Our friends IndyandMarion sent us over a mysterious picture the other day…
It is a Vinylmation Mystery Chaser antenna topper. They found this one at Disneyland but we have since seen them pop up at Walt Disney World as well. It seems to take the form of a junior figure with the arms tucked by the side. They retail for $5.95, but there is a 2 for $10 sale going on right now.
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Ep. 098 Anubis This week we discuss the latest Disney Store releases… Robots 3 and Zooper Heroes. We also talk about the AP figures floating around the world resorts and announce the winner of the random DeeVee Award voter drawing. We also cover more of the latest news and have an up to date calendar of releases. |
Earlier today, the Disney Parks Blog shared some photos of Maurice’s cottage in New Fantasyland, home to Enchanted Tales with Belle:
As you can see, the exterior is complete
Enchanted Tales with Belle will offer a unique experience for guests with Belle and Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast. Guests will participate in a reading fo the film’s story, so it won’t just be a meet and greet experience. Rumors are circulating that this attraction may soft-open as soon as September 1st, so stay tuned for more information!
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen took a trip around some of the resort hotels and Downtown Disney yesterday and he was nice enough to share some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
Wow, that looks like it would kill me…
Yep
Halloween merchandise is out
They now have color changing lanyards which turn colors in the sunlight
The Casitas building at Coronado Springs is getting a refurbishment
The pictures on the large wall at All-Star Music are gone, probably to be replaced after fading in the sunlight
Moving to Downtown Disney, Characters in Flight is still down for replacement
The balloon is being re-engineered after an accident overseas a few weeks ago
Work continues on Splitsville, but it honestly doesn’t look like much has changed here…
Now I know nothing has changed over here…
Disney does their best to keep guests entertained on Pleasure Island as they move between districts
The Mickey and Minnie statue at Disney’s Pin Traders has been removed
A quick trip to the LEGO Imagination Center
Lord of the Rings? Man, that is creepy…
Mavericks of Mayhem merchandise by Noah has landed at WDW
Plenty of Grumpy merchandise
The new mouse ear ornaments come in a wide variety
The horror… THE HORROR!
The Vinylmation Blog likes to hold back secrets at times, but they had no problem divulging the identity of the Zooper Heroes yesterday.
This is the next 12 figure mystery series that will hit Disney Stores and online on December 10th. The blind boxes will retail for $9.95 and are full of various animals dressed up as super heroes.
To me, the classic comic book packaging is the best part about this set and becomes an early front runner for best packaging at the ’13 Dee Vees. When this series was first announced at Mickey’s Circus, I was skeptical. It seemed to be an odd design to place on the Mickey platform. I compare it slightly to Extreme Wrestlers. Neither use the vast library of Disney characters. Instead, the artists imagine their own characters to populate the set. The difference between the two sets is that the wrestler designs seemed to hit home with me, while this set does not. I think, however, the Zooper Heroes will be an instant hit among children who spot the product on store shelves.
Overall, the designs are nice enough to make a fun cartoon or comic strip… and even sell some action figures. But on the Mickey canvas, I’d rather see the Disney characters as super heroes… and I would buy that series in a second. I understand Disney needs to target a variety of audiences with it’s Vinylmation products and this one is not for me. But I do not understand why the Disney Store is focusing on non-Disney sets these days. The DS artists do an amazing job with the characters, and I hope they shift focus in 2013. I will give them acknowledgment for wonderful use of accessories lately. They go above and beyond when it comes to hats, Cinderella’s slipper and now that toy duck the female bird is pulling around in this set.
Wild Prediction: There will be a variant for each of the 12 figures that shows the Zooper Hero in their “normal” alter ego.
BURBANK, Calif. – July 26, 2012 – On Thursday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. PT, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will begin selling tickets for the next D23 Expo, which will open one year later and run from Aug. 9-11, 2013, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The largest Disney fan event in the world, the D23 Expo celebrates the entire world of Disney entertainment and brings together all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios; Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products; Media Networks (including ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney) and Disney Interactive. D23 Expo 2013 marks the third Expo held in Anaheim, following Expos in 2009 and 2011.
More than 40,000 Disney fans from around the world gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2011 for the second D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. In anticipation of even bigger attendance, D23 Expo 2013 will feature: an overflow theater for the D23 Arena, which will accommodate more than 2,000 guests for live streaming of the popular Arena presentations; nearly double the size of presentation venue Stage 23 (formerly 1,000 seats); and an expanded show floor, to include Halls A, B, C and D, as well as a larger Collectors’ Forum to provide even more magical experiences for guests.
As in previous Expos, D23 Expo 2013 will showcase all of the latest stars in the Disney universe. In 2011, celebrity appearances included Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Garner, Dick Van Dyke, Willem Dafoe, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Jason Segel, Marty Sklar, Alice Davis, Michael Giacchino, Tony Baxter, Tom Bergeron, Regis Philbin, Jodi Benson, Lea Salonga, Linda Larkin, Paige O’Hara, Anika Noni Rose, David Arquette, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Kelly Macdonald, Kevin McKidd, Taylor Kitsch, Wilmer Valderrama, Melissa Joan Hart, Sean Astin, Chelsea Kane, and Kyle Massey, along with Disney executives and creative talent. They came together to bring special presentations, announcements, and performances to Disney fans throughout the three-day extravaganza.
D23 Expo 2013 will also feature the Disney Legends Awards–a stirring biennial event that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; an all-new Fan Art Contest themed to the upcoming 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins; the 12,000 square-foot Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit featuring costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney’s rich history; plus amazing live events, celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks, and unique experiences that celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney.
Tickets for D23 Expo 2013 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time. From August 9–December 31, 2012, tickets will be $47 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children 3-12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be $40 for a one-day adult admission and $32 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available for both D23 Members and the general public, and D23 Members can save as much as $204 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit www.D23Expo.com.
In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, D23 Members can also buy D23 Expo VIP Sorcerer Packages, extremely limited tickets that are only available to members. These packages offer incredible, exclusive opportunities.
The SORCERER PACKAGE includes:
Sorcerer Package tickets will be available exclusively to both Gold- and Silver- level D23 Members at $1,500 per ticket. Members will also have the option to purchase up to two Sorcerer tickets. Additional details and benefit are highlighted at www.D23Expo.com.
D23 Members receive early admission to the Expo show floor, and D23 will once again give a special thanks to D23 Charter Members, providing them special access to the Expo’s Charter Member Lounge.
Visit www.D23Expo.com to relive some of the extraordinary experiences from the first two Expo events and get a peek at what’s to come in 2013.
Noah has been announced as the WonderGround Gallery’s Artist in Residence for December. The WonderGround Gallery is located at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim. Every Friday and Saturday night (excluding December 1) throughout the month, Noah will be meeting with guests, doing live performance art and debuting some of his newest works. Some of those works include Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas.
There will be a variety of merchandise including original artwork, limited edition giclees, deluxe prints and twenty-four custom Vinylmation figures.
Each figure comes complete with a coffin stand. Limit 1 per Guest. Noah will be on hand for a special appearance from 9am to 12 noon on the day of the release.
Please note: WonderGround Gallery will open at 8am on December 1. Wristband guidelines apply.
Wristband Distribution Guidelines:
Wristbands will be distributed entitling bearers to the opportunity to purchase Vinylmation released in association with this product release and signing. Wristbands for the custom Vinylmation will be distributed near Rainforest Cafe in the Downtown Disney District at 7:00 A.M.
We kindly ask that Guests do not line up for wristband distribution prior to 6:00 A.M. Queued Guests will be escorted to D-Street. D Street opens at 8:00 A.M. unless otherwise specified.
In addition, holding a place in line for others in your party will not be allowed. Guests who wish to obtain a wristband to purchase a custom Vinylmation must be present when the line forms or they will be escorted to the back of the line.
Wristbands will be valid for the purchase of the custom Vinylmation at D-Street in the Downtown Disney District until 1:00 P.M. on the day of distribution. Wristbands are limited. At 1:00 P.M. wristbands are no longer valid. Lost, stolen or damaged wristbands will not be replaced. Wristbands have no cash value. Restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice.
Artist Miss Mindy will also make an appearance on December 1 from 1pm-4pm for the release of her new 3D sculptures, and Mama’s Little Babies.
Also, artist Cheri Lewis will be at the gallery on December 29-30 from 1pm-4pm each day.
I don’t often get to contribute with a photo report, but I took a short two day trip to Walt Disney World stopping at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom so I took some photos. Let’s take a look at a rare Tom Corless photo report:
Work continues on the separate entrance to Turtle Talk
One of the exhibits in the Turtle Talk pre-show is being fixed up
Some work happening between the Refreshment Port and the Canada pavilion in World Showcase
On to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the former Skyway site, expected to soon be home to restrooms, a new pathway, and the Tangled meet and greet
The castle walls are coming along nicely
This section looks nearly complete
A beautiful lighting fixture has been installed in the passageway
If you were worried about being able to see the corner of the show building for Enchanted Tales with Belle, don’t be, they have covered it with rock-work
More castle wall work
The work to remove a planter in back of the Carousel is complete
The walls have expanded and scaffolding has gone up on the former Snow White’s Scary Adventures, soon to be Princess Fairytale Hall in late-2013
Despite 101-degree temperatures, construction workers are out and about
Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train
Be Our Guest Restaurant off in the distance
More Mine Train
Heading into Storybook Circus, you get plenty of notice that Dumbo FASTPASS is available near Philharmagic
With a little paint, the facade for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid will be complete
The backstage entrance is pretty much done
Big Top Souvenirs
I decided to check out the Dumbo queue
Pictures don’t do it justice, it’s really nice inside
Pull the string and it sets off LED fireworks!
This lights up above the box
Your “ticket”
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak was awesome!
I took these photos early on Wednesday, but on Tuesday afternoon there was at least 100 guests playing in here
Even the little merchandise cart is intricately themed
These work walls have been here since Storybook Circus opened
I don’t think it is anything of substance as it is simply on the back of the storage shed for the Barnstormer trains
Thanks to The Playwright, we have a look at the new Barneys 9″ designer Vinylmation from inside the Madison Ave. flagship in NYC. We also found out, a little detail omitted from Barneys website, the limited edition size is 200 each. The figures retail for $250 each and although the website says online only, they can be found in at least the Madison Ave and Beverly Hills stores.
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Ep. 097 Abominable Snowman This week we talk about the Barney’s release and figures from Japan and Hawaii. We talk about the past few week’s releases and review Classic Collection and Pixar 1. We also break down the numbers from the 2012 Dee Vee Awards. |
