It's the sad truth. On May 21st, 2008, the time that it was supposed to close for the night, it will close forever. Here is the latest Yavn Speaks.


4/07/08 - Yavn Speaks: VMK CLOSES FOR GOOD!

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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.

I'm currently disgustued with Yavn.

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ahh, that stinks!

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I know, you wish you were as randomly awesome as me!

I KNOW!!! but i might like that cars thing if it's good

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Pikachu says Merry Christmas to all!

I don't think "Because it's a promotion" is a good reason to close down a site loved by thousands of players!

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This is soooooooo STUPID!!!!!! vmk cant close down!!!! its the greatest online game ever!
and notice that yavn says go play their other game wich you have to pay for!!!! That ws the best thing about vmk! it ws FREE!

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Nintendo For Ever!!!!!!!

Hello,

I know many of you are disappointed and sad about the recent announcement regarding the closing of VMK on May 21, 2008. Many other VMK players, including yourselves, are currently having mixed feelings about the decision by Disney. Below I will provide you with some information so that you can help try to save VMK as well as some friendly reminders.

First off, I would like to remind everyone posting that you must stay within the Be "Tween" Talk rules and guidelines. While you may feel it' s necessary to get angry and 'flame' or 'bash' on someone it is not allowed and you may receive an infraction and/or temporary ban. Also on a side note please watch the excessive use of punction, Thanks.


Now that's enough regarding the Be "Tween" Talk rules and guidelines for this post. I would like to move on to the currect situation in which VMK closes it's doors to thousands of players on May 21, 2008.


Everyone in VMK and whoever can make a difference by contacting Disney, but first make sure you have permission from an adult to do so. Please be formal while doing this and you may even want an adult or your parents to help you do so. Believe it or not if there are enough people to show Disney that VMK means a lot to so many people- there can really be some changes made.

On that note I would like to introduce you to a new website that was just made in support of keeping VMK alive. I, myself, am I supporter of this site and it is directly related to VMK. I would invite you to visit the site by clicking the following link to access the webpage: SAVE VMK TODAY!
Please take note of some things first-

1. This site is VMK Player-run.
2. This site is not in direct affiliation with Disney.
3. This site is here to help and make a difference.
4. This site is also Virus FREE (I ran a few scans on it) so it's safe for everyone!

Explore the following site to learn more about how you can make a difference. Please get permission from a parent or an adult before signing the petition and/or contacting Disney regarding VMK through Fax, e-mail, and/or phone.

Also before I end this post I would like to say THANKS to all those who put something special into VMK whether it be the Staff or the Players. I have had many great moments through my 2+ years playing VMK and watching it grow from the very beginning- these things will always be great memories to look back on.

Side Note: 'Yavn' is just the person that had to bring the news to VMK as he is mainly in charge of VMK overall. If anyone is to really blame for the closing of VMK it would be Disney itself, so contact Disney directly- not VMK.


Remember that every little thing counts, so stop complaining about just and start saving VMK today! If you have any questions or concerns regarding anything in the following post and/or the Save VMK Today! website; Please contact me via Private Message, Thanks!

-KT

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I think I'm gonna cry Cause I saved up ALL my credits for new stuff and i have ALL that rare and it isnt fair Plus im gonna lose all the friends I've had from day 1

God i wish this was an april fools joke!!!

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Never Regret Something That Once Made u Smile

Please refer to my post above or you can visit it single view HERE- I highly recommend that you read to understand more of the situation and what you can do to make a difference. If you have any questions or need help then please contact me via PM.

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have you checked the signatures? there is yavn,HOSTS,staff, Everybody plus its got 1946 signature!

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Pikachu says Merry Christmas to all!

Please remember that anyone can put any name they wish to use on the Signature portion of the Petition. I am sure some Staff may have signed the petition, but you can never be too certain

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