Star Tours: The Videos Continue

Some of these videos aren’t all that new, but I figured we should share them just in case you missed them in the flood of Star Tours coverage the last few weeks. First up, Tom Fitzgerald of Walt Disney Imagineering on the past and present Star Tours attractions:

Next up, Ashley Eickstein looks at some hidden tributes inside the attraction:

Finally, the commercial for the latest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

This Day in Disney History: Frank Oz is Born

Frank Oz was born on May 25, 1944. He is a legendary puppeteer who worked with Jim Henson on many beloved Muppets characters. He created and performed the characters Miss Piggy and Fozzie the Bear. Both can be found in the Muppets 1 Vinylmation series. He also created and performed Animal and Sam the Eagle. Collectors eagerly look forward to the 9″ Vinylmation versions of these Muppets. 
Frank Oz with Miss Piggy
The Muppets and Disney have had a solid partnership since 1989, when Disney announced they would purchase the Muppets characters from Jim Henson. One of the first Disney Theme Park attractions featuring the Muppets was the Here Come the Muppets stage show at MGM. It was eventually replaced by the Little Mermaid stage show. Muppet Vision 3D is a current attraction at a Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Muppet Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Frank Oz is also well known for performing the voice and puppet for Yoda in Star Wars. Frank has also lent his voice to Yoda in the recently opened Star Tours: The Adventures Continue attraction at the Disney Theme Parks. A Yoda Vinylmation can of course be found in the Star Wars set.
Frank Oz on the set with Yoda
Check out Frank Oz’s IMDB page here.

Soundsational Summer Is Days Away!!!

Neat post from the Disney Parks Blog giving us some more video of The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Soundsational, and updates on the Disneyland Hotel renovation.

We’re just days away from the official kick-off of “Disney Soundsational Summer!” here at the Disneyland Resort – it all begins June 3. Wow! What a summer it will be! Your adventures begin under the sea at The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. You’ll board a pastel-colored “clam shell” and become part of Ariel’s world in this soon-to-be classic Disney “dark ride” – part of the magical transformation of Disney California Adventure park.

Over at Disneyland park, you’ll take off to a galaxy far, far away with more than 50 different 3D adventures on Star Tours. You’ll be transported to many Star Wars destinations where you’ll come face to face with characters throughout the Saga. Buckle up!

And if that’s not enough, I’m really excited to see “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.” This exciting parade brings a new beat to the streets of Disneyland park, as guests go on a journey of sound, with an exciting musical score, thrilling rhythms and bold percussion.

And over at the Disneyland Hotel, recent renovations and enhancements include a brand new pool and water play area, new restaurants and some amazing signature suites. But enough talk! Take a look at this video and see for yourself what’s new this summer here at the Disneyland Resort.

 

 

PHOTOS – Disney Parks Blog Hosts Star Tours Party as Big As The Galaxy!

At midnight on May 20th, before opening to the general public, Star Tours was opened to select guests chosen by the Disney Parks Blog for a special meet-up. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth attended the meet-up and has a number of photos of the event and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue to share with us:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Guests first gathered at Blizzard Beach, where they signed a waiver and were then loaded on to a bus

Read More about PHOTOS – Disney Parks Blog Hosts Star Tours Party as Big As The Galaxy!

Urban 7 Explained

Update: 7/23/11 Added Combo Topper and Green Cyclops Variant.

Update: 6/4/11 Updated the Alien with the two forms, clear and solid.

Update: 5/24/11 Release date of July 22 announced for the 3″ Urban 7 series. And we got this picture of the back the U7’s “Dizturbed” head:

VMHC? “VinylMation Hard Core” suggests one of our readers Chris.


Update: 5/21/11 9 figures from the upcoming Urban 7 set were on Display at the WDW Trade Show last night. We have the pics below.


Update: 5/13/11 Thanks to Hannah we have artist names for this series!

5/12/11 The Urban 7 Vinylmation pin set has been released, so we have a sneak peak to 9 of the 12 figures that will be in the Vinylmation figure set. Thank you to @igotlost for sending us the picture of the packaging.

Urban 7 Combo Topper

I actually like this one. The color works for me. Seems like a Metal Mickey (like one of the exclusive Pop Vinyl for Comic Con)
Thanks to J for the heads up.
The combo topper will be available from D-Streets and online on August 5th.

Alien
Artist: Thomas Scott

Mystery solved. We know know what set this classic alien figure is in. However there are at least two versions. A solid green and a clear green. One is the variant.

Zombie School Girl
Artist: Lin Shih

She is a very preppy, nerdy girl design. But also the coloring is odd and no eyeballs. Is she a zombie nerd girl? Will those glasses be a removable accessory?

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Artist: Casey Jones

A delicious looking Vinylmation. Like the meatball ears. It would be cool if there was a fork in the back digging into this dish.

Dizturbed Rocker
Artist: Thomas Scott

This guy is at a concert getting ready to do some head banging. He appears to be wearing studded wristbands and belt. Nice facial expression. Will this be more accepted than Scott’s U5 Bearded Man?

Paint Splatter
Artist: Susana

Looks like a Disney artist got wild with the paint brushes again. I do like the heart shaped splatter on the chest. We will see what kind of detail we get on the back. It’s a clear figure.

Jukebox
Artist: Caley Hicks

An old school jukebox design. For the younger people out there, think iPod, only larger, doesn’t hook up to your computer and isn’t digital. I like the music notes in the ears. The colors are great on this one.

Rotary Phone
Artist: Lisa Badeen

A nod to the era when it took 5 minutes to call someone. And whats that in the head? Phones once had cords? And look, another phone number on a Vinylmation! A clear head with the cord going through it.

Dark Side of the Mouse

Artist: Maria Clapsis

Looks like a peak into the 60s or 70s with a psychedelic space theme. Check out the Mickey head in the foot!

Squirrel and Nut
Artist: Doug Strayer

Cutesters Too had a kid in a squirrel outfit. On the bottom next to Maria’s name was an acorn. This is a similar idea, only the Squirrel is more realistic, as is the nut.

Penguin
Artist: Maria Clapsis

Another penguin! (Which Disney actually made a joke about!) Here he is holding a fish. This one seems a little more gruesome then the squirrel, because the fish is living.

Cyclops
Artist: Mike Sullivan

This is the hardest to understand. It looks like a crazy cyclops gingerbread man. The top almost looks like some kind of Asian writing. Or it looks like the first stage of a Bob Ross painting. All it needs is some “happy little trees”. There’s also a green variant.

Here is the rest of Urban 7. A couple Ear Hats where already released. And we have seen some Urban 7 Jumbo Pins pointing toward future 9″ figures

Color Bars 9″

If this is anything like the hat, I will break my 9″ rule. Here’s to hoping the body and head at the color bars, the ears are similar to the hat, and that it has an antenna as an add on “hat”!

Cookies and Milk 9″

From the Ear Hat we think the head and body will be the milk carton, and the ears will have the cookies

Delightful Flowers 9″

Similar to other 9″ designs, this just has a theme, but not over arching design.

Mean Old Dog 9″

This one will look cool in a big size.

9″ Urban 6 Vinylmation: The Complete List

Update: 5/24/11 Today Disney announced a June 10th release date for Angel and Devil 9/3 combo by Thomas Scott (LE 1000) and 9″ Moai by Casey Jones. These figures will be released at both D-Streets. You can see the pictures below.

Update: 5/5/11 Today, Disney announced that “Love” “Viking” “Star (Bright)” and “Light Meter” would be released on May 20th at D-Streets and online. All four will be priced at $39.95.

Here are pictures of all the 9″ Urban 6 figures we will soon see on the shelves. What do you think of this lineup of 9″ Urban 6 figures?

Angel and Devil
9″ + 3″ Combo designed by Thomas Scott. LE 1000

Love
Designed by Paola Gutierrez LE 800 $39.95

Viking
Designed by Doug Strayer LE 800 $39.95

Moai Statue
Designed by Casey Jones

Looks similar to a Chris Chapman

designed piece that was
never released.

Star (Bright)
Designed by Eric Caszatt LE 600 $39.95

Light Meter
Designed by Susana LE 800 $39.95

Gum Ball Machine and Kid
9″ + 3″ Combo designed by Maria Clapsis and Caley Hicks

Episode 022 Swiss Cheese

In this week’s episode, we talk about the May 20th trade show at WDW… what we saw and who we talked to. We discuss the return of Star Wars Vinylmaiton, the debut of the WDW 40th Cast Traders, new Disney Cruise Line exclusives and much more. Of course we go over the latest release dates, events schedule and have a Disney Store Online update. And our west coast reporter Zoe drops by to tell us all about the custom Pirates event and the upcoming Little Mermaid figures.

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Disney Store Online Report: 5/24/11

Hello Vinylmation fans. In this week’s DSO report we’ll be going over the new Urban 6 9”s, a few price variants, and unfortunately a few sell outs as well.
Introducing
At around 1 A.M. last Friday the Urban 6’s made their way onto the shelves of the Disney Store Online. Varying from Vikings to Light Meter, these are quite interesting pieces of art and thankfully none are listed as sold out as of yet. All four are single 9”s priced at $39.95 and come with artist cards. Created by Susana Gay, the Light Meter 9” is a LE of 800 and is modeled off of “photographic light gauge equipment,” as DSO calls it. The Light Meter is also listed as an Online Exclusive Vinylmation.

With rainbow hearts and hidden Mickeys galore, the Love Vinylmation, designed by Padla Gutierrez, is an excellent addition to the Urban 6 series. This too is a LE of 800.

This is only the second 9” Vinlymation I’ve picked up myself and although it hasn’t arrived yet I’m pretty excited. Designed by Eric Caszatt and a LE of 600, the Star Bright 9” looks like something out of a Super Mario videogame. The purple, blue, orange, and yellow stripes and stars make it an extremely vibrant piece. Star Bright is also listed as an online exclusive.

The last of the Urban 6 9”s is the Viking, by designer Doug Strayer. A LE of 800, this Vinylmation spawns from Viking hat combo previously produced this year.

Although two out of the three Animation 9”s are still not listed under Vinylmation, all three are available this week. To find Hyacinth and Willie you need to search for “animation” in the DSO search bar. All three are priced at $39.95. The first of these 9”, designed by Thomas Scott (Lead Vinylmation Designer) and from Disney’s Fantasia, is Hyacinth Hippo. Hyacinth is a LE of 1200.

Designed by Maria Clapsis and from the Make Mine Music segment “The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met,” Willie the Whale is a lively, singing addition to the Animation 1 collection. Willie is a LE of 1000.

Comebacks
Beast, who was sold out last week but is again available online, is designed by Monty Maldovan and is from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Beast is a LE of 1000.

Although sold out last week, the Sea Creatures Shark is once again available online for $9.95.

Seeming to disappear and reappear every week or so, the Juniors 3 mystery box series, priced at $8.95, is back up on the DSO.

Gone last week but back again is 2011 Series Black Tossed 3” for $11.95.

Price Variants
From the Urban 4 9” Series, 80’s Fashion is discounted to $29.99 from $39.95.
The Clear mystery boxes are still discounted at $5.99. An alternative option to simply collecting the clear series would be treat them as another version of Create-Your-Owns and expand your creative collection.
Urban 3” individual mystery boxes are also priced down from $9.95 to $5.99 each.
The Park 3″ mystery boxes are discounted at $5.99 each.
The select group from The Animal Kingdom series; the Panther, Gorilla, Buffalo, and Bear; remain discounted at $7.99, from $9.95.
The Create Your Own 3”, all but white, are marked down from $8.95 to $4.99.
Sell Outs
The Create-Your-Own Glow in the Dark 9” is up on the DSO and priced at $39.95, but is unfortunately Sold Out.
The Urban 4 Walk/Don’t Walk 2 Piece 9” was discounted at $56.99 and apparently became instantly popular because it is listed as Sold Out as well.
The Walt Disney World Resort 2010 Half Marathon 3” was posted online again but is also Sold Out.
Still Around
Thomas Scott’s Sushi set is priced at $99.95, is a LE of 2500, and is still available online.
Muppets 2 is still up online with individual mystery boxes at $11.95 and the usual 24 tray for $286.80.
The LE of 1000, Billiards 16 Piece Set is still available online for $255.95.
Departed
Leaving the DSO after only being up for a week is the Park 6 Combo Pack with Runaway Brain Mickey, designed by Monty Maldovan (Muppets 2).

Up for less than a week, the Urban 4 Sushi 9”, designed by Maria Clapsis (Cutesters Too), is not available online anymore.

Rinzler from the Tron series is missing from the DSO and the rest of the Tron series this week.

The Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Magic Kingdom 3” is also missing from the rest of its collection this week.

Up and Coming
There are unfortunately no online releases scheduled in the near future.
That wraps up this week’s DSO Report. As usual, feel free to leave questions/comments about sections you want explained further, product descriptions/explanations, or simply anything miscellaneous.

– Nick J.

Retro Weekend: 5/23/11

Last weekend we saw a lot of upcoming figures for the first time thanks to the trading event over at WDW. We had a lot of fun there and want to thank everyone who attended and came up and said, “Hi”.
We got our first look at some of the Urban 7 figures in real life. The alien’s clear body is very cool. As is the Spaghetti and Meatballs figure. Check out more shots of this series in

While the news of the new Alaskan DCL exclusive figures were all over the place last week, on Friday we had a chance to actually see the figure, and the other two figures that are coming out: Caribbean and Mexico.

Disney Cruise Lines Explained- 2011

Another big reveal at the trading event was the release of the WDW 40th Anniversary Variants. These pieces can only be retrieved by trading with a Cast Member at stores inside WDW.

WDW 40th Cast Trader Found!
Another unexpected find at the trade event was two of the vinylmation from the upcoming Sarah Matthews series, B&W. (This series hasn’t even officially been announced by Disney yet!)

Also remember that last week:

9″ Urban 6 Released

Bakery Series update

Star Wars Re-Released in WDW as part of

Star Wars Weekends

and Combo Contest 2 Best in Show Prize announced

Walk/Don’t Walk… Buy/Don’t Buy


Reader Don pointed us to a sale at the DisneyStore.com on the 9″/3″ Urban 4 Combo Walk/Don’t Walk. It used to sell for $74.95, but it was on sale for $56.99. By the time we got over there it was already sold out. Oh well…