Newsletter 3 September 2007

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Yavn Speaks!

This week Yavn's got hot info on VMK's newest game, plus important news about VMK Central at Walt Disney World. It's Tiki Month in VMK now let's "talk Tiki!" Wake up, Yavn – it's showtime!

BRAND NEW VMK Trading Card Game! Get the scoop now!

Ahhh! Buenos dias VMK'ers and welcome to another edition of Yavn Speaks! Hope you're all having a good summer, there's lots to talk about this week, so let's dig in!

Your Attention Please…

First up, I have an important announcement I need to get out of the way… there's really no easy way to say this, so here goes – on September 30th we're closing VMK Central at Walt Disney World. Now hold on, before you get upset and start sending hate mail, let me explain why this is happening…

As time has gone by, we've changed the way Quest, rewards and other parts of VMK work. The game, very much like our theme parks, is always changing. We've always tried to experiment with unique ways of doing things, like in-Park Questing, and we'll continue to do that (for example, we'll still be doing cool stuff in the Parks, like the merchandise cards and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Quest) - but those things won't revolve just around VMK Central.

Just because VMK Central is closing doesn't mean the game is going away.

VMK is going stronger than ever and we've got some very cool announcements (including one I'm making today) about how VMK will get even better. Yes, I know you'll miss Questing in the real Magic Kingdom, but like I said, this is part of a much larger plan for cooler VMK stuff.

So there you have it, sad news sort of, but you have plenty of time to complete those in-Park Quest. Just remember VMK Central in the Cinema on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom will stop accepting Quest and giving out rewards after September 30th, 2007!

Okay, so now that I've taken care of the "elephant in the room" (hey, it must have escaped from the Jungle Cruise) let's talk about some really cool stuff on the VMK horizon.

Thanksgiving in September!

You spoke (boy, did you ever) and we listened. By overwhelming popular demand the next item in the snack cart series is, drum roll please& the brand new Turkey Leg Cart!

It's the snack that eats like a meal!

Of course the next question you have is "When can I get one???" All I can say about that is early September. Sure, we should wait until Thanksgiving to release it but who wants to wait that long?

It's the NEW Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Shirt

Speaking of new items, we've got plenty more on the way – like the new Hawaiian Aloha Shirt – it'll look great with that new Cowboy Surf hat, you'll be able to pick up both of these in the Emporium and then be ready to hit Typhoon Lagoon in style!

Aloha, cowboy!

Surfing isn't your cup o' tea? Then how about some baseball? Just in case you missed them last year, America's pastime returns to VMK, with hat, shirt, pants and shoes – and a stadium room batting clean up! Look for all these items in our VMK shops before September.

Game On!

Remember last month when I promised you the lowdown on a cool new VMK game? Well, now it's time to pull back the curtain on that game and reveal the latest and greatest from VMK Labs. Today I'm proud to announce the VMK Trading Card Game!

Here's a sneak peek at the brand new VMK Trading Card Game!

The best way to describe the game is as a mix between the card games Trumps and War. It's an awesome game that's a lot of fun. This month we'll be releasing a preview version of the game that will teach you the basics of how to play, then over the next few months we'll be adding some more functionality to the game and rolling out more advanced rules. Oh and before you ask, there are some NEW items we created to go along with the VMK Trading Card Game&.but that's for another column…

More News on the Way!

Alright, that should wrap it up for now, hopefully you're still with me and not too upset about the news. Again, remember what I said and don't think of this as the end of an era, but the beginning of something just as incredible. The new items I've mentioned above like the snack cart series, the Trading Card Game, there's lots of great VMK stuff on the way!

Oh, almost forgot to mention, remember our Mickey rewards? We have a few items that were originally going to be released as Quest prizes. What should we do with them now? Do you think they should be sold/rewarded in-game? Or saved for something special, like say, an in-Park event??? Hmmm… Cast your vote and let us know.

Okay, so I have to get back to playing the VMK TCG and testing all the other cool stuff we have in the works. I'm so excited, I want to tell you about – oops, sorry, that will have to wait until next time! But keep checking back here for the latest VMK news because there's some really awesome things on the way!

See you in VMK, Yavn

Community Reminder

1. Worried about being banned?

Then ALWAYS USE GOOD JUDGEMENT when playing VMK. Treat other players as you would like to treated, don't use foul language or take part in bad behavior - any activity like this will get you banned, in almost every case, permanently.

2. Scamming players will get you banned!

Scamming of any kind is not tolerated in VMK. If you are involved in scamming players in any way, your account will be banned. If you promise an item to another player and don't award it, you will be banned from VMK. If you have a player that's offering an item and the offer seems "too good to be true," it probably is. Always use your best judgment and trade with caution.

3. Pay to Play is not allowed in VMK.

Any room where you pay to play a game and it's up to the room owner to award the prize is against VMK Values and not allowed in VMK. Opening a Pay to Play room is a violation of the VMK game guidelines and will get you banned from VMK.

VMK will continue to charge for some public rooms (like Pirates), as Pay to Play scams are a larger problem for personal rooms.

4. 'Relationship' rooms? Not in VMK.

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.

VMK reserves the right to update and/or revise the VMK Values and House Rules without notice. Please make sure you periodically review the VMK Values and House Rules for the most current game guidelines.

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

Account Problems

Have you tried 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!

Disney H2O

See Newsletter 4 June 2007

Nemo 101

See Newsletter 9 July 2007

It's Tiki Time

See Newsletter 6 August 2007

Year of a Million Dreams/VMK Dreams Month

Name changed from Year of a Million Dreams to VMK Dreams month on 5 September 2007

What's Your Disney Dream?

5 September 2007 picture changed to:

It's the Year of a Million Dreams! Come share in the magic and fun at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California - where dreams come true!

VMK is celebrating this magical time with Dreams Month! That's right, this month we're making dreams come true too!

Throughout the month of September our in-game Host will be roaming the Virtual Magic Kingdom spreading the magic to VMK Players! Maybe your dream will come true!

Updated 5 Septembrer 2007

By now you've probably seen a few of our in-game Hosts roaming around the Virtual Magic Kingdom giving away VMK Dreams Month prizes! In fact, they're giving away thousands of VMK Dreams prizes! Who gets these prizes? Why you do – and here's how!

VMK Dreams Month Details

• Only VMK Hosts (Host_Hula, Host_Phinny, and Host_Lily) are awarding VMK Dreams prizes. Please do not ask other VMK staff members or send a Call For Help asking staff to visit you.

(Remember, using Call For Help for anything other than an emergency situation could result in your account being banned permanently from VMK. If you have a question or comment use Contact Us, not Call For Help.)

• Our program randomly selects public rooms for the Host to visit, so filling up public rooms like Main Street USA or Tiki Tiki Tiki Island won't get Hosts to visit that room.

• When visiting players guest rooms, Hosts are assigned a certain type of room to visit, so creating a "Host Come Visit!" or "Please Give Me Dreams Stuff!" rooms won't get Hosts to visit your room.

• If a Host visits one public room, such as the Frontierland Hub, chances are they won't be visiting that room again on the same day.

• When you see a Host walking around the Kingdom, please do not surround them asking for specific VMK Dreams items.

• Our program randomly places Host in certain places at certain times, in addition the VMK Dream item they give is generated by our system – so specific requests cannot be accommodated.

Host do not know their Dream Squad assignments in advance - so please don't ask them where they will be or what prizes they are awarding, as even they do not know until it's time to award that Dream.

• What's the best way to win a Dreams prize? Just be yourself! Play your favorite VMK games, hang out in your favorite public areas, and create fun and fantastic rooms. Just be you and maybe your VMK dreams will come true!

Finally, please understand our Host have many VMK Dreams to grant so they may not have time to chat or answer your questions.

Watch the VMK Dreams Counter on the VMK homepage to see how many VMK Dreams we've made come true!

Trading Card 101

Deal Yourself In!

The ALL NEW VMK Trading Card Game is now available! Play a Basic version of the game now!

Check out the VMK Arcade to play now!

Get In The Game!

VMK Trading Card Game: Basic is a simple card game of strategy that you could compare to Rock, Paper, Scissors. The basic goal is to get 10 points before your opponent does. Players are awarded a point for each turn they win.

Play against the computer in the fast paced game of strategy! Got questions about VMKTG:Basic– We've got answers, check out the FAQ here.

Event Info

SEPTEMBER is Dreams Month! We're celebrating the Year of a Million Dreams &ndash VMK style!

NEW! Room Makeovers Every week!

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

Dreams Month in VMK!

Throughout the month of September our in-game Hosts will be roaming the Virtual Magic Kingdom spreading the magic to VMK Players! Maybe your dream will come true!

Keep checking the VMK Newsletter page for more details !

Room Makeovers

New every week!

Each week we select lucky VMKer's at random for a Room Makeover, then our talented team of Room Designers review the rooms and put their 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.

Let's take a look at our room makeover this week – take it away Sparky!

HOST_Sparky

Brodwaygirl's Celebration Room wasn't really ready to celebrate when I first walked into it – you see, Brodwaygirl was trying very hard to get her room ready for her upcoming birthday but still needed some help. Solution? A VMK Room Makeover is just the thing to kick off her birthday bash!

BEFORE: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! The Guests are on their way!

Brodwaygirl was already off to a great start with the Mad Tea Party Guest Room – it's a fantastic place for a party, it just needs to be properly accessorized! I started jazzing up the joint by placing ALR Red and White Rugs down for our room's centerpiece – a long party table made from three Madame Leota Tables.

To give the table a wild and wacky feel like the Alice in Wonderland movie, I used chairs of different colors and heights. I stacked HKDL Lanterns on small and large Blizzard Beach Rocks for festive mood lighting. (Notice how I used ALR Tall Grasses in green and pink to hide the rocks so the lanterns look like they are floating? Neat huh?)

AFTER: Let's get this party started!

Hey! What's a birthday without presents? I fixed that with a row of brightly colored ALR Gifts and ALR Mushrooms – they're guarded by two ALR Ace of Hearts Guard Cards (so guest don't make off with the b-day goodies). Finally, on the right side of the room, ALR Wild Trees and ALR Card Arches flank a Photo Album so as friends come in for the party, Brodwaygirl can take pictures and place them out for all to see. A few Tiki Tiki Fountains add a splash of color and an ALR Heart Shrub entryway complete this fun and fanciful room.

Happy Birthday Brodwaygirl! I hope this pretty party place is practically perfect for your pals and presents! Now who brought the cake and ice cream, all this work made me kinda hungry!

-) See you next time!

– HOST_Sparky

Prior to 5 September 2007

I first met StrangePurplePrincess as she was turning her Nautilus Submarine Room into an Enchanted Tiki Room.

Like me, you're probably scratching your head at this point too – you see, it's not very often that I see a player completely making over a room. Most times players take an existing theme and expand on it – they don't turn the theme upside down!

So I asked StrangePurplePrincess why she wanted an underwater Tiki Room and she replied that the water window makes it seem like the rain at the end of the Tiki Room show at Disneyland! What a great idea! Now this is a Room Makeover!

So where do I come in?

Well, StrangePurplePrincess needed some help expanding on the idea – she wasn't sure how to get all the furniture into the smaller room and wanted some help on making it look like the real thing. So off we went turning this deep sea sub into an Enchanted Tiki paradise!

BEFORE: The start of a great show.

To start, let's look at the layout of the room. The Tiki Room design is pretty simple, but done right, can have a really great effect. First, we began changing the rugs, because we need more floor space for the Tiki show.

We expanded the rug area by adding and alternating red Bamboo rugs with the green, blue and beige rugs that were already in place. In the center of the rugs we built a stage for the Tiki Tiki Fountain (the centerpiece of the show) out of eight green Coffee Table Crates.

But you can't have a show without seating! We put down a dozen barrel chairs with special Karo Tiki Chairs at the ends of each row. Instead of the Tiki Totem Poles in the real Tiki Room, we put Tangaroaru Tiki Idols at each corner.

In order to simulate the bamboo walls, we alternated the blue, red, and green Bamboo Shield Room Dividers. At the entrance, Headhunter Torches and more Tangaroaru Tiki Idols greet our visitors. Last but certainly not least, we needed the stars of our attraction, the Tiki Birds! Eighteen Parrot Palm Trees provide foliage and the singing birds.

AFTER: It's showtime!

Finally, with everything in place, we were ready to start the show! Be sure and swing by StrangePurplePrincess' Enchanted Tiki Room and sing like the birdies sing! I'll be back next week making dreams come true with another VMK Room Makover!

– HOST_Sparky

Top 5 FAQs

VMK's Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions for the week

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

1. Why can't I tell my friends in VMK what grade I just finished in school or give other personal information about myself?

Finishing any grade is a huge accomplishment and from everyone at VMK, CONGRATULATIONS! But part of keeping VMK safe means keeping your personal information to yourself.

Nobody should ever know where you live, how old you are, or even what grade you just finished. IT DOESN'T MATTER if you know the person outside of the game – it is against the VMK Values to give out ANY personal information. (This includes if you're home alone from school, or the state where you live.) You will get banned for doing this.

Keep your identity – and VMK account – safe, never give out personal information on VMK!

2. Can you tell me about the VMK Staff? Who are they?

Despite their appearance, VMK staff members are NOT kids but actually adults trained specifically to handle VMK. VMK Staff may look like you in the game (with cool Mickey ears) but they're actually more like school teachers - in fact, many of the VMK Staff are teachers, or have been teachers, which is why they choose to be VMK Staff: because they like to teach and help kids.

With that said, VMK Staff should be treated like you would treat a school teacher: with respect. Because although the VMK Staff is there to help and keep you safe, they also must step in when you're not playing safely or following the VMK Values or game guidelines.

Also keep in mind the VMK Staff are very, very busy working to keep you safe and make sure VMK runs smoothly - so while it's ok to say hello, ask for a picture or some cool magic, don't be rude to them, misbehave or report false information. If you do, you could get banned and in VMK bans are like being sent to the principal's office - and nobody wants that.

VMK Staff are adults trained to help you and keep the community safe - so please treat them with respect. In fact, treat EVERYONE in VMK with respect; it's more fun to play that way.

3. I keep using the Call for Help Tool and I keep getting a message that says "Press the ignore button!" Is anyone helping with my problem?

Yes, someone is responding to your problem. Just because a moderator sends you a message telling you to please use the "Ignore" Button, it doesn't mean the moderator is ignoring your problem! The moderator is asking you to ignore the other player because the moderator may be investigating the situation or helping another player. Using "Ignore" is the easiest and best way to stop the problem from getting worse.

4. What happens if you send false reports to VMK Staff members?

If you send a false report you could get banned. Yes, we want you to report players that aren't following the VMK Values (no, you won't get banned for reporting someone - if your report is indeed real), but DO NOT send false reports. Our Moderators and Staff research your report and if we find you've reported something which isn't true, you'll get a warning (which goes against your account), and you possibly could be banned. (The VMK Staff is very busy and are working very hard to keep you safe – so don't send them on a wild goose chase, it's not a good use of their time.)

Report ONLY things that HAVE happened, not what you think or assume someone has done, and report the issue IMMEDIATELY! If VMK Staff don't appear it doesn't mean the situation isn't being monitored or looked into (remember, we see everything that goes on in the game, and don't have to physically be in the game to do so) so you don't need to re-report it, leave the room and play in another room. VMK Staff researches all reports.

'''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

From 22 August 2007

You've got questions, Yeti has answers.

The fur-covered guru of VMK gaming is back again with game tips and general advice on making the best of your visit to the Virtual Magic Kingdom! So take a break from your summer and cool down with the Yeti! This time around, tips on managing your inventory, deleted accounts and more!

Man, oh man is it hot! It's the middle of summer and I'm still wearing a fur coat (and this silly tiki mask certainly doesn't help matters)!

Seems like the only thing keeping me going in this summer heat is knowing winter is just a few short months away! Well, that and the VMK Trading Card Game! ;-) Anyway, there's a lot going on in VMK, so let's get to your questions:

Mr. Yeti, I sent in the correct answer for Push Trivia along with a question about my VMK account using Contact Us. I haven't got a response – what's up?

When using Contact Us the quickest way to get a response to a question is to select the proper issue you're writing in about. If you're sending an answer for Push Trivia, you must use the correct menu option when sending in your answer! If you don't, your answer won't be considered.

The same goes for any other issue you're writing into Contact Us about – if you have a problem, have your user information handy and use the proper route to report a problem. For example, if you have a scam to report, you should use the 'Report a Player Scam' option in the menu. If you select 'None of the Above' for a problem that's listed in the menu it will take longer to get your issue routed to the proper person and get you an answer.

Also, please keep in mind some email providers (like AOL and Earthlink) block our replies, make sure you allow mail from this email address: [email protected].

Please note this email address DOES NOT accept email, except via Contact Us.

Mr. Yeti, I heard that there's a new VMK card at Disneyland, is this true? And how do I get it?

Yes is the answer to that question! Indeed there is a VMK Merchandise Card available at the 20th Century Music Company located on Main Street at Disneyland. It's not a new card however, it was a card that was previously available and brought out of retirement.

[[Image:06gwpFPennyPress.jpg|Penny Press]

Get a virtual Penny Press Reward Card free with any purchase you make at the 20th Century Music Company.

Mr. Yeti, I used Call For Help to ask VMK a question about the VMK Trading Card Game but they didn't give me an answer, they just told me to read the FAQ, why couldn't they just answer my question?

Call For Help is like VMK's 911 – it's there so you can get immediate help for a serious problem or emergency. You should NEVER use Call For Help to ask general game questions because this takes valuable time away from the moderators who are helping players with serious issues.

Got a problem? Call For Help, but do so only for emergencies!

If you have a question about the VMK Trading Card Game or items you've seen in the game, first read the FAQ, if you still have a question, use Contact Us and send in your question that way. But don't ever use Call For Help unless you have a serious in-game emergency.

Remember, when you use Call For Help, report something or ask us a question we will investigate what you're reporting or your question. If you send in a false report or abuse Contact Us (or any other VMK service like our voice or email) your account will be banned permanently.

Dear Mr. Yeti, is it cold where you live?

Is it cold where I live?!? What kind of question is that? (Well, I guess with all this crazy weather we're having, not a bad one.)

Is it cold where I live? Depends on what you consider cold…

Anyway, today it was about 100 degrees outside, but I stay in the cool comfort of my cave. But hey, I'm here to provide VMK game tips, not the weather! Next question!

Yeti, my VMK character was deleted. :-( Can I get my character back? Can I get VMK to transfer my stuff to a new character I created?

Sorry but when your account is deleted, everything in your account is removed from our system. VMK deletes inactive accounts after six months, so make sure you sign in every so often so your account isn't deleted.

Mr. Yeti, my friends and I like to pretend and play house in VMK? Is this OK?

It's okay to play pretend in VMK but just remember adult subjects or situations are NEVER appropriate for VMK and discussing these topics will get you banned. As I mentioned a few months back, if you're playing VMK play as your parents or a teacher were watching you. If you're doing or saying something in VMK that would get you in trouble in real life, it's probably something that will get you in trouble (like your account being banned) in VMK.

Yeti, my character's got a lot of stuff, any tips on how I can manage all this stuff? Sometimes, it seems like with all this stuff it's affecting my trading.

The Yeti will be glad to take your stuff, the Yeti is building a big ride room and I need lots of furniture! (Just kidding.) But I know how you feel my big furry paws make it difficult to carry lots of stuff too!

Seriously, if you're character has a lot of stuff, a good way to help manage your inventory is by using a few rooms specifically for storage. Name the room by the items you are placing in it, for instance call a room Chairs and Crates, or Ride Pieces. As for clothing and pins, trade or sell excess stuff that you don't use or wear anymore, this will help too!

So before I jump back into VMK, a few more things I wanted to mention:

Fireworked Remixed – Again!

Have you enjoyed a good fireworks show lately? Well, now's your chance to play Castle Fireworks Remixed, again! In case you haven't heard, now it only takes 5 people to start a game instead of 10.

Deal Me In!

Make sure you play the VMK Trading Card Game: Basic, you can access the game from the VMK arcade. Remember the goal of the game is to 'Trump' the computer. When you're playing instead of thinking just one step ahead, try thinking two or three steps ahead. This will often throw off the computer and you can win hands that you might have tied!

Well that's it for now, stay cool out there and I'll see you in VMK!

Push's Trash Trivia

Mickey Mouse plays a sorcerer in this short featured in the animated classic Fantasia – name the cartoon.

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.

If you do not submit your answer by 'Contact Us' and using the Push Trivia option your answer WILL NOT be considered.

From the correct answers (submitted using the Push Trivia option) we randomly select three players as the winners and send them a virtual Push Trivia Pin prize.

Only entries submitted by using the Push Trivia option in Contact Us and sent by close of game on Friday will be accepted.

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

Question: Who am I?

Answer: Tarzan.

The 1999 Disney animated film Tarzan featured the voice talents of Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan, Minnie Driver as Jane, and Glenn Close as Kala . To celebrate the success of the film, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at Disneyland got a facelift – it was converted into Tarzan's Treehouse on June 23rd 1999 (the same week as Tarzan was released in theaters!)

Did you know: Tarzan was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2006 and ran for over one year!

Tarzan swinging on Broadway!

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

soccerBrian

IceChristal

Mystify_Me

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

Top Players

'''Create a Great Guest Room! Get Recognized!'''

Acebutter-cup wins top honors this week in the Best Guest Room category.

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, Best Guest or Best Quest!

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

Acebutter-cup invites you to Mickey's Fun House! Dress up as your favorite Disney character and have fun! Keep your eyes open for a Hidden Mickey. The Best Guest Room Winner receives: - 2000 credits - A free room - Best Guest Room Award Pin - Plus! A party in Club 33!

Best Game Rooms

Can you Conquer Tiki Mountain? LuckyMagicCharm will ask you questions to see if you are strong enough. Don't forget, if the question is too difficult you can pass it on to the next player. Good Luck! The Best Game Room Winner receives - 2000 credits - A free room - Best Game Room Award Pin

Best Player Quests

Welcome to Disneyland where TeddyYeti is your guide! Enjoy the Yeti's Monorail Ride – Quest! From the Matterhorn to the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, enjoy Disneyland history in this VMK Quest! The Best Quest Room Winner receives: - 2000 credits - A free room - Best Quest Room Award Pin

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

VMK Cards

AWESOME NEW REWARDS!

Get the Mickey Mouse Television by correctly completing 3 or more Quest at Disneyland or Walt Disney World – then redeem the code in-game for this cool virtual prize! 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

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!

VMK Email Scam

If you get an email from anyone claiming to be from "VMK Player Support" asking for your VMK user information, your character name, password or birthday, DO NOT REPLY to the email. This is a scam to get your login info. There are also email scams where these same parties claim to need this information to award the Push Trivia winners or Best Guest Room prizes.

VMK will NEVER send unsolicited email asking for your password or user information.

The only time you would get an email from VMK regarding this information is if you have already sent us an email requesting help with this problem or another problem through the Contact Us link on the website.

Any email from VMK will include your original email in the reply.

Remember, NEVER share your login and password information should never be shared with anyone.

Trade with Caution!

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.

Scamming = Theft!

Scamming is equal to theft and a violation of the VMK Values. If you scam someone in VMK, this will lead to your account being automatically and permanently banned. Having your parents send in a request using Contact Us to get your account re-activated won't work, because if you can't play by the rules and follow the VMK Values, we don't want you in the game.

Don't let yourself get scammed. As the old saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don't "loan" your stuff and if a room owner refuses to show you their "Cute or Boot" prize or rare item, or you feel they don't really have the prize, leave the room. There are lots of other games to play and things to do in VMK!

Safety Corner

Adult subjects are NEVER appropriate in VMK!

Adult subjects are never allowed in VMK. If you need a reminder of what is and isn't acceptable, read over the VMK Values.

If you spot a player in VMK that is not following the VMK Values and guidelines (especially if they're using adult subjects in chat) – report them. This also applies to players chatting about violence and/or engaging in a violent act – report these players (and any who violate the rules) immediately!

VMK does not tolerate violent language of any kind. Engaging in this behavior is inappropriate and will get you banned, in most cases permanently. Help keep VMK a safe and fun virtual place for everyone! :-)

Game Guidelines Change – Stay Informed.

Has it been a while since you've signed into VMK? Make sure before you re-enter the Kingdom that you review the VMK Values and any updated game guidelines.

To address the needs of our growing community we often update our game guidelines – it's up to you to review the Values and guidelines and make sure you know what is and isn't allowed in VMK before you play. For more recent updates to the VMK Values review the Safety Corner and Scam Alert sections here in the Newsletter.

Don't Dictionary Dance

The VMK Dictionary is in place for a reason. If you "dance" around the dictionary to say something you shouldn't, you could get banned.

Bad words have no place in VMK and neither do words that sound or read like bad words (but are spelled differently). The VMK Dictionary will never allow players to use bad words. "Dancing" around the VMK Dictionary to use bad words (or words that aren't in the dictionary) in chat could get you banned.

Help is always available.

The VMK 'Call For Help' button is easy to use and always accessible – just click on the HELP button on the lower right of the VMK player window. At VMK we encourage you to let us know if anything unsafe or suspicious catches your attention. If it's not in line with VMK Values, please report it!

Tip: Remember the 'Call For Help' is like VMK's 911. So while we encourage you to use it, please only do so for serious player issues. And like 911, using 'Call For Help' to report false information will get you in trouble too, so make sure you're reporting the incident or player accurately.

If you do have a serious problem, tell us immediately! The faster you use the 'Call For Help' button to make us aware of a problem, the more effective we can be in taking care of the issue. So please, tell us immediately if you have a serious problem and help make VMK a fun and safe place for everyone.

VMK Safety & Security

Remember to review the VMK Values and game guidelines. New rules include that Pay to Play rooms are no longer allowed. As always, violence or inappropriate subject matter of adult nature will NOT be tolerated and involvement in this activity will result in a ban of your VMK account.

VMK is NO place for negative behavior. Have fun, make friends, play games and chat, but please keep in mind VMK must always be a safe and appropriate place for Players of ALL ages.

Please help keep VMK just like the Disney Theme Parks - a safe, fun and magical place for everyone!

Respect other players. Scams (theft), violence, giving out personal information or discussing adult content (sexual or otherwise), vulgarity or inappropiate behavior have NO place in VMK.

Keep It Private - Guarding Your Personal Information

Schools out! We know you're all excited about being at home instead of the classroom and VMK is a great, creative way to spend your summer days. Just remember when playing, giving out personal information, such as telling people you're at home alone, is NEVER okay in VMK.

Giving out ANY personal information - your real name, where you live, contact information, grade level, age, and yes, even if you're at home by yourself. Giving out this information – in ANY form, is in direct violation to the VMK Values and WILL GET YOU BANNED.

You should understand that the minute you provide others with your personal information, your personal safety could be at risk.

VMK is a fun place, but it's also a BIG place, with people from all over�so just to keep it safe, keep personal information to yourself and out of VMK. You're best bet is to keep your personal identity and information secret - like a superhero - it can help you avoid a ban and it can keep you safe.

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

Quests

In-Park Quests!

THE NEW FINDING NEMO SUBMARINE VOYAGE QUEST!

The Finding Nemo Quest - exclusively at Disneyland's Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage for a limited time.

PLAY THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN QUEST!

Have a swashbuckling adventure at the Magic Kingdom - 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.)

Dateline Disney

Events that shaped the Walt Disney Company

August 30

2001: The Disney Cruise Line celebrates it's one-millionth Guest.

The Disney Wonder on the high seas.

1995: Imagineers break ground for the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. The resort will feature an American southwest theme and open to the public on August 1st, 1997.

1936: Donald Duck gets his very own comic strip in newspapers across the country – up until this point Donald had only a supporting role appearing periodically in the Silly Symphony Sunday strips.

1908: Disney Legend, actor Fred MacMurray is born in Kankakee, Illinois. MacMurray started his career when he moved to Los Angeles in the late 1920s.

Personally cast by Walt Disney to star in Disney's first live-action comedy The Shaggy Dog (1959), MacMurray would go on to star in seven Disney feature films including, The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), Bon Voyage (1962), Son of Flubber (1963), Follow Me, Boys! (1966), The Happiest Millionaire (1967) and Charly and the Angel (1973).

It's the funniest shaggy dog story ever told!

MacMurray had a long and successful career in show business, also starring in the television show My Three Sons from 1960 to 1972. He was one of the first actors inducted as a Disney Legend in 1987. MacMurray passed away in Los Angeles in 1991 at the age of 83.

August 14

2007: The world premiere of High School Musical 2 is held at the AMC Theaters in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort. Among those walking the red carpet are stars Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale. The film will premiere on the Disney Channel Friday, August 17.

1958: Disneyland's Alice in Wonderland attraction celebrates its grand opening. The ceremonies are hosted by Walt Disney, in attendance are other characters from the popular film including Mouseketeer Karen Pendleton who is dressed as Alice.

1945: Comedian/actor Steve Martin is born Stephen Glenn Martin in Waco, Texas. At the age of 5, Martin moves with his family to California. In 1955 the family moves to Garden Grove, California, a town a few miles away from Anaheim and the newly opened Disneyland.

This "Wild and Crazy Guy" (we mean the one on the left) got his start at Disneyland!

Steve Martin goes to work at Disneyland at the age of 10, getting an after school job there selling guide books dressed in a straw hat and bowtie. He will hold several small jobs at Disneyland before the age of 15, when he takes a job in Fantasyland selling fake vomit and performing magic tricks in Merlin's Magic Shop. Martin will work at Disneyland until the age of 18.

Martin has often been quoted as being heavily influenced by Wally Boag a performer at Disneyland. In addition to being seen in Fantasia 2000 and the Disney/Buena Vista film Father of the Bride, Steve Martin can currently be seen at Disneyland as the host of Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years at the Disneyland Main Street Opera House.

July 17

1955: Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California to invited Guest and media. Walt Disney originally envisioned it as "Mickey Mouse Park," and planned to locate the Park on a tiny eight acre plot across from Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. As ideas for the Park grew a larger location was selected about 45 miles south in the orange groves of Anaheim.

Disneyland has changed a lot over the years, a testament to Walt Disney's commitment to constantly entertain and amaze Guest. He was once quoted as saying, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

However, of the 25 opening day attractions several still remain at Disneyland today, including Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Scary Adventures and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

"To all who come to this happy place - welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

– Walt Disney at Disneyland's dedication, July 17th, 1955.

1989: The dedication ceremony for Splash Mountain is held at Disneyland for invited guest and selected press. In attendance are Disney's CEO Michael Eisner, actors Jim Varney and Nick Stewart (the voice of Brer Bear), Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Mickey Mouse. They officially turn on the water pump to the attraction which will open to the public the following day.

July 7

2006: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest opens in theaters nationwide, it will ransack the box office and become one of the highest grossing films of all time. At the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Captain Jack Sparrow invades the attraction as Walt Disney Imagineers add Captain Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbosa to the attraction. The ride is also enhanced with dynamic digital sound and new effects.

1997: The Disneyland Monorail begins a revised operating schedule (traveling in only one direction) to help workers constructing a new theme park called… Disney's California Adventure.

1976: Starring Ed Asner, Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Tom Bosley, Dick Van Patten, football great Johnny Unitas and a mule, Disney's live-action comedy Gus kicks its way into theaters. The live-action film follows the antics of a field goal kicking mule named Gus and his rise to fame with the California Atoms football team.

That's right, he's a field goal kicking mule and the league's leading laugh scorer!

1971: Animator and technical genius Ub Iwerks passed away in Burbank, California. Ub (whose real name was Ubbe Ert Iwwerks) first met Walt Disney in 1919 when the two worked together as commercial artist in Kansas City. When Walt moved to California and started his animation studio, Ub was his first employee. Ub animated the first Mickey Mouse short, Plane Crazy in two weeks, producing over 700 drawing for the cartoon a day.

Ub Iwerks, animator and Disney Legend 1901–1971

In addition to his animation expertise, Mr. Iwerks was also a technical wizard and built the world's first Multiplane Camera in 1933. He is also credited for helping create the photography process used to blend live action and animation for such films as Three Caballeros, Song of the South and Mary Poppins. Ub Iwerks was honored as a Disney Legend in 1989.

June 29

2007: Ratatouille is released to theaters nationwide. It's Pixar's eighth animated feature film. Directed by Brad Bird (the creative force behind The Incredibles), Ratatouille, (pronounced rat-a-too-ee) follows the adventures of a rat named Remy as he dreams of becoming a famous French chef. The film features the voices of Patton Oswald (as Remy), John Ratzenberger, Janeane Garofalo, Brad Garrett and Petor O' Toole.

1974: America Sings debuts at Disneyland in Tomorrowland's Carousel Theater. The attraction features over 100 Audio-Animatronic figures and replaces the General Electric Carousel of Progress – which is relocated to Walt Disney World.

1908: Disney Legend John Hench is born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Hench started with the Walt Disney Company as a story artist in 1939 and would eventually become the senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

John Hench, Disney Legend 1908–2004.

During his 65 years with the company (the longest of any Cast Member) he personally witnessed the creation of almost every Disney theme park and animated feature. He contributed to such classics as Dumbo, Fantasia and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Among his many other accomplishments, he was also responsible for designing Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World and the original designs for Space Mountain.