Newsletter 18 June 2007
From Disneys Online Worlds Guide (Wiki)
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Yavn Speaks!
6/22 – He's back! And he's got red hot info on cool NEW Snack Cart Furniture, a NEW Pin, a NEW In-Park Quest at Disneyland and the 2nd Annual VMK Slide-A-Thon coming this weekend!
It's Water Parks month! Take the plunge with VMK's Summer Adventure - now live and direct from VMK Central heeeerrree's Yavn!
Yavn is (back) in the house!
Greetings programs! Yes, I know, it's been a while … I know many of you have been wondering if I'm ok (I am) and where I have been the last month (can't a guy take a vacation?). The truth isn't all that exciting – I've been really busy – but I know you still want to know what I've been up to …
Costa Rica, Ireland, Italy, London, Paris, Spain, Tuscany, so many places - I'm pretty sure it's gonna take me more than two weeks to see them all.
Well, for starters I've been doing some traveling (the Churro & Turkey Leg combo was such a hit I had to go back to WDW for more!!) and I took a much needed 2-week vacation (let me just say Adventures by Disney are awesome!!!). But in general I've been super busy, and so has the entire team – we're all just crazy busy. Now that you know what I've been up to, let's talk about the game and get to the good stuff!!!
Principal Yavn
Now, I hate to be the bad guy here but I've got to fill you in on changes to our moderation and game policies. As you read over these points, please remember why we're doing this – our goal for VMK is to create a safe and fun place for everyone.
Game Moderation Revised
I know you will all be interested is how we're reworking the game moderation. We're always reevaluating the process and now we are making some changes from the ground up. Over the next few weeks you'll start to see changes and adjustments to how we moderate the game.
We're doing this to address changes in the game and provide even better service to our every growing community. Remember, as the game and community change, we're always updating the VMK values to address the changes and evolution of the game. So make sure you review the VMK Values from time to time.
While we're on the topic of moderation let me remind you: sharing ANY sort of messaging address or e-mail address will get you banned from VMK. Inappropriate language, inappropriate behavior, hacking or use of bugs or programs that modify VMK and any player scams will get you banned from VMK.
We're cracking down on these behaviors, they will get you banned from the game - with or without a warning!
Pay to Play, not OK
You spoke and we listened. Based on your feedback VMK will no longer allow players to charge each other to play games, enter rooms or anything else. From now on the moderation team will be issuing bans for any players charging other players to get into a room or play a game.
Just to be clear this is related to player activities, VMK will still be charging game credits to play Pirates and ride the Fantasyland Dark Rides. Additionally, we will not be releasing the Turnstiles that were tested several months ago.
Slide On!
On a lighter side, get ready to dive - uh, I mean "slide" - into summer! Slide on down with our 2nd Annual Slide-A-Thon! The event is running this weekend only Saturday (6/23) and Sunday (6/24). Take a slide and you'll have the chance to win the Blizzard Beach Waterslide Start piece on Saturday and the Typhoon Lagoon Waterslide Start piece on Sunday.
Saturday's prize – Blizzard Beach Waterslide Start.
Sunday's prize – Typhoon Lagoon Waterslide Start.
Remember each time you ride you will win one track piece - you can ride (and win) as much as you like, so ride often! If you can't join us for the Slide-A-Thon this weekend, don't worry - the tracks will be on sale soon.
Nemo & The Case of The Missing Submarine Piece
Sure, the front and back of the Finding Nemo Submarine are pretty cool but what happened to the middle? Well good news, the brand new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Quest at Disneyland will be the exclusive way to get it.
Starting late next week Guests in line for the brand new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland will be given a special Finding VMK Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Quest!
The Finding Nemo Quest - available only at Disneyland's Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
Along with the cool activities, there will also be a card with the Submarine middle. Now like all good things the Quest won't be around forever - so hurry up and get to Disneyland and check out the coolest (and newest) attraction and start Finding Nemo!
Now you can finish building your own yellow submarine.
Guests who have already visited the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage – got a preview of the Quest (minus the card) which features a link to the Finding Nemo Virtual Lagoon - there you can find codes for the front and back of the sub. See the Promotions Page for more details.
Fun Days Return For Summer!
Starting in July we're bringing back Fun Days and increasing the rewards for playing Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. So make sure and check the Community Calendar for all the details. Why you ask? Well, I've heard that some pretty cool new stuff is on the way… keep reading…
Snack Attack
Since everyone loved the Snack Pin Series so much we decided to snacking a step further and create some Snack Cart Furniture Items! Now's your chance to make your room into an awesome snack bar! And what better way to kick off the new items than to start with a Yavn favorite… the Churro Cart!
Did somebody say Churro? I'm buyin'! Visit the Emporium Specials in early July for your chance to pick up one of these beauties and keep checking back here for information on the next addition.
4th of July
Got plans for the 4th? Make sure you drop by VMK – we'll be celebrating Independence Day by giving everyone who enters the game a snazzy 4th of July Pin!
"...from sea to shining sea! Get it, sea, water? Hey, come on it's Water Parks month!
We also have some other cool stuff planned so you really should drop by!
See you real soon… really! Well I hope that tides you over for a bit, and I promise not to stay away for so long next time. After all I need to give you updates on the cool Finding Nemo pins on the way, more Alice In Wonderland track items, some new summer clothing and a brand new game for VMK.com we are putting the finishing touches on. Alright I better start making some room for the upcoming Churro Cart… now, do you think we should make a Turkey Leg Cart too?
"Hats off to the VMK team! Hey this looks cool!"
See you in VMK, Yavn
Community Reminder
1. Everyone LOVES a prize – the promise of rare items and other VMK goodies are a wonderful thought, but remember when you enter a trade, a "Cute or Boot" or Pay to Play room you might be scammed.
2. Pay to Play rooms – where you pay to play a game and it's up to the room owner to award the prize – are extremely questionable. Starting immediately we will no longer allow these rooms in VMK.
3. 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
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
Event Info
Water park Slide-A-Thon June 23rd & 24th
NEW! Room Makeovers Every Tuesday and Thursday
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
Water Park Slide-A-Thon
June 23rd & 24th
Get wet in the VMK Waterpark Slide-A-Thon! There's a different prize each day, so ride every day and ride often!
Saturday's prize – Blizzard Beach Waterslide Start.
Sunday's prize – Typhoon Lagoon Waterslide Start.
Room Makeovers
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Each week we select a VMKer at random for a Room Makeover, then we turn our talented team of Room Designers loose to review the 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.
Room Makeover Winners this week are: CptOrangeBlossom and Arty.
Let's take a look at our first room makeover this week - take it away HOST_Lily:
HOST_Lily
Hello everyone, it's time to makeover some lucky VMK players rooms! Green's the theme for CptOrangeBlossom's newest room! Why? Well because as you can probably guess, green is one of her favorite colors!
I started the Room Makeover by placing ALR Green Grass behind the Huntsmen Heartless Hampers to add color to the room. Parrot Palm Trees help get color up high, but don't have room for posters. Green and gold Magic Carpet chairs are quite cozy near a Bubbling Cauldron, while Sparkling Pirate Treasure Rugs lead the way to a Gold Monster's Inc. Doorway and another one of her rooms.
Those Green Tiki rugs along the front and middle of the room match the color theme we've already started, while Madame Leota Tables, matching Captain Nemo Chairs and Haunted Mansion Candelabras add a nice glow. The yellow Tangaroa Tikis add a nice contrast.
Finally, we added golden locks on the green Travel Chests – they really add a nice sparkle to the room. Green and gold Retro Penny Presses provide the snacks for guests and a Pirate Player Piano entertains them!
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| BEFORE. A forest of green and gold. |
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| AFTER. Now this is more like it, you can really see the trees! |
Thanks CptOrangeBlossom for letting me make over your room, be and stop by!
- HOST_Lily
And now another Room Makeover by HOST_Spraky!
HOST_Sparky
Arty rules an island of his own! But when I arrived on the island it was a bit bare and deserted – a pirate themed VMK Room Makeover will fix that!
No island is an island without a few palm trees, so I started this Room Makeover by adding a few Parrot Palm Trees to fill in the empty areas. Next, I added Pirate Fortress Walls to "repel boarders" and keep out any invading enemies. But the Flaming Ransacked Windows and Campfires will also keep the island bright as day when it turns to night.
ALR Grass in shades of pink and green give a nice overgrown feeling to the room - like a nice jungle hideaway, while Skeleton Monkeys and Skeletons at the Helm keep the Pirate Treasure Chests safe. Finally, a meeting table for any welcomed pirate council member is made up from a Madame Leota Table and Barrel Chairs. And no pirate island would be complete without Pirate Thrones and a full Pirate Ship!
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| BEFORE. Stranded on the deserted island. |
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| AFTER. Now Arty is king of his own Pirate kingdom. |
Be sure and come to visit Arty at his very own island – and give a hearty "Ahoy!" so the skeleton guardians will know you're a friend, and not a foe!
See you soon, and don't forget if you or a friend needs a Room Makeover to submit it – and maybe I'll make over your Guest Room
- HOST_Lily
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: mailman@virtualmagickingdom.com. (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.
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
20 June - Where in Central Florida can you both surf and swim with the sharks?
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: Walt Disney loved to ride these so much he had one put in his backyard. What is it?
Answer: A Railroad.
Walt Disney loved trains and there was nothing he liked better than sharing his love of trains with others. In 1949 when he moved to his house in Holmby Hills, California with the help of Imagineer and Disney Legend Roger E. Broggie, Walt built a railroad in his backyard. The half-mile railroad featured a one-eight scale steam locomotive train, named Lilly Belle (after his wife Lilly). The train rode on 2,615 feet of track that included a 46-foot bridge, sloping hills, an elevated dirt berm and 90-foot tunnel (which ran under his wife's flower garden).
The Carolwood Pacific Railroad (Walt named the railroad after the street he lived on – Carolwood Drive) was also part of the inspiration for Disneyland. The railroad was overseen and controlled from Walt's Barn. The barn, which was also located in the backyard, was where Walt went to relax and develop new ideas – the barn is also considered the "birthplace of Imagineering."
Walt plays engineer as he gives a group of lucky Guests a ride on the Carolwood Pacific! Look closely in the background and you can see Walt's Barn – the birthplace of Imagineering.
After Walt Disney passed away, the Carolwood Pacific was donated by his wife Lilly to Los Angeles Live Steamers railroad club (who Walt was a member) and eventually to Griffith Park in Los Angeles – where the Carolwood Pacific Railroad and the barn reside today.
Did you know: Imagineers modeled the two original trains for Disneyland after the Lilly Belle. Under the supervision of Roger E. Broggie, WED Enterprises built the trains at the Walt Disney Studios by hand. Three more locomotives were later added to the Park but those were brought to the location from elsewhere
Here are the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for our last week's question!
SnowKitty
CaptainHill
PowerGirl
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!
SweetAsADaisy 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
 | Come in and visit with Rongo the Great Tiki King in his very own Water Slide With Rongo Ride, created by SweetAsADaisy. In the room you can enjoy the ride and also Rongos funny jokes and trivia.
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Best Game Rooms
 | Come and take part in the Pirate Battles. In this fun trivia game Captain-Sunshine will quiz you on all types of Pirate knowledge. Make it to the Gold and you win.
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Best Player Quests
 | How well do you really know your Disney DVD trivia?
If you think you are up to the challenge please go and visit CL_Nedakh and his Disney DVD Quest. Good Luck. |
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
Pay for play rooms are no longer allowed in VMK.
6/15 – Everyone LOVES a prize – the promise of rare items and other VMK goodies are a wonderful thought, but remember when you enter a trade, a "Cute or Boot" or Pay to Play room you might be scammed.
Pay to Play rooms in particular – where you pay to play a game and it's up to the room owner to award the prize – are extremely questionable. That's why starting immediately VMK will no longer allow these rooms in VMK.
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 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.
Remember, 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!
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!
Safety Corner
Summer Fun!
6/15 – 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.
Dictionary Dancing
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 say bad words in chat by changing words so they resemble bad words WILL GET YOU BANNED – because even though the word may not be the actual word, the meaning is still the same.
Adult content is NEVER allowed in VMK!
You know what we mean by "adult" content – this is a word, phrase or action that would make your mother blush and your dad tell you to "go to your room!" We can't send you to your room but we can ban you from VMK - we don't want to but we have to keep the community safe and fair for everyone. So please play nicely - from pirate battles to room Quests and games - keep your chat and your actions appropriate for the community!
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!
HELP 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. 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.
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.
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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!
Tomorrowland Quest!
This out-of-this-world adventure is fun and rewarding. You can win a Inner-Space Suit Magic Spell for your virtual character.
High School Musical Quest! Watch the movie, visit the Parks and answer all the questions to win cool stuff!
Get the Thrill Seekers Quest 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 mailman@virtualmagickingdom.com. (Please note this email address does not receive e-mail except via the Contact Us form.)
