Newsletter 21 May 2007

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Yavn Speaks!

UPDATE! It's time for another edition of Yavn Speaks, this week some major VMK news so fasten your seat belts.

You Came and You Played

I hope you're enjoying the new Pirates of the Caribbean Quest, and the rewards of multiple Quest completion – we've had a lot of fun creating these in-Park Quests but as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end… so it's with a heartfelt sigh that I announce the in-Park Questing portion of VMK will be ending at Disneyland on June 3rd, 2007. Yep, when the Park closes on Sunday night, June 3rd, VMK Central will close and no longer redeem any Quest or distribute Rewards.

So hold on, before you start sending me and the Walt Disney Company hate mail, let me explain why this is happening. First of all, I'm sure many of you will remember the VMK Tour, the Fantasyland Quest and other VMK in-Park Quest and Rewards – then you'll remember that we've continued to change the way the program has run over time. Secondly, the in-Park Quest and Rewards were only meant to be temporary – in fact, we've gone well beyond the original time we planned to run the Quest and Rewards in-Park at Disneyland.

The game is still enormously successful and continues to run strong – and you'll still be able to Quest in-Park at Walt Disney World – but VMK, like Disneyland and our other Parks is constantly changing. Our thanks go out to all the Players and Cast Members that have supported the program over the last few years – and remember we will still continue the in-Park Quest and Rewards program at Walt Disney World.

I'm sure you have questions, that's why I've prepared this handy Q&A:

Why is this happening?

VMK was launched for the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland. The game has been enormously successful but the in-Park Quest and Rewards were only meant to be temporary – we've gone well beyond the original time we planned to run the Quest and Rewards in-Park at Disneyland.

Can I turn in Quest to Disneyland after VMK Central is gone?

No.

Can I take my Disneyland Quest to Walt Disney World?

No. Walt Disney World doesn't have the same rewards or a system in place to take the Disneyland Quest.

When is the last day I can play or redeem a Quest at Disneyland?

The last day you can play or redeem a Quest at Disneyland is June 3rd.

So I won't be able to get any more VMK Cards at Disneyland?

The regular Reward Cards that you receive as prizes for completing Quest won't be available after June 3rd, but there will still be select merchandise locations (like The Magic Shop on Main Street) that will have merchandise cards (like the Magic Mirror) available at those locations. Look for more announcements related to this program in the future.

Does this mean VMK is going to end?

No. The game continues going strong – and we've got some exciting additions coming in the next few months – so stay tuned! Plus, you can still go Questing in-Park at Walt Disney World.

Your Comments – Answered

Did you notice that the reward for the print-from-home Tomorrowland Quest, the Inner-Space Suit Magic Spell is now non-tradable? Or how about that you can now nominate a Best Game/Quest or Guest Room? Just click Contact Us (located at the bottom of any VMK webpage) follow the prompts, and then select 'Nominate the Best' from the list of options. These are changes we making in response to your suggestions to make VMK better!

I should also remind you that we're still deleting accounts – so if you've got a VMK account that hasn't been played in a while, you should log on to keep the account active. Once we delete accounts there's no way we can recover your character or your stuff, so stay connected and keep your account VMK live.

One more thing to mention – we aren't taking any applications for Community Leaders right now. If you see a new Community Leader that application came from a pool of applications that were taken before we stopped taking CL applications.

Community Reminder

From 13 March

Remember, it's against the VMK Values to create or open ANY type of 'relationship' room (rooms that include words like 'meet,' 'pick,' 'get,' 'find,' 'have,' 'taken,' etc.) in VMK. You'll be warned and possibly banned for opening any type of room that promotes this activity.

For more information or a reminder of what's acceptable in VMK refer to the VMK Values page.

Account Problems

Added on 18 May 2007

Have you tired logging into VMK after a few months only to find your VMK account has been deleted?

Because of the size of our community we have to delete accounts that are inactive for more than 6 months to make room for new players - so if you haven't played in a while, be sure to log in every now and then (even if just for a few minutes) and keep your account active!

Pirates 101

Raise your flag and prepare to set sail, tis time to learn the ways of the pirate.

Ahoy mateys! Ye comes seeking adventure and salty old pirates, aye? Then you've come to the proper place – it's Pirates month in VMK!

Talk like a Pirate

Not only do pirates have a mind of their own, they have their own language too! Now you can tell your own pirate tales (in pirate speak, of course) with this handy guide!

Arrgh!: An exclamation of disappointment or anger. Ex: "Arrgh! You dropped that cannonball on me little pinky toe!

Avast, Ahoy: Used as a greeting, how pirates say hello. Ex: "Avast matey! Have you seen the peg leg I lost in Tortuga?"

Shiver me timbers!: Surprise or astonishment. (Shivers were what pirates called small splinters of wood &ndash' so if a ship was being blown apart, a pirate captain might yell something like, "Shiver me timbers! He's got us cornered!") Ex: "Shiver me timbers! All the treasure be gone like the wind!"

Mate, Matey: Pirate for pal or friend. Ex: "Ahoy, matey! Charlie found the compass in the apple barrel! Now we can plot a course home!"

Pieces of Eight: These Spanish silver coins were used as currency by pirates. They got the name 'Pieces of Eight' because occasionally pirates would take one of these coins and divide or cut into eight smaller pieces. Ex: "I traded a pig for these shiny Pieces of Eight."

The Jolly Roger

The flag of Captain Jack Rackham – flown during the golden age of piracy.

When a pirate's path crosses another ship it's time to raise the black flag – the skull and crossbones that is – the flag signals the pirate's intent to board a ship. It's meant to strike fear in the hearts of weak and weary sailors and some ships will surrender at the very sight of it!

Look here each and every week for more pirate info!

Event Info

Host Event Highlights – This weekend! May 19, 20th

Pirate Fun Days Every Thursday

Pirates Quest May 21–31st

NEW! Room Makeovers Every Tuesday and Thursday

Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.

Host Event Highlights – this weekend!

Saturday – Spin for Pirate Treasure in Host_Hula's room. Sunday – Test your knowledge in Host_Phinny's Quest for Aztec Gold.

Pirate Fun Days

Every Thursday

Arrgh! We know how much you scallywags love VMK's Pirates of the Caribbean game - so we decided to give you a special treat! This month only, if you play either Pirates of the Caribbean game (Capture the Flag or Ship Battle) and are on the winning team – your winning game credits (not your individual score) will be doubled! Play every Thursday and good luck matey!

Pirates Quest

May 21–31st

Celebrate Pirate Month in-game with a Pirate Quest fit for any Captain! Aye, thar be trivia from both Pirates of the Caribbean movies, plus additional pirate trivia. Think you know a parrot from a peg-leg? Arrgh, then test yer wits - and for your efforts, thar be a fine prize given to the ones that complete the Quest!

Room Makeovers

Each week we select two lucky VMK'ers at random for a Room Makeover, then we turn our talented team of Room Designers loose to review each room and put thier design skills to work! We post the results here, including BEFORE and AFTER pics - plus tips you can use to make your own rooms better!

Submit your room for a Makeover using Contact Us.

Winners this week: MyHoneyBunny and BlueMermaidAriel

Let's take a look at this week's rooms - and now with our first Room Makeover this week, here's HOST_Sparky:

HOST_Sparky

I met MyHoneyBunny in his Caribbean Town Square and heard his idea for a room - he wanted to make a Pirate Council Room where he and all of his pirate friends could gather around a table and discuss the fate of piracy, just like in the new movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Since it's Pirates month in VMK, I knew I had to help him out!

We started by putting together 10 Pirate Map Tables and an assortment of Pirate Thrones. To make it look like there were ships docked outside, we built a wall and positioned Galleon Ship Masts on Coffee Table Crates so they would peek over the top of the wall. No pirate cove is complete without a mountain of treasure, so we stacked more Coffee Table Crates (they always come in handy) and placed Pirate Treasure Chests of different colors around them.

Finally, we added some Pirate Treasure Rugs so it looks like treasure is spilling out of the chests and onto the floor. For seating, we placed Crows Nest Barstools (of course) along the wall. A Well Chair, a Pirate Player Piano, and two Skeletons at the Helm to guard the door made the room complete! Arrgh! Tis a room fit for any parrot or pirate!

BEFORE. A ransacked village.

AFTER. The Pirate Council has formed.

Ahoy MyHoneyBunny! Thanks for the inspiration and keep the pirate spirit alive!

- HOST_Sparky

And now another Room Makeover by HOST_Lily!

HOST_Lily

Ahoy ye scurvy room designers! This week I had the pleasure of meeting BlueMermaidAriel. She is a huge fan of mermaids, pirates, and High School Musical, so our idea was pretty out there - to combine all those things into a Pirate-Mermaid-School Musical room!

I started by creating a fun water slide on the back wall. This was hidden behind the Pirate Maze Walls and I filled in the floor with water so mermaids could have a place to swim. But this room offers lots of great activities - like watching a Pirate Piano duel! Since the High School Musical Gym is one of the larger rooms, I thought it was a good idea to divide it into separate areas for swimming, eating, singing, and piano playing!

BEFORE. The beginnings of the Mermaid lagoon.

AFTER. The Mermaid ocean.

Pinks, blues and purples are found throughout the room - from the seats to the wall posters. We even placed a Jolly Roger over the word 'High' in the High School Musical scoreboard to make it a 'Pirate School Musical!' Little details like this, as well as the overall room theme, make great conversation starters for new guests visiting your room!

Well that's all for this week, see you soon!

- HOST_Lily

Top 5 FAQs

This week's Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions

For more answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the VMK FAQs.

1. I haven't been in VMK a while and when I logged in recently my account was deleted? What happened?

Because of the size of our community we have to delete accounts that are inactive for more than 6 months to make room for new players - so if you haven't played in a while, be sure to log in every now and then (even if just for a few minutes) and keep your account active!

2. How are the 'Best' Rooms chosen?

Our 'Best' Rooms are nominated by VMK Staff who roam the Kingdom in search of great rooms, games and Quest. You can also nominate a Best Game, Best Guest or Best Quest by using Contact Us. Select 'Nominate the Best' from the list of options. IMPORTANT: Be sure to give us the player name (avatar or character - not your email address) and name of the room you'd like to nominate.

3. How can I become a Community Leader in VMK?

Currently WE ARE NOT accepting applications for Community Leaders. Any new Community Leaders you see in VMK are taken from a pool of applications that came in before we stopped accepting applications.

Check the Newsletter for information on when we'll re-open submissions. To be a VMK Community Leader you must be helpful, love VMK, uphold the VMK Values and want to share your tips, tricks and advice with other players in need.

4. Is the Bridge to Terabithia Trivia Game playable now?

Yes! The Bridge to Terabithia Trivia Game is up and running!

To answer the questions be sure to watch Bridge to Terabithia now on DVD. Then play the trivia game on the Bridge to Terabithia website. The movie is based on the award-winning book (which won the 1978 Newberry Honor)!

Win the Bridge to Terabithia Treehouse Chair by answering ten questions correctly … remember, clues are EVERYWHERE!

5. I've sent in a problem using Contact Us but no one has replied - why haven't I heard from anyone?

We respond to every email we get within 24 hours - but some email providers (like AOL.com, Hotmail.com, msn.com, Comcast.net, Cox.net, rr.net and Earthlink) block our responses.

If you use any of the email providers listed above, or haven't gotten a response from us, this is the reason.

Some email providers have Spam Filters that automatically block email from an unknown source and you have to tell the program (the email application) to allow email from that source. To get email from VMK, go into the preferences for your mailbox and allow mail from: [email protected]. (Please note, this email address DOES NOT receive email except via the Contact Us form.)

You also have the option to submit an alternate email address in the Contact Us tool (this option is under the Send Details box) if your provider won't take our replies. We suggest setting up another email account, like yahoo.com to get our replies.

Yeti's Tips & Tricks

You've got questions, Yeti has answers.

From 23 May 2007

This week the Yeti's got tips for getting better scores in Castle Fireworks remixed, using VMK codes and Room Makeovers!

It's me, the Yeti! I'm back with great game tips and virtual advice to help you get the most out of VMK! What do you say, let's start summer a little early with a few pointers for some pre-summer Castle Fireworks remixed fun!

Castle Fireworks remixed:

Getting Better Scores!

1. Castle Fireworks remixed offers the bronze medal for a score of 3,900, while silver medals can be had with a score of 4,400. Practice makes perfect - so keep playing for better scores. (Me thinks all this pirate talk has given you gold fever! So remember: ten times in first place promises you a golden place in VMK!)

2. Practice patience and don't explode fireworks too soon! Instead, give them a chance to flash before you click them to make sure you earn the maximum number of points every time!

3. Focus, focus, focus! Concentrate and choose the corresponding firework (and make sure they match) before you explode the firework to earn better points!

4. Having trouble matching fireworks and clicking at the same time? Get help - have a friend work the arrow keys while you click the mouse until you gain some confidence.

In Control:

Basic and Advanced VMK Game Tips

Why are the speech bubbles of the avatars different colors?

In a crowded area like Main Street some times it's tough to figure out who's who. Or exactly which avatar is saying what - but just check out a character's shirt color. Speech bubbles are outlined in the same color as the characters shirt.

You'll never get lost in a crowded room again!

Not only are speech bubbles matched, but so are the sail colors for your pirate galleon in Peter Pan's Flight. So is your wetsuit - it will match the colors of you shirt and pants.

VMK fashion? Color coordinated pirate galleons!

Where can I find codes for VMK and how do I enter them?

You can get codes from cards that are given as rewards for completing Quest at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Codes are also in online games (like the Bridge to Teribithia Trivia game, the Pirates Dead Man's Chest game or the Adventure of Narnia game!

Codes are easy to enter and exchange for your prizes. Just point your character to a public or private room (listed on the top of the main screen) and click on the STUFF icon (the little chair button) at the bottom left of your screen to open your STUFF window.

Click CODES in the STUFF window. When the input fields appear enter in your code four digits at a time (four in each box) and press OK at the end – then collect your prize.

Room Makeover Tips

Room Makeovers are still going strong in VMK - if you haven't been selected for a Makeover don't worry, but don't wait either, makeover your own room using this handy tip!

Getting off the Ground

The simplest piece of furniture in VMK turns out to be one of the most useful! To give a room height and dimension try using crates. Go a step further and use crates in different colors to give a drab rooms a little zest! Stack crates two, three, or four high to elevate chairs, tables and more! Also try stacks of crates to create fun games: crates work great for outlining a track for a race! Just fill in the remaining space with water rugs! Drape rugs across two sets of crates for a platform – the possibilities are endless! Any way you stack them, you can't go wrong!

Be sure to check out Yeti's Tips and Tricks every week for tips on building better rooms, getting higher scores and other VMK secrets.

Push's Trash Trivia

Note: For the week of 21 May 2007, Push's Trash Triva was not updated until Friday 25 May 2007. Prior to the update the previous week's article was shown. Both the old (14 May 2007) and updated (25 May 2007) entries can be found below.

(From 14 May 2007)

Where was the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl held?

Know the answer?

Send your answer in using Contact Us. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Push's Trash Trivia from the drop down menu.

From the correct answers we randomly select three players as the winners and send them a cool prize.

Hurry – only entries submitted by the close of game on Friday will be accepted.

Here's the answer to last weeks Push Trivia question:

Question: He wrote the Pirates 'theme song.' Who is he and what is the song?

Answer: He is X Atencio, and the song is "Yo Ho (A Pirates Life for Me)."

X Atencio wrote the lyrics for the famous song as well as the script and pirate dialog for the Pirates attraction. He started working for the Walt Disney Studio as an assistant animator for Fantasia in 1938. X was handpicked by Walt Disney to work on the Pirates attraction and ultimately convinced Walt that a song might be a good way to tie the story elements together and make the Pirates a little more friendly.

Did you know: The music for the song was composed by George Bruns (who is probably best known for "The Ballard of Davy Cockett") and sung by the Mellowmen (a singing group that also performed in Lady and the Tramp). X Atencio also wrote the lyrics to another popular Disney attraction theme song - the Haunted Mansion's "Grim Grinning Ghost."

This buccaneer never met a jug he didn't like...

Many people think X Atencio is the voice of the ride narrator, actually that's the voice of Paul Frees (who also provided the original narration for the Haunted Mansion). You can hear X Atencio's voice on the Pirates ride though - he voices the talking skull at the beginning of the attraction and the drunken pirate who dangles a hairy leg off the bridge in the center of town.

Here are the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!

PirateCindy

starmine

Anastasian

Congratulations! You've won a limited edition Push Trivia Pin!

(From 25 May 2007)

Long before Captain Jack Sparrow ransacked theaters this 1968 Disney film featured another famous pirate as the main character - can you name the film and the movie's star?

Know the answer?

Send your answer in using Contact Us. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Push's Trash Trivia from the drop down menu.

From the correct answers we randomly select three players as the winners and send them a cool prize.

Hurry – only entries submitted by the close of game on Friday will be accepted.

Here's the answer to last weeks Push Trivia question:

Question: Where was the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl held?

Answer: Disneyland. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was the very first film Disneyland ever rolled out the red carpet for. It premiered June 28, 2003. Stars and Park Guest alike walked a red carpet that stretched from Main Street and ended at the Rivers of America, where the film was shown on a floating movie screen.

For his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp was nominated for an Academy Award and for a Golden Globe. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor.

Did you know: The newest installment of the Pirates saga also premiered at Disneyland on May 19th of this year! Tickets were sold for the premiere and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End raised $3 million dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and Make-A-Wish International.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End opens everywhere on May 25th, get all the latest info at DisneyPirates.com.

Here are the 6 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for our last week's question!

BelieveInMagic

ImGoinGoofy

SolarFlare

pinkGlinda

Jones

Gernerd

Congratulations! You've won a limited edition Push Trivia Pin!

Top Players

What makes a Guest Room award-worthy?

Guest or Game Rooms that stand out show originality in concept and design. It could be a use of conventional furniture in unconventional ways, the use of a theme or color, or humor.

How can I nominate someone?

Got a cool Guest Room you want the Kingdom to know about? Do you know someone that has a great hangout spot and want to tell the world? Then nominate yourself or someone else for Best Game, Best Guest or Best Quest.

It's easy – just click on the Contact Us link at the bottom of any VMK webpage and follow the prompts, then select 'Nominate the Best.' It's that easy! The VMK staff will review the player rooms and Quest nominated and post the winners here!

HeyyIttsMadii wins top honors this week in the Best Guest Room category.

Game rooms that get the nod offer a new game idea or a new twist on an old favorite. In all rooms we look for room owners who welcome everyone with a smile and show a willingness to answer questions about their room.

Check out this week's Best Guest Rooms and Best Game Rooms.

Best Guest Rooms

Beware the Tiki Peoples! Join heyyittsMadii in her VMK Giant Tiki Tiki House. Make sure not to anger the Tiki Peoples or they won't let you in!

Best Game Rooms

Pirates beware! FlippyCheezer has created the Attack of The Kraken Game. Do your best to not get trapped!

Best Player Quests

It's Figment's Imagination Quest! Join HathowayB on this wonderful quest through your imagination and VMK. Play games, put your brain to the test, and win great prizes!

Players who have been previously recognized for their design talents will receive the VIP award.

VMK Cards

INNER-SPACE SUIT MAGIC SPELL is no longer tradable!

Starting this Monday, the 21st of May, the reward for the Print-From-Home Tomorrowland Quest, the Inner-Space Suit Magic Spell will become non-tradable.

So if you have one you've traded to someone and want it back, get it from them this weekend!

Check out the VMK Rewards Card Checklist and make sure you have all the VMK bling! What cards do you have in your collection?

Scam Alert

Use caution when Trading!

Before you complete a trade take a second and review your trade window! This is very important! You want to make sure the item, or items, you are trading for are actually inside the trade window before you accept the trade!

To do this, scroll all the way to the bottom of the trade window, confirm the items are there and then - once you're satisfied the trade is fair - accept the trade.

REMEMBER: It's up to you to keep track of your stuff and your trades! If you knowingly enter into a trade and get scammed because you didn't check the trade window, we cannot be responsible that you didn't get your stuff.

Staff impersonation is NOT allowed in VMK!

Impersonation is never allowed in VMK. If a player says they are VMK Staff, make sure they're wearing the orange Mickey Pin and wearing either red (for Staff and HOSTS) or blue (for QA) Mickey ears.

VMK Staff will always wear the orange Mickey Pin.

You can always spot STAFF and HOSTS because they wear red Mickey ears.

You can identify a Community Leader by the 'CL_' at the beginning of their name and their blue wizard hat pin.

Remember, VMK Staff will never ask you to trade any items. If you have other questions check out the FAQs page!

Beware of "free" rooms.

There are some players that advertise their rooms as "free," but when you enter them, they force you to pay up or get booted from the room. Beware of these types of rooms and report players who engage in this activity.

Safety Corner

How do I avoid getting 'BANNED' from VMK?

If you think your chat or your actions might get you banned, you should immediately review the VMK Values.

If you have a question about what is or isn't okay, you can ask us using Contact Us.

If you promise a prize - you must award it!

If you're running a game in your room – play fair. If you promise an item to a winner, you must award that winner the item. Failure to do so is considered a scam by VMK Staff and you will be BANNED for this type of activity. If you're a player that was supposed to win an item and didn't receive it – use the HELP button and report the scam.

Remember, if you are ever have a question about fair play you can always check the VMK Values or the FAQs – your question will probably be answered there.

Adult subjects are NEVER appropriate in VMK!

Adult subjects are not allowed in VMK. An example of an adult subject is playing as a baby/mommy/daddy character. If you need a reminder of what is and isn't acceptable, read over the VMK Values.

Mentioning illegal activity in VMK will get you BANNED.

Mentioning any sort of illegal activity, such as breaking the law, stealing, or threatening physical harm is against VMK Values and will get you BANNED.

Please review the VMK Values if you are unsure of what is and isn't allowed.

Quests

In-Park Quests!

PLAY THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN QUEST!

Play the latest VMK In-Park Quest now at the Magic Kingdom® and Disneyland® - search for the answers hidden in the attraction and earn the Pirates Fortress Room for VMK!

Print-From-Home-Quests

Going to Disneyland® Park or Magic Kingdom® Park? Take a Quest with you! Play in-Park and win cool prizes!

<strong>Tomorrowland Quest</strong>! This out-of-this-world adventure is fun and rewarding. You can win a Inner-Space Suit Magic Spell for your virtual character.

<strong>High School Musical Quest</strong>! Watch the movie, visit the Parks and answer all the questions to win cool stuff!

Get the <strong>Thrill Seekers Quest</strong> for the Walt Disney World® Resort here!

Contact Us Tips

Problems? Contact Us!

When you use Contact Us to ask a question or report an issue, please be aware of the following:

If you use AOL or EarthLink for e-mail, you won't receive our response, as AOL e-mail filters block our replies. Please provide an alternative e-mail in the Contact Us form where it asks for your e-mail address.

Some Spam Filters will automatically block e-mail from an unknown source unless you tell the program to allow it: To get email from VMK, allow mail from [email protected]. (Please note this email address does not receive e-mail except via the Contact Us form.)