Silly Question - What's VMK?

[Mrs Mouse]

I am a huge Disney/Disneyland fan, but am reluctant to admit that I don't really know exactly what VMK is or how it works. I understand that it's an online game of sorts that used to have quests you could do in the park (are these gone permanently now?) but that's the extent of my knowledge. It sounds like it could be very fun. If anyone would be so kind as to explain it to me, I'd really appreciate it.

While we're on the topic of explaining things - can anyone tell me more about Toon Town Online? I recieved an email about it the other day and my interest was piqued but, again, I don't know what it is!

Thanks in advance, guys!

[Tinkermommy]

VMK and ToonTown are both online Disney games.

VMK = Virtual Magic Kingdom. It's very popular with the 'tween crowd, but I'm a grown-up and love playing it with my daughter. You interact with other online players, but allowable dialogue is limited. Essentially they've created a virtual magic kingdom that has elements of Disney theme parks. You create a character, decorate your own rooms (amazing detail), buy clothes and other things, do quests that let you earn things like virtual pins and "magic," which allows your character to do things like drive a car. You earn credits playing games like a fireworks show, pirate games or doing a photo safari on the Jungle Cruise, or by visiting a series of non-playing characters that give you credits. You can even create rides and quests. You gotta see it to believe it -- it's truly amazing for a free game! It's very easy to create a character. Go to www.VMK.com and it'll walk you right through it.

ToonTown is another online game, but this one has a charge. I forget how much; I think it's around $10 per month with a discount if you pay annually. You also create characters, decorate your house, buy clothes and furniture, but you pay with jelly beans. You can earn beans by performing tasks, playing games or fishing. Your character is a "toon" -- your choice of animal. You interact with other players using pre-approved speed chat phrases. You team up with other players to fight cogs -- the bad guys in ToonTown. As you complete tasks, you increase in strength and "gags" -- or weapons, like pies and squirt guns -- that you can use against the cogs. There is a lot of strategy involved in figuring out what gags other toons have when you're battling together. You can also race your little car, and earn upgrades to your car. It's great fun. We subscribed for our daughter several years ago, but my hubby quickly became the expert. (You can create six characters per account.) Then I started playing with another mommy I know when our kids were at school. Oh, and sometimes, our kid plays too. LOL. It's a lot of fun!

Hope that helps!

[Mrs Mouse]

Thanks Tinkermommy, that does help. They both sound like a lot of fun (though perhaps more strategic than I first thought). I may have to check them out!

[Tinkermommy]

They're really not difficult! Both games can be as simple or as complicated as you choose. With ToonTown, for example, there is a LOT you can do that is just plain fun. My husband enjoys going into the more difficult battles in the Cogs' headquarters buildings, for example, while I prefer to do simpler things.

Some people create fantastic rooms and quests in VMK; I just like decorating my rooms -- lol.

I noticed on your countdown clock that you're going on a Disney vacation? If you wait and create your character AT the park (inside Innoventions at Disneyland; not sure where at Disney World) then you get a special "born in the park" designation, ears and I believe some extra rooms to start with. It only takes a few minutes. You don't have to stop and play there, just create your character. Just a thought!

[Mrs Mouse]

I noticed on your countdown clock that you're going on a Disney vacation? If you wait and create your character AT the park (inside Innoventions at Disneyland; not sure where at Disney World) then you get a special "born in the park" designation, ears and I believe some extra rooms to start with. It only takes a few minutes. You don't have to stop and play there, just create your character. Just a thought!

Oh cool! Thanks for the heads-up on this, Tinkermommy. I'm definitely putting that on my DL to-do list!

[Kel]

I was a member on VMK and then i couldn't get on it after i logged off so i had to create a new acount and then i couldn't get back onto that one and then when i tried to make a new acount again it said my e-mail had already been used so i couldn't do it

[Doodle Duck]

According to a VMK person who was at Disneyland, VMK is more adults than under 18s. She said an internal survey showed 63% (or there abouts) not kids! So feel at home no matter what your age. I'm 65 and all my friends on VMK (many) are well over 35.
:-)

If you want to see the best of what can be done in rides look for ImDug and my "Seriously Nice Jungle Ride". Complex and with finely designed aspects and dead on theme.

The VMK artists are the best on the net and give us 'serious' ride builders the most amazing tools to play with. Awesome game...customer service needs major improvement howver IMHO.