[queensmama]

For any VMKer's out there or Parents of VMKer's
Don't miss this important message from Yavn about the future of VMK.

I hope you're enjoying our Topsy Turvy ToonTown month. We've got more cool events on the way including chances to win 14-day unlimited trial memberships to ToonTown Online!

Topsy Turvy ToonTown month won't last forever – so get to building some Topsy Turvy Guest Rooms, Game Rooms and Quests!
Speaking of things lasting forever, recently several of you have been asking about how much longer VMK will last. Well today I have some news about our future.
As many of you know, Virtual Magic Kingdom was created and launched back in 2005 as part of the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Celebration. VMK exceeded expectations in terms of performance, and as a result we extended the promotion (that is, VMK, the game) well beyond the 50th Celebration.
Eventually though, all promotions must come to an end, so I'm announcing today that on May 21, 2008, VMK will open our virtual gates for the last time. You read that right: VMK was never intended to last forever we'll close the game for good at the end of day on May 21st, 2008.
This is not an April Fool's joke.
Now we understand this news may be upsetting to you but let me explain. Again, VMK was launched as part of Disneyland's 50th Celebration in 2005 and the game has lived well beyond the originally intended time it was planned to run.
Over time you've seen our in-Park presence and other parts of VMK go away. You may remember our V.I.P Tours at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, or our in-Park Quest. We didn't stop doing those things because we don't love the game or our Guests, but because the time to run those promotions ended.
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.
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.

Live the Legend! Play Pirates of the Caribbean Online!
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).
So what's going to happen to the VMK Staff when VMK closes? Well, we're all moving onto other projects here at Disney and positively looking ahead to the future. 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).
I know that this is sad news for you, but we're all thankful we've had the opportunity to enjoy the game for as long as we did. Just know there are even cooler things on the horizon ahead, for you as players and for us as game creators. So as my good friend Captain Jack Sparrow would say...
"Bring me that horizon!"
-Yavn
Questions? We've prepared this Q&A:
Why is this happening? Why are you closing Virtual Magic Kingdom?
As Yavn mentioned in the Newsletter, VMK was created and launched as part of a promotion to celebrate Disneyland's 50th Anniversary.
The game/promotion has ran well beyond the original time it was intended to.
When is the last time I can play?
The game will close at 10:00PM PST, Wednesday, May 21st, 2008.
Will I still be able to buy cards and pins in the Parks?
Yes, you can still buy VMK Cards and Pins at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Parks while supplies last but after May 21st, 2008 the codes will no longer work in the game.
What will happen to the game and the website?
The website will remain up for a few weeks to let people know what has happened, but you will not be able to log into the game after May 21th, 2008.
What will happen to all my virtual stuff in VMK?
Since the virtual items live only in VMK, you won't be able to access your VMK items or take them with you to another Disney Online Virtual World.

[queensmama]

I am devastated, as VMK has been a major part of my life for what seems like an eternity. I have made so many close friendships based on this game and I am gratefull for that, but come on Disney when did you lose your heart.

[wdwspider]

That game was so much more to so many. It wasn't a game, it was a way of life, an escape, a meeting ground, a magical location of fun, family, and friends. It was certainly a big part of my life for a while. It will be missed.

Here's hoping that VMK 2.0 will come some day with even bigger and better adventures.

[MissDisney]

Originally Posted by queensmama

I am devastated, as VMK has been a major part of my life for what seems like an eternity. I have made so many close friendships based on this game

I know you must be so sad about this! Sorry you'll be missing such a fun activity!!!

[Dopey]

Personally I think this is a bogus explanation Disney is trying to feed the players. They put wayyyyy too much effort and money into making this game what it is. They just could never iron out the bugs and it seems they are now dropping it all together.

[tigger]

I miss my days on VMK but I have a girl friend so I stopped going.

Sad to see that Disney isn't going to take this any further. I am sure it is pretty costly and probably doesn't have a good business model to support the cost and risk involved.

Maybe the will bring it back someday...

[wdwspider]

I'm sure they could have charge monthly dues and easily offset expense. It seemed like a great promotional tool as well.

-end business aspect talk-

[Goofy3230]

My kids are going to be devastated!

[MickeyMcFizzle]

Aw, thats too bad. I know it was very popular.

[Disney Dreamer]

I first found VMK when I needed someone the most. My husband had just been activated for a two year deployment with the Army, and I was home alone with our one year old son. VMK was my place to escape, have fun and Dream. I was able to get a little bit of that great feeling you get when at the Disney parks.That has been almost four years ago and VMK still gives me that great warm feeling. With its sights sounds and friendly players and staff. I don't get to go to WDW as often as I would like. I live at least thousand miles away in the mid-west. VMK was my way to be there at least in my mind a little more. I also very much enjoyed sharing it with my 4 year old son. VMK kept the Disney parks in my thoughts all ways, which meant I wanted to take my family there more often too. Now I do not now were or when I will be able to get my WDW fix. This saddens me very much. I also don't know how you give up such a great marketing tool. You had just as many adults with a true love and passion for Disney and VMK as well as kids. And we adults are the ones who took our kids to the parks to show them that it was all so a real magical place that you can also go to in person. So we could participate in the in park quest and buy the movies that offered codes for vmk . Please reconsider you decision!

[Jen]

I've taken a glance at VMK a few times, but never got into it...but I do know who popular it has been for many. I agree, it does sound like a pretty bogus reason for letting it go....

[Daisee]

My kids were on occasionally but not often enough to miss it.

[Screever]

I tried VMK for a week once, right after it came out, but it was incredibly time consuming! There was no way I could keep up and stay on top of life. I had to let it go...

But you know if they bring it back, they'll just charge you or something. I know Toontown ain't free...is Pirates playable by pay as well?

[queensmama]

You can play both Toontown and POTCO with free basic access.

[Campbell87]

Its sad to see the game go, I never got into it but my brother did at one time, he even got us on one of those VIP tours around MK which was a great laugh! I can't belive Disney is ending it, it definalty had alot more potential!