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Ep. 079 Tower of Terror Elevator This week we get to reveal 2 wonderful upcoming figures, the line up of the Disney Classic Collection and the revised Comic Con lineup. We have a few questions and comments in the Mystery Mail Bag and we review the upcoming calendar of releases and events. |
Interesting news from the Hong Kong Disneyland Facebook today. They just posted this picture as an ad for trading at their park. They are calling this figure a Cast Trader. As far as we can tell it’s a cast trader, not a cast trader variant. The two variants to the Disneyland 6 figure set are silver. One has the D on it and the other has the 55. This is neither silver, nor the D or 55 figure. That means the figure is not a variant (it looks exactly like the figure we’ve seen advertised in Disneyland CA) but rather a figure that can only be picked up (in Hong Kong) buy trading with a cast member.
Very interesting for Disney to use out of region vinyls are special cast traders at Disneyland. What do you think?
For more on this set go to:
Disneyland 6 Figure Set
Last week we saw a picture of several pieces of the upcoming Disney Store Under the Big Top series. We also saw a picture of Gerald Mendez (the series artist) with two more figures in his hands. The picture was too small to clearly see what the figures were, but today one of our guesses was proved correct. eBay seller suzannal has put this scary (footless) clown up for sale. Now this is most likely a dumpster dive, so we don’t want you bidding of this auction, but it does mean you get a chance to see a better picture of the clown.
What do you think?
What do you think of clowns? Good or evil?
From Michelle Harker of the Disney Parks Blog:
With just a little over five weeks to go before Buena Vista Street opens at Disney California Adventure park, here’s your first look at the art for one of the key programs, appropriately titled “Storytellers” and set to debut inside Elias & Co. While I could spend all day telling you why I’m a fan of this piece, I thought I’d turn it over to artist Noah and Product Developer Lisa Bergman, who were able to give me a bird’s-eye view on what inspired them to create this piece and on the magic that lives on in all of us.
“The main objective was to take the gorgeous ‘Storytellers’ statue that exists in the park and create a life-like scene,” says Noah. “I wanted this piece to have the 1920s sepia-tone feel that can be seen in old vintage photographs. When I painted it, I listened to Big Band music and imagined the sights, sounds, smells and even the weather, and tried to engulf my creativity in that same style. I tried to put myself in Walt Disney’s shoes or follow in his footsteps, as some would say. How excited he must have been on the trip out here, the challenges and dreams he wanted to overcome and achieve. I thought about the luggage he carried, how he lettered his name, and his identity. Walt Disney took the gift of creativity, believed in himself and leveraged it to impact the world with the idea of families coming together to enjoy life. He used stories as the vehicle and gave the child in each of us permission to play and use our imagination.” Noah went on to say, “Every day in some small way, we are a part of Walt’s dream, whether walking through the park, watching amazing movies or television, or just spending time together. It all started with a young cartoonist landing in Los Angeles, his friend Mickey Mouse in his heart, a trunk full of dreams and ambitions, and most importantly, a lifetime of stories to tell.”
There’s so much that went into this, explains Product Developer Lisa Bergman. Its influence came from Disney Archives ephemera, which included a rough sketch of the Hyperion Studios by Ward Kimball, archival photographs of the Hyperion Studios neon sign, Walt’s business card, and pre-1937 animated featurette posters. Representative of the Disney heritage, you will find the iconic “Storytellers” artwork on an array of sepia-tone items, including sublimated t-shirts, fleece sweatshirts, a supple leather jacket, limited edition art, collectibles and more.
Debuting alongside the “Storytellers” collection is a figural piece created by sculptor Rick Terry, whose 3D art you will find as the centerpiece of Buena Vista Street. Product Developer Lisa Bergman has given us the first look at this new sculpture, replicated from the original design. Take a peek!
For details on this new collection, special events and appearances by the artists, visit www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.
There’s only one word for me that describes this. Magic!
Last week we featured a picture of a new vinylmation that someone found in a UK Disney Store. It was labeled as “Magic Around the World” and mentioned future releases in that series. Today the Vinylmation Blog explained it, a bit.
According to the blog, the Disney Store will be celebrating “Magic Around the World” by releasing one new Vinylmation for the next 6 weeks. The first one was this black one, officially released on July 2nd. It is $9.95 or 10 Euros. Right now, it can be found on the France Disney Store Online, but not the US site. It was however found in at least one physical US Disney Store, The Times Square location. The Disney blog points out that the second figure in this series will come out on July 6th. (Which technically means there was two this week.) No word yet on what the second one (or any others) look like. But our friend The Playwright talked to a Cast Member at the Times Square Disney Store and they said:
“there are others in the series that represent cities from around the world like Tokyo and London that will be released soon.”
We talked a little about the black design on the first post. It’s reminiscent of the Holidays Around the World vinyl, only this time the flags are in little mickey head symbols instead of circles. Take a look at the back of the vinyl courtesy of The Playwright.
Also, here is a look at the back of the box with an explanation of sorts for the series.
The Disney blog post didn’t quite clarify the release location of these. Disney Stores? Yes. All or just certain locations? Who knows. They could technically release one of each week in a different country!
What do you think? What do you think will be the other vinyl figures? Just a background change or something else?
This is just a taste, we have seen more in pins and concept art, but some images of the Casey Jones designed Haunted Mansion Vinylmation series has popped up at D-Street Anaheim. (no reports of them following anyone home) For more images of 10 of the 12 figures, check out Haunted Mansion Explained.
A look at the Matterhorn progress, the Lego Store’s statues are unveiled, Red Car Trolley’s wires, and a glimpse of Minnie’s Fly Girls! Enjoy!
Max out and about at Disneyland
Geppetto out on Main Street
Graduation Duffy
Freshening everything up
Glimpse at the new ride vehicles
Still hard at work
More stunning than ever thanks to the new paint job.
Sneak of Buena Vista Street through the Monorail
FINALLY!
Lego Prince Phillip battles Malificent
To Infinity & Beyond
These lights will look phenomenal
A sneak at all the detail for Mater’s Junk Yard Jamboree
Looking just about ready for the opening in June
Bug’s Land getting a new paint job
Cables for the Red Car Trolley
Work being done on the Hyperion
Glad to see Pixar Play Parade back in action.
The “Mad T Party’s” House of Cards set up
Minnie’s Fly Girls!
Thanks for reading!
Park 9 LE Explained
(Park 9 Mystery Set Explained)
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9″ The Land Epcot Caley Hicks Release Date: July 20, 2012 Find out about the history of The Land here. |
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9″ Feature Animation Building Burback, CA Billy Davis Release Date: July 13, 2012 Find out about the history of the Feature Animation Building here. |
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9″ Art of Animation Poster Tomorrowland, Disneyland Monty Maldovan Release Date: July 13, 2012 Find out about the history of the Art of Animation here. |
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9/3 Toy Story Midway Mania Hollywood Studios Lin Shih Release Date: July 20, 2012 
The sides feature Woody and Bullseye logos.
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Spaceman and Spacewoman Disneyland Thomas Scott Release Date: August 17, 2010 This set represents the Disneyland Space Man and Women that walked around Tomorrowland meeting with guests. Space was a fascination in the US during the 1950′s and 60′s and these costumed characters entertained guests until about 1967.  |
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9″/3″ Boardwalk and Swimmer WDW Resort Release Date: August 17, 2012  |
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9″ Indiana Jones Adventure Disneyland Release Date: August 10, 2012  |
From Paul Hiffmeyer of the Disney Parks Blog:
When night falls in Cars Land, all I can say is “get your camera ready!” For years, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering all the different photographs to be had at the Disneyland Resort once the sun goes down, so having the opportunity to explore all the new photo possibilities in Cars Land at night has been a real treat.
When you enter Cars Land at night, you’re going to want to walk down Route 66 and take in the spectacular lights and neon signs of Radiator Springs.
This photo was taken just outside Radiator Springs Racers. You can really see the shape of the front of a car come into view in the rockwork with the way it is lit at night (the grill to the left, hood ornament on top, and even a wheel well on the right). Be on the look out for more surprises in the rockwork, some things are easy to find and some are a little harder.
This photo is one of my favorites so far. The cars are close and you have great view of the mountain range. It was taken just after sunset and I used a slow shutter speed to show motion.
Check back soon as I will be sharing more photos from inside Cars Land. I’m thinking of sharing some pictures highlighting some of the amazing (and fun) detail you’ll see throughout Radiator Springs.
Zoe was walking by the Vinylmation display at D-Street Anaheim today when she spotted this little guy…
It is a Tower of Terror Bellhop in what appears to be the form of a Park Starz. Presumable a design for the Park Starz series 2 (no release date yet). He has a bellhop hat and is holding a suit case. I love him! How exciting is it to get a glimpse into a Future Park Starz series! The idea to go with a ghostly figure over that of a human is a great choice. I’d expect to see Series 2 this fall or winter, in the mean time take a look back at Park Starz Series 1: Explained page and Photoshoot at WDW.
