Virtual Magic Kingdom

Come on, we all know you are dreaming of that next Disney vacation. It’s okay to admit that you are a true Disney addict and crave the sights, sounds, and smells of the parks. You can even admit to ordering the next planning DVD just so you can glimpse the parks.

Knowing we all suffer "park withdrawal," Disney has designed an online multiplayer game called Virtual Magic Kingdom, or VMK, to help fill the void. The game opened on May 23, 2005 and allows players of all ages to live the Disney magic from home. To play VMK, you create an account by submitting an e-mail address and picking a character name. Next, you choose your character’s gender, hair style and color, facial features, and even its skin tone. Picking your first outfit is fun, with many wardrobe choices. My character can even wear glasses so she can see where she is going! Finally, you choose one of six rooms so you can design your own guest room.

Once your character is properly clothed, you enter the Virtual Magic Kingdom where you will be known as “Guest” until your character’s name is approved. Upon entering VMK, you notice it’s designed around the lands of the Disney parks, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Main Street, Adventureland, and Frontierland. It also has guest rooms. Players explore VMK by traveling via paths or the monorail, a journey that reminds you of the real parks.

Each land contains mini-games at which the player earns credits needed to purchase items from the inevitable Disney gift shop. Miss the Jungle Cruise? Visit the mini-game Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, where you will take pictures of animals with the virtual camera you bought at the virtual VMK Central. While you won’t see Johnny Depp, you can play Pirates of the Caribbean and shoot cannonballs at opposing pirates. Is your dream to be the 1000th ghost in the Haunted Mansion? Play the Haunted Mansion game in Frontierland (there's no Liberty Square/New Orleans Square here) and vacuum ghosts to earn points. (This is my favorite game because I can always tell my husband that I am vacuuming – he doesn’t need to know I am vacuuming virtual ghosts!) You can even search for and take pictures of Hidden Mickeys while you explore VMK.

VMK has Disney Characters who acknowledge you when you enter their rooms. The characters, such as the Yeti, Captain Blackheart, and the three Hitchhiking Ghosts, welcome you with their own little silly greetings. The Characters have even been known to wreak havoc by sending players on exciting treks through the Virtual Magic Kingdom.

It wouldn’t be Disney without the gift shops, so of course these, too, can be found in VMK. Yes, you can make purchases of virtual clothes, furniture, posters, and pins! Players compete in mini-games, which award credits towards the purchases. Players can also visit Disney Characters for daily credits.

Your virtual purchases are used to clothe your character, decorate your guest rooms, and add to your pin collection. Miss purchasing clothing in a Disney shop? Have no fear; VMK sells virtual clothing items as well! There is a wide variety of everyday clothes, such as bottoms, tops, shoes, and hats. VMK will also sell special items, such as Princess dresses and crowns, space suits, diving helmets, Expedition Everest climbing gear, cowboy outfits, and Haunted Mansion suits, amongst other items. Often times the special clothing items are only sold for a short amount of time before they are pulled from the shelves, making them virtual collectors items.

There is a variety of items for furnishing your guest room, such as a thrones, rocking chairs, Madame Leota globes, posters, rugs, and water fountains. Players decorate their rooms to create a fun place to hang out with friends and play games. Awards are even given for best-decorated or themed rooms.