Newsletter 26 February 2007
From Disneys Online Worlds Guide (Wiki)
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This week Yavn has the 411 on EPCOT Quests and more ways to party in Club 33! As well as a new room makeover with HOST_Sparky, and an introduction to the 'Month of Green'! Take it away, Yavn!
Yavn Speaks!
Hello, hello, hello! This week I've been asked by the VMK Hosts and Moderators to remind you about a things going on in the VMK community. So without any further ado, let's get down to business, and if time permits, I may even serve up some tasty Q&A.
What about EPCOT?
So there's a quite a bit of confusion among VMK'ers about the 4 EPCOT Quests (the 2nd EPCOT Quest launched today) and what the prize is. So here is the Yavn 411 on the EPCOT Quest:
The one and only EPCOT Guest room.
- In all there are 4 different EPCOT Quests. The first EPCOT Quest launched last week, the second one launched today and the next 2 Quest launch on March 5th and March 12th. All the Quests will run until March 31st, so get in the game and get Questing.
- To win the EPCOT Guest room, complete any one of the 4 Quests for that fabulous prize.
- There's only one 1 EPCOT Guest Room, so even if you complete all 4 Quests, basically you end up winning the same EPCOT Guest Room 4 times.
Some VMK'ers are asking why we're giving away the same room 4 times and the answer is pretty simple - because you asked for it. In the past when we've given away rooms as prizes many of you wanted a way to get more then one. So, the EPCOT Quest gives you a chance to do just that. Play the Quests! Win the rooms! And before you know it we might even have some Epcot Furniture to decorate it with! ;-)
By the way, be sure to check out the new homepage poll this week - we want to know what you think about the Epcot Quest, as well as the prize – and give us your feedback. Because we do listen to your comments and want to keep making VMK better and better!
Party in Club 33! UPDATE!
The only way to party in Club 33 is to win the title of Best Guest Room, but starting soon our Hosts will be running Special Quest Kiosks that will have Club 33 Tickets – as prizes! Check the Community Calendar to see when and where. We're also working on more ways to make Club 33 available to you, as well as some special events that will be taking place there.
Yavn's Mailbag
It's been while since I've dug into the old mail bag, when I do it seems like we're getting many of the same questions (When is Carpet coming out?, Will Green Flips ever be sold?, (and my personal favorite) Can I have a free Inferno???) but there are some pretty good questions in the recent pile of mail, so let's take a second and answer 'em now. Remember, if you have any questions send them in, and either I or Yeti (I hear he's going to take a stab at becoming a VMK game counselor) will answer them for you.
Q: Any chance of having some of the Host Events start earlier? Many of the events take place late or during dinner time for those of us in the East Coast. Thanks.
A: Take a look at the Community Calendar, we've started running some events earlier. We are playing with the days and time too, to see what works best for everone.
Q: What ever happened to the Turnstile? I thought it was going to be out months ago?
A: After testing the Turnstile we found a few issues with the functionality and have been working to fix them. We hope to have news on the release of this item very soon.
Q: The extra credits from Fireworks remixed and Haunted Mansion games are great! Any chance we'll see the Pirates game give more credits too?
A: That's an interesting thought. In fact, the response to February Fun Days (remember, this is the last week) has been so good we're considering something like extra credits for Pirates too! Stay tuned for more info on that!
Q: I really need a Room Makeover - any suggestions on how I can get picked?
A: Well, first off, the best way NOT to get picked is to make a room with a title like 'I Need a Makeover.' Instead, I'd suggest having your friends send in notes on why your room is Makeover worthy - to make things easier we'll be doing more VMK Room Makeover's each week, so keep an eye out for more winners soon.
Speaking of Room Makeover's, last week we found our second lucky player in need of a VMK Room Makeover. Let's take a break from my rambling for a moment to check in with HOST_Sparky for and update on last week's Makeover - take it away Sparky!
VMK Room Makeover – UPDATE!
HOST_Sparky
Howdy y'all! Well after tons of searchin' I was, finally able to find just the right room for our February 20th VMK Room Makeover! I searched high and low (even over and under) until I ran smack dab into green-nino sittin' on a lonely Pirate Throne in his guest room. After a few howdy-do's and little chit chat, I realized the only thing in this Space Mountain Guest Room was… well, SPACE!
Instantly the gears started turning and I started pacin' around tryin' to figure out what this room needed. I green-nino, "What's your absolute favorite thing here in VMK?" "Fire!" he exclaimed! And that was just the inspiration I needed to get me going!
Green-nino's Space Mountain guest room before the makeover…
…and after! Now this space cowboy is ready for the ride of his life!
I was truly 'fired up,' up went the flames and down went the tracks! Fire and ice appeared in the middle of a crater lake! (Of course, I had to make sure there were enough asteroid chairs and crater couches to sit a spell should any of green-nino's friends get dizzy from goin' around and around on the never ending mini-coaster.) I added two Lumieres and a couple of colorful candelabras for just the right touch. (No one will be needin' a Expedition Everest Jacket to climb these space mountains, that's for sure!)
When I was finished, green-nino was quite excited and couldn't wait to show all of his friends his brand new room! I waved good-bye and set off to find the next room for our weekly VMK Room Makeover. (But first, I was off to find my pal QA_caffdawg – who I think I lost somewhere 'round the Blue Bayou - she sure loves those Monte Cristo sandwiches!) Ahhh, what a good feeling it is to makeover a room in need.
- HOST_Sparky
I See Green People
Well that's about it for this week – thanks again to HOST_Sparky for the Room Makeover update and to you for your questions and comments! Remember to play that EPCOT Quest! And don't forget to take advantage of the last February Fun Day (Tuesday February 27th) and keep checking my blog for more info, 'cause you never now when we might release something new and cool!
Recycling make the world go 'round
OK, so one last thing before I sign off here – do you have a favorite color? Me? I'm pretty partial to green. In fact, I like green so much I've asked the staff to make March the 'Month of Green.' And when I say 'green' I don't just mean clovers and shamrock shakes – I'm talking about thinking 'green' and taking care of the planet. So get your recycling ready and join us next week for the start of 'Month of Green!'
Ok, perhaps a minty shake to go along with my green Churro wouldn't be a bad idea…
See you in VMK!
-Yavn
Event Info
February 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th - February Fun Days
February 18th - VMK Racing Days begin
February Fun Days
Starting Tuesday the 6th VMK will be increasing the Credits you can win from The Haunted Mansion and Castle Fireworks Remix games. Just play the games as you usually do, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays you'll win extra Credits for playing! These 'Fun Days' are every Tuesday and Thursday through February! Just remember that the increased Credits are only for these games and only for the dates listed below:
Haunted Mansion Fun Days February 6, 13, 20, 27
Fireworks Fun Days February 8, 15, 22
VMK Racing Days!
Strap on your helmet and kick those tires, it's the start of the race season and VMK is going to get your motor running! Join HOST_Sparky on select Saturdays and Sundays during the racing season for special VMK racing events! These special racing games like Chase Race and Race to the Finish will take place during the same time as a real auto race, the first one starting Sunday February 18th - so you can watch the big race and race in VMK at the same time! And only on VMK Racing Days can you win the VMK Racing '07 Pin. Keep an eye on the Event Info box and the Community Calendar for more updates and a schedule of race events.
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
Tips
Tips, Tricks Hints and How To's
Can't Connect to VMK?
If you try to log into VMK and it's either closed or the site is too busy – don't worry… Sometimes VMK has to close for improvements, but we will reopen as quickly as these updates are made.
You may also encounter a connection problem when there are lots of players in the game. If this happens close the game window and wait a few minutes before trying to enter the game again.
Does your room need a makeover?
Is your room bland and boring? Then enter our VMK Room Makeover contest!
To enter, just go to the 'Contact Us' link on the VMK website (the 'Contact Us' link is located at the bottom of the every VMK webpage) and log in. Now choose 'Room Makeover Submission' from the list of 'Contact Us' options and submit your information. The VMK Staff will evaluate your submission and chose rooms in need of a makeover.
Did someone say party in Club 33?
Be the Best Guest Room Winner of the week and win an exclusive party in Club 33 with 33 of your friends.
Need some advice on how to make a great room? Search the shops for fun new items, check out other players' rooms for ideas, be creative as possible, and have fun! Good luck!
Double Your Points!
February Fun Days are here! This month ONLY you can double your points in both the Castle Fireworks remix game and in The Haunted Mansion game. Check out Yavn Speaks for more information!
Has the Quest Machine eaten your stuff?
Do you store items in your Quest Kiosk? If so, make you sure you do not store items past row 128. Even though the Quest Kiosk allows you to keep adding more items, these items will not be saved in any rows higher than 128. Remember, your Quest Kiosk in not meant to be a locker for your stuff.
What VMK ticket are you really getting?
Finding it hard to tell which ticket you are getting in a trade window? Before you accept the trade, double click on the ticket – that will open a new window with the room information of the ticket. Happy Trading!
Dear Yeti
You've Got Questions, Yeti Has Answers
2/23 – How many Oscars has Walt Disney won?
– GroovieMann
Dear GroovieMann,
Lots. In fact Walt Disney holds the record for most Academy Awards won by an individual. He won 32 in all and was nominated a whopping 64 times. Most of the awards he won was a film producer. Walt also won the prestigious Irving Thalberg Award – this award given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honors "Creative producers, whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production."
As a company, Disney has won 87 Academy Awards, this includes the Oscar Walt won for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1939. This special Academy Award consisted of a full-size Oscar and seven smaller Oscars. Thanks for the question GroovieMann!
Walt Disney and presenter Shirley Temple share a laugh over the Oscar(s) Walt won for Snow White.
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. Every other week I'll answer a question or two here in the Newsletter.
Push's Trash Trivia
There are hallways under the Magic Kingdom that allow Cast Members to access various areas of the Park without getting in the way of Guest. What are these hallways called?
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:
Question: Name 3 Disney attractions in the U.S. that have a 'presidential' presence?
Answer: The American Adventure (in the World Showcase at EPCOT), Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (at Disneyland), and The Hall of Presidents (in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
Did you know: Walt Disney was fascinated with American history. His favorite presidential figure, Abraham Lincoln, is featured at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. Walt personally oversaw the installation of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction that debuted at Disneyland on July 18, 1965. In 2001 the attraction underwent a title change and was updated with state-of-the-art audio and other enhancements.
Mr. Lincoln – Walt's favorite president Lincoln also appears in The Hall of Presidents (which opened October 1, 1971) at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The Hall of Presidents features all 43 U.S. Presidents and each animatronic figure is incredibly realistic, right down to the smallest detail. In fact, the presidential figure of George W. Bush wears a replica of the watch actually worn by the real George W. Bush. The Bush and Lincoln figures in this show are some of the most advanced Audio-Animatronic figures ever created.
All Hail the Chiefs!
The American Adventure opened in the World Showcase of EPCOT on October 1, 1982 and features pivotal points from America's past including the Civil War and the Great Depression. Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain are two of the show's more notable narrators, and the Ben Franklin character was the first animatronic figure to ever "walk" up a flight of stairs.
Congratulations to the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!
LexieandTink
MonorailJay
Nolsfan
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.
PowerEx 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
 | It's time to go for a ride! PowerEx takes you on the ride of your life in her five-room ride, Time Travel. This is
a great room to hang out in, take a ride, and have some fun! |
Best Game Rooms
 | How much do you know about Disney and VMK? Cherry.flower tests your knowledge of Disney and VMK in her awesome game room, Trivia Game. If you know the answers, you may win a prize! |
Best Player Quests
 | Welcome to Agrabah! Head over to CL_Crustopher's room and take his Palace of Agrabah Quest, which tests your knowledge of the movie Aladdin. Recapture the mystery and wonder of Aladdin with this great Quest! |
Players who have been previously recognized for their design talents will receive the VIP award.
VMK Cards
The first card from Series 3 is here!
Get the Animation Viewer by playing the Animation Quest at Disneyland or Walt Disney World – redeem the code on your card 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
Scamming? 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.
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.
Close your room when you leave
If you are going to be away from your computer for awhile don't leave your room open - close it. Why? When you leave your room open, you're leaving it open to players that may be confused when they enter and don't know where the owner is. Sometimes confused players who find ownerless rooms will use the Call for Help tool and this takes away valuable time that Staff could be helping players in need.
Don't loan items!
It's not a good idea to have anyone, even Community Leaders, hold your stuff for you. If you want to set up a trade, but don't have enough room for all your items in the trade screen, set up two trades. It's best to keep all your items stored safely in your own (virtual) hands.
Pretending you're Staff is a no–no
Impersonation is not allowed in VMK. If a player says they are staff, make sure they're wearing the orange Mickey Pin and wearing either red (for staff and hosts) or blue (for QA/testers) ears. Remember – a staff member would never ask you to trade any items.
VMK Email Scam
If you get an email from anyone claiming to be from VMK Player Support asking for your VMK user information, such as your character name, password, birthday, etc., DO NOT REPLY to the email. This is a scam to get your login info.
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 are having a login problem and have already sent us an email requesting help with this problem through the 'Contact Us' link on the website.
Any email from VMK will include your original email in the reply. Remember your login and password information should never be shared with anyone.
Do you have a friend in VMK you trust?
Even if you think you can really trust another player in VMK, it's not a good idea to loan people your items – since some people won't give them back!
If someone asks you to borrow one of your items – just say no. Because if you decide to trade an item and it isn't given back, we can't help you recover it. Why? Because you knowingly entered into the trade – remember you're responsible for your character's actions in the game, no matter what.
Safety Corner
Using violent language in VMK will get you banned!
If a player in VMK refers to violence and/or a violent act while chatting – report them immediately! VMK does not tolerate violent language of any type. If you or another player are using violent language or threatening other players (even jokingly) YOU WILL GET BANNED, in some cases – PERMANENTLY.
Follow the VMK Rules for reporting someone!
Please make sure to follow the VMK rules when reporting someone. Someone cutting in line or asking you to be their friend is not ground for reporting. Use the Call for Help system wisely. VMK Staff needs to spend their time helping people are who are seriously in need of assistance.
However, if a player keeps doing something to annoy other players (repeating words to fill up the screen, blocking, etc) please use the Contact Us section on the website to report your issue - don't forget to be detailed (include harasser's name and event details) when writing in.
Get Help!
To get emergency help at any time while you're playing the game, simply Call for VMK Staff by clicking on HELP in the bottom right of the game screen. VMK Staff will then either send you a message or come and see you.
VMK 911
The Call for VMK Staff option is VMK's 911 service, so please only use it in emergencies – if another Player is hassling you or making you feel uncomfortable. For general questions about the game, take a look at the FAQs
Don't get banned for bad behavior
Resist the urge to use bad language in VMK – it's not allowed. Using inappropriate words in the game will get you banned. Also, misusing words in the dictionary (example: putting two acceptable words together to make one that isn't acceptable) can also get you banned.
Keep your information private!
Never, under any circumstances give your VMK user name and password to any other player or post it on a forum on another website. Some surveys have been going around on the internet claiming they have free offers if you give out your VMK information – this is a SCAM!
Never give your information to these surveys or anyone else, and always keep your password private. VMK will never ask you for your information unless you contact us about a problem with your account. Keep your VMK, and all the great items you've earned, safe!
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.
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.)
