The Monorails: Live at Disney’s Grand Floridian

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

Long before they made an appearance as our favorite 3″ Disney collectibles, The Monorails were a band that toured around the Walt Disney World Resort performing at the resorts. We recently dug up some of The Monorails old concert posters, CDs, Albums and publicity photos. The Monorails were on hand when Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort opened on July 1, 1988. With that anniversary this weekend, we thought we would start there.

The Monorails Concert Poster
–
CD Cover
–

 

 

 

 

 

Release Day! – June 29th, 2012

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

Lets start with the biggest, most exclusive, piece first.

Today the Park 8 Yeti was released exclusively online. The Casey Jones figure costs $74.95 and there are only 1000 of them. Buy it at DisneyStore.com

At both D-Streets the Duffy the Bears came out. Read more about them at

And also at D-Streets are the new Color Block Series. Read more about them at:

Also remember that Disneyland will be having a trading night tonight from 7-10 at the Pacific Ballroom at the Paradise Pier Hotel.They will also be having signing with Monty Maldovan and Quynh Kimball throughout the day and at the trade event.
Over in Orlando, WDW will have a Park Starz Series artist signing with Thomas Scott and Casey Jones from 5-7 at D-Street. D-Street WDW will also be getting the new 9″ CYO Vinylmation ’95 pieces.

For all the details of upcoming events go to our calender at

Starbucks Coming To The Disney Parks

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

Today, we’re excited to officially announce plans to bring your favorite Starbucks drinks and food items to all of our theme parks at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

In June, the first of six planned Starbucks locations is scheduled to open at Disney California Adventure park. And more locations are planned at Disneyland park and Walt Disney World Resort (Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom).

The Starbucks locations inside our parks will be designed to fit the theme of their surroundings. At Disney California Adventure park, Starbucks will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street, a place that transports guests to 1920s Los Angeles, when Walt Disney arrived in California and a cup of coffee was the perfect way to jumpstart a busy day. The store’s location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire.

The café will serve Starbucks items, including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats.

Let us know what you’ll be ordering in the comments.

And we have a little more information from an official press release:

SEATTLE & LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 23, 2012 – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts today announced that Starbucks will soon be available at all Disney theme parks at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., and Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

This summer, the first of six Starbucks cafés will open at Disney California Adventure. The additional stores are planned for Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World Resort, including locations at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

“Starbucks and Disney have many things in common,” said Arthur Rubinfeld, president, Global Development, for Starbucks. “We share a passion for providing excellent customer service, delivering high quality in everything we do, and ensuring that every experience with our brand exceeds our customers’ expectations. This is something our customers and partners (employees) have asked for through MyStarbucksIdea.com since the site launched more than four years ago, so we are pleased to bring this idea to life.”

Starbucks is not completely new to Disney. In June 2009, the company opened a store in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, which has become a guest favorite.

At Disney California Adventure, Starbucks will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street, a place that transports guests to 1920s Los Angeles when Walt Disney arrived in California and a cup of coffee was the perfect way to jumpstart a busy day. The store’s location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire.

The café will serve Starbucks items including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats.

“We know food and beverage offerings are an important part of the memories our guests make at Disney Parks and now they will be able to enjoy their favorite Starbucks® beverage as part of their experience,” said Maribeth Bisienere, vice president, food and beverage line of business for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Many of our guests have shared their passion for Starbucks with us, and we look forward to making their feedback a reality as we debut the first location at Disney California Adventure.”

About Starbucks Coffee Company

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest-quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

An Additional 25% Off

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

 

Over at the Disney Store they are having their twice upon a year sale. Today they announced an additional 25% off selected items. Above are the vinylmation I found for the additional savings.

To get the extra discount put one of the items in your shopping cart. Then type in promo code: SALE25.

 Also check out other items on sale, like several of the Funko Pop Vinyl Series.

“Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree” Coming To Frontierland

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

From Shawn Slater on the Disney Parks Blog:

We have some great news to share today! Starting May 3, we’ll be rounding up some good times and bringing a whole new energy to Frontierland at Disneyland park with the opening of the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

Cowboy Mickey
Encompassing the former Festival Arena site, the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree will feature music, dancing, crafts, pin trading and plenty of Disney characters in their finest Western wear. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we’ll be throwing a good, old fashioned Hoedown, where you can kick up your heels with the likes of Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Chip ‘n Dale. From time to time, classic favorites like Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow, Clara Cluck or those silly Country Bears might even stop by!

What’s more, Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree is also going to be the newest spot to catch visiting performing ensembles as part of Disney Performing Arts. Disney Performing Arts provides an opportunity for middle and high school students and community groups from across the country to perform in Disney Parks as well as take workshops taught by entertainment professionals to improve their performance skills. You’ll be able to enjoy some of these young instrumentalists, singers and dancers as they put on the performance of a lifetime onstage at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree.

 

Cars Land Entertainment Concept Art Released

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

We posted a few days ago about the entertainment offering coming to Cars Land. Disney has released some concept art of these shows on the Disney Parks Blog.

From Shawn Slater on the Disney Parks Blog:

We recently told you about some of the shows and characters coming to Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park. Well, that was just the beginning! When Cars Land opens June 15, the tiny town of Radiator Springs will also be teeming with atmosphere entertainment inspired by the Disney•Pixar film, “Cars.”

“Red
Big and red on the outside, gentle and good-natured on the inside, Red the Fire Truck shows up with his sirens blaring and his bell ringing, heading to meet up with his good buddy, a Volunteer Firefighter. The Firefighter lets everyone know the flowers in the area need watering. It’s “Red to the Rescue,” but each time the Firefighter attempts to use Red’s hose, it backfires on him! In all the fun, the plants manage to get wet, and you might too!

“'DJ’s
Bringing a completely different kind of beat to the street is “DJ’s Dance & Drive.” DJ, the ultimate party car, rolls into town with his giant speakers, built-in disc changer and his very own dance party, led by a girl named Spinner. This gang stops traffic everywhere they go, creating a spontaneous, interactive dance party. Spinner and the crew teach us moves like the Overdrive, the Reverse and the Hairpin Turn, while DJ calls up the hits, from “Life in the Fast Lane” to “Car Wash.” DJ’s going to shift Cars Land into high gear!

Cruise on down to Cars Land this summer at Disney California Adventure park. The residents there will be glad you rolled into town!

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Annemarie

WDWNT on July 7, 2012

Annemarie is back with some all new custom pieces.

Destination Vinylmation: Both of these new customs look amazing. What do you enjoy more, replicating a Disney character more closely like Mad Hatter or developing your own design like the Scarface and why?

Annemarie: That’s a difficult question to answer; I really enjoy doing Disney characters because in my mind they represent Vinylmation, but it’s really fun to have to start from scratch and figure out how I’m going to approach something totally unique. With Scarface, I tried to do something similar to Villains 2, for example, where you’re focusing more on the face than on the body. I thought he’d look more “serious” this way, as opposed to giving him a squat body and arms. The Mad Hatter was a lot of fun because I had so much color and detail to draw from. I actually had to simplify him a bit to give him a cleaner design.

DV: These customs are for OCVinylDon. Tell us about the trading community he has set up.

AM: VinylmationTraders.com is an online community where folks can post what they have for trade/ what they’d like to trade, and hopefully find someone who can meet their needs and in turn help out! It’s been a great experience for me, every one’s been honest and fair and there’s a place where you can leave good feedback, much like eBay. Don has been the moderator over there, and he does a great job. I’m happy to have added to his collection of customs.

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist John Ward

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

John wrote this message he wanted to share with our readers:

The piece is called, “26.2 with Donna.”  That is a runners weekend that has been held here in Jacksonville for the past 4 years. There is a marathon, half marathon, 5K and a marathon relay.  All in an effort to put a stop to breast cancer.

Each year they have a silent auction called, 26.2 with Donna PINK ROOM Silent Auction. that feature lots of different items, from artwork and gift cards to autographs Jacksonville Jaguars items and hotel weekends.  It’s held two days before the race and all the proceeds go towards breast cancer research. It’s held that the Prime Osborne Convention Center in downtown Jacksonville on the 10th & 11th of Feb.

This year I decided that I would like to donate a vinylmation into the auction.  The logo they have was well suited for a vinylmation and the bright pink and black worked well with the white vinylmation.  I also donated a couple other pieces of my artwork, a couple paintings.

You can find more of John Ward’s work here.

Duffy the Disney Bear Explained

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Duffy the Disney Bear Explained
Release Date: July 22, 2012 (Facebook) and July 29, 2012 (D-Streets)
Price: $14.95
Artist: Monty Maldavon
Details: Open window box. 2 initial figures. Expected Summer 2012 release. Duffy first appeared as “The Disney Bear” in 2002 as a marketing gimmick to promote the opening of the Once Upon The Toy store in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney. After poor sales, the bear was pulled from the shelves. Then, in 2004, Duffy the Disney Bear debuted in Tokyo Disney as a plush and park character. In the fall of 2012, Duffy joined the US Disney Parks at both EPCOT and DCA as well as Hong Kong Disneyland. In 2011, Duffy made is way to Disneyland Paris. Duffy plush can be purchased and then dressed in numerous outfits sold around the Parks included other Disney characters, World Showcase outfits and of course his sailor outfit.

Update 6/22/12 Both Duffy Bears are now available to order online at Disney’s Vinylmation Facebook Store. They will be there exclusively until the June 29th release at stores.

picture from Disney Parks Blog

 Sailor Duffy

Disney changes the mold for this lovable bear. The large rounded body and arms and legs sticking out putting Duffy in a sitting pose make for the perfect look that makes it distinctly different from the Mickey mold. It’s an inviting pose that will attract both the Duffy lover and casual guest. The Mickey paw prints are also well shown off in this pose. A good looking hat as well as some “indentations’ in the face for the eyes, nose and mouth.
picture from Disney Parks Blog

 Flocked Duffy

This version has a peach fuzz like feel to it.

New DCA, Carsland and Disneyland Vinylmation

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Attractions Magazine posted a video interview with Steven Miller at last week’s merchandise showcase at WDW. In the video, we see numerous upcoming figures that we have been sharing over the past few days. Thanks to one of our readers Kevin, we have more to share.

Unfortunately the camera does not get close to these, but Steven points at this part of the display and refers to DCA, Carsland and Disneyland vinyls. The 9 inch does look Carsland themed with the mountains and road and red car. It appears to be a take on the DCA Carsland Radiator Springs Racers Poster.

This view gives us a more clear view of the 9″. No word on release dates or edition sizes.

This next 9 inch portrays the poster for the Buena Vista Street Red Car Trolley that is coming to DCA.

Here is a look at the actual poster hanging in the Blue Sky Cellar.

If you can help us identify the 3″ figures in the photos above, that would be much appreciated. But it looks like Disneyland fans have a lot of vinyls to look forward to this summer. Also, Disney seems to be releasing commemorative vinyls in a timely fashion more and more. That gives me great hope we will see some fantastic designs for Storybook Circus and Fantasyland over here on the east coast.