“Celebrate the Magic” Set to Replace “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” in November

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Say goodbye to “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” on September 3rd as Disney prepares for a new nighttime projection show called “Celebrate the Magic”, debuting in November. As the “Let The Memories Begin” campaign draws to a close, the show is expected to be shedding the guest photos in turn of a “storytelling” show like Wishes! or Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

“‘Celebrate the Magic’ takes us on a journey to the heart of the most beloved Disney stories and characters,” said Show Director Katy Harris. “This amazing show will magically transform Cinderella Castle with spectacular projection effects, choreographed to a new music soundtrack. The show will be full of emotion and storytelling, proving that, with imagination and magic in our hearts, anything is possible.”

Some of the more popular elements from “The Magic, the Memories, and You!” will remain in the show, meaning this is simply a re-packaged version of the spectacle meant to hold over guests for a while. I suspect that the original plan was for there to be no replacement show, but the current program just proved to be too popular at the Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland, they are not replacing “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” after it ends on September 3rd based on the lighter crowds it usually has there. However, I expect this show to go away at Walt Disney World once a new nighttime spectacular is designed to replace Wishes!; one that will combine the projection technology of “Celebrate the Magic” with the pyrotechnic displays of a nighttime foreworkls extravaganza.

So, what do you think of this?

Little Green Men Land at D-Street

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Friday, December 14th saw the release of the Pixar 1 Little Green Men combo at D-Streets and Online.

The set of three Little Green Men is a limited edition 2000 and retails for $44.95. The online quantity sold out in less than 15 minutes. As of the end of the day on Friday, both D-Streets still had an undefined number of sets left on the shelves. It was not a very crowded release at Walt Disney World. There were about 5 people in line at 6am and about 20 by 8am. There were about 50-60 people at 10:30am when the store opened. I felt bad for the vacationers, of which there seemed to be many. It was a very chilly morning… not the sunny Orlando they were promised.

The Little Green Men fit in nicely with the Toy Story set produced a couple years ago. That set did include an LE 9″ version of the alien. Artist Thomas Scott, who handled the Toy Story series, also designed this LE combo. He did a remarkable job with these three little guys. He gave them each a unique personality in the facial expressions and eyes. When put together, they make a perfect trio.

There is, of course also a Park 2 Toy Story Alien. The guys are a little concerned about him as he has a different nose, no antenna  and some suspicious bumps on his stomach. They think he should get those checked out.

An Andy’s drawing version from Japan was released earlier this year. The new LGM are impressed by the artistry, but think it best to keep this work of art boxed up until further research can be done. There is also a TS Alien in the recently released Robots 3 set now on sale at The Disney Store and Online. They haven’t met him yet.

Then there is the Urban 7 Alien. They don’t know where he originates from, but it certainly isn’t the claw machine. They are split on weather or not he comes in peace.

By the end of the day, the Little Green Men had settled in and felt right at home in my collection.

Adam Roth’s 8/18/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

WDWNT’s diligent reporter Adam Roth was on the scene at Walt Disney World this weekend, visiting Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. Adam took a number of newsworthy photos on his trip, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Art of disney at Epcot recently was refurbished and is now open once again, now featuring the Castle Collection merchandise

Looks like they just cleaned up the place a bit

They did rearrange some shelves

Work continues to prepare a new entrance at the Seas with Nemo and Friends

This new wave awning replaces the plain umbrellas that had been here

Work continues on a new entrance, presumed to be a new queue for Turtle Talk with Crush

Work continues on what we believe is a DVC booth near Canada

Bistro De Paris is gone…

It will be replaced with a new restaurant from the same company after 30 years at Epcot

The bakery is also being expanded

Construction walls up inside the shop next door

Food and Wine Festival preparations underway

No more Vanity Fair, now the sponsor is Chase

Nice to know that the new patio at Tutto Italia can be enclosed in bad weather

This fountain outside of La Hacienda has been like this for months…

The new exhibit inside the Mexico pavilion seems to be just about finished

Donald was meeting guests inside

The Cool Wash by Test Track is still behind walls

Work continues on Test Track

Heading over to the Magic Kingdom, we can see Grand Floridian DVC construction

AVENGERAIL!

It now advertises the home video release of the film

It turned into a nice day

The Country Bear Jamboree is closing for a few months this week

Some people seem convinced the show will be shortened and some songs will be removed

Shaker says “Probably not”

Trixie would be sad…

Gomer is befuddled

Some people think Big Al will be cut… yeah, OK…

The Yankee Trader is now behind tarps as work continues on the new path and restrooms in Fantasyland

Next-gen FASTPASS looks ready to go at the Haunted Mansion

The store is open during this

A strange structure has risen on the Skyway site which makes these people angry at each-other…

Chubby Moonliner?

I’m not sure what that is supposed to be

Next-gen FASTPASS installed at Peter Pan as well

People like to lean on things

The castle walls are nearing completion

Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train construction

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Caught someone picking their nose… fantastic!

Just like in the concept art, Prince Eric’s castle is visible just over the mountain

Next-Gen FASTPASS at Winnie the Pooh

More grass appearing on the roof of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Big Top Souvenirs

Next-Gen FASTPASS installed here as well

The presumed Humphrey the Bear counter service location through the trees

Looks like a sign will be installed soon

Another look at the roof grass…

Work continues on the Tomorrowland bridge

And the old Swan Boats dock

Infrastructure for the eventual move to RFID tickets is being installed at the Magic Kingdom entrance

Another look at Grand Floridian construction

New Window Display at D-Street Orlando: Commentary on the Hobby?

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

When guests showed up in Orlando for the release of the Pixar 1 LE combo set featuring the Little Green Men from Toy Story, we were treated to a brand new Vinylmation themed window display at D-Street.

Behind the left hand window was a moving conveyor belt full of Vinylmation! The figures ranged from sets throughout the years and included commons, variants and chasers. Some figures were in good condition, but many had scuffs and spray paint on them as if they were factory rejects. The figures were stuck to the belt and continued to go around and around in a rotation.

At the end of the conveyor, there was a bin stacked high with vinyls as if they were just dumped off the belt. You can see damaged figures piled up and spread around the windows. Looking at this display, I can’t help to think it’s a commentary on the state of the Vinylmation hobby from Disney. This is completely my observation and is NOT from any Disney Cast Member. But it seem almost a message to Vinylmation collectors saying, ‘look at all these “valuable” figures you hold near and dear. There is nothing special about each individual piece except what you put upon them. Each and every one could end up here.’ As if they are asking us to lighten up and stop taking ourselves so seriously. I don’t think it is necessarily a mocking. Although it is hard to look inside here at figures you desperately wish to add to your collection and see how easily Disney artists take spray paint to them and toss them into a display. I just think this gives us a moment to pause and think about why we collect. I understand there will naturally be an aftermarket, but how important do these little 3″ pieces of plastic need to be in our lives? This display is very funny and wonderfully themed, but I think we would be remiss not to take a lesson from it as well. OK, enough preaching… do you want to see the rest of the display?

There were some signs posted on a chain link fence behind the conveyor belt.

On the right hand side of the display were some mannequins in D-Street lab coats.

Up against the windows, there were a whole bunch of Vinylmation figures and parts scattered in disarray.

Here is a look at some rotations of the conveyor belt to see the various figures chosen for this wonderfully themed project.

Yes, there is a Duffy, Park Starz Ghost Bride, Obi Variant and Moon Walking 80’s Dale among others. I love how Lotso is looking on from the side… very Toy Story 3ish of him.

Changes to Release Schedule

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Disney updated the Events page of the Disney Vinylmation Blog today and with that, came a couple date changes. The Pixar Tuck and Roll combo, still listed as LE 1000 by the way, has been moved from December 28 to January 4.

Also, while Disneyland will still get the open edition 2013 figure on December 28, Walt Disney World will have to wait until the following Friday. Due to an early release in Hong Kong, we think the Open Edition 2013 figure will be this one…

And on February 1st at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, the following Mickey and Minnie figures will be released.

They are LE 1500 and retail for $14.95. This is a clarification as well because the way Disney originally listed these items did not make sense.

Check out the full upcoming release calendar here.

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist NRB Relic

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

The third NRB Relic custom to be featured this week is from the NEW NRB Relic Biomechanical 3″ custom Vinylmation series “Biomechanical Heartless”.

The first in the series is “Scar”. “Scar” is hand painted by artist NRB Relic. There will be more NRB Relic “Biomechanical Heartless” customs coming soon….You may see some hints on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NRBRelic what you will be seeing in the “Biomechanical Heartless” series.

Dirk Wallen’s 8/16-19/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was all over the Walt Disney World Resort this weekend, visiting Downtown Disney, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He took some great photos on his trip and has them to share with us in this photo report:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

Looks like the Earful Tower is being painted or repaired

At the Magic Kingdom the Bakery has been out from behind tarps for a while now

The old Swan Boat dock is getting refurbished at the moment

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The Castle Walls are approaching completion

We still can’t go on the second level of Village Haus to take photos…

More grass being placed on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The structure for the new Fantasyland restrooms is coming along nicely

The Yankee Trader is open but behind tarps

The Crow’s Nest is still being worked on

Next-Gen FASTPASS has been installed at Haunted Mansion, but it is still covered

Work is wrapping up on the Tomorrowland bridge and we can now see new futuristic railings have been installed

Another look at the Swan Boat dock

Another look at the work on the new bathrooms

Moving over to Epcot, Habit Heroes is still closed!

Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise is starting to hit shelves, like this awesome lanyard!

Perry the Platypus/Phineas and Ferb snacks are available, but I’m more interested in what’s on those Epcot-only popcorn buckets and cups…

A permanent DVC booth is being built next door to the Canada pavilion

Phineas and Ferb topiary still up

A quick stop at Downtown Disney shows us the progress on the new Rainforest Cafe volcano

Moving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s a Frankenweenie ad in the parking lot

The first sign of work on The Legend of Jack Sparrow is this blue coat of paint on the building matching the colors now used for the Superstar Television Theater complex

Oz billboard behind the Great Movie Ride

Frankenweenie as well

Wreck-It Ralph and Frankenweenie up in the Animation Courtyard

Finding Nemo banners hanging in the courtyard

At the end of PPIXAR Place, you can find this Finding Nemo billboard

Halloween merchandise is out!

Awesome shirt featuring the Haunted Mansion and the Fab 5

Another shirt has the Hatbox Ghost

Our last stop is a look at Grand Floridian DVC wing construction

It’s coming along…

Vinylmation Reporters Wanted

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Have you ever wanted to write for a popular website? Well good luck. In the mean time, why don’t you put your Disney and Vinylmation passion, knowledge and skills to work writing for Destination Vinylmation. We are looking for collectors out there who are dedicated to deliver opinion and news articles on a regular basis. Some of the things we are looking for are “blue sky” type articles where the ideas and topics are endless. We would also like articles that cover events… at WDW, DLR and across the globe. Also, coverage and reviews of the daily news. Photographers are also very welcome.

We also want to invite you to help us with the podcast. We are always looking for new ideas, topics and segments to bring into the mix. In both print and podcast, we would like a majority of the topics to be on Vinylmation, but as you know, we stray into other Disney related categories as well. So if you have some ideas for a column, bring them to the table. Or if you just want to report on the news, we want to hear from you today. Email us at DestinationVinylmation@gmail.com.

Reservations for New Fantasyland’s “Be Our Guest” Restaurant Open August 20th!

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Well, you have been asking us for months and Disney has finally answered the question: You can make your reservations beginning at noon August 20 at 407-WDW-DINE for Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

You can make reservations for up to 180 days out – the very first seating will be for dinner on November 19 by calling 407-WDW-DINE (3463), or visiting any Guest Relations theme park location or Guest Services desk at a resort. Online reservations will be available beginning two days later on August 22 by visiting www.disneyworld.com/dine.

On the Disney Dining Plan, Be Our Guest is one quick-service entitlement for lunch, and one table-service restaurant entitlement for dinner. Guests will be required to give a credit card number when making reservations and it will be charged if they do not show up for their reservation, as is policy with many other popular Walt Disney World restaurants. Disney also provided a short description of the restaurant:

Lunch is quick and casual, with guest-activated terminals that make ordering a snap (there also will be traditional cashiers for cash orders and special dietary requests). You order, take a seat and lunch is delivered to your table – on china, not paper. Dinner is table service.

Cuisine is French-inspired to match the hit animated film’s theme, with three themed dining rooms: the mysterious West Wing with the “enchanted rose”; the Rose Gallery with twirling, larger-than-life figures of Belle and Beast; and the elegant Ballroom with domed ceiling, twinkling chandeliers and glimpses of softly falling snow outside.

So, who’s ready to wait on hold for a few hours on Monday afternoon?