AOL, Disney unveil new kids sites
A scene from Pixie Hollow
(Credit: Disney Online)Online kids playgrounds are more popular than ever. Disney Online said Tuesday that it will add to its online services for children with a new virtual world called Pixie Hollow, based on fictional characters like Disney's Tinkerbell and building on the site DisneyFairies.com. Similar to Disney's Toontown and Club Penguin, the company's newest virtual world will feature instant chat, games and tools to personal the environment. Disney did not specify when Pixie will launch, but it said that it will open the first phase later this year.
Also on Tuesday, AOL said that it will relaunch its kids site KOL with newly featured content from National Geographic Kids, among others. The new site will also let kids customize the page, sign up for a personal e-mail address and play as many as 100 games.
The sites were unveiled at the Toy Fair in New York.
Steve Parkis, Disney Online's senior vice president for online products, said the company also introduced new Disney Fairies toys that will connect to the Pixie Hollow virtual world and let girls make friends, among other activities. "Fans have already created millions of Fairy avatars on DisneyFairies.com, making it evident that there is a strong desire for additional content around these beloved stories and characters," he said in a statement.
Disney officials state that it was originally a promotion for Disneylands 50th celebration. It out lived that celebration by 2 years. Yet all of a sudden it is closing. There has to be more they are not telling us but everyone at Disney is being very tight lipped about the whole thing.
Just for the recod Disney..we don't WANT new games..we want the OLD one to stay! Charge us to play I dont care what you have to do to keep it open but I dont think they realize the dissapointment they are causing millions of players, I also dont think that after this debacle that people will be willing to trust the Disney name for a while. I for one know for sure that I will not be joining the Fairy game or the upcoming release of the Cars game of a similar platform. I am not willing to invest 3 years of my time playing, collecting and making great friends only to have it taken away so suddenly again.
Over 100,000 player-created avatars exist in this wonderful virtual world that Disney created 3 years ago. The real-life people behind these avatars have been pleading with Disney to keep their virtual world - and the real life friendships that exist within it - alive, even questioning why they were never offered the option to pay to play if money is the issue that has lead to the looming death of their virtual alter-selves.
Why is Disney turning it's back on its already dedicated "gamers" who have rallied together in the last week with an amazing unity practically begging for their right to keep their friendships and fun that can only exist within VMK? That is an answer that not 1 of them has yet to receive.
Just one example of this unity is the almost 7,500 signatures that have been complied at www.savevmktoday.com in less than a week. One would think that this would make the powers-that-be at Disney that, what Steve Parkis, Disney Online's senior vice president for online products says of their new game, it is "evident that there is a strong desire for additional content around these beloved stories and characters" would apply to VMK.
How can Disney expect these long-time fans to embrace a new Disney game when they feel they already know how that game will play out: With Disney telling them 3 years from now, "Hey, we're shutting down, but we've got something new for you now!"?
Thousands are trying to show Disney they just want to keep their VMK. If only Disney would listen.
They announced that VMK (Disney?s Virtual Magic Kingdom is closing on May 21st, 2008 The only game of it?s kind on the Internet that whole families can play together. From kids as young as 3 to grandparents in their 70?s. But never gave a real reason. Just it is time to move on. Go to our other sites. That are nothing like the Virtual Magic Kingdom. The who game is based on the Disney parks themselves.
Many who have played this game for three years. Investing in the Disney dream. Are frustrated, angry and saddened by this announcement.
Most are not interested in a fairy site or Toon Town or pirates. None at all meet the needs of a family like this site does. If so they would have already gone there. They have close registration for anyone new. But inside you have kids crying real tears. Saying:
Disney what have you done?
Walt are you rolling over in your grave make the big people behave.
Walt?s dream was not to hurt children.
I would rather pay to play than throw my friends away.
We may be virtual characters but our tears are real,
When your thinking of a way to save VMK just think of what Walt would do
When VMK closes you do not know how long I will cry
Don?t close down VMK the second best place other than home
Friends make VMK don?t let us lose our friends
I could write thousands of slogans but you get the point.
Thousand are asking why and no one is getting answers this is a short point form of the people Disney is reaching with this game. These are real kids and families confused, sadden and betrayed by Disney. These quotes come from actually stories posted on the web discussion forums.
· The kids with Autism who for the first time have friends and are not laughed at for being different.
· 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.
· 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.
· 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.
· 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 on VMK.
· 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.
· The mother that travels for work. Meeting on VMK and waving Good night to her daughter helps the pain of being away.
· The grandparents that were terrified on computer technology that now have a magical place to share with their grand children.
· 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.
· The kids getting cancer treatments and playing VMK while in hospital. Saying there is no cancer in Virtual Magic kingdom.
· 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.
· The thousand of families that have created an even deeper bond by playing together. Knowing no other game provides this.
·The future imaginers, the kids because of this type of game want to follow in Walt's footsteps.
· 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. ·
One needs to ask the question why? For a year of a million dreams Disney is creating a year of a Million tears.
Never thought the word Mickey Mouse would cause so much heart ache
You see VMK is more then a simple online game. VMK is a community of friends and yes even family that enjoy the magic Walt Disney inspired. Yes there are games to play but for the most part this has been an escape from the real world troubles many of us seek refuge from. Here nobody is judged for their appearance, disabilities, race, or age. We are friends all seeking support, love, and understanding. We help each other in times of need. We share in the simple joys life can bring us. We care for each other. So while yes this is a game, Disney fails to realize it has grown way beyond that. Shutting the doors is absolutely heart-wrenching for all of us.
As an adult who suffers from severe depression, anxiety attacks, and post traumatic stress this is the one true place I can forget my troubles. Here my friends unknowingly have provided the love and laughter I needed to make it through my darkest hours when I had nowhere else to turn to. When closing comes each night and we?ve danced our final dance of the day, exchanged out hugs with wishes of sweet dreams, I sit back and dream. No nightmares for me then.. I dream. Dream of what surprises await me the next day, maybe designing a new room to share some fun in with my friends, dream of the fun times we have had and more that have yet to come. Those dreams came to an end this week.
I am a mom of 2 wonderful boys who both enjoy playing VMK as much I do and have been playing a little over 2 years now. I held my oldest child tonight as he cried while saying goodbye to a long time friend I heard him say words that broke my heart to pieces. ?I hate Disney. I hate them! I never want to be CEO of a place that makes kids feel like this!? My son has had one simple dream to be when he grew up. His one dream was to someday be CEO of the place he loves so very much, Disney. He has had this dream since he was 7 and now almost 6 years later, until last night, he has held fast to that dream. Gone are the days we would sit and chat about what he wanted his office to look like. Goodbye to the wonderful dreams he had to make sure every child could experience the magic that he knows is there. Farewell to our special moments we could sit and talk about things he wished to build in the parks. As I sit and hold them while they sob at each goodbye to friends they will never have a chance to talk to again I wonder why? Why is Disney doing this to all the countless children around the world. Are their hearts that cold that they don?t hear these kids screaming out? Do they not understand the anguish they are putting these kids through? So many broken hearts, so many countless tears shed, and all to blame on Disney. The one place in this world where dreams are supposed to come true. My kids dreams never included this much heartache. Tomorrow will be another day of tears and sadness. Another day of hugging them while they sob on my shoulder. All I can do is try to tell them that it will all be ok, while inside my own heart breaks in two.
Disney fails to realize the importance of this game to so many people worldwide. They fail to realize the tremendous amount of agony they are putting these kids through. They fail to realize what it is that they have done. Our family?s hearts are saddened. There is no joy here now. No buzz of excitement as a special host event time draws near. Now our home is filled with quiet dread. Each of us knows that tomorrow will bring more sadness but still we sign on to be there for our friends. To share in the last remaining few happy moments, to quietly sit with our friend knowing that they are shedding tears of heartache, to dance our last dances with dear friends we will never meet.
Disney I beg and plead of you, please change your mind. Please bring back the happiness and dreams of countless children both young in body and at heart. Don?t turn your backs on us. Cant you hear us crying?
If you need more information please see the links below to some of the many fan based web sites and petitions.
Dis Boards - http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.phps=86a0c1644c1d9d4ccc8fbabb37c30b1e&f=95
VMKMagic - http://vmkmagic.com/vbulletin/
VMKForums - http://www.vmkforums.com/
Save VMK Today Petition - http://savevmktoday.com/main.html
Save VMK Petition - http://savevmk.com/phpPETITION/results.php
As the XBox company as well as Blizzard Entertainment knows, online gaming can be extremely successful ventures with great revenue potential. If the corporate Disney executives believe the benefits of running this 'promotional' VMK has come to an end, it is apparent they have underestimated the huge and valuable impact it has had on thousands of families; adults and children alike.
One core premise of business is the law of supply and demand and currently it seems the company is ignoring this universal and basic business truth if it indeed is determined to ignore the thousands of people voicing their desire that the company not close their beloved VMK.
Disney, like any successful company, is always searching for ways to increase it's profit margins and although it's certain they have analyzed current data which may show a shy increase in revenue connected to the game thus far, it is premature to discount and dismiss the potential surge of profit from the ever increasing numbers of players, game popularity and notoriety. Walt Disney knew that building a dream starts with a thought and needs cultivation and patience. Perseverance and dedication ensure its birth into reality. If the Disney company executives pull the plug on this phenomena known as VMK, they will be aborting the developing dreams and wishes of thousands of people. The closing of the virtual park is tantamount to the executives actually closing one of Disney's physical theme parks. After all, VMK players are not virtual, they are all real human beings playing in a virtual world, and all are current or potential Disney customers. The effects of this decision will not stop at the individual players who will no longer be allowed to play VMK, it will continue on to touch the lives of many many others like the ripple effect of a raindrop falling on water. A company's reputation is built upon its interaction with it's customer and consumer. If the Disney company fails to budge on its intent to close its most successful online game, it will not be surprising to witness a subsequent decline in trust and esteem held among the thousands of adults and children alike who will be affected by this decision.
It is an ignorant mistake by Disney to believe that they have the ability to simply lure the VMK public into their other online games when those games do not hold the attraction of the VMK park. It is the virtual Disney Kingdom that has the people transfixed, not the cartoons being offered. It isn't the toys that can be bought. It is the place, the world where adults can escape and be a kid again or to to visit cyber-friends or family across the globe; it is the place where kids can play safely and be respected. It's a game without violence, where new friendships are formed, where children can learn life lessons from the safety of their homes. Its so much more than what the Disney team ever imagined it would become. Why has it grown to mean so much to so many, a bona fide phenomena? Because of one factor that the Disney company can never create or duplicate, real people with heart and a dream. And as we all know from the movie Cinderella, "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes". Therefore, with all the voices united of those who love VMK we say, "Our Dream is that Disney will SAVE VMK!
- Believe in the magic of Virtual Magic Kingdom
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by mir4mad
April 24, 2008 10:14 AM PDT
- What Steve Parkis doesn't understand is that children are curious about disney and will explore anything associated with the disney name. They want to feel the magic they get in the parks every day. Just because "millions of fairy avatars have been created" does not mean that the fairies site will be a success and replace an already existing successful site that could incorporate it's own pixie hollow. It is because of virtual magic kingdom that children are going to explore Toon Town, Club Penguin, and POTC- disney's pay to play virtual worlds. But at the end of the day those children return to VMK for the real magic.
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(6 Comments)My daughter has spinal muscular atrophy and relies on me for her every need. The only activity she can do on her own is the computer once it is set in front of her and her arm and hand are positioned just right. To her the computer is her playground, her toys, her canvas, her hobby, her collection, her books, her school, her games and a way to connect with her friends. Virtual magic kingdom gives her all of this in a safe family oriented "real" environment. When she does have free time, she wants the opportunity to play just like other kids but she can't do it in the same way.
She plays Toon Town and has even tried POTC. But those sites are task/game oriented and promote fighting, destroying, killing and yes gambling. She also plays Club Penguin. None of these (and there are many others she has explored) can hold her attention like VMK and provide limitless activities and opportunities to use her imagination and her own mind (the only thing that is NOT affected by her disease).
She has created a fairy and judging from the other sites will also be limiting. Yes- disney will get some money generated by the sale of the toys needed to connect to this virtual world but from experience with other sites like this the toy will sit and collect dust and the site will not be accessed as often until another new toy comes out. I'd rather pay to play VMK than buy another toy she can't even pick up and play with. Virtual items on VMK at least can be accessed, played with, collected and used to build rooms, rides, games, and artwork. All shared with other players.
To Steve Parkis; "these beloved stories and characters," already exist and can be created everyday in VMK by real kids using their own imagination. The real magic however is the friends
and relationships they have made. That can never be recreated in any virtual world. That's what brings them back everyday to VMK. Don't loose the magic that Walt created Mr. Parkis, for in the end it's not about the money, or the things we have but the love and relationships we share with one another. Remember the magic of these characters and their stories- the villian never wins!