Party Time At Disney Store!

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

As we have been talking about, the Disney Store will celebrate it’s 25th anniversary on March 28. We are leaning more and more to a non-release of the light up series, but they will give us at least one special commemorative figure on that day.

This clear figure designed by Jim Valeri is filled with Mickey head shaped confetti. Each figure will actually have a unique design. No word on the price or edition size. They will be released in an open window box.

I can say this figure doesn’t excite me. I don’t see a big reason to add it to my collection. Besides not really being into the design, I don’t really see the need to add memorabilia celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Disney Store. It’s not something I can jump on. Believe me, I gave Disney a ton of my money for WDW 40th anniversary stuff, so I get celebrating milestones, but not this one. What are your thoughts?

Wish Upon a Star

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

On April 29th, the Disney Store will release this Jiminy Cricket figure in honor of World Wish Day.

That is a beautifully designed figure with a unique hat and a detailed umbrella. And the face looks great. Once again, I think the Disney artists are taking the faces of characters on Vinylmation to a whole new level. For every sale (up to $15,000) the Disney Store will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish when you purchase this figure. No word on price for this one.

Warning: More Villains Coming This Summer!

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

The Disney Vinylmation Events page made the announcement that Villains 3 is coming to Disney Stores this summer. No other details given as of this post. So… let the speculation begin! Let us know who you want in this set. I think we are long overdue for a Gaston myself.

Photo copyright Disney

DCL Exclusives To Be Available to Landlubbers

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Disney’s Vinylmation Blog has announced that certain, up to now, DCL exclusive figures will be released via DisneyStore.com on March 9th. The figures available will include the DCL Dream AquaDuck for $12.95.

Also, the 7 figure Characters as Crew lineup featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale. Also $12.95.

The other figures set for release are the 3 DCL Ship Bows for $12.95 as well.

You can see all the figures on our DCL 2011 Explained page. A nice treat for collectors that don’t plan on cruis’n, but it also takes away from the collectible exclusiveness of these. What are your thoughts on this plan?

Trade the Night Away

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Tonight at Walt Disney World traders will gather in Contemporary Fantasia Ballroom H for a Vinylmation and Pin trading event. It’s free to all and will take place from 6p-9p. If you have never been to one before, they have been crowded lately, so line up early for table space. If you just want to walk around, 6 or later is fine. Bring your best traders of course so you can find those missing pieces to your collection. But also bring some for the Disney trading box where chasers and variants are often pulled. It’s a fun night and I can’t wait to see everyone there! Also of note, Disney has already announced the next date, Friday May 11 from 6p-9p in Contemporary Fantasia Ballroom G.

Hippity, hoppity

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Update 3/2/12 After waking up a bit after my 24 hour visit to WDW and really taking a look at this figure, I have an update on my thoughts, partially in response to Rust’s comment below. Since Park Starz and Furry Friends, I think we have to come to realize that a ton of different vinyl collectible syles will be produced under the Vinylmation name. I have defended the fact that Vinylmation refers to the brand name and not a Mickey mold shape vinyl collectible. Yes, it is true that I said that the removal of Mickey ears means it is no longer Vinylmation, but because of what I described above, my opinion has changed and I no longer hold that to be true. All that being said, I do not think I will add this figure to my personal collection. I would however add an Oswald to my collection if it was in the same or similar shape. Reason being, and for the same reason I didn’t hesitate to add Park Starz, is that it is Disney themed. A figure like this Easter Bunny is not Disney themed and doesn’t have the Mickey ears… so it is so far removed from Disney, you could see this as a vinyl collectible by any other company.

Hopping down the bunny trail… and right into D-Streets… is a new open window limited release 3″ Easter Bunny Vinylmation.

Designed by Casey Jones, this otherwise plain looking bunny, does come with a purple hat and a tail like we’ve never seen before. It looks like a cotton ball bunny tail. Nice job Casey. DLR will see this bunny first, on March 2nd. O-town’s D-Street will have to wait a week later, March 9th, for the happy little fellow. $16.95 is the price tag. Your thoughts on this holiday vinyl?

Back It Up in Style

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Do you trust your Vinylmation with your most important data? Disney sure hopes so. The nifty tech gadget we saw in Japan a few months back has made it stateside. On March 2, Disney will release 8GB flash drives designed as Vinylmation. At $64.95, the price seems a little steep for an 8GB USB drive. A quick search on Best Buy’s website shows that most 8GB drives can be had for $35 or less. There are more expensive ones, but they seem to come with special encryption and other data back up or security software that I doubt this one comes with. So Disney is banking on the fact that you will pay for the character. They have chosen three designs for this release.

Photo from Vinylmation World

Oopsy was the design released in Japan. He is originally a Thomas Scott figure from Urban 1. The second USB takes a design from Cutesters 1.

Lisa Badeen designed the entire Cutesters 1 series, and Disney seems to like to use this Owl design on various other Vinylmation products such as a women’s bag that is available in the stores. The third design is from the Cast Member Exclusives collection.

This retro Mickey design was the second first CM exclusive to be released. So there is really something for everyone here to choose from, but will the USB drives be a hit? At the $65 price point, will you pick one up? If so, to use or display? And if you have used one from Japan, how are they? I’m assuming they are flat on the back of the figure so they fit easily into a laptop or back of a tower?

Future World Mickey Tops Off the March 2nd Releases

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

We saw him visit the shelves of DLP before the US parks, but now, the Park 8 combo topper featuring EPCOT Future World Mickey will be available at WDW and DLR beginning March 2.

The combo topper will cost $24.95 and will of course be packaged with a blind box of Park 8. The design in a nice choice for this WDW themed set and even the face looks a bit retro and differently designed than other Mickeys we have seen. Is it just me, or does the face actually look more costume like than the other Mickey faces?

Collectors Corner: Nick

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

MC has been on me awhile now to post some pictures of my collection, so I took some initiative this morning, counted them up and took some pictures. We always welcome you to submit pictures of your collection and over the next few weeks, the DV staff will share ours.

Name: Nick LoCicero

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Collection size: 750

3″ = 628
9″ = 64
Jr. = 58
Park Starz = 12
Watches = 3
Ear Hats = 4
Customs = 7 (3 I made myself)

My Stormtrooper army is up to 22!

How long have you been collecting?
Since July 1, 2010. I remember the day well. It was the return of Captain EO to Epcot. It was raining all day. To stay dry, I hopped inside Mouse Gears where I saw they started to trade Vinylmation. That hooked me. I went home with 10 and was back just about every couple days for weeks. Now I’m over 700. The 750 figure above is pretty close to accurate. It doesn’t include my like 20 traders, 10 sitting there to be repainted customs, 14 Urban 6 Killer Bees awaiting an Epcot Flower and Garden photo shoot and a few other random doubles I hold onto because I like them. (It does however include to 22 Stormtroopers)

One row in my case is dedicated to my favorite Park figures with the chasers gathered to the far right.
One row has various figures including Muppets, Urban chasers and DCL.

What is your favorite figure that you own?
My first one, Park 4 IASW Leopard.

Another row used to be Urban, but now shelves my movie themed pieces.

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?
A blind box. Because I split cases now, that feeling is largely gone. But it was the best.

I have stuff all over… these Villains sit on top of a speaker
This stuff is stacked on top of my display case.
And more still sits in labeled boxes waiting for that addition on my house.
The top of my computer desk is crowded with Disney collectibles. Stormtrooper Donald is one of my favorites.
More stuff on top of my desk.
Way up top, all kinds of Buzzs and Woodys hang out.
One of my favorite sections is my retro Disney themed area.
I even have stuff on my TV stand.
Vinylmation was my gateway drug… pins were the next logical step. Here is my just full pin board.
That Alex Maher designed framed collage is wonderful, but the crown jewel of my Disney collectibles is that WDW 1/2 Marathon medal. One, because I love Donald and the design is brilliant, but mostly because I earned it. Send us an email to DestinationVinylmation@gmail.com to have your collection featured.

Episode 061 Cookie Jar

WDWNT on March 5, 2012

Ep. 061 Cookie Jar

This week we talk more about Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the exciting new game at MK. We also give the latest news updates about Park 7, Disneyland Paris and more. We have the latest release and events calendar. And we play your voice mails in the Mystery Mail Bag.

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