Disney today announced some details of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean series. It will be a blind box set based on the theme park attraction and will have 11 characters with 1 mystery chaser. Although this series is not based on the movie, a Jack Sparrow chaser is a real possibility… as he was added to the ride a few years back. Disney should release pictures of more figures as the time comes. We expect the series to be released on May 21st (if the Art of Disney blog is right). Yesterday we saw the Dirty Foot Pirate by Casey Jones. The figure below is also a Casey creation. This series should also give us a good idea of how they will do “attraction” series like the Haunted Mansion set expected in September.
Also notice that this series will be using the new vinylmation mold design.
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a few newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
Almost all of the scaffolding is down from the Tower of Terror
I am very torn about how to feel about reading this news on April 11th on the Disney’s Vinylmation Blog. I am so sad they are changing the original shape, that made us all fall in love with Vinylmation in the first place; but in the same breath, I also love the idea of making the actual Vinylmation canvas easier to apply designs to, because then we will get better quality Vinylmation! I completely understand the changes, but wish they had kept the buttons, or even just the nose shape (it seems a bit more flat now).
After looking at these changes, one of the first things I noticed was that the actual shape of the Vinylmation seems smoother and a bit fatter. I understand making it smoother because this way the application of paint on the figure is easier which can make the designs more accurate and with fewer flaws. The Vinylmation Blog showed us an example by giving us a sneak peek at a new Pirate Vinylmation. The figure looks brighter and you can see a lot more detail on this new smoother looking face! I don’t want to judge completely until I can see this new shape in person but so far I think that these figures are going to keep getting better and better!! (And I love the Pirates hat!! Great touch!)
Also changing are the hands. I love that the Sea Creature set is going to feature a lot of the new changes such as the claw hands and the fins on the Dolphin and Shark figure. I have been looking forward to this series because I am a huge Little Mermaid fan and anything ‘under the sea’ I have to have it. I am looking forward to seeing the new Vinylmation shape on April 22nd when the Sea Creatures are released!
Another new feature is that the feet are going to be detachable. I love this idea! Not only can Vinylmation artists get a ‘clean crisp look’ like they explained on the Blog, but the artists can now design around the bottom of the belly! For people who like to create their own customs this is going to add a whole another level! I can’t wait (Although they haven’t announced the change to CYO yet). I also got very excited when reading that these new feet will add to “future accessory opportunities”. I think accessories are such a fun touch to Vinylmation and now with the new hand design they will be able to hold accessories better and also with the new feet will be able to attach new things! The possibilities are endless.
Along with Muppets 2, this Eric Caszatt designed Vinylmation will be for sale this Friday, April 15th.
Easter Basket is the next to last 9″ Holiday 2 design to the hit the shelves. This colorful piece represents an Easter basket sitting on some grass with Easter eggs surrounding it and one big one sitting inside of it. There is a bee buzzing through the front. You can also see the shell is cracked by the right ear and a baby chick is popping it’s head out.
For more info on Holiday 2, please visit Holiday 2 Released. You can also take a sneak peak here at what we know about Holiday 3.
This leaves Sunburn Man as the final 9″ Holiday 2 figure to be released. Look for that one around the 4th of July.
Today at the Online Disney Store everything has gone as expected. The Sea Creatures, Muppets 2, and 9″/3″ Urban 6 Gumball Machine and Kid all appeared online this morning. As of this posting each of these is still available!
The 9″/3″ Urban 6 Gumball Machine and Kid by Caley Hicks and Maria Clapsis are an online exclusive for $74.95.
The Money Maldovan designed Muppets 2 series is available in two forms. As individual blind boxes for the “D-Street Price” of $11.95 (as opposed to the Disney Store price of $12.95). You can also purchase a whole case of 24 for $286.80.
All 12 of the Sea Creatures are up, and the price is only $9.95! This is the first available vinylmation using the new mold. They were designed by Billy Davis and will also be released at D-Streets later today.
Also available: Toy Story Cases for $238.80 each
Villains Cases for $238.80 each
Holiday 2 Cases for $238.80 each
Animation 1 Cases for $238.80 each
9″ Park 5 Goofy’s Barnstormer for $44.95
9″/3″ Park 5 Mad Hatter and Dormouse for $74.95
9″/3″ Urban 5 Racecar and Driver for $74.95
9″ Create Your Own White for $14.99- Sold Out
Today we learned all of the figures that would be in the Sea Creatures set. Their names, their extra parts, and their connection to the big announcement
Breaking news: As part of a series wide design change, vinylmation’s feet will detach. Sea Creatures will be the first to implement the change. Read more at
The big news: The Mickey Mouse figure that is the basis for all vinylmation will be receiving a few tweeks starting the Sea Creatures. Hands, Ears, Feet, Buttons, Nose, and Body all affected.
DLNT Reporter Michael Wada was at the Disneyland Resort yesterday and took plenty of newsworthy photos to share. Photos include Carthay Circle Theater, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, and much more…
Starting off in Paradise Pier, Bayside Brews will serve mainly alcohol
An awesome behind the scenes look at the composure of the musical score for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure from the Disney Parks Blog:
For those who saw “The Little Mermaid” back in 1989, you know the music in the movie was just as magical as a mermaid falling in love with a prince and living happily ever after. Remember “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Kiss the Girl”? You’ll hear all these classics throughout the new attraction, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, set to open at Disney California Adventure park in June.
More than 20 years ago Alan Menken wrote the movie score that won an Academy Award, and he collaborated with Howard Ashman on the songs. For the attraction, the music needed to be arranged somewhat differently, so well-known musical arranger and orchestrator Danny Troob, who has worked often with Menken, took on the challenge. In this video, we go into the music studio and give you a front row seat in a session with Troob and a 65-piece orchestra, as they recreate the amazing Little Mermaid music we all know and love.
The Disney Parks Blog had two interesting articles featured today connecting to “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast” realms of the Fantasyland expansion. First, a video with a behind the scenes look at the creation of the musical score for “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid”:
Keep in mind that this video was produced to promote the upcoming California version of the ride, but it will be almost identical to the attraction opening in Florida in 2012. The second piece features the recently installed castle atop the “Be Our Guest Restaurant”:
Hi everyone. Today, we have a thrilling update for those of you who are excited to see the expansion of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park come to life.
Walt Disney Imagineers are currently piecing together the Beast’s castle, which will sit high atop what will become the Be Our Guest Restaurant. The “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired restaurant, which is set to open in late 2012, will offer a lavish dining experience in the castle’s elegant ballroom, gallery and mysterious “west-wing.” The restaurant and castle will eventually be flanked by Gaston’s Tavern, Bonjour! Village Gifts, and the cottage of Maurice (Belle’s father).
Be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog later this week for some exclusive photos of WDI’s progress.
The castle construction is a major milestone in the expansion, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland and include several new attractions, such as Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and enhanced versions of the existing attractions, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Barnstormer.
The expanded Fantasyland is scheduled to open in phases, beginning in late 2012.
Update: 4/11/11 The Playwright visited the NYC Disney Store this morning and emailed us some pictures. A couple things to note: The new box is taller with a larger open window front design and an artist card is included.
I Love NYC on the shelf
Side and Back of box
All 9″ NYCs still for sale
9″ Villains were still there too
Update: 4/9/11 Vinylmation.com’s blog confirmed the edition size as 1540. They also listed the price at $49.95. They also will be individually numbered.
3/31/11 Disney’s official Facebook page released this image of a new 9″ LE Vinylmation that will released on April 10th exclusive to the NYC Times Square Disney Store. This design is by Marcella Lau. Confirmed LE of 1540.
Then Disney’s blog released a turn around of the figure. Here’s the back side!
“I really like the simple design of this piece. If it were a 3″ I’d definitely purchase it. Well, if I found my way to NYC. It would look really cool with the artist’s signature on the head.” -M.C.
