here is my letter but most important are the short points of why we are battling to save VMK.
Cut out the points tape them around your computer. Remembering when it looks hopeless why we keep fighting.
Many of us dream of being cast members to be a part of the magic; that Disney creates. Well reality for most; it is just not possible.
In VMK we get to live out those dreams. We could be virtual Disney ambassadors. What do I love about VMK? It is not the things. Not the games not even building rooms. But all those things are a means to do what I enjoy the most. Spreading pixie dust. Maybe I have had the most awful day and going on VMK helping another always lifts my spirit.
I do not know much about computer games. But no one has suggested any game that we can do this in. In the real world we spend so much time worrying about things, pressures and stresses. The Little Virtual Community that we built is a haven for the weary.
I hope you will reconsider your decision. Your team created a niche that no one has done successfully. It could really have been so much more. From what the original vision was. A great marketing tool. Unfortunately our little mini me(s) are not papers of advertising that can me thrown out, commercials we can skip over. This 50th Anniversary of DRL site grew in to a wonderful journey of people in many continents of different faiths, color, age and race. "Our own version of a Small World" Sharing the Disney magic each day of the week. I have more friends around the world than I ever had.
So please consider how many dreams you have made come true:
· To the kids with Autism who for the first time have friends and are not laughed at for being different.
· To the mother that was woken up when her 11-year old Aspersers child was crying that she is loosing all her friends. When this kid never cried when she needed stitches. Or broke her ankle and in real life has no friends she plays with.
· To the mother or Father who is trying so hard to comfort their kids as they cry themselves to sleep. Disney is no longer a magical place.
· To the mother of an Autistic child who has seen her blossom because of VMK and is begging for help as she sees her regress everyday to a time before VMK began.
· To the child who comes from an abusive family and goes to his grandmothers on weekends. (the only place with a computer). To go to his happy place where he is always safe.
· To the single mother who struggles to provide for her kids and saves for the day when she can one day take them to the real park.
· To the mother that travels for work. Meeting on VMK and waving Good night to her daughter helps the pain of being away.
· To the grandparents that were terrified on computer technology that now have a magical place to share with their grand children.
· To the 11-year-old child struggling just to live with spinal muscular disease. Who says in VMK I can walk eat and breathe just like everyone else. And no one stares at you.
· To the kids getting cancer treatments and playing VMK while in hospital. Saying there is no cancer in Virtual Magic kingdom.
· To the dad that is separated from his kids and has found a place where they can connect every day. And is frantic that no other site exist for them now.
· The young at heart that struggle with disabilities that this game gives encouragement, a sense of belonging and therapy.
· To the thousand of families that have created an even deeper bond by playing together. Knowing no other game provides this.
· To the soldier that has had to leave his family behind but the kids bring out his Virtual character and have a sense he is still near.
· To the future imaginers, the kids because of this type of game want to follow in Walt's footsteps.
· To the children and families who were so excited to be finally going to Disney and after the announcement there is no talk of it, no excitement in there eyes. ·
Yes Mr. Iger, theses are just a small portion of Disney fans and families. There are so many more stories I just wanted to highlight a few.
To many we are just virtual characters in a virtual world. But this virtual character is crying real tears. I never thought the word Disney could bring so much heartache to thousands of people mostly kids that need this place.
I do not know if you understand what you created when Disney build VMK, I do not know if Disney realizes the great need they were filling when they decided to close the door to VMK.
You have diamond in the rough, a place were dreams really do come true. A place if Disney does not change its decision will be a place where it broke too many kids and families dreams. For a year of an million dreams in one push of a button thousand and thousands of kids dreams will have been crushed. This is not just a game to the majority of people it is a Disney Park just virtual. Please do not make this the year of a million tears.
How heart breaking to be walking around VMK and see the typing of kids totally lost, totally confused. Saying they are crying real tears. Praying for a miracle. Hoping beyond hope that Disney will change their mind. That on May 22 when they wake up their magical place is well and alive.
Thank you for keeping the magic alive.
After reading this the question needs to be asked. Why haven't you written your letter yet?
Cut out the points tape them around your computer. Remembering when it looks hopeless why we keep fighting.
Many of us dream of being cast members to be a part of the magic; that Disney creates. Well reality for most; it is just not possible.
In VMK we get to live out those dreams. We could be virtual Disney ambassadors. What do I love about VMK? It is not the things. Not the games not even building rooms. But all those things are a means to do what I enjoy the most. Spreading pixie dust. Maybe I have had the most awful day and going on VMK helping another always lifts my spirit.
I do not know much about computer games. But no one has suggested any game that we can do this in. In the real world we spend so much time worrying about things, pressures and stresses. The Little Virtual Community that we built is a haven for the weary.
I hope you will reconsider your decision. Your team created a niche that no one has done successfully. It could really have been so much more. From what the original vision was. A great marketing tool. Unfortunately our little mini me(s) are not papers of advertising that can me thrown out, commercials we can skip over. This 50th Anniversary of DRL site grew in to a wonderful journey of people in many continents of different faiths, color, age and race. "Our own version of a Small World" Sharing the Disney magic each day of the week. I have more friends around the world than I ever had.
So please consider how many dreams you have made come true:
· To the kids with Autism who for the first time have friends and are not laughed at for being different.
· To the mother that was woken up when her 11-year old Aspersers child was crying that she is loosing all her friends. When this kid never cried when she needed stitches. Or broke her ankle and in real life has no friends she plays with.
· To the mother or Father who is trying so hard to comfort their kids as they cry themselves to sleep. Disney is no longer a magical place.
· To the mother of an Autistic child who has seen her blossom because of VMK and is begging for help as she sees her regress everyday to a time before VMK began.
· To the child who comes from an abusive family and goes to his grandmothers on weekends. (the only place with a computer). To go to his happy place where he is always safe.
· To the single mother who struggles to provide for her kids and saves for the day when she can one day take them to the real park.
· To the mother that travels for work. Meeting on VMK and waving Good night to her daughter helps the pain of being away.
· To the grandparents that were terrified on computer technology that now have a magical place to share with their grand children.
· To the 11-year-old child struggling just to live with spinal muscular disease. Who says in VMK I can walk eat and breathe just like everyone else. And no one stares at you.
· To the kids getting cancer treatments and playing VMK while in hospital. Saying there is no cancer in Virtual Magic kingdom.
· To the dad that is separated from his kids and has found a place where they can connect every day. And is frantic that no other site exist for them now.
· The young at heart that struggle with disabilities that this game gives encouragement, a sense of belonging and therapy.
· To the thousand of families that have created an even deeper bond by playing together. Knowing no other game provides this.
· To the soldier that has had to leave his family behind but the kids bring out his Virtual character and have a sense he is still near.
· To the future imaginers, the kids because of this type of game want to follow in Walt's footsteps.
· To the children and families who were so excited to be finally going to Disney and after the announcement there is no talk of it, no excitement in there eyes. ·
Yes Mr. Iger, theses are just a small portion of Disney fans and families. There are so many more stories I just wanted to highlight a few.
To many we are just virtual characters in a virtual world. But this virtual character is crying real tears. I never thought the word Disney could bring so much heartache to thousands of people mostly kids that need this place.
I do not know if you understand what you created when Disney build VMK, I do not know if Disney realizes the great need they were filling when they decided to close the door to VMK.
You have diamond in the rough, a place were dreams really do come true. A place if Disney does not change its decision will be a place where it broke too many kids and families dreams. For a year of an million dreams in one push of a button thousand and thousands of kids dreams will have been crushed. This is not just a game to the majority of people it is a Disney Park just virtual. Please do not make this the year of a million tears.
How heart breaking to be walking around VMK and see the typing of kids totally lost, totally confused. Saying they are crying real tears. Praying for a miracle. Hoping beyond hope that Disney will change their mind. That on May 22 when they wake up their magical place is well and alive.
Thank you for keeping the magic alive.
After reading this the question needs to be asked. Why haven't you written your letter yet?
Oh Where Oh Where has the magic gone? 
