Newsletter 25 February 2008
From Disneys Online Worlds Guide (Wiki)
Yavn Speaks!
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Esmeralda's Trivia
Test Your Knowledge of Disney Trivia!
Introducing the prophet of wisdom, the knower of all things and Disney trivia expert – Esmeralda!
How many "happy haunts" are in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park?
Know the answer?
Send your answer in using Contact Us. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Esmeralda Trivia from the drop down menu.
IMPORTANT: If you do not submit your answer by using the 'Esmeralda's Trivia' option in Contact Us your answer WILL NOT be considered.*
Trivia winners receive the Esmeralda Trivia Pin.
From the correct answers submitted using the Esmeralda's Trivia option, we randomly select three players as the winners and send them specially selected prizes that vary from week to week.
This week's prizes include:
Invisibility Magic (Single Use)
Teleportation Magic (Single Use)
Last week's question:
Who was the president of the United States when the Hall of Presidents opened at Walt Disney World?
Answer: Richard Nixon
The 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon served from 1969 to 1974. Prior to being elected President, he was Vice President under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Nixon was on hand to help Walt Disney at the ribbon cutting ceremony to launch the Monorail system at Disneyland.
Richard Nixon (far right) and his family help Walt Disney (far left) cut the ribbon to launch the Monorail system at Disneyland in 1959.
Did you know: Walt and his wife Lillian Disney were personal friends of Richard Nixon? In fact, Walt had a special fondness for heads of state – Abraham Lincoln was a childhood hero of Walt's and for a school project Walt recited part of the Gettysburg Address. Eventually Walt's affection for American history would result in many Disney Theme Park attractions with historic themes, like The Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom and The American Adventure at EPCOT.
Abraham Lincoln was the very first human audio-animatronics figure ever produced by Walt Disney Imagineering, it was completed for the 1964 New York World's Fair and the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln exhibit.
Winners:
Aengus
CoolReader
NewTrackLime
* Only entries submitted by using the Esmeralda's Trivia option in Contact Us and sent by close of game on Friday will be accepted.
Ned's Shop News
Go Shopping with Shrunken Ned
From 2 March 2008
Ahoy matey! We're swashbuckling into spring and devoting an entire month to our pillaging pals! Let's take a look at the pirate treasure I've dug up from our virtual stock rooms!
LIMITED PIN RELEASES!
These special Pirate pins are being re-released for a limited time! In fact, each is only available for one day only! Don't miss 'em matey!
Burning Village Pin
(available only on 3/2/08)
Huricane Bay Pin
(available only on 3/3/08)
From 29 February 2008
Ahoy matey! We're swashbuckling into spring and devoting an entire month to our pillaging pals! Let's take a look at the pirate treasure I've dug up from our virtual stock rooms!
LIMITED PIN RELEASES!
These special Pirate pins are being re-released for a limited time! In fact, each is only available for one day only! Don't miss 'em matey!
Bombardment Pin
(available only on 3/1/08)
Burning Village Pin
(available only on 3/2/08)
Shrunken Ned's Shop
Check out these cool items available in Shrunken Ned's Shop starting on 3/1/08:
Pirate Costume
Hat, shirt, pants, and shoes
(each item sold separately.)
PPR Tiny Pirate Ship
PPR Skull Rock
Ariel's Treasure Chest
Jolly Roger T-Shirt
(available in 5 colors)
* Sold in Clothing.
Turn into Shark Magic
(Single & Unlimited Use)
* Sold in the Main Street Magic Shop
From 22 February 2008
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Event Info
Happenings this Month in VMK
From 2 March 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Ride-A-Thon
March 1–2
Arrgh! Ye come seeking adventure and salty old pirates,eh? Then ye come to the right place! All day, this weekend, take a ride on VMK's virtual attraction for pirate treasure! Every ride get's a prize! Arrgh! Now that's a bounty fit fer any pirate.
March is Pirates month.
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
From 29 February 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Ride-A-Thon
March 1–2
Arrgh! Ye come seeking adventure and salty old pirates,eh? Then ye come to the right place! All day, this weekend, take a ride on VMK's virtual attraction for pirate treasure! Every ride get's a prize! Arrgh! Now that's a bounty fit fer any pirate.
Jolly Roger Flag
Original version
Receive this cool pin when you play VMK on Saturday, March 1, 2008. This pin will only be given out that day, so be sure to log in and play!
Corrected version
Receive this cool poster when you play VMK on Saturday, March 1, 2008. This poster will only be given out that day, so be sure to log in and play!
March is Pirates month.
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
DOUBLE REWARDS - FOR LEAP DAY!
TODAY ONLY!
February 29 only appears on the calendar every four years – today is Leap Day!
To celebrate we've doubled the rewards on all your favorite VMK mini games! Get DOUBLE REWARDS for all VMK mini games - Pirates Ship Battle/Capture the Flag, Fireworks remixed, Haunted Mansion and more! (All games except for Magic Shop Checkers.) TODAY ONLY! Rebuild your bank now!
From 22 February 2008
Making the Magic
Right now see never before seen conceptual art of released and unreleased magic items in the VMK Gallery. Plus, plan to visit the VMK Gallery on Thursday, February 28th and Friday, February 29th from 3-5pm PST to chat with VMK Imagineers who make the magic!
Hannah Montana One in a Million Quest
February just got even sweeter! Watch the new Hannah Montana One in a Million Disney DVD, then play the NEW VMK Hannah Montana Quest!
Complete the Quest for an exclusive VMK Hannah Montana Gold Microphone virtual pin.
Check out Hannah Montana in stores now!
Twitches Too Magic Quest
What's more magical than a new Quest? How about a new magic-themed Quest to celebrate the release of Twitches Too on Disney DVD- in stores now.
That's right we're launching a brand new Twitches Too Quest. PLAY NOW!
Check out Twitches Too in stores now!
Fireworks Fridays
Get double rewards when you play the Castle Fireworks remixed game throughout the month of January. Play now!
Get double rewards when you play the Castle Fireworks remixed game throughout the month of February.
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
Room Makeover
28 February 2008
Give Us a Room, You Get FREE Stuff!
Our HOST makeover a player's room and donate items to the player they get to keep.
See the results here, including BEFORE and AFTER pics and tips you can use to make better rooms.
This week:
RoyalFushiaMask's
Leota Séance Room
RoyalFushiaMask was busy contemplating her next decorating decision when I took a seat in her room. He favorite attraction, she told me, is the Haunted Mansion and her favorite scene is the Séance Room, home to everyone's favorite spectral speaker, Madame Leota.
RoyalFushiaMask wanted to design a room that featured Madame Leota's Crystal Ball but also wanted to include a lot of purple. Hmmm. This sounds like a job for HOST_Bella! Roommakover powers activate!
 |
BEFORE:
Our first step was to take a good look at what she already had in the room and how that might work with our new design. The Magic Show Blocks that RoyalFushiaMask had already placed in the room were great but needed to be turned to show off the purple curtain and stars.
Creating a dozen columns would allow guests to enter freely while adding a lot of color to the room – if we had placed the blocks right next to each other, it would have blocked the entrance and hid the purple curtains
Now it's time to decorate the floor. Even though this is a Haunted Mansion room, we decided to use a lot of Magic Show items, like the Magic Show Carpets we used to create a really fun design.
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TIP: Don't be afraid to use items from other themes to enhance your rooms.
We created six séance stations using Madame Leota Tables, Crysal Balls and Books. Some Haunted Mansion Rocking Chairs and Candelabras were also placed in the room, all in a perfect shade of purple. Every room should have a centerpiece, we made sure to highlight one table by placing it right in the middle of the room. To add a bit more lighting, we added Hong Kong Paper Lanterns in magenta along the sides of the rooms.
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AFTER: The spirits are assembling for a swinging wake!
Now with our room colete it was time for a lively party with some silly spooks! Be sure to join RoyalFushiaMask in her Madam Leota Séance Room! (You never know what just might be conjured up!)
I'm going to disappear back into the Kingdom, I hope you all have a magical day!
HOST_Bella
Each week VMK's HOST_Bella selects a lucky player from the Kingdom (at random) for a Room Makeover! HOST_Bella then remakes the room – for free – using items that are donated to the players and they get to keep!
Submit your room for a Makeover using Contact Us.
Top Players
Create a Great Guest Room!
Get Recognized!
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Cinderella's Royal Table by Rudolph is our pick for this week's Best Guest Room.
Do you have a cool Guest Room you want to tell the Kingdom about? Do you know someone with a great hangout spot or game? Then nominate yourself or someone else for Best Game Room, Best Guest Room or Best Quest Room!
To nominate a player for consideration, click the Contact Us link at the bottom of any VMK webpage and then follow the prompts. You must select Nominate the Best from the list of options to have your nomination considered.
The weekly Best Guest Room Winner wins a party in Club 33!
Send in your nomination now!
Player created Guest, Quest or Game Rooms demonstrate originality in concept and design. Our judges are looking for creativity, so try using traditional items in different and unique ways. Rooms are judged by VMK Staff and selected from player submitted rooms and Quest.
New winners are posted here every week.
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
 Best Guest Room | Welcome to Cinderella's Royal Table! Rudolph greets guests as they enter this beautiful room. Just like the restaurant located in Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, this fanciful dinning room has a raised area on each side and a main floor in the center.
Guests can dine with visiting princesses (Rudolph and her friends!) and watch the sunset over Fantasyland. Have fun but make sure you're home before the Master Gracey Clock strikes midnight!
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Best Game Rooms
 Best Game Room  | It's The Game Show with your host CuteTealSubject! Come on down, you're the next contestant! Have a seat behind one of the Disneyland Ride Operator's Scoreboards and if you know your VMK History, you could be a winner!
As you answer trivia questions from the ever-so-knowledgable gameshow host, your scoreboard will light up. CuteTealSubject is a great host and makes sure her game stays on track and everyone has a chance to answer. The first player to light up their entire scoreboard wins a fantastic prize! The Best Game Room Winner receives: |
Best Quest Rooms
 Best Quest  | Do you play a lot of VMK? Ashleysweetygurl must have had you in mind when she built her U Play VMK Alot When... and Quest. This fun Quest features history about VMK – also be sure to check out all of the pictures on the wall!
The Best Quest Room Winner receives: |
New players are selected weekly in each category depending on number of nominations/submissions.
Players who have previously won as a Top Player do not receive the Room Award Pin twice, instead, they receive a VIP Award Pin.
Room awards offered may change without notice. VMK reserves the right to subtitute or change awards at any time.
Yeti's Tips & Tricks
You've got questions, Yeti has answers.
Mr. Yeti, I hear there's a new game called Magic Shop Checkers – can you tell me more about it?
Why certainly! Magic Shop Checkers is VMK's version of Checkers, but we added a special ingredient – Magic! Now the game features special powers like Magic Hats and Magic Tricks. You are gonna love it!
Checkers! Magic! Oh my!
Where can I find the game?
Just click the VMK World Map, go to Main Street and you'll see the Main Street Magic Shop just a few steps away from the entrance to Tomorrowland, right there on Main Street!
Once inside the Magic Shop walk to the Gamerooms in the back of the Shop to play Magic Shop Checkers.
Can you tell me more about these Checkers Magic Tricks?
Magic Shop Checkers Tricks are special moves that you can use to win the game! Use the tricks carefully though, you can only use 8 Magic Tricks per game! Buy Magic Shop Checkers Magic Tricks in the Magic Shop, just remember to use the tricks during a game of Checkers you have to buy them before you start playing.
What Checkers Magic Tricks are available?
You want to learn all the tricks? Ugh, it's so hard for me to keep a secret...
OK, there are currently two Magic Shop Checkers Magic Tricks:
Levitation
When you use this trick you can jump two of your opponent's checkers on the same jump. How cool is that?
Sleight of Hand
This trick lets you swap places with your opponent when one their checkers is next to yours. Use the trick to get yourself out of a tight corner!
What is a Magic Hat Checker?
Magic Hats are what "kings" are called in Magic Shop Checkers. Kings are the only pieces that can move forward and backwards. Magic Hats can do the same thing, but they get TWO separate moves per turn. Think of the possibilities!
A Magic Hat
Magic Hats can:
- Move two squares (so long as they don't return to the square they left from).
- Move one square and jump (including multiple jumps).
- Jump (including multiple jumps) and then move.
- Not use Magic Tricks.
Mr. Yeti, can you explain the High Scores?
High Scores rank VMK Magic Shop Checkers players. Your level is calculated like this: we take the number of new players against whom you have won a game and give you a point. In other words, each pair of players plays for 1 possible point. The winner of the game played between these players wins the point.
Once you have won a game of Magic Shop Checkers against someone, winning future games against the same opponent won't increase your level. You must play and win against new opponents to increase your level. If you lose to someone who won the point in a previous game, they keep the point.
So any secrets or tips on winning?
Absolutely! I've schooled Yavn on more games than I can count. Here's now are the Yeti's top tips:
1. Practice. The more you play, the more ways you'll find to win, practicing will also help you develop strategies to use against other players.
2. Wait. Try not to use Checkers Magic Tricks too quickly – remember you're only allowed to use 8 Magic Shop Magic Tricks per game. Also try and have a few Checkers Magic Tricks in your back pocket in case of an emergency. For example, if your opponent has you trapped in a corner, you could use Magic.
3. Give 'em one occasionally. Don't be afraid to lose a few checkers. Experienced players will often sacrifice a checker in order to set up their opponent. If you lose one of your checkers but capture two of your opponent's checkers in return, that is a good thing.
Good Luck!
Your pal, Yeti
Dateline Disney
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Magic 101
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Scam Alert
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Safety Corner
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Trading Card 101
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Top 5 FAQs
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
New to VMK?
A Guide for New Players!
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
VMK Cards
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Community Reminder
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Account Problems?
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
Contact Us Tips
See Newsletter 18 February 2008 for this section.
