Vmk Closing May 21 Cry

[valeriesunshine]

I have tried to contact SO MANY PEOPLE. Ive called Disneyland, Disneyworld, Yavns Boss, The Disney Interent Group, the VMK Phone Line, and ALOT of other people from the Disney Internet group.

 

[PirateBell]

ARG!!!!!!!!!! YAVN SPOKE

"I’ve been getting email from players asking about the VMK Trading Card Game: Advanced. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about it. We’re making sure that it is everything we promised it would be before releasing it. So keep watching the Newsletter for updates on when it will be available. Don’t worry it will be here soon!"

"Does this mean VMK is going to end?
No. Just because we’re closing VMK Central at the Magic Kingdom does not mean the game is going away. In fact, the game will continue going strong! And we’ve got lots of exciting additions coming in the next few months - stay tuned!"

"You'll be seeing a lot more of her and those great prizes she's been giving away so be sure and brush up on your Disney trivia!
While we're on the subject of new sections and faces, I'd like to take a second and introduce a friend of mine, fellow VMK'ers, meet PirateVinnie: PirateVinnie's been working closely on lots of the new stuff you've seen recently released, like the Gingerbread pieces that came out over the holiday and Magic Shop Checkers game. But he was working behind the scenes at VMK for a while before that, on the website, with the in-Park locations and our in-game HOST and events teams. Vinnie and I go way back, but he's been on the VMK team for almost two years now and he's been like my right hand man the whole time, helping me out. So look for him to take the spotlight a little more in the weeks ahead. In fact, don't be surprised if you see his own section here in the Newsletter very soon. If you see him in game, say hello!"

"You gonna see us doing some things a little differently than we have in the past – like our Theme Parks, we're always looking at how we can make things better here in the Virtual Magic Kingdom."

Yes... Thats is what i mean when I said that Yavn lied to us all..telling us that vmk isn't closing... Alot of talked about vmk cloing a few monhs back when Yavn said no...don't worry vmk isn't closing. But yet in the end it is...

Oh well..it will be sad...maybe if enough of us write and send in letters or
even be willing to pay for the gme..maybe they would be willign to reconider?

Please vmk ..listen to our hearts...

 

[amnb23]

I too have contacted various places - BUT to be honest like most places in the corporate world the almighty dollar speaks louder than words. I thought Disney would be different. While I know Disney needs to make money to survive just like everyone else(and they easily have and still could - ie. everytime you click a new page in game it's money for them, and the pins they sold with the cards, how people went to the parks for the quests, etc.... but, I thought they were out to "make people's dreams comes true" and create magical fantasies to escape everyday real life. I guess this just goes to show that Disney is just like everyone else - in it for the money not the dream that I believed the Disney magic was all about for 26yrs. So sad. So very sad.

 

[TLinden16]

VMK got me through a lot of tough times, as it has MANY other DISers here. I started accumlating a ton of health problems for the past 2 years (I'm 23 now). I've had 2 surgeries, go to doctors quite often, and live on 7 pills a day. VMK helped me get through some of those issues because I had a chance to escape to a place where I really could be whoever I wanted to be, dress however I wanted to dress. I had some time to be the real me, a HEALTHY version of me, that I can't be in real life. I can't believe this is all being taken away (and I can't even imagine how much my feelings are multiplied when it comes to slinkyman and Bug).

Part of me still feels like a new player (it'll be around a year for me when it closes). But lately, I've started to feel more and more a part of this kingdom. I've been seeing MANY more DISers in game, through some trades or quests and such, and I've finally started feeling comfortable being more vocal and friendlier with them. Ninja's shell finally began to break. I mean, I went to JellyRolls's quest the other day and saw disva and Aengus. Haha, and the little girl in me was like, "WOW, those CELEBRITIES said HI TO ME!" Hehe. I know, I can be quite silly

I don't know if this is just me, but I think I would feel better if I could literally pick Ninja out of the monitor to "save" her along with her "sisters" (my mules, or as I call them, "my other me's"). As melodramatic as this may sound, this all feels like some sort of death.

Hey Rachel, I just want to say that while VMK was a nice diversion as you go through all these difficult times you've had, you are the one who gets you through all this. You have the strength and the courage within you to overcome the obstacles that are thrown in your path.

And Aengus, Dis, and I aren't celebrities. We are just a few enjoy being on VMK, and helping others, and are kind to everyone who is kind to us. We're just normal, every day players like everyone else. We're blessed with lots of friends because we are kind to others. Kindness goes a long way.

So take what you can from your experiences on VMK. I'm sure you've made some wonderful friends for life from this game. Your friends and your memories are things that will always be with you.

 

[Spacexalp]

First of all, about VMK has created the world that Walt Disney himself has dreamed of into a new technological advancement. VMK has been made a world where kids can escape family issues or social issues to interact with those who share similar qualities. I know, I myself at the age 15 escaped the world I hated and went into VMK where I was able to meet a family of friends to who today I will never forget. VMK, for three years, has put money into this "promotion" and to simply throw it away? That's ridiculous. Think about the amount of players willing to Pay for VMK? Think about the amount of dollars they could rack in daily.

I personally will be getting on the phone with Disney Online tomorrow morning and will be talking to EVERY person I get on that phone. If I don't get results there I know Disney's weak spot...bad publicity. I will be calling the news tomorrow about it if I have to.

So, I think we should take a stance and stand up for what we have and what we love. VMK has been our second home for years and loosing it would be a sad breakthrough in all our lives.

Disney Internet Group
Address: 5161 Lankershim Blvd., 4th Fl.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-623-3200
818-623-3764
866 993-6263

Three Different Numbers

-Spacexalp

 

[ajistheman]

i knew something like closing was coming to vmk soon, cause 2 weeks ago vmk items were taken off disney movie rewards.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Don't look at VMK ending as a bad thing  think of it as a new beginning, a chance to explore something fresh and new! Think of it like school: You don't want to leave your old friends, but still, the time has come to graduate and move onto another great adventure.
In the time since we've launched VMK, we've seen many players come and go, and we're hoping you will graduate from VMK too  in particular, to games like Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney's ToonTown Online, Club Penguin and the upcoming Fairies and Cars online virtual worlds. We think you'll find you enjoy those just as much as VMK – if not more.

So in other words PAY UP! We have no time for any free loaders any longer.

With the "tone" of the past few weeks my daughter and I have been discussing this, that it looked like they were going in that direction because they are pushing us all towards the pay-to-play games. VERY SAD that we were right about this. Very sad. :

Yep. Disney needs more money.

"In the meantime, VMK will run like it always has, with great events and new items every week until we close we might even fit in one or two more surprises along the way (of the virtual item kind)."

I guess I just don't even see the point of having any more new items if we are only going to get to use them a month or two. I think I'll be spending more time just visiting with friends now and less time worrying about whether I can purchase any of the new items.

Thanks VMK!!! This was my escape from my daily struggles of my illness so this makes me sad.

I hope the friends I have met can always find another place to meet.

I know. Unfortunately, I won't be going elsewhere.

... ( cry ) im soo sad! i just stared to play again ( because i got scammed) and now this it is so sad!

Rock ( but still sad )

We all just got scammed. Especially those people that paid to get into the parks to get exclusive stuff and those that spent real money on other things just for VMK.

real tears

Me too!

Fat chance i'm not an online gamer just a disney lover.

Me too. I'm not a gamer. I just love Disney and loved it when I found a virtual version of my beloved Disney Parks.

I could never move to any of the other Disney online games, I am in VMK only because of the parks. I'm with everyone who is willing to pay to play VMK... Put that in your signatures now, everyone.

Yeah. I don't like the other games. I love VMK.

I always said I wouldn't pay to play. But if it were cheap enough, I could probably scrape enough together for it.

Don't know if it'll help AT ALL, but here's the letter I sent to the WDIG via the link posted a couple pages back:


Just got the information that Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom is closing on May 21, 2008. I am shocked, dismayed, overwhelmed, disgusted, annoyed, and above all, I feel betrayed. VMK is my favorite hobby. I LOVE PLAYING VMK.

-Snip-

I just am beyond belief.
Tiki

Nice letter, Tiki.

What stinks is that I'll be traveling to WDW from May 17-21 (arriving home just after vmk closes...)

Really sad when you're seriously considering cancelling your trip so that you can have that one "last night" with friends

I need something to give me that DISNEY fix of going to the parks.

Exactly!

There is nothing else to compare to VMK.

Well just goes to show you that so many of us who talked about this happening a few months back were right and Yavn is a liar! Not that I mean to call names ...but he is the one who told us that not to worry that vmk wasn't going anywhere..!! I understand that they want to make money but they should have at least one game for kids to play..Cause like alot of parents said how do you tell yoou 5 6 or 7 year old its gone? But what can we say... ?? This is the only game I have ever been able to play....and I am really bummed.

But I really want to say that I have met some really really wonderful friends
and that is the sad thing too... that we will miss their frienship. I sure do hope that they keep this board going ..it would be a nice place to still be able to keep in touch.

I certainly will miss playing vmk.. it really is just to sad to think it won't be here any more.

Yes he did. I distinctly remember that. And now we all get a punch in the stomach.

OMG! WHY?!

I can't believe this I am truly truly hurt inside I am seriously going to start crying - cough I am alredy crying cough -

VMK has destroyed WDW literally did Walt Disney give up when he was bulding from the floor up NO he didn't and look at what he has created now, even if he was not hable to see the park growing he has still been there throwing pixie dust at every new thing that comes to WDW and VMK being soemthing that represense all that work as thrown Walters dream to ashes.

They say they are closing bc they were sponsoring for the 50th anniversary?(not sure if I said correct)
So they are closing bc they've been on for more than what they were suppose to.. but my 1st thought was how come DLR didn't close when Walt Disney died(answer me that VMK) Walts Dream was to keep hes dream alive even if he wasn't here to share it with us so to that thought WDW was made, DL Tokyo,Paris etc were made to make millions of people enjoy a piece of the magic of Disney and VMK made to make that child(or adult) at North Carolina enjoy Disney even if it's virtually.

VMK made me feel at Disney everyday I don't live near Orlando so I can't go to WDW whenever I want nor do I live near any Disney Park so VMK made me remember every trip to WDW and my moms trips to DLR and VMK kept my memory alive aswell as to meet those great people I have meet especially here at DIS.

Thanks VMK for destroying Disneys dream to spread the magic of Disney

Like our dear Walter Disney said:



THINK ABOUT THIS VMK ^^^!


Tho even if my heart is broken I still am thankful to have played this game for this long and I've enjoy my zombie, smile, laughter moments

One last Walt Quote,



VMK was a part of the quote above ^^ imagitation will make something new come

i will miss all of you
Sending Tinker Bell your way

Excellent points!

Yeah, I'm wondering what I'm going to do this summer now.

Well don't you know? You're supposed to pay to play other Disney games.

I can't believe Disney would just crush so many people's dreams like this. I've made more friends on VMK than I have in real life...it's like my escape from reality. Anytime I had a hard day at school I always came onto VMK and it would make me feel better. And to see it just up and gone is like smashing all my dreams into pieces.

Yep. The Happiest Place on the Internet did make me happy. It helped me to keep my mind of of my real life problems. To log in and see happy people, to play pirates and blast people when I was upset, to build rooms, to collect everything I could. All over with now.

The Happiest Place on the Internet is now the Saddest Place on the Internet.

I too have contacted various places - BUT to be honest like most places in the corporate world the almighty dollar speaks louder than words. I thought Disney would be different. While I know Disney needs to make money to survive just like everyone else(and they easily have and still could - ie. everytime you click a new page in game it's money for them, and the pins they sold with the cards, how people went to the parks for the quests, etc.... but, I thought they were out to "make people's dreams comes true" and create magical fantasies to escape everyday real life. I guess this just goes to show that Disney is just like everyone else - in it for the money not the dream that I believed the Disney magic was all about for 26yrs. So sad. So very sad.

I know. I've always been a little jaded about the company. But I always believed that they still had some sort of heart. Now they just stabbed me in my heart.

 

[VMK_Mouse]

I have mixed feelings. I really care about my friends in VMK and do not want to not be able to chat anymore. As for VMK, it is just a game. There is so much more in life to experience and enjoy. I will now stop spending so much time in front of the PC and enjoy more time with family, friends, my Bible and actually get some housework done on a more regular basis.

I do not want to see VMK closed but I am not in shock. It is not a very profitable game and I understand Disney's position. When Seth (the original Yavn) left, I said it would be six months and VMK would close....here we are.

I am most upset about the friends I will not see anymore. Second to that, I am a bit peeved about the rewards I cashed in for virtual items I cannot use. I will be contacting DMR about that one for sure.

 

[Clarity]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I am.

I've only been a member of VMK for a little over a year, and I've only just gotten interested in it again.

I'll miss playing the mini-games. There are several friends I've made that I'm going to miss. For a couple of them, I only know them in the game, so I will never be able to talk to them again and that makes me sad. I'll miss my items too. I'm not "rich" (more like middle class) but I still like my furniture and clothes that I spent all that time getting, and will try to enjoy them as much as I can before the game ends. The items that mean the most to me (my dream ears, my Jafar hat, my Thrill-seekers pin) are the ones given to me as gifts by friends.

I wouldn't pay to play VMK. I have a free account at Toontown and am thinking about subscribing, but it's likely I'll end up not subscribing. I don't like the idea of paying monthly for play time that I may or may not use.

VMK has had a good run, and of course I knew it wouldn't last forever so for the most part I didn't invest too much time or emotion into it (for example, I didn't attempt the Blackheart quest), but as a casual player, I'm still going to miss it.

 

[rickyratsmom]

well so what I expected has come to be true. VMK is closing I suspected it many months ago with the aqisition club penguin and Pirates Online. Fortunately I play both. Ban me if you want VMK but you can find me on Pirates I am SneekyTiki on Pirates of The Caribbean. On Club Penguin I am Peachy Tiki. Some of you I have already met RoyalCoralQeen and SparklePixie on Pirates. For those who do not play other games I encourage you to join in the fun. I know it is sad but we can be together if we play other games together. If you need any help with either game just let me know. Yes I too am shedding tears but I hope to see you all soon in other Disney games. This is truely a sad day for all of us. Sorry you are all hurting now. Everything happens for a reason so maybe this out time to come together some place else??

 

[Narnian_Princess]

I have no intention of moving to another Disney online game. I have tried ToonTown and I hated it. Same with Club Penguin. I couldn't even install Pirates.

I want VMK. Period. I'd pay to be able to play.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I don't get home until after 11pm on Mondays from classes, and then I have to get my dinner ready, eat said dinner, and then unwind with my Dancing with the Stars before I log in to check email. So I'm just now reading this.

I wouldn't say I'm in shock, I guess. Ever since the in-park quests were removed, I thought the writing was on the wall no matter what they said. But it still feels like a punch to the gut. Like pink, I'll be in WDW on the 21st of May. We actually leave on the 13th, so my last day will be the 12th. I won't be back until the late hours of the 24th. I'm so sad that I won't be able to be with everyone that last week. And I'm ever sadder that the next month is horrible for me as grad school wraps up; I have 50 million papers and projects due, and little time for VMK. Maybe that's for the best though.

I've played this game since November 2005. It has had it's good and bad points, that's for sure. But the friendships made me come back, even when the game made me angry/upset. Being able to walk down a virtual Main Street gave me a little break from my crazy world of school and work, and made me look forward to vacations. I spent countless $$$ on the pin boxes and on the movies. I never redeemed my points yet though; I think something was telling me all along to wait because I may just have been wasting my points. Sadly I was right.

I just don't want to say goodbye! Not to my friends, not to Mansion, not to the Partners statue that I closed by so many nights, not to Donald walking by in the window at Central Plaza, not to the Hosts, and not to my mini-me, SorcererDonaldD. Thank you Disney, you made an almost 25 year old cry tonight too. Fix the customer service and charge us for the game. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. I tried Toontown (free version) and found it to be annoying. I tried Pirates (free version) and just didn't like it; violence isn't really my thing. There's enough violence in the schools I work in; romanticizing it in a video game doesn't exactly make me all that happy.

I shouldn't be surprised though. Check out the theme parks board; Walt Disney World in their greediness just started charging $31 bucks a day for double stroller rental. Le Cellier menu item prices were just jacked up to no end too. What the company is doing is pushing the price limits, seeing how far they can go before they alienate people. Disgusting, but true, IMO.

Once I get home tomorrow, I'll write a letter as well. I hope and pray the Hosts will be given a good job in another part of the company if they so desire it.

 

[Chedstro]

Sorry, I did not read the rest of this thread; but I promised some people that I would explain what I learned last week and why I did not post it.

My daughter does Public Relations for games. Last week she flew to Dallas to pitch her company to do pr for a new game that is targeted to "tweens" those that are too old for ToonTown and too young for WOW.

There was a a long discussion about VMK - her experience is totally through me - and she told me that VMK was closing soon

Reasons? They wanted to make money from the 50th celebration - they did.

They are no longer generating any revenues from VMK. Disney will not spend money on anything that does not earn them money.

I did not post this on Dis because it was secondhand information - and also I simply did not want to believe it.

I am beyond sad about this and will miss my friends so very much.

But I think this was in the air, with the closing of the VMK Central, taking VMK stuff out of the Movie Rewards thing - and Yavn way no longer involved!

Check out his blog if you like - he is so not involved with VMK anymore.

Sorry, I just did not want to be the "Voice of Doom"

 

[Roller Coaster Gal]

I am in utter shock. Today was the first day I said a cuss word aloud over VMK...
I will miss my friends the most...
I cried all night, and my Dad is sending an e-mail to VMK asking for his money back.
We spent hundreds of dollars on VMK pirate pin sets and Disney movies.
I sent an e-mail to VMK, and I'm calling them tomorrow...
there is no way this is happening...
this MUST be a nightmare...

 

[anya.sparrow]

Sorry, I did not read the rest of this thread; but I promised some people that I would explain what I learned last week and why I did not post it.

My daughter does Public Relations for games. Last week she flew to Dallas to pitch her company to do pr for a new game that is targeted to "tweens" those that are too old for ToonTown and too young for WOW.

There was a a long discussion about VMK - her experience is totally through me - and she told me that VMK was closing soon

Reasons? They wanted to make money from the 50th celebration - they did.

They are no longer generating any revenues from VMK. Disney will not spend money on anything that does not earn them money.

I did not post this on Dis because it was secondhand information - and also I simply did not want to believe it.

I am beyond sad about this and will miss my friends so very much.

But I think this was in the air, with the closing of the VMK Central, taking VMK stuff out of the Movie Rewards thing - and Yavn way no longer involved!

Check out his blog if you like - he is so not involved with VMK anymore.

Sorry, I just did not want to be the "Voice of Doom"

I totally understand you not wanting to share this information.

I just wanted to say that at least we know one TRUE wonderful real life thing came from VMK. You found your husband. I have not met you in game, but I did see the story of your wedding. If one of the only good things that came from VMK was you two finding each other, it is worth it. I am so happy for you. Hugs.

 

[Chedstro]

Thank you so very much, Anya. That was so sweet of you and made me feel a lot better tonight. Thanks

 

[Macca1111]

OMG!



I don't even have words to say.. I'm in total shock

That's my exact reaction. I can't believe it - how out of the blue and random. I'm really in shock and just keep repeating OMG OMG OMG.

 

[WDWLIGHTNINGZ]

No point in my trying to get credits for the items anymore. Think i'll try to log on for a bit each night to sit with friends.

 

[budcollector]

this totally sucks. the only good thing if you can call it is that i won't have to worry about what i missed when i go to disney the end of may. But what i don't get is that yavan says there gonna close but then he says there gonna come out with new stuff and things to do in the game, whats the point in coming out with new stuff if there gonna close ?? i've made some new friends and had fun in vmk.

 

[Arfy]

wow... i havent posted for A WHILE!... but it disappoints me that they are going to close my favorite online game. in the newsletter they said that VMK was only created as a launch for the 50th Celebration for DLR.. but i dont recall them mentioning this until now. and its interesting cause when the game First opened there was no in-park quests until like a few months after it came out of beta.. idk.. i really liked this game.. I met so many kind people. and i even found out a few people that live not too far from me. I met 2 of my best friends on this game.( dont worry all i know them in real thanks to vmk. did everything safe to meet them in real too. no worries) but i cant imagine what my life would be like if vmk was never created and i never had the chance to meet them.a few reasons i actually stayed apart of vmk was bc of my one friend always saying this is how we met. and i would return the favor later when he wanted to leave. I am glad that vmk was created... and truly dont recall it was a promotion for the 50th celebration. I had a slight feeling vmk wasnt going to last much longer after they started ReREleasing basically everything again. : ( I'll miss vmk a lot. and i really do wish it not to close and for people to fight for it to stay. I'd pay for vmk probably. depending...

-sigh-


~*ARFY*~