Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom to Close Doors

Disney has launched plenty of new virtual worlds since its early foray with Virtual Magic Kingdom, and now those new worlds will have to carry the load. On May 21, Disney is closing down Virtual Magic Kindgom. Launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in 2005, the virtual attraction saw strong enough numbers to keep it running for three unexpected years, but, as producer Seth "Yavn" Mendelsohn explained in a newsletter earlier this week, "the game has lived well beyond the originally intended time it was planned to run."

"At Disney we're still committed to building communities and online virtual worlds – and we're looking forward to providing you the opportunity to enjoy other exciting new experiences," Mendelsohn continued.

That's readily apparent. Disney plans to invest up to $100 million in 10 new virtual worlds, including one based on Cars to tie in to themed physical park expansions. Likewise, at the same time that Disney launched the virtual world, PIxie Hollow, for the Disney Fairies brand, and an accompanying series of toys, Clickables, it announced a new team dedicated to addressing virtual worlds.

The team is led by  SVP Steve Parkis, answers to EVP of DIsney Online Paul Yanover, and will include members from the team that created Disney.com XD, an interactive community, and Disney Online’s Virtual Reality Studio, the group behind ToonTown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online.

Will the VMK team find a new home there?

"Well, we're all moving onto other projects here at Disney and positively looking ahead to the future," explained Mendelsohn. "Me and a few other team members have already moved to other projects (but are still making sure VMK is running smoothly until it closes)."

The question always comes up at conferences, what happens when a world closes? Usually it gets laughed off--you wouldn't close down a successful world, and if it's unsuccessful, nobody cares--but as of two years ago VMK still had 1 million player characters (the most recent numbers I've seen). Now, according to the FAQ, those players and their items are finished: "Since the virtual items live in VMK, you won't be able to access your VMK items or take them with you to another Disney Online Virtual World."

If nothing else, it could make for a good case study. With that in mind, the forum where the newsletter is posted makes for interesting reading.

[via WorldsInMotion]

Comments

[Jegrezo]

This incredible community is a place where children and adults anonymously socialize side-by-side everyday, sharing laughter, tears, life stories, and friendships closer than imaginable. It is a special place where people connect in incredible ways. It is a place where kids and adults alike play, relax, and visit with friends everyday.

It’s a place that children with Asperger’s have found to be pivotal in helping them build social skills. Other parents of children with various illnesses have shared that in the real world other kids treat their sons or daughters as “weird or freaks,” while on VMK they have formed amazing friendship in which they are not subjected to these labels. Adults and children alike who are fighting cancer and other ailments have found this incredible place to be their escape.

As a married, 30-something, self-employed, college graduate trying to grow my small business, I start my day several times a week in this amazing place talking with a friend who is in Chicago about his day. Being a business owner himself, our friendship has not only provided the usual joys that accompany such a connection, but he also offers business advice, making our talks near-networking sessions.

When my Chicagoan friend gets called away by customers, I often remain in this incredible place, to visit with other friends that I have known for almost 3 years. I may share laughs with a young adult in the United Kingdom that I have found a unique connection with or maybe I will hear about the happenings of the day in the world of my of my teenage friend in Canada who manages to make me smile almost everyday with her kindness and light-hearted spirit. I am lucky to know her. Inevitably, adult friends who live from Neveda to New Jersey and have become great friends that I speak with everyday step in to join us during any of these visits and share in the laugher, advice, or random fun that may evolve. They are sunshine in my every day.

While Disney relied on this little Kingdom to generate revenue from Disney fans worldwide through related-product purchases (including trips to both WDW and Disneyland), what they did not count on is the amazing, unique, seemingly boundary-less friendships that would form and become a part of REAL people’s daily lives.

They did not count on adults who are bound to wheelchairs finding a virtual freedom like never before through their little game. They did not count on children battling cancer having 1,000s of people worldwide offering support, friendship, and laughter through their marketing mechanism.
They did not count on adults dealing with the struggles life can issue connecting with each other for daily laughter and escape through their little virtual world.

And earlier this week, when they announced that they were going to close the Virtual Magic Kingdom, leaving over 250,000 characters behind in a land that can never be visited again, they did not count on the fact that the real life humans behind those avatars would fight for life for their virtual counterparts. They didn’t count on 12 year olds asking 40 year olds on game-related message boards for assistance in writing a letter so they could share with anyone who would listen their desire to keep their favorite place on the internet alive.

They didn’t count on the fact that people will do amazing things to keep friendships that cannot exist elsewhere (due to their anonymous nature that keeps kids safe) alive by doing anything they can to try to stop the gates to the Virtual Magic Kingdom from locking at 10pm PST on May 21, 2008, including establishing an online petition at www.savevmk.com that would gather almost 4,500 signatures in less than 48 hours.

What can the consumers of a free online game do when an entertainment mogul decides to shutdown their Funville? Fight for its survival! Why did Disney not offer its players at pay-to-play option? Why do they offer this for other on-line games but not for the Virtual Magic Kingdom? Why do they not see the amazing power and almost unbelievable affects that their little virtual world has on the human spirit of people of all ages, nationalities, and genders worldwide? Why do they not understand that in the midst of their Year of a Million Dreams, incredible dreams are happening everyday by fellow human beings at vmk.com?

Disney has reportedly turned down the offer to speak with news agencies that have attempted to ask about this. For the children that find an unheard of confidence in VMK, for the adults that find unique connections with peers that they would otherwise not know exist, for anyone that has ever shared a smile with someone on the other side of the planet through this incredible place, please, help us show this entertainment giant that their little Virtual Magic Kingdom is worth saving.

There are real people behind the 250,000 virtual avatars that are fighting for their ability to continue to bring smiles and joy to many real people worldwide. If only Disney would let them.

Why pour all the money into new worlds when you have an amazing Kingdom that is loved my many every day?

Sincerely,
Jegrezo

P.S. If nothing above moves you to feel that this human interest story is anything more than the closing of yet another online game, allow me to leave you with a direct quote of an entry from the online journal of an 11 year old VMK player has Spinal Muscular Atrophy which controls voluntary movements, such as crawling, walking, swallowing and breathing:

“My favorite web site, Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) is closing May 21st. I'm sad and MAD! I can't live without my friends on VMK. PLEASE sign my guestbook like a petition to SAVE VMK for me and my friends. Pass my site on to everyone you know so they can help too. I love VMK cause I can WALK, TALK, EAT, DANCE, SHOP and play checkers all by myself.

PLEASE HELP ME!

Love,
Madison
p.s. VMK is GERM FREE too!
p.s.s. and no one stares at me there.”
(source: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madisonreed)

[angela]

I am writing today, to express my disappointment and sadness I am feeling with the recent news of VMK closing as of May 21st. VMK is a place where fans of all ages can gather and share one common love that is in fact Disney. We've grown up with the movies, the characters, the park experiences and now more then ever do we need a place to escape to. With so much negativity in today's society and in our world in general, we need that place where we feel safe.
With VMK gone where do we turn? Sure we can turn ToonTown, Club Penguins and even Pirates Online, but the truth is, we all want to be a little selfish; we all want that great feeling that only vmk can provide us with. What is lacking in Toon Town, or POTC, or Fairies, or Cars...etc Is the magic of the Disney Theme Parks. VMK has it all, actual replicas of the parks, pin trading, character themed rides and clothing. This is a truly magical experience, inside the park and online. Toon Town and the rest of those games have no ability to adapt or change. If you wanted anything other than pirates, you wouldn't play Pirates of the Caribbean Online. VMK has the uncanny ability to adapt and promote whatever they like. Any new features that Disney wants to push can be viewed through VMK.
I was amazed when I saw VMK for the first time by how real the experience came to be. That was added to the multiple friends someone can make to enrich the experience.
VMK has been an oasis for kids of all ages, standing alone amongst adult themed websites. It brings families and friends together despite barriers of distance, economics, race, disability, or religion. We are all sharing the magic together and that is what matters!
The magic that we all get at the parks when we go can only be described as unforgettable and if Disney can create something that lets us relive those moments when we are unable to attend the parks, then they would be foolish to let it go so easily. What I don't think the members of the above company understand is that is exactly what has been created, a magical experience that not I or anyone else who is a Disney fanatic is ready to give up. Nearly everyone who plays VMK currently is willing to pay to keep it open; the only ones who would not are those who can not afford it. There is such an out pouring of sentiment about this issue on various sites dedicated to keeping VMK alive.

[Allison]

When I first heard about VMK I was literaly in shock. I was thinking "how in the world could they do this!" As posted before VMK is not just some promotional game, it's a little community where Disney fans from all over the world come to talk, play, and trade. VMK means something VERY special in my heart. It's more like my second home since I've spent so much of my time and effort into that game. VMK always found a way to cheer me up when I was feeling down. Chatting with my virtual buddies felt like I was right at the Magic Kingdom and right there beside them.
VMK is magical and what about the kids who are too poor or too sick to go to the real Disney Parks? VMK provided all of that with just the click of a mouse. To see it thrown away just like that is heart-wrenching.
Disney, if there is ANY way please keep VMK alive for future generations. Think of all the happy children and parents there will be if they saw that VMK was not closing down. What would Walt Disney do? The whole theme of Disney is bringing fun and magic into people's lives. VMK did just that! Long live VMK!

[Sheree]

I am so dissappointed that disney has decided to close it's vmk virtual world. I might not have played since opening, but the time I have played is so precious and wonderful. None of these other new endeavors can compare to the wonderful time that has been spent on vmk. Times shared with friends, playing games related to the parks. As far as I have seen it is a experience that allows you to visit the parks when you can't make it to the real parks. All of the other "new" disney games are not connected and more specific to just one aspect of the parks. Why be a fairy, car, penguin or a toon when vmk has a character that I can make to be more like the real me?

My whole family is in disbelief. I wish Disney would reconsider and allow us to keep our virtual world!

[Dan]

VMK was the best online community I have ever seen. People were always helping each other. There were many friends to be made in this "game".
I do not believe VMK was just a game or a promotion. It was a online community of friends. To me it wasn't all about the items. It was about the friends.
VMK does not care about what we have to say about the closure.

[Kelly]

I'm in graduate school and still (barely) hanging on to my early 20s, and yet there are very few hobbies in life that I enjoy more than VMK, a truly magical Virtual Magic Kingdom.

Since I began playing the game in November 2005, I have become more of a Disney fan. It has helped me have fond memories of the parks during the long time periods between trips, but it has also made me miss WDW more and made me want to make more frequent trips there. I had been eagerly hoping for more real VMK pin box sets, since I collect the VMK cards and items, and am a burgeoning real life pin collector too. There are so many financial opportunities for Disney in this game, and many of its players are happy to spend money on things related to it. Myself and my family included! If only we could be given the opportunity once more.

There were no words to describe how I felt when my little character stood next to the "Partners" statue of Walt and Mickey for the first time. I got chills, much like I did when I was able to sit under a portrait of the wonderful Mr. Disney in a Club 33 room preview. Walt Disney is one of my heroes. He was an innovator, a genius, and a true magic maker. He thought of families first. VMK is a true family game, where people of all ages can come together and learn, laugh, and have fun.

The fireworks in WDW make me cry happy tears every time, and in this game I am able to play a fireworks game and use fireworks magic. I can dress like a princess like I did on Halloweens as a child. I was so excited when I traded for a "Belle dress" (yellow princess outfit); as a lifelong bookworm, I always most identified with her character and have fond memories of seeing the movie when I was 9 years old. In VMK, I can go visit my favorite Disney character, Donald Duck, in a Central Plaza shop window. I can play Haunted Mansion and love it, even though I'm still too much of a scaredy cat to ride the ride. I can hang out in the Castle Suite room I won, taking comfort in knowing that while I'll probably never win a night's stay in the real version, at least I have my own little virtual version. More importantly, I can forget about the real world for a while and just have fun with friends and games, and have a chance to live inside the Magic of Disney. I have been playing for over two and a half years now, and it never gets old. The magic is still there, if only it would be allowed to continue. I have made so many wonderful friends in game who share my love for Disney and love for all of the things good in the world. I will not just be losing a game when this closes, but I will be losing people I consider dear, dear friends. This is true for most of us in the game.

In VMK, I can be a person with no real problems, no real worries other than how to earn the credits I need to buy the new items. It embodies the Disney magic in so many ways, especially the wonderful Hosts such as Hula, Phinny, and Lily. Most of my Host events have been with Hula and Fin, and I think so highly of both of them. Every staff member I have ever encountered, and especially these three, really seem to care about us the players. I personally feel Walt would be very proud of each of them as they truly embody the Disney magic. Many of us are heartbroken at losing them as well, people we have come to know and love over the years.

VMK is much more than a mere game. It is an experience, a community, a magical extension of Walt's Magic Kingdom. I pray that it will not go away. It will leave a huge hole in my heart that no game, Disney or not, will ever fill.

[VMK player]

It is a sad sad day when the powers that be think that no one cares when thousands of kids lose their favorite hobby, their favorite place to connect with friends. You cannot replace the magical feelings these children have felt while playing this wonderful game that represents all things Disney with games that are promotion specific. What I mean is that VMK has the capability to promote every aspect of Disney; the parks; the movies; the pins; and almost all of the products in some way. These new games and worlds are specific to only one aspect of Disney. Cars online, Fairies, and even POTC Online can only promote that one aspect. Why would Disney purposely remove something that so obviously has so much potential to be HUGE to try to replace it with games and worlds that have such limited potential? VMK already has a Huge, loyal fan base. It already has unlimited promotional potential. It has already caused many people to visit the parks, buy the movies, and buy Disney products. Was this decision made because Disney believes that no one would pay to play this game? That seems to be the case, since they are pushing everyone to pay for games that are only about one small part of Disney. None of these new games will give anyone that complete Disney experience the way VMK does. Yet, we were never even offered the option to pay to play. This doesn't make any sense. As I read above, Disney is spending $100 million on new virtual games that do not have the unlimited potential or the established fan base that VMK has. This seems like it should a common sense decision to me - go with what works! Build on what you have, there is no need to start over.
This little world is not so little - As stated above, there are close to a million characters, and we have recently been told by some staff of VMK that there are about 250,000 active players. The decision to close this "little world" will effect thousands of children and thousands of adults. This community means so very much to so, so many people. People with illnesses that limit their social abilities, people who live far away from each other, people - real people that have found a virtual way of staying in contact in ways that no other game offers. The players of VMK are like no others. Most of them are wonderful, caring, giving people that share a love for the Disney Magic. Everyone of the players share a common thread, something that brings them all together - a love for Disney. Where else in the real world or any virtual one, can you find a place where everyone has a common love? No where. This game has helped so many children and people of all ages connect in ways they never would have anywhere else. In VMK we are all kids (even if we aren't), we are all healthy, and we can all play together. There is no age, there is no color, there is no illness. In VMK we are all equal. You cannot find another family friendly, safe environment online anywhere else that can bring so many people together in so many ways. VMK is the only place that can do all of these things. If Walt Disney could see what the loss of this game is doing to so many people, he would never allow it. What happened to Disney magic? Disney is taking it away.

[LuckyRetroDesi]

So this promotion has ended is the reason/excuse they are using to justify closing VMK? Are they going to discontinue promoting the theme parks too? I have never heard of discontinuing something as successful as VMK.

[Jennifer]

Since it's announcement there has been a crying out from the kids and adults to allow the site to remain open. Young and old have bonded together in a common cause to save the site from being closed down. Online petitions have had over 4,500 signatures in the short time since the announcement. Countless e-mail and phone calls to Disney have remained unanswered or been told there is nothing that can be done. It has been sad that adults have gone to CNN and tried to get them to run a short story about it but when Disney refused to comment CNN saw no point in trying to run it. Fan based sites are buzzing with activity trying every possible angle to help.

You see VMK is more then a simple online game. VMK is a community of friends and yes even family that enjoy the magic Walt Disney inspired. Yes there are games to play but for the most part this has been an escape from the real world troubles many of us seek refuge from. Here nobody is judged for their appearance, disabilities, race, or age. We are friends all seeking support, love, and understanding. We help each other in times of need. We share in the simple joys life can bring us. We care for each other. So while yes this is a game, Disney fails to realize it has grown way beyond that. Shutting the doors is absolutely heart-wrenching for all of us.

My family, 2 children and I, have been playing a little over 2 years now. As I sit and hold them while they sob at each goodbye to friends they will never have a chance to talk to again I wonder why? Why is Disney doing this to all the countless children around the world. Are their hearts that cold that they don't hear these kids screaming out? Do they not understand the anguish they are putting these kids through? So many broken hearts, so many countless tears shed, and all to blame on Disney. The one place in this world where dreams are supposed to come true. My kids dreams never included this much heartache. Tomorrow will be another day of tears and sadness. Another day of hugging them while they sob on my shoulder. All I can do is try to tell them that it will all be ok, while inside my own heart breaks in two.

As an adult who suffers from severe depression, anxiety attacks, and post traumatic stress this is the one true place I can forget my troubles. Here my friends unknowingly have provided the love and laughter I needed to make it through my darkest hours when I had nowhere else to turn to. When closing comes each night and we've danced our final dance of the day, exchanged out hugs with wishes of sweet dreams, I sit back and dream. No nightmares for me then.. I dream. Dream of what surprises await me the next day, maybe designing a new room to share some fun in with my friends, dream of the fun times we have had and more that have yet to come. Those dreams came to an end this week.

Our family's hearts are saddened. There is no joy here now. No buzz of excitement as a special host event time draws near. Now our home is filled with quiet dread. Each of us knows that tomorrow will bring more sadness but still we sign on to be there for our friends. To share in the last remaining few happy moments, to quietly sit with our friend knowing that they are shedding tears of heartache, to dance our last dances with dear friends we will never meet.

Disney I beg and plead of you, please change you mind. Please bring back the happiness and dreams of countless children both young in body and at heart. Don't turn your backs on us. Cant you hear us crying?

[Amie Lloyd]

I don't have anything eloquent to say right now. This is because of my exhaustion from holding my son and comforting him last night as his heart broke and he cried himself to sleep. He is devastated to lose his friends and all of the items that he worked so hard for, and which he truly does cherish.

Somehow, I don't think this was what Walt had in mind.

Anyone who hasn't played VMK can't understand the emotional ties that develop. I realize that. But it surely must be apparent that something wonderful is going away, to have so many people this upset over losing it. Please help us save VMK.

[Mrs. B]

VMK is the only online game where a kid or adult can be a kid. Not an animal, not a cartoon character, and not have to fight.

For kids who have ailments or social problems, this has created an outlet for them to be themselves. As you can see in Madison's online journal, this is where she can Walk, Talk, Dance, and play checkers. Not only that, she can get to be a beatutiful princess who gets to walk around her kingdom on a daily basis. Yes, a kid who gets to visit the Disney's Magical Kingdom virtually everday. How can that disappear? How can a virtual version of a real life park that has served many for over 50 years decide to go away. It's a win win situation for both the players and Disney if the right marketing goes into it. Please Disney reconsider, let children who otherwise cant do the things we take for granted in real life continue to have that advantage to do it in VMK.

[MagicalLadee/ Jamie]

It's good to see we are making a difference. Children need this site. Please, don't close VMK. I beg you.

[M.G. Gray]

Although Disney's other online games run the gamut from cute to immersive experiences, these are all niche games that appeal to certain ages or playing styles. Only VMK served as a common game for all ages, genders, and playing ability. Just as families can enjoy the real Disney parks together, so can they experience the online game together. Whatever magic sets the Disney parks above their competition, VMK is infused with that same kind of pixie dust so that it trancends a simple little online game. This is no simple cookie cutter type of static artwork that most "promotional" games use. This had as much beauty and depth as any decent animated film. The interations, the game play...all are top-notch.

It is with sorrow that I see this game close for it is the only online game that all members of my family have enjoyed together. Guess we'll all have to go our separate ways online since none of the other games support the diversity of age or interest as does VMK. Since Disney is allocating budget to online games for which they charge membership fees, I remain puzzled as to why, what should be their flagship game, is going to be shut down and the community that has grown there will be displaced to there games. It seems a simple matter to simply start charging membership fees in line with other games to support VMK if that is the problem rather than spend money developing new games that may or may not appeal to potential players.

[Ruth]

There is no place on the big World Wide Web like this game.

I have been struggling these last few days to figure out why no other game will work for me. There might be one out there but I know it is not Disney.

Many of us dream of being a cast member (to work for Disney) to be a part of the magic; that Disney creates. Well reality for most; it is just not possible.

In VMK we got to live out that dream. We could be virtual Disney ambassadors. What do I love about VMK? It not the things, not the games not even building rooms. But all those things are a means to do what I enjoy the most. Spreading pixie dust. Maybe I have had the most aweful day and going on VMK helping another always lifts my spirit. Gifting new guest a real Mickey hat or a princess crown instead of the goofy many newbie's wear made them feel special

To knowing a kid is hurting from the lost of some one close, fighting cancer there are many on VMK. To the kids with different forms of Autism. That many of us worked so hard to help. They have learn social skills on VMK. So after two years they were doing well themselves.

These kids have no real friends outside of VMK. But for the first time in their lives the do in Virtual magic Kigdom. What an amazing gift Disney gave these families. They are not laughed at, they can social at their ouwn comfort. They have a constent in their lives.

Being able to help a friend and say encouraging words when you hear they are having a bad day. Many many I am sure would go to sleep with happy hearts.

Or being on the receiving end and having many friends come and say I'll help, you can do it, hang in there. Telling funny jokes to the point you are laughing so hard tears run down your face.

So many Disney fans going the extra mile to bring so many smiles to others on VMK. That is what VMK meant to me. Now I could still make a difference in others lives but it is just not the same. We all know it.

I do not know much about computer games. But no one has suggested any game that we can do this in. In the real world we spend so much time worrying about things, pressures and stresses. The Little Virtual Community that we built is a haven for the weary.

I think back to the quest. What awesome friendship we formed of the years. To me that is what stood out. People treat their character as little extensions of themselves. We all knew this and thus reach out over and over to help friends and families. For me it was not for the prize. It was saying wow I beat the impossible quest. Doing it with friends made the finish even more rewarding. To a lot of people their character is their mini me. How they talk, what they feel is an extension of themselves. That is the issue to many. That is why the deep pain I think.

I hope we can save VMK but if not I hope someone will see what I think Disney missed. They create a niche, that no one had done successfully. It could really have been so much more. From what the original vision was. A great marketing tool. Unfortunately our little mini mes are not papers of advertising that can me thrown out, commercials we can skip over. This 50th Anniversary of DRL site grew in to a wonderful journey of people in many continents of different faiths, color, age and race. "Our own version of a Small World" Sharing the Disney magic each day of the week. I have more friends around the world than I ever had.

Hugs to all the wonderful caring friends I have made.

Special Note. When I started playing VMK I was a healthy person. A year later my own world crashed down when I lost the ability to walk. And thus my battle with MS began. My world got very small after that, but in VMK my disease does not exist, and my love of Disney has flourished.

I may be just a virtual character in a game to Disney. But this virtual character is crying real tears. I never thought the word Disney could bring so much heart ache to thousands of people mostly kids that need this place.

I do not think they understood what they created when they built VMK, I do not think they realized the great need they were filling when they decided to close the door to VMK. To them it was just another video game.

But as you can see it is not. A diamond in the rough, a place were dreams really do come true. A place if disney does not change its decision will be a place where it broken too many kids and families dreams. For a year of an million dreams in one push of a button they will have destroyed just as many.

Can someone tell me where in this big great web can I find a place like this again?

[VirtuallyMe]

I am so sadden by the announcement of the closing of vmk. It is more than a promotion to me it is a family or a community.

I first started playing VMK in the summer of 2005. My husband and youngest daughter played and once I saw the fun of all being online and playing together- I joined in too. My then 1yo son loved watching us play and would point to things he wanted to see us do again and again.

At the end of this summer tragedy struck in the form of Hurricane Katrina- destroying my husband's boyhood home and throwing his family into disaray. He used VMK as his escape- his piece of Disney Magic to take his mind off of the insanity happening in New Orleans. He was able to laugh and smile with the friends he made there and forget for a few minutes.

A month later- Hurricane Rita strikes and our family is evacuated. Unsure of what would remain of our home, schools, or jobs on return- but while away we had one constant- VMK- we could log in and we could see our friends and our little VMK home...

Fastforward through many months of playing in team competitions to build rooms, games, and rides- and the friendships I developed with other adults was great. The game expanded beyond something for my family to share with each other to another group of friends that I met in the game- who became a support and relief and people to laugh, smile and sometimes even cry with. In Summer of 2006 my oldest son got sick and the support I got from my VMK friends helped to get me through it.

More recently my youngest daughter had an infection of her brain. She spent one month in the hospital on the other side of the state from where we lived. My VMK friends sent her cards, notes and well-wishes that kept her spirits up. They also made sure her little VMK character would receive all the items our family was missing and then some. When she was released from the hospital she still had another month of recovery and antibiotic therapy at home where her visitation was limited. VMK served as her way to "play with friends." She could talk and visit with the kids and adults there without fear of germs causing any relapse to her illness.

And most recently- my son who first "played" vmk on the laps of my husband and I, can now play all by himself. He is 3 1/2 and can travel around the worlds of Virtual Magic Kingdom. This little boy is one of the biggest Disney fans I know and he has never been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort- but he is able to visit them virtually any day he wants to "play my favorite game."

I dread the day he goes to log into the game and it just isn't there. My husband and I and even my 10yo daughter can comprehend the idea of the game closing- I'm not sure his little mind will wrap around the concept.

I have looked at the pay to play games that were suggested by yavn in the newsletter. None have the same feel as VMK. They do not have that Disney magic that attracted my family. I would much rather my three year old son explore a game that valued team work and didn't stress fighting and gambling. VMK provided a safe and friendly environment that I felt was safe for my children in the world of hidden dangers. Unfortunately, I have yet to find an alternative.

I will miss vmk and my little doses of pixie dust. It will make those distant trips to the real parks all the more distant. I do know I will not lose all of my friends though- they are still my family.

[Karen]

Hello, I am writing to show my opposition to Disney’s decision to close the Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK.) I hope to show, through this letter, exactly what VMK means to me, and show how VMK has financially intervened into my life.
Life doesn’t always deal you a great hand. We’ve all been there, and hopefully learned from our shortfalls and losses. During the ebb and flow, I discovered VMK. VMK has become my “happy place.” I get excited to sign on each day and chat with thousands of other Disney lovers all over the world! We have a common interest in all things Disney. I turn to Disney for my online community, my virtual friends and I share laughter and tears. And I thank Disney for creating this amazing visual interactive site. VMK appeals to almost everyone! If I am not chatting with my friends, I am challenging myself at arcade style games, or expressing myself by creating works of art in my guest rooms. I am an elementary school teacher, and I enjoy “meeting” my students after school for some VMK fun! VMK has brought my closer to my students by creating a connection I could never achieve in the classroom.

Without VMK, I would not have taken advantage of your successful Disney Movie Rewards site. Because of the inclusion of virtual prizes, I have spent nearly $200.00 on Disney DVDs and BluRay discs over the past year. The virtual VMK prizes motivated me to ask friends and family to purchase Disney movies whenever possible!

Without VMK, I would not have planned a family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. VMK offered in-park quests to explore the Magic Kingdom and earn virtual rewards. My family and I had a blast filling out the quest cards and redeeming our prizes. That vacation cost roughly $2500.00 and could have easily been spent somewhere else.

Without VMK, I would not have ordered Disney Pirate Pin sets. These special pin packs included beautifully created pirate theme pins featuring Disney characters, but also a special code to redeem for VMK virtual prizes. Each pirate pin set cost $15.00, and I have ordered at least five.

Without VMK, I would not have explored your sister site Club Penguin. I choose to pay for this site in order to have access to all of the items available. This pay to play game has cost me nearly $120.00 over the past two years. My penguin character JackieFrost has brought many friends from Club Penguin to VMK.

Without VMK, I would not have discovered Disney Edition Hyperion Books. Titles such as Kingdom Keeper and the Peter and the Star Catcher series have drawn me in with their fantastical writing style. I have purchased additional copies to share with family members and students in my classroom. That’s a total of roughly $70.00 in books so far!

That is nearly $3000.00 spent on Disney trips and merchandise because of VMK!
And I am just one person!

Losing VMK on May 21st would be a tremendous blow to your Disney fan base.

Don’t take away our Virtual Magic Kingdom.

Ask the members of VMK… WE WILL PAY TO PLAY VMK!

Give us the option, you won’t be
disappointed.

4th Grade Teacher and avid Disney fan

[Anony]

250,000 that's an inflated number that would include a lot of mules.
All the kids can thank the adults that did nothing but complain over VIRTUAL items. It started with the gingerbread contest.

You actually want Yavn or Disney to keep vmk open as a pay site? Think your demands are high now, what would you expect if you were paying for vmk?

[May]

I am a 30+ mom with for teenage children. We missed the Beta days of VMK by just a month. Before VMK we used to play another online game but because of the unrestricted language dictionary I quickly prohibited my kids from getting on that site. Even though we have fun and exasperating memories of the VMK dictionary, we are glad to have it. VMK is the 1 place I can allow my children to go and know they are relatively safe. We have made so many dear friends. These friends were there late at night and early in the day when I lost my dad to cancer. They were there and offered support during the months I had to care for him. My friends on VMK were there and understood what I was going through when my mom had a stroke and I had to leave in the middle of a mini-game to help care for her. My older friends, my young friends, my teen friends, and my peers are there always willing to help with day to day issues. Those who want to close VMK do not realise just how much magic VMK brings to everyday people. They don't realise that on VMK everyone is equal. There is no " better than you". No bias because of how you look or talk or any other limitations you might have. Please please keep our little part of the Disney magic alive. Perhaps it would be good for them to remember the lyrics " When you wish upon a star.. makes no difference who you are... " Disney based his worlds on the Magic of imagination. I can not imagine him allowing something like closing down a virtual community to happen. Not when it is robbing so many of resource to imagine and share their magic with the world.

[A Dedicated VMK Player]

I cannot find the words to say what I truly feel, other than to say I am very disappointed.

This is like closing down the park...only the virtual one. If they would have just made this pay-to-play instead of buying that wretched Penguin game...

I am so upset I cannot even type. Maybe I will come back later............

[HeartbrokenAtDLR]

My husband and I joined VMK a month after we bought an annual pass to Disneyland for the 50th Celebration. We had never had a pass before but had been to Disneyland at least once a year. We loved VMK right away, we had fun doing the in park quests and taking the tour but even more liked meeting new people. We met and made friends with people on the game and in innovations while playing VMK. One couple we met have become close friends of ours and I would not trade that for anything! When the time came for us to renew our pass we did renew because of VMK and the friends we had made. We are now on our third year of having a pass. We were so sad when the tour and then the quests went away but we renewed because we love Disneyland and meeting up with our new friends there. I consider my friends my "VMK Family", without them I would not have gotten through so many things in my life. They are there to comfort and support me, celebrate and cry with me. Though I will be able to continue many friendships out side of VMK there are many people I know in VMK that I talk with that I do not want to lose touch with. VMK has always been a safe place to go and play fun games, create a cool room and chat with good friends.
I have met some amazing people battling cancer and other illnesses. VMK has been their safe harbor for fun when having fun in the "real world" is not possible. One such friend called me on the day of the announcement that VMK would be closing. My friend was heartbroken and tearful my heart broke as I listened to her cry.
I am saddened and heart broken that VMK will be taken away from us. Sure we complain from time to time but at the end of the day the fact remains that VMK is home to so many, young and young at heart. I hope and pray that the powers that be will reconsider or at least give us a pay for play version. I for one would be one of the first to sign up!
Signed,
HeartbrokenAtDLR