Dear Hippie,
Welcome aboard! It really isn't all that confusing. Frankly, I'm one of those that does best with playing with whatever I'm working on and reading the directions later! Comes from 25 years of writing the directions for software, I guess!
Anyway, as has been said, take a look at the players guide, but without a frame of reference, it's hard to follow.
There's a sticky on this board where people have posted what their VMK name is to match with their DIS name. Helpful (only if people have done this, though). Don't mention the DIS directly when you bump into us, though. Just say "I know you!" and we'll know how and why.
I'm DaraSue on VMK, usually not on during the day (but may be today since I'm not feeling well).
Also, anyone with CL_ in their VMK title is a Community Leader, and will help you. And, many of us want to be CL's and put in our signature about being willing to help. Click on people and read their signature.
Basic rules are simple: Don't give out or ask for personal information, be nice to one another, wander around and have fun.
Mini-games to earn credits are jungle cruise (a real pain to get used to and you don't get many points, so I don't advise starting there), fireworks (takes patience and lots and lots of practice so that's a personal choice) and pirates (recently redone and a good way to earn credits once you get the hang of it). Also see sticky on codes to use for credits - as with everything, money rules!
Click on people to see what they are about. You'll see their pins and their signature. Stay away from places where you see a lot of "are you taken?" or "bay be" or "be my mummy" or that stuff. Waste of time.
Oh, and go see each of the places to get your daily credits (in players guide).