WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney on Friday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:
Some of the turnstiles at Epcot are behind walls
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ROBIN THE FROG The Frog Prince (1971) Originally performed by: Jerry Nelson Kermit the Frog’s nephew, who often feels insignificant because of his small size but still maintains a generally sunny outlook. His biggest role was as Tiny Tim in Muppet Christmas Carol. His ears and the top portion of his head could be clear or clear-sky blue to best represent his smaller size. “His smaller face fits perfectly into the “cheeks” of the new vinyl. This one feels like Robin, with the squat head.”-M.C. |
| Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. You can check him out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com | |
At the 2011 Festival of the Masters, great art work is around every turn. The festival’s featured artist, Joe Kaminski, seemed to have his hand in a few different creations. He is the artist behind the festival’s logo and this LE 750 pin:
He used this great looking retro design in a few pieces of artwork that are on sale this weekend.
Pins, paintings… how about Vinylmation you ask? Joe Kaminski worked with fellow artist Lee Clark on some 9″ customs called Paint Splatter Mickey. Each piece retails for $1200
You can find all of the above at the Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney Orlando this weekend. Just stop by D-Street.
The 36th annual Festival of the Masters kicked off at Downtown Disney Orlando today. There was a chill in the air, but I won’t complain… it was a beautiful Central Florida day to be outside. Over 150 award winning artist set up booths all along the sidewalks.
But you want to hear about the Vinylmation. Unfortunately, Donald Ferro from Disney said we will not see anything on display this weekend featuring sneak peaks at future sets from Disney that we have not already seen. But, we did see some spectacular one-of-a-kind customs. The first group was from Naples artist Marjorie Pesek. She had 6 custom 9″ figures in the D-Street display case, all with a $750 retail price tag.
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| Dachshund |
Normally used to working on a 2D canvas, she went outside her comfort zone to produce these figures for Disney.
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| Daffodil |
Notice anything? Look closer:
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| Up close of Daffodil |
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| Up close of Sunflower |
Marjorie was given access to the database of Vinylmation artwork to hide within her designs. She seemed to favor Animal Kingdom and Juniors.
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| Golden Retriever |
It was originally thought Marjorie would use Disney characters, but then she decided it would be best to use what she knows best… nature and animals. She produced these 3D designs in the same way she produces much of her 2D artwork.
She uses a collage of other prints to compose her art. She has a tent set up by the water across from D-Street with some of her creations.
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| Sea Life |
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| Sunflower |
Originally, she was going to keep all the art on the canvas, but then decided it would be much more powerful to let the prints flow off of the canvas. So we get a dog’s nose that hangs out toward us or leaves that stick out around the head.
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| Flamingo/Bird |
If you get a chance, go check out Marjorie’s work this weekend. They are some of the most unique figures I have seen. Here is a look at some of her non-vinyl artwork at her tent:
From Erin Glover on Disney Parks Blog:
Great news, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” fans! Jake, from the popular Disney Junior show, will begin greeting guests at Disney Parks this month.
Starting November 13, Jake will be making regular appearances at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. He will join Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and June from “Little Einsteins” at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine. Guests at the character dining experience will be able to get into the action by swabbing the deck, rowing the boat and shouting “yo ho” to songs from the show, including “Roll Up the Map,” “Hot Lava” and “Talk Like a Pirate.”
Also beginning November 13, Jake will join the Stars of Disney Junior at their meet and greet location in the Animation Courtyard. In order to make way for Jake, the Little Einsteins will no longer appear at that location.
Jake fans visiting the Disneyland Resort will also be able to meet their favorite little pirate beginning November 20, along Hollywood Boulevard at Disney California Adventure park.
Be sure to check daily entertainment guides for character greeting times and locations.
Yo ho! Let’s go!
WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom last night to see the first public performance of “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” with the added holiday sequence and took plenty of newsworthy photos to share with us:
If you look closely, you can see the construction wall surrounding the future site of the Grand Floridian DVC wing
Read More about Zach Larson’s 11/10/11 Magic Kingdom Photo Report
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THE NEWSMAN
The Muppet Show (1976)
Originally performed by: Jim Henson
The Muppet News Flash anchor was often the victim of particularly bad luck, with almost every news story culminating with something hitting him in the head. It would be great to see him in his plaid jacket, though I had tried to take some of the perceived limitations of the design into account.
“Looks great! It would also be cool to come with accessories that slid onto the ears to represent the things that fall on him.. piano.. anvil..” M.C. |
| Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. You can check him out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com | |
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| Today starts a month long adventure into speculation with a new friend of ours, Mike Boon. Mike came to us with several ideas for future Muppet figures and thought it would be fun to showcase them here. We saw his designs and loved them, so we gave him a daily column.
When we asked Mike where he came from, he said this, “Though initially hesitant to Vinylmations, I recently found myself hooked on the little figures after purchasing almost an entire box of Muppet Series 1 on a Disney cruise. As a life-long Disney and Muppet fan whose love for the felt puppets was rekindled with the upcoming movie (out November 23), it was a combination that was impossible to resist. I’ve since obtained all of the Muppet Vinyls with the exception of that pesky Kermit from Series 1, along with an assortment of other figures. But still, I was left wanting more Muppets. So before I knew it, I started designing my own. Of course, that just opened the floodgates – so many Muppets in my head and so little time to put them together. Mike also has a blog where you can see his artistic works, usually focusing on the Muppets. It’s at baboondesign.blogspot.com. Mike also has had his work featured on themuppetmindset.blogspot.com. So without further ado, lets see his first design, and remember that there’s a new one here every day for the next month! |
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LIPS
The Muppet Show (1980)
Originally performed by: Steve Whitmire The Electric Mayhem’s often silent sixth member and trumpet player, who made his debut in season 5 of The Muppet Show and went on to appear in several Muppet movies and specials. Though we need a 3” Animal for our collections, Lips would bring closure to the Electric Mayhem. “Mike captures the look of Lips perfectly. Especially the eyes, the shirt, and even the sandals. It could come with a trumpet accessory too!” – M.C. |
There’s a new map out at the Magic Kingdom…
It has taken forever, but New Fantasyland is finally mentioned, “opening 2012”:
Another interesting Fantasyland development is the Enchanted Grove. Apparently, it will be coming out of tarps as the Cheshire Cafe:
The name will be changing after 40 years, but Minute Maid will remain sponsor and the menu will be the same once the name change is in effect.
We are very happy to announce the release of issue 9 of WDWNT: The Magazine. This issue is a unique potpourri of topics that are sure to interest Disney Park fans of all types. In this issue look back at the impact that Steve Jobs had on the Disney company, review the Project XL event, and answer the important question, âWhat is an EPCOT?â We also take a look behind the scenes at the many holiday offerings within the Walt Disney World resort. There is also an article examining the biggest announcement from Parks and Resorts in years- the Avatar addition to Animal Kingdom.
We also have a few of our reoccurring columns in this issue as Eating WDW provides additional opinions on the Epcot International Food & Wine festival offerings, a look at the Muppet vinylmations, and a listing of some of the many tours available in the Walt Disney World parks. We also look back at the Walt Disney Story attraction that used to be a fixture on Main Street USA.
TWe hope that you will find the articles within both entertaining and educational. If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers. Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.
As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com). If you like what you read in the magazine, please share it with your friends.
