Ask Dave WDIG

[lizbeth374]

I get emails from the Disney Insider which is part of the WDIG. There is a place to ask Dave a question. So, I sent him a message about VMK closing.
If anyone else wants to email him to bring more attention to our fight you can use this link Ask Dave

 

[VMK_Mouse]

Thanks for this. I submitted an inquiry about the closing of VMK.

 

[CelebrationNM]

Nice idea, but Dave Smith is the director of the Walt Disney Archives... this isn't really what he does.

"Dave Smith founded the Walt Disney Archives in 1970 and, three decades later, continues to serve as its director. In 1996, he assembled an unprecedented amount of Disney lore, facts, and figures into an unparalleled reference work, "Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia."

But, in the update to his Disney history book, VMK was included with the following description:

"Virtual Magic Kingdom Online multi-player game in which users create their own characters and check out Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. It is sponsored by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, and began in 2005."

 

[lizbeth374]

Yeah, I know this isnt what he does...but I figure any little bit may help...he could pass the word if he is getting bombarded with emails...

 

[GoofyGeggy]

Nice idea, but Dave Smith is the director of the Walt Disney Archives... this isn't really what he does.

Well, while he searches for answers, he will actually be making his job easier for later...when he has to archive the information on VMK.

 

[CelebrationNM]

Well, while he searches for answers, he will actually be making his job easier for later...when he has to archive the information on VMK.

Haha, it's possible!

 

[mizmouse]

"Virtual Magic Kingdom Online multi-player game in which users create their own characters and check out Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. It is sponsored by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, and began in 2005."

hmmm...funny they don't make mention that VMK was a promotion!

and

I think we should ask Dave a question...since he is in charge of archival history, we should ask him why Disney has decided to suddenly "archive" VMK.

 

[mizmouse]

Here is what I wrote...maybe it will spark an idea or two for you...I also used my vmk name in the "name" box and "VMK" for my city!

Subject: VMK and why it is suddenly being "archived"

In your his Disney history book, VMK was included with the following description:

"Virtual Magic Kingdom Online multi-player game in which users create their own characters and check out Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. It is sponsored by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, and began in 2005."

Disney has announced VMK will close it's virtual gates on May 21st as it is now being billed as a promotion, however, your description doesn't read that as a promotion to me. My question is why has Disney changed it's tune from VMK being a multi-player game to a promotion to be ended at whim?? Why is VMK being abruptly relegated to the Disney Archive??

Please help us save VMK...we are working hard to save it, over 20,000 people have signed petitions in the last few weeks. There has been a lot of media coverage on it. There will be protests at the DLR and Disney World resorts...CNN had contacted the group organizing the event VMKKidsUnite.com. There has also been an NPR interview taped that will air on May 7th addressing a company's responsibility when creating a virtual world.

Thanks for listening Dave, we really do need your help!!!

 

[CelebrationNM]

(If you want to see that definition for yourself, do a Google search for “The following is a supplement to Dave Smith’s book, Disney A to Z” and the PDF will show up.)

Dave’s definition says that VMK is “sponsored” by WDPRO. Look up “sponsor” in the dictionary and it is “One that finances a project or an event carried out by another person or group.” Wikipedia says “Sponsorship belongs to the promotional tool of Marketing.” Finally, one University’s website defines “sponsored projects” as “Programs which are supported primarily by an outside sponsor, conducted over a specified period of time.”

Maybe it was never made explicit on the VMK website (although, do any promotions says "This is a promotion"?), but Dave knew that VMK was a sponsored project and I think his definition is consistent with the information that Disney has released as to their reason for closing the game.

 

[redshoe]

Maybe it was never made explicit on the VMK website (although, do any promotions says "This is a promotion"?), but Dave knew that VMK was a sponsored project and I think his definition is consistent with the information that Disney has released as to their reason for closing the game.

Well, I'm glad Dave apparently knew. Sadly, the children and adults who put so much into the game and formed so many friendships didn't seem to get that memo.

Maybe it would stand up in court, but it doesn't cut it in everyday life.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

(If you want to see that definition for yourself, do a Google search for “The following is a supplement to Dave Smith’s book, Disney A to Z” and the PDF will show up.)

Dave’s definition says that VMK is “sponsored” by WDPRO. Look up “sponsor” in the dictionary and it is “One that finances a project or an event carried out by another person or group.” Wikipedia says “Sponsorship belongs to the promotional tool of Marketing.” Finally, one University’s website defines “sponsored projects” as “Programs which are supported primarily by an outside sponsor, conducted over a specified period of time.”

Maybe it was never made explicit on the VMK website (although, do any promotions says "This is a promotion"?), but Dave knew that VMK was a sponsored project and I think his definition is consistent with the information that Disney has released as to their reason for closing the game.

Just because something is sponsored, it doesn't necessarily make it a promotion.
The Carousel of Progress was originally sponsored by General Electric. It's a Small World and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln were also originally sponsored by others.

I don't see attractions as promotions gone in just a couple of years.