Vinylmationize Your iPhone

WDWNT on October 28, 2011

A few days ago, Steven Miller, on the Disney Parks Blog, announced some drop dead amazing retro D-Tech iPhone, iPad and Laptop cases.

So, DV reader David asked Steven about these D-Tech products we saw in the display at The Florida Project:

Vinylmation Laptop Decals and Laptop Sleeve
Vinylmation 3G and 4G iPhone Cases and Laptop Sleeve

Here is Steven’s response:
@David – How timely! We just announced the release date for the four covers – November 11. They feature two different patterns – an all over and a line up. Cases were made for the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4 (and they should also work for the iPhone 4S). Each case has a retail of $31.95. Look for them in the following locations:

Disneyland:
D-Street – Downtown Disney District
The Star Trader – Disneyland Park
Off the Page – Disney California Adventure Park

Walt Disney World:
D-Street – Downtown Disney West Side
Emporium – Magic Kingdom Park
MouseGear – Epcot
Beverly Sunset – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Island Mercantile – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Thank you David for asking that question of Steven and for sending us the response. These patters have been seen before on other merchandise, but I especially like the iPhone case with the Mystery Chaser figure. That would a great Christmas present for MC! We would also like to point out some possible prices for the Laptop Decals and Sleeves shown in the pictures above. Steven did not give a release date for these spcifically, but the placecard at The Florida Project said December 2011. The sleeves should retail for $26.95 with the decals at $8.95.

9″ Lady Liberty Will Be Online

WDWNT on October 28, 2011

It looks like some, non-LE Vinylmation will slowly makes their way to the new city specific section of the Disney Store Online. The latest is this 9″ Statue of Liberty figure designed by Jim Valeri.

This open edition figure was released earlier in the year at the Times Square Disney Store in NYC, but will be available online as of November 7… which also has the distinction of being the one year anniversary of the new Times Square store (and was just 2 days before our first podcast!). The retail price is $44.95. 
The Disney Vinylmation Blog also re-announced two figures that have already been for sale at the Times Square Store for awhile. They will be at the Times Square store on November 7, but were not specifically mentioned as being online.
I “Mickey Head” NY is a 9″ designed by Marcella Lau, LE 1,540 and a retail price of $49.95.
Bridges is a 9″ figure designed by Oskar Mendez. It is open edition and has a retail price of $44.95.

Jazz Up Your Location Specific Collection

WDWNT on October 28, 2011

The first Chicago specific figure blew into town in September with the brilliant Windy City 3″. On November 18, the Chi-Town hits continue with this number:

It’s a stylistic representation of the Chicago Jazz scene. The 3″ figure will be released at the Chicago Michigan and State Street Disney Stores. A man playing the saxophone takes up half the head and body, while black and red piano keys adorn the feet. There is a purple hat in one ear with music notes in the other. Gerald Mendez designed this figure that comes nicely packaged in a tin.

Even though I’m not a fan of Jazz music, this colorful piece may end up in my collection someday. Will this location specific make it onto your shelf?

New Vinylmation Series- Furry Friends?

WDWNT on October 28, 2011

Today the vinylmation.com blog teased us with a little tidbit about a new series coming up. According to them, a new series called “Furry Friends” will be coming out from the Disney Store in early January 2012. They say the series will be a mystery box series (so we expect 11 figures plus a chaser) and will be designed by the Disney Store artists. This includes Enrique Pita, Jim Valeri, Oskar Mendez and Gerald Mendez as well as two new artists Quincy Sutton and Matt Chittavanichprapa.

So we say “Welcome” to Quincy and Matt, and look forward to hearing more info about this series.

Any ideas about what these might be? And why wouldn’t the Raccoon from Urban 8 be part of it?

Park 7 Review: Celebrate WDW in Style

WDWNT on October 28, 2011

You can tell Park 7 is something special from the moment you lay your eyes on the packaging. Instead of the bland black boxes we are used to from the Park series, the Disney Design Group used the wonderfully designed 40th anniversary collage.

Park 7 was released today at the D-Streets. With Walt Disney World celebrating it’s 40th anniversary, Park 7 and Park 8 will be focused on milestones from the Florida resort. Now, we talked on a podcast not too long ago (ep. 040) about the disparity between figures representing WDW as opposed to DLR and other parks. Some fans in Disneyland complain that many more figures are WDW-centric… and the numbers do support this. From Park 1 through Park 6, 31 figures (44%) are specifically WDW. Only 7 (10%) are from Disneyland. With 27 (39%) shared between the parks. That is just using the 12 base figures from each set and does not equal 100% as some figures are not from WDW or DLR. But you also have to take into account that WDW has 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a ton of resorts and Downtown Disney to pull from.

Let’s take a look at some highlights of Park 7. (Pak 7 Explained) In my opinion, the best design in the set is Philharmagic Donald.

It really takes Vinylmation to a different level. Some people might not like the huge bulky, outside the mold addition. But I think it is spectacular. I am biased, as this is one of my most favorite rides ever imagined.

I like Tink. I think this design is very well executed. The face is well proportioned. The outfit has that added sparkle. The wand and wings are icing on the cake.

Kali River Rapids is one of the more colorful Vinylmation you will ever see. It completely captures the art style used at the Animal Kingdom attraction.

I’m a big fan of the WDW resorts. I like walking around them, enjoying the food and shows they have to offer. The Polynesian Fire Dancer is a great representation of a classic WDW resort. The fire stick is unexpected and brilliant.

There really isn’t a miss in this set. Muppets 3-D is bright, colorful and spot on. America on Parade is a great nod to a long gone Magic Kingdom favorite and will go perfectly with the upcoming LE Fife and Drum set. Star Jets is awesome and uses the ears perfectly. World of Motion Sea Serpent really looks great up close and gives us EPCOT fans a little bit of nostalgia. I was a fan of the EPCOT 2000 ball with wand… and this figure, although a little awkward, actually works as a representation of that time. And the Earful Tower… if ever there was a no-brainer that just “fit” onto the Mickey-mold, it’s this. Then we have Figment. This one is the only area for minor criticism. But only that it’s my least favorite designed Figment we have gotten so far. It is still a well designed figure and as we know, comes with a variant.

Overall, Park 7 may replace Park 4 as my favorite overall set. I will figure that out and let you know by the next podcast. What are your thoughts on this milestone set?

Get Ready to Play The Disney Theme Park Memory Challenge!

WDWNT on October 27, 2011

Event: Disney Theme Park Memory Challenge Game Premiere!
Special Guest: Disney Design Group Artist, Quynh Kimball
Event Date: Friday, November 11, 2011
Event Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Event Location: Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney® Marketplace

Disney Theme Park Memory Challenge is a new twist on the world’s most popular matching game. Collect matches of beloved Disney attractions, characters and destinations.

Relive the adventure and magical memories from Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts! As an extra bonus, you can put yourself in the game! Add your own photos to exclusive game cards and become part of the Disney Magic!

Be among the first to add Disney Theme Park Edition Memory Challenge to your board game collection, plus have the opportunity to meet Disney Design Group Artist, Quynh Kimball, the creative mind behind Disney Theme Park Edition Memory Challenge!

Quynh will be appearing at Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney® Marketplace on Friday, November 11 from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Quynh will be available for guest meet & greets and will be signing his newest creation, Disney Theme Park Edition Memory Challenge!

Michael Wada’s 10/22/11 Disneyland Photo Report

WDWNT on October 27, 2011

DLNT Reporter Michael Wada was at Disneyland this past weekend and has a few newsworthy photos to share.

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Halloween is still in the air at Disneyland Park

Starting of in New Orleans Square, Pirates is still closed for a standard refurbishment

The Court of Angels is already decked out for the holidays

Was a very busy afternoon at Disneyland, 90 minute wait for Haunted Mansion Holiday

New pumpkin carving in process at Big Thunder Ranch

HA. Who doesn’t love Heimlich… (nice bag)

Now for a look around the recently refurbished Emporium

Gone is the circular checkout desk

The Plaza Pavilion arch has been removed

Back in New Orleans Square, the front facade work on Pirates continues

You can see a little bit of the new exterior of the building

Blue Bayou is also closed for refurbishment

Collector’s Corner: Don

WDWNT on October 26, 2011

Name: Don

Location: Central Florida

Collection Size: 659

3″ = 583

9″ = 56

Jrs = 20

Why do you collect Vinylmations?
Walt Disney World has always been our favorite family vacation destination for many years. I actually came with my mom as a child in 1973, the second summer the Magic Kingdom was opened. We came back just about every other summer since then prior to moving to Florida. It holds a lot of special memories for me with my parents and then with our children who have grown up going there over the years. After moving to Florida in 2003 we immediately acquired annual passes for my wife, my daughter and myself and have visited the parks quite frequently since then. When we moved, our son decided to stay in Virginia to complete his college degree. But it wasn’t too long before he decided to move to Florida. Since we have been to the parks on many occasions we began looking for something new to do together as a family when we visited. My son and I immediately fell in love with Vinylmations. It started off small with hitting all the trading spots while visiting the parks and has grown into a real obsession with collecting as many as we can. My son now works full time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and our daughter’s fiancé is now working at EPCOT in an intern program and plans on working at WDW full time when he graduates next year. Who knows, my wife and I may join them in retirement!

What is your favorite Vinylmation you own?
That is such a difficult question to answer when I have so many. Even though my favorite artist overall is Maria Clapsis I have to say that Thomas Scott designed my top two favorites, Oopsy Mickey and Paint Drip Mickey. Wall-e and Eve are a close third and fourth.

What is you favorite Vinylmation you DO NOT own?
I have mainly concentrated on collecting 3” Vinylmations and the 9” figures that are sold with a 3”. I still have a desire to collect other 9” that either hold special memories for me or the design is just incredible! The 9” Park 1 “It’s a Small World” has eluded me to this point and I really would like to have it for my collection.

Which of these is the best feeling: Pulling a figure you want… from a blind box you just purchased, from a great trade with another collector, from a mystery trading box at the park or from a clear trading box?
Since we love trading Vinylmations from the black mystery boxes in the parks there is nothing like the excitement of finding a rare one. Last weekend at the Frontierland Trading Post my daughter pulled the green Cyclops variant. Also several years ago my wife found two Urban 1 Vinylmations in a clear box in EPCOT but that is extremely rare.

How much planning went into your extensive Vinylmation display?
Our house has a small foyer and for a while we displayed them there in various display cases. It didn’t take long to outgrow the space and about the same time we were talking about renovating our guest bedroom. For a while I dreamed about how we could use this space for our Vinylmation collection. I was very fortunate to know someone who was a carpenter and he helped me design and build the large glass unit over a built-in dresser. From there we added several other display shelves and the long shelf over the window. We were able to find Park 1 and Urban 1 prints to frame and hang over the bed and some pictures of Vinylmations sold in the Disney store to compliment the room. We also used two 9” Viking Vinylmations to make the two bedside lamps. It was a lot of fun seeing our dream come true and a tremendous satisfaction to see it finally completed with all the figures in place. The array of colors is phenomenal! The pictures do not completely do it justice.

How long did it take to complete?
It basically took about six months of planning and six months to complete the construction of the bedroom and shelving. It was well worth the wait!

Is it ever changing displays where you will swap new favorites in and out?
That is the fun thing about the way our Vinylmations are displayed. The display can always be changed around depending on new ones found and the new collections coming out. I am still using the foyer area for the most recent releases and they will eventually make their way back to the main collection in the bedroom.

Are there plans on building a Vinylmation Guest House in the backyard by about 2015?
I really thought that maximizing the bedroom space was going to be enough but as you can see it is already pretty much full. I am not sure what I am going to do once the foyer and the bedroom are full, maybe a room with nothing but Vinylmations. I may have to use the guest house in the backyard as a place to stay if I try to design any more spaces in the house for Vinylmations!

Disney’s Pin Traders Gets a Makeover

WDWNT on October 26, 2011

From Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

I vividly recall the grand opening of Disney’s Pin Traders at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. I remember it well because I assisted with the grand opening celebration while serving as a Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador. The location, once known as the Captain’s Tower, was considered an icon for the shopping village that opened in 1975. As the excitement of Disney Pin Trading continued way beyond the original 15-month Millennium Celebration plan, there was a need to have a flagship pin location outside a Disney Theme Park. Downtown Disney seemed like a natural choice, so Disney’s Pin Traders was introduced in Summer 2002. Recently, some new visual enhancements were added to the location. I spoke with Julie Young, product developer for Disney pins, to learn more.

“As [pin trading] entered its eleventh year in October 2010, we felt updates were needed to various visuals used throughout the category,” explained Julie. “The first thing we did was introduce a new logo for Disney Pin Trading. The logo was used on packaging, collateral and individual back stamps of pins. The enhancements to Disney’s Pin Traders were a natural second step as the location is one of the most popular pin destinations at Walt Disney World Resort.”

The Disney pin team contacted Joe Higham, a talented cast member with the Global Retail Development team and recent Walt Disney Legacy Award recipient, to outline their ideas. His job was to take their dreams and turn them into concept sketches. I spoke with Joe about the process of creating the new in-store visuals.

“After meeting with the Disney pin team, I drew a series of sketches by hand,” said Joe. “For the drawings, I used a variety of art sources including images of pins that had been previously released. We wanted something playful similar to other locations that use merchandise as visual displays such as Tren-D or D-Street.”

Once Joe completed the first set of sketches, he shared them with leadership and with representatives from Walt Disney Imagineering. As a natural part of the design process, there were some modifications made after initial reviews. Yet, Joe said that there was one thing that all partners liked.

“Many partners, including Walt Disney Imagineering, really liked the various puns used in the vignettes,” continued Joe. “We built some fun visuals around puns like ‘To Pin-Finity and Beyond’ and ‘I Want to Be a Pin-cess.’”

I think my favorite one is the “Time To Trade” vignette that uses clocks and Cogsworth to explain how pins are traded at Disney Parks (I do love time!).

The one thing I was most excited to see was the pin collage image used throughout the store. The Disney Pin Team assembled the collage by mounting pins into a white foam board. I then photographed the collage and shared the images with the art team. I had not seen the final result until I visited the location. I guess Disney’s Pin Traders and I have a special bond, especially after being at the grand opening and later serving as Project Manager for Pin Trading for seven years. I have good memories from that chapter in my Disney career. Julie shared that memories are a key ingredient to the Disney Pin Trading experience.

“I develop memories,” smiled Julie. “Everyone has a favorite Disney character, attraction or show. Pins have become a perfect way to remember favorite moments from Disney experiences. Every time someone looks at a pin I develop, I hope she or he will remember happy times.”

Some other changes were also implemented at Disney’s Pin Traders recently, namely in the way you buy limited edition pins. These pins are now located in a glass case (like they have been at stores at the Disneyland Resort for years now), so you have to ask for the particular pins you are interested in when you get to the register to check-out. The change is manageable for Disney because the overall number of limited edition pins released has dropped greatly over the last few years. I’ve also seen this “glass case” method in use at Fantasia at Disney’s Contemporary Resort recently.

For those of you who don’t like pin trading, don’t get too excited. Pin trading is still as popular as ever, there has just been a shift in how the hobby is handled and a greater focus on open edition pins is evident since they sell so many more of those than they do of any limited edition pin.