I wish I could buy VMK merchandise!

[ElectricLime]

I was at the Magic Kingdom tonight. I stopped by VMK Central and asked them how I could buy the colorful VMK pin that's been spotted on rare occasions. "It was only given out from December 24 to 31," they told me, "and only if you brought in a tour card. We would write 'Fulfillment' on the back of the card and give you the pin. You can't get the pin any more and there are no plans to bring it back."

I am quite unhappy about this, since I am local and could have brought one of my tour cards in that week!

As I think more about this, it really surprises me that Disney is missing such a huge marketing opportunity with VMK. Like, there are a few of the cards that I want to have. Why can't I simply pay money and buy them?

Or - better yet - what if VMK cards were available in foil-wrapped packs of five? You spend three bucks, you open the pack and get a random assortment of five cards, each with a code that you can use in the game. Sometimes a card might be a really rare item. Disney already sells overpriced foil packs of tiny little collectible figures; it wouldn't be such a jump to sell cards like this. What do y'all think of this idea?

 

[4fosterkids]

All I can say is WRITE TO GUEST RELATIONS!!
Those are 2 great ideas.......lets flood them (WDW and DL) with mail that we want more stuff! I love the idea of foil wrapped packs!!
You never know what may happen...

 

[LisaInNc]

Those are great ideas!

I was thinking they would have some VMK merchandise and I buy their trading cards so having some really rare things in a trading card type package would be cool!

 

[Maleficent2]

I was at the Magic Kingdom tonight. I stopped by VMK Central and asked them how I could buy the colorful VMK pin that's been spotted on rare occasions. "It was only given out from December 24 to 31," they told me, "and only if you brought in a tour card. We would write 'Fulfillment' on the back of the card and give you the pin. You can't get the pin any more and there are no plans to bring it back."

I am quite unhappy about this, since I am local and could have brought one of my tour cards in that week!

As I think more about this, it really surprises me that Disney is missing such a huge marketing opportunity with VMK. Like, there are a few of the cards that I want to have. Why can't I simply pay money and buy them?

Or - better yet - what if VMK cards were available in foil-wrapped packs of five? You spend three bucks, you open the pack and get a random assortment of five cards, each with a code that you can use in the game. Sometimes a card might be a really rare item. Disney already sells overpriced foil packs of tiny little collectible figures; it wouldn't be such a jump to sell cards like this. What do y'all think of this idea?

I have been saying this since beta but I think it should be more like 10 in a pack...for $3.98 and not quest stuff either. It should be just trading card pack stuff...they want to promote trading will that would do it!

But hey what do I know!?!


Mal

 

[Kaironzet]

Not trying to be egocentric at all, but I have a point on the idea of the packs of cards. Note that not in all countries people use dollars as their currency. To set an example, for you, 3 bucks is nothing really, but, for possible VMK players, lets say coming from my country, Argentina, that our currency has been devaluated the price of 1 single pack would be of $9. The idea is not bad at all, they could put price to the pin, or maybe design VMK-Related buyables, but I'd like if cards were kept available in a free way.

 

[Renpener]

You know, in the packs of cards they could have never before seen stuff (of course it will be seen eventually). These cards would only be found in those packs. Think about the possibilities...

And if they do... Inferno would cost $200! How outragous!

 

[Maleficent2]

You know, in the packs of cards they could have never before seen stuff (of course it will be seen eventually). These cards would only be found in those packs. Think about the possibilities...

And if they do... Inferno would cost $200! How outragous!

I quess I do not understand how inferno would cost $200

 

[LisaInNc]

Not trying to be egocentric at all, but I have a point on the idea of the packs of cards. Note that not in all countries people use dollars as their currency. To set an example, for you, 3 bucks is nothing really, but, for possible VMK players, lets say coming from my country, Argentina, that our currency has been devaluated the price of 1 single pack would be of $9. The idea is not bad at all, they could put price to the pin, or maybe design VMK-Related buyables, but I'd like if cards were kept available in a free way.

I see what you mean however VMK was never designed for people that live outside of the US. They give no notice to you all with Quests, event times, game times so I don't think they would even consider your point if they decided to sell the cards.


I think that the Quests should still be available in WDW like they are but also have some packs with different thigns for sale. BUT these should be things that are also available in VMK. Some high priced items and the stuff that staff trades could be added to make it so a kid without a lot of money still could play the game with or without buying the packs.

 

[LisaInNc]

I quess I do not understand how inferno would cost $200

people would put them on ebay and probably get that

 

[Tampa]

they'e filling the game with items in a timely process, it's awesome.

I'm sure your ideas are already in place.. way way down the line when all other agendas have been intiated.. such as sponsored projects like the nano giveaway.

I can't wait for their 1st year anniversary! Thing how far we'll be from "pin trading" events and mazes!

 

[Sundowner76]

I also thought about them selling cards and wondered why they hadn't decided to do that already. The only reasons I can see for them not doing it already are the following:

1) Trading cards means people trading them or selling them in real life, which means people might know who other people are on vmk (which Disney seems to be against given their reaction against giving vmk names during the tours).

2) They might be waiting for a final decision on the lifespan/usefullness of vmk. In other words, it would be a problem to market and produce millions of card for virtual items if vmk ceased to exist.

3) Selling cards and marketing them means that thousands more people may learn about and use vmk rather than currently remaining ignorant of it. More people might flood the system which is already fairly unstable when too many people are logged in at the same time.

 

[celine12]

Not trying to be egocentric at all, but I have a point on the idea of the packs of cards. Note that not in all countries people use dollars as their currency. To set an example, for you, 3 bucks is nothing really, but, for possible VMK players, lets say coming from my country, Argentina, that our currency has been devaluated the price of 1 single pack would be of $9. The idea is not bad at all, they could put price to the pin, or maybe design VMK-Related buyables, but I'd like if cards were kept available in a free way.

Always is right, the game was designed for "US-EN" aka US English users. The quests, times, language, and other are mainly targeted for USA people. And besides even if they did sell the cards, who says they will be available for mail order to Argentina? I think you would still need to purchase them at the parks. This has been my suggestion all along, like Habbo they should have an option to buy credits. Like $2 for 4000 credits works for me. Sometimes I want a lot of stuff and would gladly spend a few bucks to get it. I dont have time for mules and games so would rather just pay for it

 

[Alphawazup]

thats a great idea i live to far from disney to ever get down there and earn any of the quest items
but this would give me a way to

 

[SeaSpray]

I also thought about them selling cards and wondered why they hadn't decided to do that already. The only reasons I can see for them not doing it already are the following:

1) Trading cards means people trading them or selling them in real life, which means people might know who other people are on vmk (which Disney seems to be against given their reaction against giving vmk names during the tours).

2) They might be waiting for a final decision on the lifespan/usefullness of vmk. In other words, it would be a problem to market and produce millions of card for virtual items if vmk ceased to exist.

3) Selling cards and marketing them means that thousands more people may learn about and use vmk rather than currently remaining ignorant of it. More people might flood the system which is already fairly unstable when too many people are logged in at the same time.

These were my thoughts exactly. And I think that if Disney believes there's money to be made here (well, MORE money*), then they've already thought of it



* = When I say "more money", I mean more than what they're making from those of us who've planned extra trips to Disney with at least partially the reason being to obtain VMK cards. They come right out and tell you in VMK to "visit the parks to get Quest items".

 

[lovethattink]

For months I have been writing and editing a letter to Disney just about merchandising of VMK. I'm trying to be very careful in my wording. I can see many unforseen consequences to some of the suggestions. I think T-shirts, computerized spray paint t-shirts of our character w/o name, collector cards w/codes sold in packs, pins, hand bags, baseball caps, more buy real stuff get virtual stuff purchases in Disney and outside of Disney stores, etc. would be great. I think sending to general contact Disney would fall on deaf ears. I'm sending my letter else where.

 

[LisaInNc]

Disney won't be putting characters names on a tee shirt for VMK any time soon.

I got a VERY stern talking to after a tour when I was talking to a couple I met, they were Dis.

So picture this, 3 ADULTS getting lectured by a barely 20 something full of himself guide. I still shake my head when I think of it.

 

[lovethattink]

nope, that's why I said w/o name. There is a computerized silk screen t-shirt machine at DTD. Just think if there was a computer kiosk there where you could design a vmk character to look the way you want. Maybe have your character doing an inferno dance with a mickey icecream bar in hand. Anyway, you create a character into this computer and then it gets sent to where it gets painted on the T. It's an incredible, state of the art, Disney innovention!

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I think T-shirts, computerized spray paint t-shirts of our character w/o name, collector cards w/codes sold in packs, pins, hand bags, baseball caps, more buy real stuff get virtual stuff purchases in Disney and outside of Disney stores, etc. would be great. I think sending to general contact Disney would fall on deaf ears. I'm sending my letter else where.

IT would be cute to have the tshirts sold in Disney with a computer set up for you to create your character and then it makes a matching screen print on a shirt- I could see a machine do that and not need lots of people running it lol- no names but it could say something like Live the Magic or something...

And definitely other merchandise -especially pins would be a wonderful thing- I mean they make a pin now- that is just no longer available- make those rare and do another pin for sale and then each year they can do more-

I like the idea of cards- and could see them sold in WDW and DLR mostly but would love to see them available to order online for those that can't get to the parks- I think these should be a few non-quest- but not buyable items (one garunteed per pack) and the rest be buyable stuff some high end some not- in a pack of ten it could be a good variety. I know I'd buy cards... (you can not imagine the amount I spend on pokemon cards when my two oldest did the whole pokemon thing lol)

I also think they need more card with purchase items- and should spread this to other areas of the park- the easiest to implement- would be to put items with every ride that snaps a photo- and this could easily be spread to all the parks- it wouldn't take more employees to do this- just more education of the few affected...

On my recent trip that was the thing I found the most remarkable -that there was not more merchandising available- and what amount of money they were losing. DH and I stopped by VMK central 3 times on the trip and while there probably 10-15 people came in for quests or to create characters and many asked about purchasing things...

You would think at the place my family calls "Twenty Dollar Land" that you would be able to spend money on something like this lol...

 

[LisaInNc]

they definately need more in park purchase cards! With all the money my family spends on those shops it would be nice to have more variety. My DD was delighted when several times I went into the shop to get the candy for the penny press.