This Vinylmation will be available at Disney Stores on October 22 for $9.95.
This looks stunning. Hopefully it will be just as good in person. It appears to be Donald trapped in a snow globe with Chip ‘n Dale around him.
On Sunday, April 29th, the Little Red audio-animatronic became history and now guests riding Kilimanjaro Safaris over the Summer will have to stare at construction walls as the ride through the finale of the Animal Kingdom attraction. You may recall Disney announced changes to the ride a few months ago, stating that the poacher storyline would be replace with new savanna space to showcase Zebras.
All of the plants hazardous to the Zebras that will be moving in were removed prior to April 29th and many parts of the forest are already the grass fields where the animals will graze. The attraction’s pre-recorded spiels are gone, now you only hear background music and sound effects while traveling along the route. No more Mr. Wilson!
Imagineer Joe Rhode (“Mr. Animal Kingdom” as we refer to him around here) recently spoke to cast members at the attraction about the upcoming changes. While Wilson is gone for now, he may return to the ride or be replaced with a new character. For now, the Wilson and Dr. Jobson characters remain in the queue area in the pre-show film.
Disney is scheduled to be done with the basic changes this coming fall with larger changes to the Safari taking place over the next 3-4 years according to Rhode. Among the changes being discussed is the institution of permanent night-time Safari ride. From what we understand, the night safari will be completely different from the daytime version, adding a completely new experience for guests later in the day.
Imagineers recently tested lighting effects for night time safaris with a number of large video walls and intelligent moving headlights mounted on large lifts. Why use giant video screens? Well, it appears they mounted large video walls on the Wild Africa Trek trucks and tested using night vision and infrared technology to enhance the guest experience for the possible night-time version of the ride.
While it is uncertain if any of these changes will happen, it isn’t a far-fetched idea. In 3-4 years, Animal Kingdom will have an AVATAR-land and possibly a few other new offerings, so it is more than possible that the park will be open late on a regular basis.
We’ll keep you updated on this story as it develops. For now, we leave you with some immortal words from our now-gone friend… “TOMMIES!”
By Thomas Smith on The Disney Parks Blog:
Before we head into the Christmas holiday week, I wanted to share a quick update on “Limited Time Magic” atDisney Parks. Earlier this year, we announced plans for a year of unexpected experiences with an extra sprinkle of Pixie Dust at Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort. And beginning next Friday, we’ll be sharing updates here on the Disney Parks Blog.
“Limited Time Magic” will run through the calendar year of 2013 and the program will feature a variety of surprises – most lasting just one week, some longer and disappearing after just one day. You’ll be able to find out what’s happening during the year by checking the Disney Parks Blog on Fridays. We’ll also be posting updates on Twitter using hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic as well as on the LimitedTimeMagic.com web page. Be sure to visit the Disney Parks Blog on Friday, Dec. 28 and see how we’re kicking off “Limited Time Magic.”
While at Epcot’s 30th celebration on Monday, I happened across a few shelves full of the new Mechanical Kingdom Vinylmation. Inside the gift shop at Journey to Imagination. This series is not due out until October 5th at WDW and the 6th at Disneyland (where there will be a signing with series artist Mike Sullivan at D-Street). I could not resist adding the Donald Duck figure to my collection immediately.
The design is great, the paint job is perfect and the hat is spectacular. But the hidden surprise…
The cape is removable. Unlike the Goofy Vader cape that is molded onto the figure, this cape is like your average action figure cape and rings around the neck. Mechanical Kingdom retails for $12.95 and as far as I can tell was only put out early at this Epcot location.
By Paul Hiffmeyer from the Disney Parks Blog:
During the Holidays at Disneyland Resort, there are so many beautiful decorations to see and photograph, but I seem to spend a little more time at “it’s a small world“ Holiday. Below are a few photos I would like to share with you. For this first one, I exposed for the lights, turning the guests that were taking photos or just enjoying the view into silhouettes.
For the next photo, I used a 25-second exposure so that the boats would blur and not be noticeable in the foreground.
The final photo was taken just as the fog was rolling in one early morning. What I like about this photo is that the fog separates the topiaries from the background so they stand out instead of blending into the lights.
Tickets are now available for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom! The dates for the Halloween parties are:
September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 and 30
October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31
November 2
The dates for the Christmas parties are:
November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21
Tickets are available for purchase at DisneyWorld.com
The 2nd year anniversary of Destination Vinylmation is on November 8th and to celebrate, we will once again be hosting the annual Dee Vee Awards! (listen to 2011 Dee Vee Award Show) This is a show of celebration for the collectible we all know and love. It is also your chance to choose your favorites over the past year. Before we get to the voting, we are asking for your help to nominate the entries into each of our categories. All you have to do is copy and paste the category list below into an email, list your nominations and send it to:
You have until Midnight on Friday, October 12 to submit your nominations. You may submit nominations for as many or as few categories as you like and can you can nominate as many figures or people for each category as you like. You may only nominate figures that were released between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. (Click here for a PDF of all the figures released during that time span. * Disclaimer: Not all possible figures may be listed. This is just a guide.) Nominees will be announced on October 14th on our podcast and online. Then Listeners can vote for their favorites in each category. Winners will be announced in November at the Dee Vee Awards.
2012 Dee Vee Award Categories
Favorite Disney Artist (Disney Store or Disney Design Group)
Favorite Disney Commissioned Artist
Favorite Custom Artist (Artist who has not been sold a piece through Disney)
Best 3″ Figure
Best 9″ Figure
Best Jr. Figure
Best 12 Figure Set
Best non-12 Figure Set
Best LE Combo Set
Best Chaser
Best Variant
Best Non-Mickey Platform Figure
Best Use of Ears
Best Trading Location
Most Likely To Be Found in a Trading Box
Best Accessory
Best Mickey
Best Use of Clear
Best Location Specific
Best Packaging
Best Vinylmation Event
Most Anticipated Upcoming Series
Best DV Episode
Favorite DV Cast Member
Red Balloon Awards: (1 time and done categories nominations in these categories NOT limited to past year time span)
Best Furry Friend
Best Park Series (Out of Series 1-10)
By Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:
I know I’ve said it before, but the holidays are my favorite time of year at the Disneyland Resort. Between thebeautiful decor, delicious food and unique merchandise, each holiday season is unique year after year. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to this year:
As we rapidly approach the 5th anniversary of the WDWNT Network this Summer, it’s hard not to get lost in the excitement happening at the Disney Parks right now. The Summer is theme park season, and there is that excitement in the air as out favorite special events return and some incredible new adventures prepare to unfold before us. WDWNT: The Magazine will be there for all the excitement starting next issue, so think of this issue as the “pre-show” to what will undoubtedly be a Summer to Remember.
For some, nothing means Summer more than just hanging out by the pool at your favorite Disney resort hotel, and Art of animation may very quickly be yours. We have a fantastic preview of the Finding Nemo wing of that resort for you to enjoy this month, just to wet your appetite. While we say hello to a new resort, we say goodbye to two beloved attractions as well this month: Test Track and Snow White’s Scary Adventures. In between, many of your favorite reoccurring articles and some other pieces for you to meander through abound.
We hope that this latest issue will get you ready for the blistering excitement of Summer 2012. 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.maglcoud.com). If you like what you’re reading, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. No one likes someone who doesn’t share.
By Faron Kelley on The Disney Parks Blog:
I am excited to let you know the Happiest Race on Earth just got happier! Today runDisney announced the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is expanding with the addition of the Disneyland 10K at Disneyland Resortin Anaheim, Cal.
The new 10K will be a timed event and take runners through Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and on the streets of Anaheim. As with all runDisney races, participants will receive a newly designed finishers medal.
Runners looking for a bigger challenge can register for the Dumbo Double Dare. A limited number of runners will have the opportunity to take the dare and run the Disneyland 10K on Saturday and the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday – 19.3 miles total. Finishers will receive a special finisher medal to help celebrate their accomplishments, in addition to the half marathon and 10K medals.
The 10K is one of the most popular race distances for runners, next to the 5K and half marathon. With race weekends featuring kids races, 5K, 10K, 10-Miler, half marathons and a marathon, runDisney offers runners at every level a chance to experience a runDisney event, run through Disney theme parks and earn coveted Disney medals.
Registration for all Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend races opens on January 22, 2013. Last year, the popular half marathon sold out in little more than a month, so I encourage interested runners to act quickly. For more information about the race weekend and other runDisney events, go to www.rundisney.com.
On behalf of myself and some special friends in the video below, I invite you to join us August 30 – September 1, 2013, at Disneyland Resort.
