Newsletter 29 January 2007
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Yavn Speaks!
A new Football Maze event to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday! A new Animation Quest at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom! Hints about the upcoming Epcot Guest Room! Hut-Hut-Hut… Hike! Yavn Speaks kicks off the latest VMK info right now.
Are You Ready For Some Football?
Game time is almost here for the big show next Sunday and for our Football Maze event! As I mentioned last week, our Football Maze event will be running all day on Super Bowl Sunday, February 4th - just enter any one of the special Football Maze Rooms we've created and you could win a VMK Football Pin.To enter the maze event, look for the any one of the rooms titled 'VMK Football Maze'. Each maze has a different color, blue, green and so on, and each one is different and offers a unique challenge. Once you finish any one of the mazes - you'll win the pin. NOTE: You can only win one pin, no matter how many times you complete a maze (even if you finish different mazes).
Touchdown! The VMK Football Pin will now be placed in the locker room, er, your inventory.
Quest Update
Inquiring minds want to know if we're still on track to launch the new VMK Disney Animated Quest the first week of February. The answer is - yes! Just to clarify, the Quest will launch at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on the same day. If you're going to be at either Park around that time make sure to check in with VMK, as we'll announce on the website when the Quest goes live.Speaking of Quests, you only have a few more days left to complete the New Year's Quest and get your VMK '07 Pin. The last day to do the Quest is Wednesday, January 31st. Now you don't want to be the only player without this cool Pin, so get out there and get Questing!
Pin another Quest achievement on your list!
Upcoming Events
February is just around the corner and that means it's time to celebrate one of our favorite holidays - Groundhog Day!! Ahh, those cuddly little shadow loving creatures... how we adore them so. What? You don't like groundhogs? Ok, just kidding, does Valentine's Day sound better?This year VMK has some fun stuff going on sale to celebrate the day - the highlight of which will be a brand new Pin. But just like Valentine's Day, the Pin will only be around for one day - it will be on sale on February 14th only! So make sure to drop by the Emporium and pick one up. So the Groundhog party is out? Oh well, there's always next year! ;-)
VMK will be your Valentine.
32. 27. 86. Hike!
So what do you think of that new Epcot Guest Room? We've gotten many questions about when will it be available and how can you get it, sorry but I still don't have all the details just yet, so please sit tight and as soon as our Epcot Guest Room announcement is ready – you'Il be the first to know, that is, if you keep checking back with the Newsletter.Well that's all for this week. Now back to work, The VMK Team is busily getting ready for our next trip to Disney World where we'll be working on some new Quests and other cool surprises - you'll find out about those soon. While we're in Orlando maybe we should have a brainstorming session about some cool furniture for the Epcot Room... Hmmm.
See you in VMK! Yavn
Event Info
January - VMK New Year's Quest
February - Disney Animation Quest
February 4th - VMK Football Maze
January - VMK New Year's Quest
Have you played the in-game New Year's Quest? You have until January 31st to complete the Quest and you could win the New Year's 2007 Pin!
February - VMK Disney Animation Quest Launches in-Park
Test your Disney film trivia knowledge with this new in-Park Quest! Available for play at both Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Disneyland starting the first week of February, the VMK Disney Animation Quest features questions about your favorite Disney Animated films.
Feb 4th - VMK Football Maze
VMK catches football fever with this Super Sunday event. Announcing the VMK Football Maze on Super Bowl Sunday! Cool mazes! Cool prizes! All that's missing is you! Stay tuned for more details.
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
Jake's Blog
Same as 11 December
Tips
Tips, Tricks Hints and How To's
From 26 January 2007
Getting bad service at the Blue Bayou?
Is the Gaitor Waiter ignoring you, or not serving your food when you request it? Maybe you aren't using the correct keyword. Want to know what it is? Keep your eyes on the VMK homepage and Newsletter for hints.
Where's the Exit?
Some rooms have secret exits. Click around in each VMK room and watch for when the green ‘walking icon’ turns into an exit sign – they aren't easy to find, but if you do find one, you could end up somewhere in the Kingdom you've never been before!
VMK Tickets and VMK Pass
VMK Tickets are special Single-Use Pins that allow players to enter 'Ticket Only' selected rooms. Room creators can now choose the players they want to enter their event.Tickets can be used once to enter, after they are used, they disappear from your inventory completely. Tickets also have an expiration date, after which they'll disappear even if they have not been used.
What VMK ticket are you really getting?
Finding it hard to tell which ticket you are getting in a trade window? Before you accept the trade, double click on the ticket – that will open a new window with the room information of the ticket. Happy Trading!
Dear Yeti
You've got questions, Yeti has answers
My best friend and I love Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – we visit it every time we go to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I was wondering if you had any background on this great attraction? Keep it cool!
– Greencoolcat
Dear Greencoolcat,
Keep it cool? You betcha, but with all this global warming I may have to shed a few layers of fur, but thanks for writing! Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress is one of my most favorites too and it's one of Disney's longest-running attractions!
The attraction (as the narrator on it points out), "was Walt's own idea from beginning to end." Originally called The General Electric Carousel of Progress, the attraction first appeared at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair and was relocated to Tomorrowland in Disneyland during 1967.
When the show was created, General Electric's motto at the time, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," was turned into the attractions theme song by the The Sherman Brothers (the same musical duo responsible for Mary Poppins, Jungle Book and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). It's a Disney classic!
Walt Disney and the Sherman Brothers from the Walt Disney Treasures Tomorrowland DVD: Disney in Space and Beyond.
If you've visited ever visited VMK Central at Disneyland's Tomorrowland you may have noticed the big round building behind VMK Central - Innoventions - it used to be the home to the Carousel. The attraction moved to Walt Disney World in 1973 and the theme was changed to reflect General Electric's new philosophy, "The Best Time of Your Life." When General Electric's sponsorship ended in 1985, the theme song reverted back to the original Sherman Brothers theme song.
The Carousel of Progress depicts an American family and their lifestyle changes over several decades as technology and the times influence a country's progress.
The Carousel re-opened at Walt Disney World on January 15, 1975 and was renamed Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress in 1994. In addition to a new theme song, sung by Nathan Lane, other changes were made to the attraction, including new narration. (Be sure to listen for the voice of the grandfather in the last scene, it's provided by Rex Allen Jr., he also provided the voice of the narrator for the original attraction.)
Alright then, how's that for a little background? Until next time... "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day! There's a great big beautiful tomorrow and tomorrow is just a day away! Man has a dream and that's the start, he follows his dream with mind and heart, and when it becomes a reality, it's a dream come true for you and me! So there's a great big beautiful tomorrow..."
Do you have a question for me?
Send it to me through the Contact Us section at the bottom of this page. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you (the email and information you registered with) and select "Dear Yeti" from the drop down menu. Every other week I'll answer a question or two here in the Newsletter
Push's Trash Trivia
This week "Where in the Park?" returns as Push sends you on a Quest to find this location.
Where in the Park?
Know the answer?
Send your answer using Contact Us at the bottom of this or the main VMK webpage. Be sure to have your VMK registration info with you and select Push's Trash Trivia from the drop down menu.
Out of all the correct answers, three players will be randomly drawn as the winners and sent a cool prize. But hurry! Only entries submitted by the close of game on Friday will be accepted.
Here's the answer to last weeks Trash Trivia question:
Q: Which exhibit in The Disney Gallery marked the beginning of the Gallery's 'art on demand' system?
A: The 100 Mickeys Exhibition in 2002.
Did you know: The 100 Mickeys Exhibition was created to celebrate Walt Disney's 100th birthday. One of Disney's former Imagineers, Eric Robison, was commissioned to create 100 different portraits of Mickey and he used multiple types of media (examples: cardboard, canvas, napkins) to accomplish this goal. Robison flew to the Caribbean for inspiration and created 21 Mickeys during his time there.
One of the 100 Mickeys created by Eric Robison to celebrate Walt Disney's 100th birthday.
The remaining 79 Mickeys took him 16 months to finish. This exhibition marked the start of the art–on–demand system — where guests could pick the Mickey art they liked best, and have it recreated on paper or canvas.
The 100 Mickeys Exhibition was showcased in The Disney Gallery located above the Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction in New Orleans Square. This suite was originally intended as an apartment for Walt Disney, but eventually became a place to entertain VIPs who were visiting the park. During the 80's, Imagineer Tony Baxter had the idea to turn this space into something that all guests could enjoy. Hence, The Disney Gallery was born and opened its doors to the public in 1987.
The Disney Gallery houses various artwork and has a balcony that can be reserved to watch Fantasmic.
Congratulations to the 3 lucky (and randomly picked) players that sent in the correct answer for last week's question!
Blue Flounder
princess_frost
beckyapple
Your prize is on its way!
Top Players
What makes a Guest Room award-worthy?
Guest or Game Rooms that stand out show originality in concept and design. It could be a use of conventional furniture in unconventional ways, the use of a theme or color, or humor. Game rooms that get the nod offer a new game idea or a new twist on an old favorite. In all rooms we look for room owners who welcome everyone with a smile and show a willingness to answer questions about their room.
Check out this week's Best Guest Rooms and Best Game Rooms.
Best Guest Rooms
 | Hop aboard the star speeder tree and blast off to another planet! Catch this great Star Wars themed show that darthstich provides in his room, Star Tours. It's a great show and a lot of fun, check it out! |
Best Game Rooms
 | The yellow tanks are in position and you must take them out! Be the first to take over the yellow position and win a prize in Fozzy's room, Tron Tank Attack Game. Check out Fozzy's photo album for instructions. |
Best Player Quests
 | Are you ready for some football? It looks like BlueCitrus is! He has created an awesome Quest, Blue's Crazy Football Quest, and everyone can test their football knowledge – touchdown! |
 | So you think your know your computer lingo? PhoebeLisa brings us The Computer Talk Quest! to see how much computer talk we really know. You better and hurry and play this Quest before you are dc. GL! Lol! |
Players who have been previously recognized for their design talents will receive the VIP award.
VMK Cards
The first card from Series 3 is here!
Get the Animation Viewer by playing the Animation Quest at Disneyland or Walt Disney World – redeem the code on your card for this cool virtual prize.
Check out the VMK Rewards Card Checklist and make sure you have all the VMK bling! What cards do you have in your collection?
Scam Alert
VMK Email Scam
From 30 January 2007If you get an email from anyone claiming to be from VMK Player Support asking for your VMK user information, such as your character name, password, birthday, etc., DO NOT REPLY to the email. This is a scam to get your login info.
VMK will NEVER send unsolicited email asking for your password or user information.
The only time you would get an email from VMK regarding this information is if you are having a login problem and have already sent us an email requesting help with this problem through the 'Contact Us' link on the website.
Any email from VMK will include your original email in the reply.
Remember your login and password information should never be shared with anyone.
Do you have a friend in VMK you trust?
From 26 January 2007Even if you think you can really trust another player in VMK, it's not a good idea to loan people your items – since some people won't give them back!
If someone asks you to borrow one of your items – just say no. Because if you decide to trade an item and it isn't given back, we can't help you recover it. Why? Because you knowingly entered into the trade – remember you're responsible for your character's actions in the game, no matter what.
Safety Corner
Keep your information private!
From 26 January 2007Never, under any circumstances give your VMK user name and password to any other player or post it on a forum on another website.
Some surveys have been going around on the internet claiming they have free offers if you give out your VMK information – this is a SCAM!
Never give your information to these surveys or anyone else, and always keep your password private. VMK will never ask you for your information unless you contact us about a problem with your account. Keep your VMK, and all the great items you've earned, safe!
Quests
In-Park Quests!
Going to Disneyland® Park or Magic Kingdom® Park? Play the in-Park Quests! Learn more here.
<strong>High School Musical Quest</strong>! Watch the movie, visit the Parks and answer all the questions to win cool stuff!
Get the <strong>Thrill Seekers Ques</strong>t for the Walt Disney World® Resort here!
The Tomorrowland Quest is still available: Download it here.
Contact Us Tips
Problems? Contact Us!
When you use Contact Us to ask a question or report an issue, please be aware of the following:
If you use AOL or EarthLink for e-mail, you won't receive our response, as AOL e-mail filters block our replies. Please provide an alternative e-mail in the Contact Us form where it asks for your e-mail address.
Some Spam Filters will automatically block e-mail from an unknown source unless you tell the program to allow it: To get email from VMK, allow mail from [email protected]. (Please note this email address does not receive e-mail except via the Contact Us form.)