Kids' Virtual Disneyland Vacations
Disney Ends Virtual Magic Kingdom, a Free Version of a Luxury Trip
Apr 17, 2008
A lot of people are understandably tightening their belts and cutting down on expenses; signs are pointing towards a recession here in the USA. If history is any judge, among the first things to get crossed off the list (or at least put on hold) are extravagant vacations. Rather than blowing a huge wad on a luxury vacation in Paris, Americans are staying closer to home. But travel is important: It expands one's world view, revives the spirit, and helps children see there's more to life than just Spongebob Squarepants and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Disneyland and Disney World are Expensive Theme Parks for Family Travel
Even travel within the country can really add up. Families vacationing with children, for example, flock to the major theme parks. But these places can be expensive! Take Disney Land and Disney World, for example; a one day Park Hopper package ticket is $81 and $91 dollars for children under and over age 10, respecitvely. The current (off season) 7-day Park-Hopper package, which is supposed to be the bargain, is $194.00 for kids over age 10. Almost two hundred bucks, and that's before the funnel cakes and Mickey hats! A week at the happiest place on earth is, in fact, a luxury vacation.
Disney Virtual Magic Kingdom Has Provided an Online Alternative
Now, kids love the Walt Disney theme parks. If finances aren't too grim, for many of us it's worth saving up for a great family vacation at Disney Land or DisneyWorld. But when heading to Anaheim or Orlando has just not been in the cards, parents have introduced their children to the computerized version of the theme parks: Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom, launched back in 2005, has allowed countless kids to enjoy a kinda-sorta Disney experience online. With travel budgets geting trimmed, you'd think that the Virtual Magic Kingdom would be a mainstay, right? Well, think again. The Walt Disney Company has announded its ending support for the interactive website.
Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom has been a free, massive multiplayer online game. Disney says it's shuttering the site, and suggesting that children sign up for other - and this is important - pay-for-play sites instead. Really? Disney needs more money? This move has created a minor uproar; at VMKMagic.com, there's a petition to save the game. As of this writing, there are well over 8,000 signatures.
Disney Company's Un-Child Friendly Business Move
Will signing a petition help? Who knows - but it can't hurt. A spokeswoman from the Walt Disney Internet Group released a statement stating, in part, that "VMK was launched as part of Disneyland's 50th Celebration in 2005 and the game has lived well beyond the originally intended time it was planned to run." That's pretty final. This move affects kids more than anyone else, since the Virtual Magic Kingdom is meant for children. These may be kids for whom a trip to Disneyland represents the apex of a luxury vacation, one that they can only hope for. Shutting down the Virtual Magic Kingdom leaves a bad taste in the mouth - worse, even than that of the Disneyland funnel cakes.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
