Two SPREE! Prizes Retiring February 20; will be replaced with 3 new ones

Webkinz Newz has just announced that two prizes from the game SPREE! will retire on Wednesday, February 20. These two prizes are the Yoga Ball Bed and the Elephant Kinzbanz Wall Art.

Their replacements are reported to be the Arcade Pool Table, Gold Leaf Settee, and the Gold Leaf Coffee Table.

We have been given five weeks of warning, so that should be more than enough time to clear the SPREE! board and get to the mall. Many times, actually, if you get good rolls and log in daily.

REMINDER: Webkinz Newz switching from KinzCash to GanzWorld Rewards; Caring Valley Retiring

The Caring Valley is retiring.

 

The Caring Valley, introduced April 1, 2009, has seen a wonderful three years in Webkinz World. As of January 9, 2013, however, it will be bidding us farewell as it retires.
With the use of a Caring Valley tag (comes attached to select Webkinz pets), a Webkinz World user will be given 4 saplings. They can then go to the Valley and plant those saplings in different forests--each forest focuses on a different charity, and each sapling will donate to its respective forest's charity. Upon entering the Caring Valley tag's code to the Code Shop, the player will get a customizable tree to put in their yard. This tree is exclusive to the Caring Valley codes, and a different one is offered each month: the pet the tag comes attached to does not affect the tree. In fact, the pet code and Caring Valley code are completely separate, and you can adopt the pet first or enter the Valley code first.

Codes can still be entered and saplings can still be planted until the Caring Valley retires. Afterward, codes can still be entered, but they will only give you the tree corresponding to the month you entered the code in. 

To learn more, visit the Caring Valley entry in the Webkinz Insider Wiki.

Webkinz Newz will be changing currency tomorrow, December 12.

Since the addition of the Arcade feature about a year ago, Webkinz Newz has allowed players to collect KinzCash by playing games in the WKN site, provided they were logged into a WKN account to collect the money in. Tomorrow, however, they will be changing currency, and KinzCash will no longer be what players are given, but rather the new GanzWorld Rewards. We have no word on what the difference is other than Rewards are highly likely to be unable to be converted to KC and transferred to your WW account.

This means that all KinzCash will be cleared from WKN accounts to make way for the currency change. Please log into your WKN account and transfer any KinzCash it contains to your WW account.
This WKN article explains how to do that, along with more details.
  
This will have no effect on the KinzCash already in your Webkinz World account. That remains perfectly safe; have no concern.

Wednesday Updates: June 6, 2012

 Don't forget to log in today for your DiceKinz Trophy!

DiceKinz was sadly brought to retirement today, but players who log in can get a commemorative trophy to remember the game by.

A new game has been added to the Arcade.

This Webkinz Rockerz-themed game is called Rockerz Backstage Dash. In this Home Before Dark-based game, players guide the Rockerz pets to the party while collecting VIP passes along the way for extra points. This game does, in fact, reward players with a trophy--those who collect 4,000 or more points in a single game are given a Rockerz Backstage Pass Trophy, an exclusive and animated prize. Good luck, players!

Two new Challenges have been added.

If you really love a good challenge, then the next Mega Challenge has arrived. The second installment in the recently introduced series of Mega Challenges, it is called "Webkinz Wizard Academy", and is unlocked after the completion of the "Cheerleader Tryouts" Challenge. The rare Magic Cauldron Stove is one of the many prizes in store for aspiring wizards and witches of Webkinz World. 
After the completion of the previously mentioned Mega Challenge, one can do the "Roberta's Birthday" Challenge.

The Wizard Academy Challenge is definitely a blatant reference to Harry Potter--in the first list of tasks, you grow Pumpkins for Herbology, and you win a Wizard hat on a stool that looks like a cheerier version of the Sorting Hat. 

Two SPREE! prizes are scheduled for retirement. 

 

All SPREE! players had better put the pedal to the metal, because on July 4th, 2 prizes will be retired from the SPREE! shopping mall.
So if you have a young percussionist or shopaholic in your Webkinz home, then take note! The Designer Purse and Drum Set will be retired from the SPREE! mall on July 4. The Purse costs 140 Credits; the Drums, 500.

The second half of the Mega Modern Room Theme has been added.

The entire theme's cost ends up at 7,550 if you buy one of each item including wallpaper and floor, which is still pretty cheap.

The new items are...

Cubic Contour Cabinet--550 KC (and holds 10 clothing items)
Dehydrotrope Drink Bar--615 KC (you can put items on it)
Dehydrotrope Drink Bar Chair--200 KC (your pet can sit on it)
LED Entertainment Unit--900 KC (works like a regular TV; priciest item in the theme)
Mosaic Mirror Set--300 KC (decoration only)
Omni Glass Dining Chair--220 KC (your pet can sit on it)
Omni Glass Dining Table--680 KC (you can put items on it)
Oval Contour Cabinet--380 KC (and holds 10 clothing items)
Sonic Sound Waves Set--550 KC (plays music)
Stasis Seat--300 KC (your pet can sit on this item)

I went ahead and picked up the Sonic Sound Waves Set because it is the coolest W-Shop item I have ever seen. It is three tiles wide and one tile long. It actually plays not one, but three different songs! I was actually taken aback by that--I've never known a Webkinz World item to do that. The item is not animated when the songs play. To switch songs, click on the Set again.
Song 1--A faster, jazzier remix of the background music that plays in the SPREE! Shopping Mall. It features a more prominent bass guitar and hi-hat cymbals.
Song 2--A song that reminds me of a sunset during summer vacation. I really have no idea how to describe it.
Song 3--Featuring a saxophone, xylophone, and more drums, this song is slower and more relaxed.
Clicking on it a fourth time turns it off.

Ganz Announces Retirements of DiceKinz; Rare Egyptian Theme

Ganz has just announced the upcoming retirement of DiceKinz.

DiceKinz is a game that's been around for many years. Players could play against either a friend or the computer, and would race to see who'd reach the finish line first with dice, strategy, and sometimes luck. Players started with a basic set of dice, but could expand their collections with Pet Packs, which were unlocked after adopting a certain pet (Cocker Spaniel, Panda, Cheeky Cat, etc.). However, Pet Packs were retired on March 30, 2011--except for the Koala pack, probably because it was set to remove all instances of "Pet Pack" from the W-Shop, and the Koala's was called "Koala PetPack".

On June 6, Ganz has announced, the DiceKinz game will be retired from Webkinz World. If you bought a Pet Pack before they were retired, and haven't opened it yet, you can sell it back to the W-Shop for a full refund.
There is a little upside to the retirement of this classic game: on June 6, players with DiceKinz dice in their accounts who log in on that day will receive this lovely trophy, as a memento of their DiceKinz playing days.

Ganz has also announced the retirement of the rare Egyptian theme.

The Egyptian Theme, shown in its entirety* above, is one of the oldest Rare themes in Webkinz World. Pieces of Rare themes are found in the Curio Shop at certain hours, can be found in Trading Card codes, and can be given randomly in the dice you roll when adopting any pet after your 10th.
On June 20, the theme will bid farewell to Webkinz World.

As of this announcement, you've got 29 days to work on completing the theme!
The Webkinz Insider Forum has a widget on the top of the page that shows the Curio Shop's stock for the day, in Asia, Europe, and North America, along with the times they're for sale. If you're looking for the theme, you can find its known times for sale there.
Plumpy the Hippo will also be/has been in the Trading Hall every day this week, with Egyptian theme items for trade! She'll take anything for them. She posts on WKN the times she'll be in the Trading Hall...but so far, nobody's been able to find her!
*except for the Desert Window, which is an adoption exclusive that's been retired anyway.

Wednesday Updates April 11 2012

The Spring 2012 Clothing Items Released To KinzStyle Outlet; Winter 2012 Line Retired 2 Weeks Earlier Than Announced

Not a large array of clothing this Spring, but what is offered is quite nice! I'm particularly fond of that Zum Buckled Belt.
They are, from upper left to lower right:
Tan Leather Skirt (200 KC)
Denim Dress (325 KC)
Striped Turtle Neck (180 KC)
Spiral Designer Dress (350 KC)
Laced Heels (250 KC)
Gray Cardigan (110 KC)
Polka Dot Rain Boots (125 KC) (does not come with rain puddle)
Polka Dot Rain Hat (90 KC)
Polka Dot Rain Coat (200 KC)
Zum Buckled Belt (75 KC)

In addition to these clothes, three pieces of WKN Exclusive clothing will be available somehow in the future, if you're interested in Springtime Laced Heels, a Springtime Leather Skirt, or a Springtime Cardigan. 

Additionally, the entire Winter 2012 line has been retired a full update later than expected! WKN announced that these clothes would be retired from the KinzStyle Outlet on April 25, but this is apparently no longer true. You can see all of these clothes in this LTW article.

A new Roleplaying room has been added to the Clubhouse. 

This new room is called the "Glam Boutique", and it's the perfect place to let your inner girly girl frolic. (Or to stay far far away from. The WKN article uses the word "glam/glamorous" 7 times not including the headline, so...)
There are lines for a stylist, a receptionist, and a client.

Webkinz have hair. Invisible hair. It's canon!(?)

Congrats, random Jellybean Puppy/Pig/Tawny Pup/Chipmunk, you're in the news. (I'm the Okapi.)

 Webkinz has released a new Lite App for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. 

This game is called "Cloud Corral", and it's free to play up to level 5. It is not in the Webkinz World Arcade, too--app only!

Shiny Zumbuddy! His name is Zoom.

In this game, you need "ample wit and skill" to defeat those clouds sent in by Nafaria. How? We dunno; WKN wasn't too detailed. Buy purchasing the full version of Cloud Corral, you can collect KinzCash to send to your Webkinz World account.

The second half of the Creative Studio theme has been released in the W-Shop.

It consists of :

-Art Easel, 200 KC. Click on it and it will paint a picture for you.
-Art Painting Wall Art, 90 KC. Features the same scene the Art Easel paints.
-Art Station, 400 KC.
-Beanstalk Art Poster, 60 KC. 
-Ice Sculpture Fridge, 780 KC. Can store 6 food items.
-Music Guitar Table, 375 KC. Works like any ol' table.
-Music Note Chair, 250 KC.
-Music Note Wall Art, 50 KC.
-Potter Kiln Oven, 350 KC. Operates like an ordinary oven.
-Potter's Wheel, 550 KC. Complete with chair to sit on.
-Theatre Bed, 800 KC. Exactly what it says on the tin.

So for the price of 7,175 KC to buy the entirety of a creative, innovative theme, that's not too bad!

A new Video Challenge has been added for "Mustache Louie".

By watching the POTM video for the Schnauzer, the Pet for January 2010, and answering some trivia, you will win this Pretty Flower Dress here for your Webkinz pet.

Wednesday Updates 29/2/12

In a minor note, the icon for the KinzChat phone is slightly edited. Now it turns completely grey when off, has a slightly more noticeable antenna, is slightly larger, and has a very small glow.

 

1. Two new Challenges have been added.
2. Nafaria has returned.
3. The T-Shirt Designer and Solar Suit have been retired.
4. The Lorax gift boxes have arrived.
5. Webkinz World has begun a promotion for Mirror Mirror.
6.  Three contests, a Peek-A-Newz event, and a Click-To-Win have been scheduled at Webkinz Newz.

Check after the break for an in-depth report.

Ganz Announces New Alyssa's Star Challenge Prize: Golden Solar Suit

On the 11th, Ganz announced that they were going to retire the Solar Suit. This is a prize that one gathers, piece by piece, from catching comets that fly across the screen in Alyssa's Star Challenge. This prize has been available since 2008, but on February 29, it will be retired for good.

In its place will be the new Golden Star Suit, a revamped version that is obtained in the same fashion as its ancestor. This costume consists of 5 pieces--the jacket, the pants, the belt, the boots, and the helmet. This fancy fashion will make its debut in the Wednesday update of February 29.

Ganz Announces Retirement of 3 Exclusive Items

Ganz has announced the retirement of 3 Exclusive items.

 The Exclusive Items set for retirement are:

The Elephant Fountain, the oldest EI still available!
A mistake in the WKN article claimed that the Elephant Statue was to retire, which would be
impossible, as there is no item in WW with that exact name. The closest thing to it would be the Stone Elephant Statue,
an EI from 2005-May 2006, and brought back as an eStore Replica in 2009. This error caused some puzzlement amongst fans, but it appears to have been corrected.
Upon the retirement of this item, the oldest Exclusive Item still available will become the 4-Wheel ATV and the Disco Ball, both introduced June 30, 2007.

The Wading Pool, an item that has been around since October 1, 2008.

And the Farm Tractor, an item that was introduced May 16, 2008.

These items are scheduled to be retired on the February 1, 2012 Wednesday update, so snag them while you can!
And how to get these items? There's five ways:

• Adopt a pet, and a random current Exclusive Item will be given to you (excludes the adoption of the first pet on that account)
• Stop by the Trading Room and maybe you'll get one in a trade
• Spin the Super Wheel on any of the days it's available, and perhaps you'll win one there
• Make a Wish of the Day at the Wish Factory and, if you're randomly selected to win that EI, you'll get it
• Or, the easiest way that is 100% certain to get the exact EI you'd like, just use your Wish Tokens at the Wish Factory.

Wednesday Updates November 9, 2011

A new challenge has been added to Webkinz World.

This challenge works much like the Halloween Challenge in October. This challenge is called the "Teacher's Pet Challenge", and is school themed. I will update with the challenges and their prizes in spoilers as I find them out.

You must finish the Key to Kinzville Challenge before the Teacher's Pet Challenge will appear to you.

Have fun!

Five new Exclusive Items have been added, three have been retired.

These new items seem to have been added with being additional pieces for themes in mind!

• Ancient Aztec Stone Statue    
• Classic Car Booth
• Egyptian Tomb Window
• Salt Water Aqua Table
• Snack Cart Stove

The three items that have been retired are:

•  Ambulance
• Grandfather Clock
• Ribbons and Bows Tree

To get an Exclusive prize, you must either exchange a certain amount of Wish Tokens at the Wish Machine for it, or, to get a totally random prize, adopt a new pet.

 

 Apparently the log-in page has changed, too.

Here, just take a look...

*do do do do doo do do, do do do DO do DO do doo do do*

 

More updates!

The glitch involving the Walrus Wall Panel has been fixed...
But instead of the Wall Panel, the "The Coolest Thing is Everything" Album Cover is awarded instead.

Kinzville is now Halloween themed!

All Spring 2011 KinzStyle Outlet items are now retired.
We'll have to wait a little while to see if they're retired forever, or just moved to the Curio Shop. The retired items are:
Crop Top Long Tee Combo
Destroyed Capri Shorts
Draw String Cargos
Graphic Knit Dress
Heart Print Crew Neck
Jeweled Military Shirt
Sash Belt Pants
Tri Strap Gladiator Sandals
Two Pocket Cuff Shirt
Violet Hangaround Pants
V-Neck Cardigan


The Summer 2011 KinzStyle Outlet items will be retired next.



  The Week of Pink Click-To-Win is running again.
As you may know, the Week of Pink Click-To-Win at Webkinz Newz was cancelled due to some technical difficulties. Now these issues are resolved, and Molly will be flying at Webkinz Newz from October 12 to October 19, 2011. She will not be flying on the 15th.