A group that has invested three years in playing a free online game called Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom is upset that the house that made Mickey Mouse is pulling the plug on the world.

The game, launched in the summer of 2005 to promote the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, attracted thousands of fans who created more than 1 million avatars who trade virtual items and play games to earn credits.

On Saturday morning, members of the group plan to protest the game's shuttering around the entrance to Disneyland in Anaheim. The game is set to close on May 21 at 10 p.m. Pacific time.

"I've put three years of my life into this," said Andrew Lawson, a 16-year-old from Sun City, Calif.

Lawson said he plays the game 20 hours a week and has developed friendships with other players that can't be replaced elsewhere.

According to VMK.com rules, players are not allowed to reveal their real identities, e-mail addresses or phone numbers as a safety measure—rules enforced by staff monitors. The game is only open when moderated, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific time.

Scott Lawson, Andrew's father, said his family stayed at the Disneyland Resort three times, spending about $2,000 each time, to obtain a virtual hat based on Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" series.

"We're saddened and upset at how Disney handled this whole thing," said the 45-year-old traveling salesman.

Walt Disney Co. spokesman John Spelich, a vice president in the Walt Disney Internet Group, said the company decided to close the site because it was promotional and he encouraged players to go to other Disney virtual worlds.

DisneyFairies.com had nearly 6 million avatars created in its "Pixie Hollow" game, while Disney's "ToonTown Online" had more than 20 million, the company said.

Combined with "Pirates of the Caribbean Online" and "Club Penguin," more than 40 million avatars have been created in other Disney worlds. Portions of each site were free.

"You'd rather do anything in the world than disappoint a guest," Spelich said. "But in this particular instance, this promotional site is going to come to an end. We have invited those players who like features of VMK to sample the other ways we're offering to engage with Disney online."