Newsletter 25 December 2006
From Disneys Online Worlds Guide (Wiki)
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Announcing a new ticketing system for your Guest rooms! Plus, a way for you to keep track of big game events. The latest VMK News starts now...
Yavn Speaks!
It's a Holly Jolly Holiday!
Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you're drinking lots of hot coco and keeping warm... Even here in what's a normally warm Southern California, we've had a bit of a cold spell. Yesterday morning I had to scrape ice off my windshield and as you can imagine there aren't too many places to buy an ice scrapers around here!
Before I get into the details of this weeks column, I want to mention a few things... First, you've probably noticed the personalization on the site, we hope you think it's as cool as we do, you'll now see the Pins you're wearing... Next week I'll talk more this and other new features... Second, make sure to check out the new EVENT INFO box just to the right of this column on the Newsletter page. In the future you'll want to check this section out to get all the information you're looking for about major in-game and Park events - again this section will just focus only on EVENTS, not game items, or play tips, but the what, when, where, who and how of major VMK events. Ok, so now that that's outta the way, let's get down to bizness!
Holiday Mix Up
So by now you're probably aware that we switched out the Disneyland Holiday Quest for a new Haunted Mansion Holiday Quest. I'm truly sorry for those of you who were looking forward to getting the Holiday Items - but even with careful planning and many extra Reward Cards we still ran out. The truth is that these Special Quests (Halloween, Holiday) have been a huge success, even exceeding our own expectations, so we will be adding more in the coming year. I'll give you some more insight into the next Park Quest in the coming weeks. If you are spending the holidays at Walt Disney World you can still play the Holiday Quest but as we've already mentioned, there is a limited supply there too, and once this batch of Holiday Reward Cards are gone, the Quest will end.
Who Needs Tickets?
It's the holiday, so why are you reading this Newsletter instead of playing with your new toys? I'll tell you why - because you want to know about the new VMK Ticketing System! The system may sound a little complicated, but bear with me and I'll do my best to explain it!
The basic concept of Tickets is that players will be able to close their Room(s) and require Tickets to enter them. A Ticket can be purchased for 10 Credits and can be traded to other players.
Starting in early January two new options will be added to the Room Information Button (that's the icon that has an i on it). The first is the 'People With Tickets' box, the second is the 'Create Tickets' box.
Room Options
Once you decide who to let into your Guest Room you can now have the following options:
- Allow Everyone: This option allows all players into your Room.
- Only Allow Friends To Enter: This option only allows players that are on your Friends List to enter your Room.
- People With Tickets: Only players that have an unused Ticket to enter your Room can enter.
- Only Allow Friends To Enter & People With Tickets: This option only allows friends to enter & people with Tickets - Players that are on your Friends List and players that have an unused Ticket can enter the Room.
Creating Tickets
When you click on the 'Create Tickets' button you will be given 4 options of when the Ticket will expire if not used (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 30 days) you'll also have a counter that will help you decide how many tickets you would like to buy. (Should we add this feature to all shops?... It sure would make it easier to buy lots of tracks.)
The Fine Print
Tickets work as Single Use Magic Pins and once created are found in the Pin menu.
- Tickets can only be used once.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are kicked out of a room that requires a Ticket you can not re-enter!! We are looking ways to solve this but for now be aware that as a Room Owner you must be very careful when kicking a player out.
Likewise players that abuse this ticketing privilege will be banned.
- Tickets work for all rooms that require tickets from the same owner (you can not create a ticket for a specific room, the ticket works for any and all rooms with the "People With Tickets" box checked.
- Tickets not used by the expiration date will disappear from your inventory.
- Tickets can be traded. And traded, and traded... so just be aware that the person you trade with may re-trade the ticket.
- Rooms that require a ticket will have an icon on the Room Navigator to show the Ticket required for entry.
Aside from the Tickets there is another benefit, you can now lock a room from everyone without having to clear you friend list. How do you do that? Just click the 'People With Tickets' box but don't create any Tickets. Any Room that has both 'Only Allow Friends To Enter & People With Tickets' will allow people on your Friend List to come and go, but non-Friends will need a Ticket to enter. Rooms that require Tickets will now have a Ticket icon on the Navigator. Of course even VMK will have a special place that will be a 'Tickets Only' for special events.
Jingle All The Way
I hope that all makes sense - it made sense to me when I was writing it but with all the sugary Holiday treats I've been eating, this all may sound like a rambling sugar rush! I also hope you're excited about the updates and stuff that's on the way. So what's on deck for next week? Well, a little something I like to call "Castle Fireworks Remix," and no you won't have to come in 2nd Place to win the Pin...
Finally, enjoy what ever Holiday or tradition you celebrate and I'll see you in VMK... Alright, someone pass the Eggnog & Churros, Yavn needs more sugar!
And to all a good night,
Yavn
Event Info
2006 has been a great year - so help us celebrate in VMK!
NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH
December 31st
Don't forget to join us for New Year's Eve and help us celebrate 2007, VMK style! The game will be staying open an additional 3 hours so we can ring in the New Year with our friends on the West Coast at Disneyland!
Yep, you heard that correct VMK will operate from 7AM PST - 1AM PST on December 31st! We'll also have a new hat to commemorate the celebration, it will be on sale starting the evening of the 31st and be on sale all New Years day!
Check the Community Calendar for more details and event times.
Jake's Blog
Tips
Tips, Tricks Hints and How To's
And the password is?
Can't remember your password? Go to the login screen and click on "Forgot your password?" Enter your username, last name, and birthday (to verify it's really you!) and your password will be emailed to you shortly. Pretty easy!
Dear Yeti
You've Got Questions, Yeti Has Answers
What Christmas songs are sung in 'it's a small world holiday' at Disneyland?
-PirateJack
Dear PirateJack,
I know it's cold where I am, but doesn't this wintry weather shiver your timbers! Har! That's a good one... Anyway, the Yeti has just gotten back from visiting 'it's a small world holiday' and was singing right along to all the holiday tunes...
Now, let me see if I can remember them all... The regular theme song is still in the holiday soundtrack but 'Jingle Bells' has been mixed in too. Plus, when you float past the mermaids listen carefully, they'll be singing 'Jingle Shells!' Oh those girls are clever - you can also hear 'Feliz Navidad' too! The ride ends with a few rousing bars of 'Deck the Halls' and the Yeti with visions of sugar plumbs dancing in my head! Have a great holiday!
Do you have a question for me?
Send it to me through the Contact Us section at the bottom of this page. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you (the email and information you registered with) and select "Dear Yeti" from the drop down menu. Each week I'll answer a question or two here in the Newsletter.
Push's Trash Trivia
What's the optical illusion called that causes the Haunted Mansion busts to watch you as you walk by them?
Know the answer?
Send your answer using Contact Us at the bottom of this or the main VMK webpage. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Push's Trash Trivia from the drop down menu. Out of all the correct answers, three players will be randomly drawn as the winners and sent a cool prize. But hurry! Only entries submitted by the close of game on Friday will be accepted.
Here's the answer to last weeks Trash Trivia question:
Q: In "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" what is the first thing Huey, Dewey, and Louie do to end up on Santa's Naughty list?
A: They throw a football through a window.
Huey, Dewey & Louie in 1938 starring in Donald's Nephews.
Did you know: You can usually tell Huey, Dewey and Louie from each other by the color of their hats or clothing. Huey wears red, Dewey wears blue (but he has worn orange) and Louie dresses in green.
Disney archivist Dave Smith points out in his book Disney A to Z there's an easy way to remember the difference, "Note that the brightest hue of the three is red (Huey), the color of water, dew, is blue (Dewey), and that leaves Louie, and leaves are green."
Huey, Dewey, and Louie made their first theatrical appearance in Donald's Nephews 1938. They were left on Donald Duck's doorstep by their mother, Dumbella Duck - Donald's sister.
Congratulations to the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!
AntiqueEeyore
HappySydney
Neoteny
Your prize is on its way!
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
 | It's Santa Town! Spread some yuletide cheer with avasFootball as you visit with friends in a colorful holiday setting. Just don't spoil your dinner by eating too many Cookie Trees! |
 | Come see the Biggest Santa Ever with Summer! Sit in Santa's sleigh, pet the reindeer, and don't forget to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. |
 | Enjoy the spirit of the season with fonna at The Winter Snow Festival. Toss some snowballs and admire the ice castles. You are sure in for a sweet treat with all the candy canes aglow! |
Best Game Rooms
 | There are Tin Soldiers on the Run! Spin the generator and get your soldier to run the fastest and LuisT will award a prize just in time for the holidays. |
Best Player Quests
 | Only a few explorers have been lucky enough to find the secret spot where the sun shines enough to create a beautiful crystal waterfall and CL_Cita is one of them! While you are there, make sure to try out the Crystal Falls Treasure Quest. |
Players who have been previously recognized for their design talents will receive the VIP award.
VMK Cards
Have you ever wondered what cards you are missing in your collection. Well there is now a great new way to discover all the cards for VMK. Check it out!
Scam Alert
Trading!
If you are in a trade with someone and they say they have entered furniture in but it remains invisible due to a bug – DO NOT believe them. This is a scam, and you should report them!
Safety Corner
Reporting Problems to VMK Staff
When you have a problem with something or someone in the game, make sure your report to us includes as many details as possible regarding the situation. Our staff wants to help you, but to do that, we need to understand the situation clearly and what you want to have resolved.
Having as much information as you can provide will help the staff take care of the issue quickly and effectively. Likewise, if we don't have all the information and have to go back and research what happened it will take us MUCH longer to answer you concern and fix the problem.
When you're reporting any problem, include the players name and location, the time and date, and most importantly, clearly explain what happened. If you're telling us about a chat that took place or a ban inquiry, you can repeat the conversation or instance. Just be sure to include who said what (using a specific player name) - and before you get into talking about the actual chat make a note that you're about to relay a conversation that has already taken place.
Quests
In-Park Quests! Going to Disneyland® Park or Magic Kingdom® Park? Play the in-Park Quests! Learn more here.
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!
The Tomorrowland Quest is still available: Download it 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.)
