being nontradeable. No explanation for that one either. And no reason not to give an explanation. I'm just tired of the decisions being made with us being expected to accept them blindly. He clearly knows the decisions will cause an uproar, so humor us a bit and try to explain something. But, to me, it's a little insulting to write about these non-explained decisions in a happy-go-lucky manner when they know players will not be happy about it.