Conner Purzycki’s 9/15/12 Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Conner gives us a look at the fall holiday decorations at the Disneyland Resort, plus an in depth look at the Frankenweenie exhibit in the Art of Animation building over in DCA, a quick glimpse at Cars Land.

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A glimpse at the holiday decorations down Main Street.

The vegetation by Tomorrowland has fall colors too.

Construction @ Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port


Partner’s Statue has a new texture & color on the base. The stands for the pumpkins are a good indicator of how it used to appear.

Tarps up around the Fantasy Faire Meet & Greet buildings

A look at the Rivers of America

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Special 4D Preview of Frankenweenie playing at the Muppet’s Theatre

Frankenweenie exhibit over at the Art of Animation building

The classroom set

The attic scene

Racers Fast Pass Distribution area has been converted into stroller parking

Thanks for reading!

Even More Aerial Pictures of New Fantasyland – March 2012

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

Courtesy of Scott Keating and scottkeating.net, we once again have some fantastic aerial photos of Fantasyland to share with you:

Supports for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train are going up

The base of the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is in place at Storybook Circus and the second tent is now fully covered

A lot of work still to go on the second Dumbo spinner

The bases for the Castle Walls are starting to go in at the old Dumbo site

Matterhorn Bobsled Donated to Roller Coaster Museum

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

From Kevin Rafferty of the Disney Parks Blog:

This past summer, the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster – the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland park – received an extensive refurbishment that included a fantastic new paint job and all-new bobsleds. Now considered a piece of roller coaster history, a former bobsled from the iconic attraction recently was donated by the Disneyland Resort to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives, along with signage from California Screamin’.

Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis said, “We’re delighted to provide these pieces of Disneyland Resort history to the National Roller Coaster Museum, an organization that celebrates our industry. The Matterhorn bobsled and California Screamin’ signage represent two of our most beloved attractions, from the first tubular steel-tracked roller coaster in the world to one of the longest and most thrilling.”

Hot off the set: Director Mickey

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Writer AnneMarie was able to snag one of the highly sought after Director Mickey that was released earlier this week. Here are a few of the close ups she took with him.

First up, check out the beautiful tin. I’m not sure when this design was made, but this seems to once again point to tins making a come back. Go tins! I also really enjoy the design work, especially all the background pictures of Mickey.
Director Mickey comes with a Megaphone. Took late for Combo Contest #3, but I’m sure #4 is on the way soon!
Artist Jim Valeri did a excellent job with this figure. Thanks Jim for another awesome job!
And to complete the design, on the back Mickey is sitting on his very own director’s chair. Like the podium on the front of Classical Tunes Mickey, this extra piece of art makes it just a little better!

What do you think of Mickey? Were you able to get your hands on one of these exclusive figures?

Monorails: Under the Hood

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

We have talked a ton about the new Monorails. We have given our first impressions from pictures and seeing them behind a display case, but today, we were able to get our hands on a Monorail figure as they went up for sale at D-Street. I don’t think my impressions have changed, but a few things were revealed today that make my review more complete.

The first thing worth mentioning is the share weight and heft of these once you get them in hand… and that is a very good thing. I was expecting a light piece of flexible vinyl. Instead what we get is a solid piece of vinyl that has great sturdiness and a high quality feel.

I was able to get a feel for the quality from behind the display plastic, but in hand, they are very impressive. Each figure is finished with a gloss coating that gives a sharp and shinny look. It also gives them a high quality feel. It also seems the paint on these will not easily be ruined.

Without the little details, these would not succeed. That is why the designers went the extra mile to give us details like this. The ridges on the rear of the vinyl car.

We have already seen this view, but it is worth repeating, without the space underneath for the track, this design would flop. As it stands, they captured all the curvature of the cabin.

I am also impressed with the detail on the sides where the “wheels” meet the cabin.

Like other Vinylmation, the bottom features the logo and artist signature. After opening the blind box, my overall impression of the Monorails, although already positive, improved because the mold is simply spectacular. They also did an impressive job with the design application. However my overall thoughts on this series have not changed. I am more excited with the mold and the possibilities to come than I am of an entire series of Cars characters. That being said, you will see me pick up or trade for a few of my favorites. If you are worried about these being more like toys than collectible vinyls, put those fears aside. These are beautiful collectibles and I’m excited something this innovative is under the Vinylmation name.

30 Years in the Making

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

We recieved this fun email and picture from a long time reader/listener we thought we would share:

When I was 3, my dad won a photo contest which had a trip to Disney World as the grand prize. Part of the prize was being grand marshals in the 3 o’clock parade. We were also given exclusive tencennial ear hats with silver ears that, from what I understand, were not available to the general public. When I saw the artwork for the tencennial ticket vinylmation, I knew that was one that I had to have. Here is my ear hat combo with a set of our tencennial ears. You can see that the ears have yellowed a little over the past 30 years, but they’re still in great shape.

Thanks,
Scot Moore

ZoMG: Review of AP Merchandise Showcase at DCA

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

by Zoe

Today begins the three-day event for Annual Passholders to experience some of the new and exciting things coming to California Adventure in the upcoming months!

The Merchandise Showcase event was centered on Cars Land and the merchandise that will be available when the land opens June 15th, 2012. The event also had information about Mad T Party as well as new California Adventure themed merchandise.

Walking in to Stage 17 (which is located near the back of Hollywood Pictures Backlot) there was a pop-up shop set up in the center of the room. The set up reminded me of the D23 Expo set up.

They had all different kinds of Cars Land merchandise for fans of all ages! Ride posters with “Grand Opening” stamped on them were available, as well as matching Ride Poster T-Shirts. I LOVE the way these turned out. They are each unique to their ride and look awesome.

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I love the details that they put on these T-shirts as well. Not only is the design great but also the little touches are what make it that much more magical.

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Each T-shirt has stamped on the sleeve, “Grand Opening” as well as something about the ride. A Cast Member there told me that once they run out of the “Grand Opening” stamped merchandise, they will reprint everything but without the Grand Opening stamp. Also this extremely informative Cast Member told me that every 6 Months Disney is going to release 4 Attraction Posters (for California Adventure). This makes me so happy because that means my Little Mermaid Ride Poster is coming! (Sorry for derailing about Ariel, it happens.)

Now back to the Merchandise! There are plenty of T-shirts, jackets, mugs, plastic cups, key chains, and pins etc that were made for Cars Land. There is a limited edition 1000 pin set of ride posters, as well as a limited edition coin set.

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Also available early today were the brand new Monorail Cars Vinylmation. They looked awesome in person! The tray comes just like a tray of Vinylmation, you get 24 figures, 2 sets and 1 chaser! I bought one blind box to see how the packaging looked and to see how the quality of the figures would be… and they look great! The box is a bit skinnier compared to our normal Vinylmation blind box, but it works since the design is a Monorail. I love the box design, it reminds me of a ride poster.

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Now personally I wouldn’t go back and buy more of these, they just aren’t my thing. I like the idea of monorails and I absolutely LOVE all the Cars characters, but this set seems to me like it would appeal more to men/boys. Now maybe if the set were on the Vinylmation mickey mold I would re consider. But the monorails honestly didn’t do much for me! I was thinking how cool it would have been if they made a Lightning McQueen mold, and then put each car onto his mold! Who knows what the future will hold! Check out Destination Vinylmation’s Monorail Cars explained page for more on this set.

My favorite thing pertaining to Cars Land (which I bought!) has to be the Piston Cup figurine! I think this is absolutely awesome! It says Grand Opening on the front, and on the back of the Piston Cup it says “Cars Land”.

I love that Disney decided to add Cars Land to DCA, the Land is themed perfectly, the merchandise looks awesome, and I can’t wait to actually step foot into Radiator Springs!

The Showcase also featured some of the new DCA merchandise that will be available soon. I love the idea behind these designs. The theme is, Mickey and Minnie driving through California and all the different stops they make on their journey. Each stop is represented by a different stamp. Each stamp stands for a different attraction at California Adventure. There is a Toy Story Mania Stamp, Little Mermaid Stamp, Cars Land Stamp, and World of Color Stamp etc. I love this idea, the merchandise looks great! This design is available on many different products such as, T-shirts, Jackets, Cups, Shot Glasses, Blankets, Key Chains and more!

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After walking out of the shop, Mater and Lighting were there for a photo op!

Next to Mater and Lightning was a display that showed the new costumes for Cars Land!

Lastly there was a display for the Mad T Party, which will be replacing ElecTRONica in June! The merchandise looks AWESOME! The Mad T Party merchandise wont be available until June as well.

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There are various items like hats, rabbit ears, t-shirts, jackets and ties. Also there will be ‘Mad Treats’ such as, light reflective lollipops, rock candy, bagged candy, and Cheshire cat candy as well as mickey sprinkles!

There was an opportunity to purchase some of the new snacks that would be for sale during the T Party such as, dill popcorn (I didn’t try this but everyone that did said it was delicious) and sour apple/cotton candy slushies!

Over all I thought the AP Preview was awesome. It was organized, in a big area so everyone could see everything, the merchandise looks awesome and now I am even MORE excited for Cars Land and Buena Vista Street to open on June 15th!!

D-23 Vinyls Photoshoot

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

D-23 Expo 2011 saw a few exclusive vinyls released for the event. With the dates for the next expo recently announced (August 9-11, 2013), we thought it’d be fun to take a couple of last year’s figures to the parks for a few pictures. I’m talking to you, Davy Crockett and Gladestone Gander.

Location: Magic Kingdom
Davy Crockett takes aim at the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade.
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Gladestone takes a stroll through old Hollywood.
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Gladestone Gander shops for some fine men’s wear.

Donald and Pluto Mystery Combo

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Update: 2/22/12 An email today sent out by the Disney Store gave us all a closer look at what a lot of our great comments already pointed to. The design scheme for this “Storybook Collection” of merchandise not on sale at the parks and online. It is a variety of magnets, lanyards, pins, frames, shirts, snowglobes and more all to this theme of the Disney characters like guests enjoying the parks. Here is a look at the autograph book.

Update: 3/21/12 Thank you to Cheryl for showing us a picture of the back of these figures from the Vinylmation Exchange Facebook page.

Donald has a backpack with little Vinylmation painted on peaking out. From a comment from Carol below, it seems we should also be on the look out for”a Mickey, Minnie (with a camera), Goofy (with balloons) and Tinkerbell (above the castle) also shown on the box.” These designs struck me personally as very generic and they do look like designs used on some generic park merchandise at DLR and WDW. A Cast Member, Trevor, mentions this looks to be part of the “storybook collection.” I know Disney has to expand to this market for profit reasons, but in my opinion it is sad to see such a niche piece of Disney related art go in the direction of generic merchandise. Say what you will about the movie tie-in figures or Monorail Cars but these move way over that line. I felt the same way about Theme Park Favorites as well. New molds and Park Starz are still unique and more like art. But figures like the New years, theme park favorites and now these are more like generic merchandise. I always welcome new things in Vinylmation and if Disney feels this is what they need to do, that is fine. I would just rather see the main Disney characters used for a reason besides a tie in the the generic park merchandise theme of the day. There are so many great things you can do with the Fab 5 if you want to have them in different designs.

3/20/12 The following picture was posted on the Vinylmation Exchange Facebook page. Jon Quon was the poster and said he found this at Disneyland. Thanks to Ryan for sending it our way.

No real clue what this set represents without more context from the box, but the person who posted this picture also asked if anyone knew what series this is from. Any ideas? Donald and Pluto appear to be in their normal outfits, except for the hats. Donald wearing a yellow cap and Pluto wearing a sorcerers hat.