Disney fans are surprised that the announcement to close the Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK - a popular, massively multiplayer online game based on the Disney parks) has not changed, so they are stepping up their campaign--and marching as close to Disneyland as the local laws will allow.

Disney fan forums, already filled with sad stories of children’s tears are now filling up with parents announcements that they are canceling trips planned to the Disney parks.

The initial Save VMK campaign was developed literally over night. One petition site “saveVMK. com” now has over 16,000 signatures. Another site, “saveVMK today.com,” has a petition where you can read the signers’ comments. “VMK blog.com” is reporting on the many paths that this campaign is taking. A site “VMK kids unite.com” is organizing the march on Disneyland on May 10th and the organizers are offering to personally deliver dispirited fans’ letters to both Disney Corporate and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Online. YouTube has been flooded with videos documenting the letters, giving tours of this magical kingdom, and some are simply show kids crying.

The more “mainstream” media has picked up on the movement.  WKMG in Orlando, Florida, was the first to broadcast the story on television. “NewsTalk 710 out of Seattle Washington, stated that “when people cannot be in the park physically they like to hang out at this virtual Disney.” The radio hosts seemed genuinely touched imagining the night of May 21st when those who’s tradition it is to dance along Main Street saying good night will possibly be dancing their last dance. Gaming news sites that have reported on what happens when players who have spent time building their character and creating tight bonds with people of all ages from all over the world seem surprised by how passionate the VMK players are about keeping their link to the Disney magic. Last night Central Florida News 13 broadcast a story of people boycotting Disney. Half a world away, The Sydney  Morning Herald printed a story of one girls’ heart break.