Newsletter 14 May 2007
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Yavn Speaks!
Community Reminder
From 13 MarchRemember, 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.
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 ThursdayArrgh! 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 21–31stCelebrate 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: cat_girlt and PrincessRayRays
Let's take a look at this week's rooms - and here's QA_Caffdawg to do just that:
QA_Caffdawg
Ahoy, mateys! Tis I, Pirate QA_caffdawg, with the first of our room makeovers for the week. Thar be lots of submissions coming in from players requesting a room makeover! I spotted one from an unknown pirate nominating cat_girlt, the story brought a tear to me one good eye, so I set off on the VMK seas in search of cat_girlt...
After searching ever port in the mainland, I finally spotted cat_girlt's Skull Rock room and pointed my tiny rowboat in her direction. Upon my entry, I noticed that all she stowed in the cave were thrones and treasure she found on her piratin' journeys!
I told her that one of her pirate friends had nominated her for a room makeover and she was shocked! After a calming pirate chat we talked about things she liked - I found out her favorite colors are blue and gold, and she liked Pirates and the Dark Rides! Hmmm, this got me to thinking...
I started by placing Dark Ride track pieces around the room and then added Water Carpet in the middle and Green Rugs to make the room look like a seashore. Then some Parrot Palm Trees were added for a tropical feel and a couple of Pirate Ship pieces. Now this castaway beach was a wreck... a SHIPWRECK, that is!
BEFORE. The Pillaging Pirates Liar
AFTER. Pirate Treasure Chests sit in the middle of the shipwreck so guests and friends can all relax and chat - while boarding the coolest shipwreck in VMK!
Now, when cat_girlt's pirate friends enter her Skull Rock room, they are greeted with Skeletons at the Helm, but then end their journey around the cave to a Shipwreck made for people who appreciate the pirate's life! Sunken treasure, talking parrots and the Jolly Roger make cat_girlt's Skull Rock truly feel like home, arrgh! Tis a Pirate life for her!
Thanks cat_girlt for letting me makeover your pirate port!
- QA_Caffdawg
And now another Room Makeover by HOST_Lily!
HOST_Lily
Hello again! I first met up with PrincessRayRays in a friends room and she told me how she was hiding cookies in another room. It was time for a snack so I asked if we could check out her cookie room. When we got there she had a lot of Penny Presses in all the colors and some other few random pieces of VMK treasure. It was a great start, but needed something more, so I asked if she was up for a change - luckily she was, so off we went!
First, we moved all her items to one side to get a good look at the room. I thought Playing Card Rugs might add a fun feel and thier alternating pattens added more texture to the room. From there we went up - way up! Back against the walls I placed four Space Mountain Posts with the highest one holding a Penny Presses on top. (I really like those posts because it takes less of them to reach the top of the room than the shorter ones.) Right in front of the Presses I placed matching Huntsman's Couches and Gingerbread Couches. Now guest can sit and eat chocolate without even getting up! (Woot for Lazy Chocolate!) Next we dropped in some Parrot Palm Trees to hide those post! I spread these out with the couches so that you can still take a seat while walking freely around the room.
BEFORE. A sweet collection of machines.
AFTER. This plain room becomes a cookie jungle!
A room like this has a lot going on with the height and spacing of objects, so don't be afraid to test things out and redo them. PrincessRayRays had a few treasures of her own to tuck into the room like the Pirate Treasure seat and the Mickey Pumpkin. I made a final seating area on the ground floor and added a few final Purple Candle Sticks to hide the last of the Space Mountain Posts (and because they're pretty)!
Remember it doesn't take a lot to make a room great - this room is basically Trees, Penny Presses, Rugs and Couches - well that and a bunch of hidden posts! Keep at it everyone. I'd love to see what you can create on your own! Whew, after all that I think I need a cookie! 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 clicked on a piece of furniture in my Guest Room and I noticed a new button called 'Item Info' - what does it do?
By clicking the 'ITEM INFO' button you can display additional information about the item such as item name and status of the item, like if it's tradeable.
2. I've heard guests can now move my furniture? Is this true? And what items can be moved by my guests?
Guest can ONLY move furniture if you allow them to do so by setting the option on the item. They can't take or remove anything from your room, or take any item and put it in their own inventory. Only furniture and posters that are placed in a room can be moved by guests – and then ONLY if the Room Owner has allowed that item to be moved.
By default, furniture and posters can't be moved by guests, the Room Owner must select which items he/she wishes to be moved by Guests before they can move them. (To do this make sure the box beside the words, LET GUEST MOVE THIS ITEM is checked in the 'Item Info' window.)
3. My Trading Window looks different now - what did VMK change?
To address some trading concerns, we added new features to make trading easier. Now when you click on an item, information about the item is displayed on the right hand of the window. The information displayed includes the item name, the type of item it is (Furniture, Magic Pin, Single-Use Magic Pin, Clothing, etc.), who owns the items, whether or not it's tradeable, and the magic word you need to active the item (if a Magic Pin is highlighted).
In the Trading Window you can now view additional information about the other player's item. Simply, select the item and you'll receive information about it. (Now you'll know that Dancing Inferno really has as many stars as they claim by clicking on the pin in the offer window!)
4. How do I get the Fantasyland dark ride track pieces and furniture?
We're currently working on a release schedule for dark ride track pieces and select number of furniture pieces from both rides. Check the VMK Newsletter to stay up-to-date with new item releases.
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 9 May 2007/ 11 May 2007
How do you get to the Pirates of the Caribbean game? What's the difference between Ship Battle and Capture The Flag? How do you become a VMK VIP?
Yeti's got the answers! Plus tips on keeping the pirate chat VMK approved!
Ahoy there matey! Have ya been yearning for some tips to be a better Pirate? Well look no further – the Yeti is a Pirates of the Caribbean game pro!
Mr. Yeti! How do I get to the Pirates of the Caribbean game?
To get to the Pirates game, first you'll need to click on the Adventureland tab at the top of your VMK window.
Once you see the Adventureland Area Map click on 'Pirates of the Caribbean Game' in the upper-left hand corner.
Ahoy! You've entered the Pirates of the Caribbean 'Game Lobby.'
If you're new to the game you may want to read over the instructions – they're located in the lower-left hand corner.
After you're familiar with how to play the game, choose 'Start New Game.'
From here you can choose your ship and decide whether you want to play 'Ship Battle' or 'Capture the Flag.'
Ship Battle vs. Capture the Flag
There are two versions of the Pirates of the Caribbean game – Ship Battle and Capture the Flag. It will cost ya 21 credits to play each game and each game has 3 levels.
Choose Ship Battle or Capture the Flag!
Ship Battle
In Ship Battle your goal is to capture the other teams booty. Each time you shoot the opposing team you get 5 pieces of gold. If you sink the other team's ship, you get half of whatever gold they have on board. There are 3 rounds with best 2 out 3 wins.
Capture the Flag
In Capture the Flag the object of the game is to capture the other team's flag and take it back to your port. If you do this you win the game.
Tips for Ship Battle
- If your ship has been destroyed – wait until an opponent is near then double click your ship. Doing this will explode your ship and hopefully take out or wound your opponent - and you'll gain extra points!
- Don't waste ammunition! Sometimes ammunition is limited. You should also block extra cannonballs that appear so your opponents can't get to them to restock their ammo. The same can be done with a health chest – guard them so your opponents can't reach them!
- Get the gold ammo! It can sink an opponent in one shot! You can also use the gold ammo as bait. When your opponent goes to pick up the gold ammo, ambush them before they are able to reach it! Arrgh! Tis a pirate's life, indeed!
- Keep moving! Pirates never stay in one place for too long... ;-) You shouldn't either, why? Well, if you stay still you may get hit by stray cannons - and that nasty Kraken will get you! The sea-monster will quickly take down ships that stay in one place.
Watch out for the cranky Kraken!
- Work as a team. Create the shape of a 'T' with your ships to more effectively take out your opponents. Also, corner an opponent together for a successful take-over.
- Once you fire, get out of the way of the opponent's ship. Even if they sink sometimes they can still get a round off before they do.
- Did you know ammo goes through rocks? Sometimes in the game cannonballs will go through rocks and take out an opponent on the other side!
- Try to use the arrow keys to fire instead of your mouse. Sometimes when you double click to fire using the mouse – you end up moving instead.
- Time your shots! Learn how fast the cannonballs go and in which direction they go when you fire them. Practice this in level one by timing different shots and seeing which ones works best.
Tips for Capture the Flag
- Use the ship Black Pearl. This is the fastest ship and will let you reach the opponent's flag faster.
The Code of Pirate Courtesy
By a pirates honor, be nice to other players. Remember – this is only a game. Other players, uh, pirates aren't sinking you because they don't like you – it's the object of the game!
Don't use bad language! Sure, sometimes in the heat of battle you may get a little excited, but make sure you watch what you say and you keep the language in line with the VMK Values.
How can I get more credits?
Aye! Looking for pirate booty are ya? Well, like any good treasure, you've got to know where to look - and using this handy guide ye should be able to chart a course in the right direction!
First, ya should be seeking out the NPC's (Non-Playable Characters) that are in VMK. There's treasure to be had by just visiting them, aye, the first time you enter VMK you'll be awarded a bounty of 40 credits for visiting an NPC and each time after that the NPC will award you 20 credits (once a day) - just for visiting! Now that's a decent sum considering there's not much work involved - and as a pirate you gotta like that!
One of my favorite NPC's is Captain Blackheart, the swashbuckling pirate comedian!
Find the Captain at the Pirate Treehouse in Adventureland!
Other NPC's waitin' to load you up with virtual treasure are:
Esmeralda – she's located in the Emporium on Main Street.
Shrunken Ned – he's located in Shrunken Ned's Shop in Adventureland.
Dragon – located in the Dungeon in Fantasyland.
Ghosts – located in the Haunted Mansion Stretching Room in the Haunted Mansion lobby which is in New Orleans Square.
Yeti – You can find me at the Matterhorn in Fantasyland!
Gator Waiter – he's located in Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square. Aye, he'll serve up grub n' grog, in addition to credits!
The Gator Waiter serves grub, grog - and credits!
In all, if you were to visit all the NPC's in a given day you would get a total of 180 credits. Not bad for an old salty dog like you!
Play VMK games for more pieces o' eight!
Castle Fireworks remixed – located in Fantasyland.
Haunted Mansion – located in New Orleans Square.
Pirates of the Caribbean – located in Adventureland.
Jungle Cruise – located in Adventureland.
The credits for the games are calculated by your final score, and the amount of credits varies. Fair winds, me hearties!
Music Mixer – Hop on the Monorail.
50 credits the first time you make music using the Music Mixer, you get another 50 credits when you play back your Music Mix.
Mr. Yeti, how do I become VIP in VMK?
Ah, becoming a Very Important Person – aren't you one already?! Ok ok, so you want the pin to prove it.
First, you should know there are two VMK VIP's - there's a VMK VIP Pin and a VMK VIP Badge.
You receive a VMK VIP Badge by entering the code from the VIP Card (Card 30 of 30 from Series 1). Previously, there was a set of four in-Park Quests and if you completed them all you would receive the VIP Card. Unfortunately these Quests and cards aren't available at this time.
The VMK VIP Badge.
To receive the VMK VIP Pin, you need to win a Best Guest/Game/Quest award more than once in the same category.
The VMK VIP Pin.
For example, if you won an award for Best Game Room and some time later you win another award for Best Game Room – this would get you a VMK VIP Pin.
Well that about does it this week for the Yeti, I'll spare you the pirate speak as I'm wrapping up but remember to be nice to other players in those Pirates games - make VMK a fun and safe place to play!
Push's Trash Trivia
He wrote the Pirates 'theme song.' Who is he and what is the song?
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: What attraction was originally planned as a walk-through wax museum?
Answer: Pirates of the Caribbean at the Disneyland Resort in California.
"You come seeking adventure and salty old pirates? Then you've come to the right place..."
Did you know: At Disneyland, the Grotto area (the cave that features the skeleton with the Seagull Hat) is where the originally planned walk-through Pirate Wax Museum would have been - 73 feet below ground level.
The Grotto at Disneyland.
Pirates of the Caribbean opened to the public at Disneyland on April 19, 1967, it was the last attraction Walt Disney personally supervised. In 2007 the attraction celebrates its 40th anniversary.
When the Pirates attraction was opened Hollywood screen legend Dorothy Lamour broke a bottle of Mississippi River water on the anchor at the edge of the Rivers of America. The anchor supposedly comes from a ship that belonged to the famous pirate Jean Latiffe.
Here are the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!
JungleDudette
Pinqelefynt
Leilux
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.
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 Game Rooms
Best Player Quests
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!
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.
Scamming of any kind will get you BANNED!
It's great to have a popular room in VMK, but it's not OK to get players into your room by scamming them.Saying you have an item that you don't have in order to get players to come into your room is considered a scam and will get you BANNED! Also trading with players and booting them from your room before you finish a trade fairly can also get you banned.
Safety Corner
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 DISNEY ANIMATION QUEST!
Play the latest VMK In-Park Quest now at The Magic Kingdom® and Disneyland® - put your knowledge of Disney animated films to the test!
Going to Disneyland® Park or Magic Kingdom® Park? Play the in-Park Quests! Learn more here.
<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.)