Mass Mailings?

[LuckyDesi]

Dear Disney,
I am writing this letter in response to the disappointing news that VMK will be closing its virtual doors on May 21, 2008. Even though I am an adult and not in your stated "target" age range of 9-14, I truly enjoy playing the game. VMK is also a genuinely safe place for kids to interact with each other. It's nice to know that in these times of cyber bullying and cyber crime that there is such a place for kids to play.
VMK is also an excellent way for those of us who live far away from a Disney theme park to get a little taste of being there. Even the various sounds of the game are different in each room, just like each section of the theme park has its own unique sounds. The details are really impressive, down to the holiday decorations and music. It's almost as if that Disney magic truly lives on in the game.
Most importantly, I think most of us who play VMK would miss the friendships that have developed. Even though most of us have never met and may never meet, VMK pals are true pals. A recent event in the game really reinforced that point for many players. During an extremely competitive event, the cooperation and compassion shown by players towards each other was just amazing. If only real life could be more like that.
Please reconsider your decision to close VMK. Even though there are other online alternatives, none of them comes close to the experience that VMK provides. The "atmosphere" in VMK is just unique. Please don't take this safe and happy virtual world from us. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely,

LuckyRetroDesi

Please Send CandyMan! Thanks! Keep up the great work!

 

[Candyman9585]

Great thanks!! i'll start the printing tomorrow for my next mailing!!!

I've been digging through my stuff all week looking for more stuff to sell on ebay to get money for postage. haha. but it'll be worth it in the end!!

 

[IliketheTitanic]

Here is a copy of my letter that I have sent off to All possible parts of Disney, I greatly appreciate you doing this for us.

Dear Disney or Whomever It May Concern,

I am writing this on behave of VMK (Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom) they or you, have recently announced that they will be “Closing their virtual gates for the last time” or closing on May, 21st, 2008.

When I first heard this, I didn’t believe it myself, until I read VMK’s Newsletter. I was heartbroken. VMK has been one of the best games I have ever played in the history of Disney games and I would give it a 5 out of 5 rating, Words cannot describe how much this game means to me and others. And yet, Disney is taking it away promising me and everyone else fighting to keep VMK alive, more games to play.

Now I absolutely LOVE Disney, but this upset me very much and made me lose some of my Disney favor, and as far as I know, Disney is releasing a Disney’s Car Virtual game of some type and a Disney’s Fairy game. In my own opinion there is a little bit of Disney online games for everyone, and VMK was mine. I don’t have a problem with Disney’s games except that they do not appeal to me like VMK has, I honestly cant see myself playing Cars or a being a Fairy, though, it may appeal to others.

What many don’t realize, is that VMK isn’t just a “Promotion”, but it is a Community of players that Love Disney as well, like me. Even myself I have found to be buying more Disney Movies because of VMK. VMK has not only helped me, but it has also helped people going through hard times, such as the VMK Player: Slinkyman who has developed cancer, and yet, VMK and its players, Even the Staff and producers of VMK have helped him through it, there are many others like Slinkyman. And now Disney is taking that away from us.

The thing that made VMK separate from your other Online games was that It was based off of Disney Parks, and now Disney is saying that they are going to make more games, but where are the Disney Parks? Myself I have been to Walt Disney World 8 times and Disneyland 5 times and 2 of those times have been influenced by VMK. You are not just taking away VMK, you are taking away my friends. Many employees of VMK have been going around the Virtual Game asking and supporting us to help keep VMK alive, now when VMK’s own employees are asking us for help, that is really saying something to me. VMK has even offered a Toontown free 14 day trial membership and I still will have my heart set on VMK.

I have been part of many Disney Fan Forums, Like Disboards, and they have had many of us working together to save VMK, myself included. VMK was a proud game and I am greatly appreciative of what VMK has done for me and others. And Not only have I visited the parks because of VMK, I have also bought movies too, and I have gotten VMK items through Disney’s Movie Rewards.

There is even a petition that has over 6000 signatures to help save VMK and still growing by the minute. You may find proof of this at SaveVMKToday.com.

I have also received a letter via E-Mail from The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) and here is a copy of that letter:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting The Walt Disney Company and VMK.

We have received an outpouring of feedback regarding our decision to
close VMK. We are overwhelmed by the responses and enthusiasm of our
guests, but unfortunately our decision to eventually close VMK is set.
We have explored many different options, including a pay to play model
but have decided to focus more of our time on our new virtual worlds
coming soon, which we are sure that you will love as much as VMK.

Deciding to close VMK was a very difficult decision for us because we
loved creating VMK just as much as you loved playing it. But in a
company that encourages innovation and creativity we have decided to
"keep moving forward" and exploring where the future takes as, because
in the words of Walt Disney, "We keep moving forward, opening new doors,
and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading
us down new paths."

Thank you for being part of this journey with us, and we hope we
continue to see you at Disney.com enjoying what we imagine next!

Sincerely,


Your friends at VMK

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would also like to point out that in this letter there were many quotes from Walt Disney used to sum up the closing of VMK, However, I Would like to share some of the quotes said by Walt Disney about his company:

"To all that come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land"

"It's something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing...and adding to."—Walt Disney

"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."—Walt Disney

"We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun - together."—Walt Disney

"It has that thing - the imagination, and the feeling of happy excitement - I knew when I was a kid."—Walt Disney

"The era we are living in today is a dream come true." —Walt Disney

"My business is making people, especially children, happy." —Walt Disney


"I have never been interested in personal gain or profit. This business and this studio have been my entire life."
—Walt Disney


"Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work it until it's done and done right." —Walt Disney


"Fantasy and reality often overlap." —Walt Disney

"Part of the Disney success is our ability to create a believable world of dreams that appeals to all age groups. The kind of entertainment we create is meant to appeal to every member of the family." —Walt Disney


"You don't build it for yourself. You know what the people want and you build it for them." —Walt Disney


"Whatever we accomplish is due to the combined effort. The organization must be with you or you don't get it done... In my organization there is respect for every individual, and we all have a keen respect for the public."
—Walt Disney

"You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."

I would like to compare this situation to Disney’s Tron, when the Master Control Program started taking everything away from Programs and starting limiting the system, the programs were unhappy and sad, then a light had shinned through, Tron, a program designed to keep ENCOM’s system up and running had to fight, and in the end Tron, With the help of friends, defeated the Master Control Program and freed the system and all the programs.

If VMK was to start charging players to become a member and have a membership, I would gladly Pay. Maybe even a similar system to Disney’s Recently bought game, Club Penguin. I would greatly appreciate that for this letter to be read, and maybe a more detailed response, other then many of the simple responses that many VMK players have been getting, I would kindly be thankful.

After all I and many others have been through, we will stay stay strong and keep our hopes up, until VMK is not going to close. We hope that Disney will keep its household name strong and make the right choice for saving our Kingdom. Please keep our community and our dreams strong Disney as you have for many years and more to come.

With All Due Respect,
A Brokenhearted Disney Fan

 

[piratesLifeYoho]

bump! for Tampa

 

[Candyman9585]

Thanks for sharing!!! i have started to include now in my mailings with the rest of everyone elses letters!!! Keep up the AMAZING work everyone!! With everyone else reporting on various "changes" or whatnot to Yavn's post and whatnot...it's obvious we're starting to get our cause known..and i will not be stopping!! i will report on this thread the MOMENT i receive any kind of response, even if it's receiving back the return receipt cards from my mailings

 

[MissAriel]

Thanks again for doing this for all of us

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi,

Please see this post:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1788702


He is asking to have his letter sent in.

Thanks,
Bug

 

[Candyman9585]

Great thanks!!

 

[Candyman9585]

Bump

 

[FlyingPegasus]

Thanks for all your help! Please print these pictures and mail it in:

Fly

 

[FlyingPegasus]

The VMK group
Standing from left: FlyingPegasus, DesertCat, DoomCookie, twinkieb, dvcgal, dmamie, disaeryn, ElectricLime, qruthie, Alyce, and MartyDog
The happy couple was sitting.

This is just to show VMK that Real People play VMK.

Real People spend money at the Parks & Resorts.

Real People have had life changing experiences on VMK.

I present to you exhibit A - photo above.

The happy couple - CL_OutofMyMind and Coriander - met and fell in love on VMK. We planned a real life "Taken Ceremony" for them. When the line was read: "Who is it that brings this man to this women?" The repsonse from all the guests was: "VMK and the DisBoards!"

We came from all over the country and Canada for this happy event.

This is just a small example of the effects VMK has had on all of our lives.

Please don't take VMK away from us.

FlyingPegasus

 

[Candyman9585]

oh wow...that's soo nice. i'll be sure to include the pictures... thanks so much for sharing!!

 

[Chedstro]

Wow thanks Fly! I never thought that pic would show up on this thread; but thanks for doing it.

Yes, if it were not for VMK Out and I would never have found eachother.

On the other hand as Electriclime said in his toast, "Here's to you both for totally circumventing all the VMK values!" Too funny

 

[Candyman9585]

haha...that's funny

 

[LaNenaTink]

Dear Disney,

I am a true Disney extremist. I write to you today due to the sudden announcement about VMK closing date being May 21st.

I have been an Annual Pass holder since 95 and have never stopped renewing as of yet but with this sudden VMK Closing, I am having second thoughts of renewing.
I am from the NYC area and I visits to Disney 4 to 5 times a year. I have done the Pins trading, Pin events, Mickey’s not so scary, Very merry Christmas, Food and wine, Haunted Mansion Events, Disney Cruises and still Love to come home and Play VMK.
I have been on VMK since day one. Since VMK’s opened we have done the VIP tour, All the WDW in part Quest, purchased the boxes of VMK pins with cards, Made shirts with our VMK characters, Collected Disney Rewards for the Infernal magic the stitch hat Mickey window, purchase the Kellogg’s cereal for the magic pin codes, Played the Everest game Pirates of the Caribbean site for Sparrow outfit. While on vacation and in the park we would stop by VMK Central to log on and tell friends “I am in VMK Central in real life” When we would get back to the room the laptop would get turned on the go where, But to VMK of course. VMK is my Disney Fix! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, join VMK, Oh Wait! You can’t cause there not accepting applications!

I have so many items, rooms, games rooms, Magic pins so much time an effort put into gaining items to know it will all just disappear but what is even most important is the FRENDSHIP that has been built on VMK.

VMK is a daily routine for me also to come home after a stressful day at work and be able to escape. I don’t visit many sites having VMK to keep me happy and busy. Now VMK wants to close and suggest we join Toon Town! Been there done that and still came back to VMK. We would much rather Pay for VMK or not Play anything at all. I have spoken too many of my friends and they feel the same way. Toon Town is not what we are looking for. We Want VMK! Why not Charge us the same you would Toon Town.

I have read such sad stories due to the upcoming closing of VMK and I shed tears. You have families that play this game together; my family is one yelling across the room while in a battle of Pirate ships. I have even read about a little girl that can’t walk in real life but on VMK she walks and dances! If that don’t touch your hearts what will?

Hoping our words reaches Disney and they reconsider!

Please go back to your talk tables with all the letters, calls, emails, petitions, cries and realize that game means a lot to people. Disney would hate to know you have let us all down.

PLEASE SAVE VMK
LaNenaTink

 

[Candyman9585]

Great thanks! I'll include it!!

 

[LaNenaTink]

Thank you for this!

 

[Amber_Kait]

heh.
i'm going to send you a PM with my letter.
is it possible for you to send it to like every mailing place that we're sending them to as possible?

 

[tinkryansmom]

Jegs and Pegasus - do I have your permission to send your great screen shots in with my family's flats? over and over and over again!? hehe

AceEllaBelle
CaptAceKing
BlueAcePinkTink
LilPirateLinden

 

[Candyman9585]

UPDATE!!! So today in the mail i received back 2 of the return receipts i used in my mailing...the 2 i received back were from the imagineers, and the orlando sentinel. heres the pics:

yea i know it's not like i've heard anything back yet...but this is just as good..it just shows that the letters ARE being received