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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Virtual Disney Closing its Doors

Company pulls plug tomorrow, and fans aren't happy

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(Newser) – Diehard fans are outraged at plans to shut down a virtual version of Disneyland tomorrow, the Wall Street Journal reports. Players of Virtual Magic Kingdom, a free online game Disney started to celebrate the theme park’s 50th anniversary in 2005, are protesting throughout the blogosphere; some 20,000 have signed an online petition opposing the company's decision to pull the plug.

Virtual Magic Kingdom is an online re-creation of the real Disneyland in which visitors explore the online park, chat with other visitors, and accumulate points to use in real life. Despite its popularity, Disney is ready to shut down the game in favor of its other virtual worlds, such as Club Penguin, which bring in monthly subscription fees and, the company says, are even more popular.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse wave to visitors as they display their Chinese New Year costumes designed by Hong Kong fashion designer Vivienne Tam at Hong Kong Disneyland Monday, Jan. 21, 2008.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse wave to visitors as they display their Chinese New Year costumes designed by Hong Kong fashion designer Vivienne Tam at Hong Kong Disneyland Monday, Jan. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Fireworks explode in front of the Cinderella Castle during the ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, near Tokyo, on Tuesday April 15, 2008.
Fireworks explode in front of the Cinderella Castle during the ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, near Tokyo, on Tuesday April 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
A firework display lights up the castle of Sleeping Beauty in Disneylands theme park in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Saturday March 31, 2007.
A firework display lights up the castle of Sleeping Beauty in Disneylands theme park in Marne-la-Vallee, east of Paris, Saturday March 31, 2007.   (AP Photo/Michael Sawyer)
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A Web site created to 'Save VMK'
savevmktoday.com

The Virtual Magic Kingdom itself
Disney.com


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