Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Cesar Diaz

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Destination Vinylmation: Why was captain america chosen as the subject for this custom?
Cesar: I made this custom for a friend of mine who I asked to help me advertise The Customation Project last year. In return I would make him a 9″ vinyl of his choice. And so Captain America was the chosen one.

DV: I find one of the hardest part of really taking a custom to the next level are the details. I understand that a majority of it has to do with practice and artistic ability, but can you give some tips for beginners trying to add details like shading and clothing ripples as well as how best to apply such lines?
Cesar: The best tip I can give is spend the extra cash to get some good quality brushes and paints. It makes all the difference with the end result. Plus practice, practice, practice.

DV: OK, the shield is awesome! How did you go about making that accessory?
Cesar: The shield was a challenge. I basically said to myself, if I can’t get the shield to work I might as well not even make the vinyl. I experimented with different ideas on how I can make a decent shield for such a big vinyl. I ended up using a frisbee and some craft foam. I’m pretty satisfied with the end result.

DV: We know you were a huge LOST fan. Are you into J.J. Abrams new TV show Alcatraz? Already planning any vinyls for it yet?
Cesar: I first heard about Alcatraz last year at the San Diego Comic Con and I was very excited for the show. When I finally saw the 2 hour premiere I was actually very disappointed. I found the show slow and boring. By the second half of the premiere I was already asleep. So unfortunately I have no vinyls planed for Alcatraz.

DV: Any plans yet for a second Vinylmation custom artist show?
Cesar: I actually do plan to have a second show this year if time allows it. My brother and I have been talking about it and we both agree that we want to have it somewhere in LA.

Giants 21, Patriots 17, SB Vinylmation $18.95

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Update: 2/6/12 The DisneyStore.com updated the picture on the SB commemorative figure to represent the Giants designed figure.

Apparently it is the same figure as we showed you in the ad from last night. I’m a little disappointed in the design as I thought this was just a placeholder. Other than the logo on the chest, it doesn’t really say New York Giants. The colors are a generic red and yellow instead of Giant blue. I suppose it is possible this is also a placeholder. Also of note, the status of the figure has been changed to backordered.

The website state “this item will ship in 4 week.” Makes sense, I wouldn’t expect them to have produced both and have them ready to ship

2/5/12 Much to this podcast host’s dismay, the New York Giants colors and logo will adorn Disney’s commemorative Vinylmation.

Note the small print: “Site image will be updated to reflect the NYG mid-Monday morning PT.” Here is a screen shot of the DisneyStore.com’s listing as of about an hour after the game.

You can actually add this item to your cart and purchase it right now. Guess Eli Manning saved me $18.95 tonight. This limited release vinyl complete with Super Bowl XLVI logo on helmet was designed by Eric Caszatt. The price is a bit higher than the regular NFL teams figures, but it is a commemorative item. What say you Giants fans… adding this to your collection?

NFL Series storming the fields on 1/27 and 2/3

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Today the Disney vinylmation blog announced the release of the NFL series. This series will be open boxed and cost $14.95 each. These figures will be released online on January the 27th and in various vinylmation stores in WDW and DLR on February 3rd. 6 figures will be available in WDW, DLR, and online. Two figures will only be available in the stores in WDW and online.

Teams:
San Francisco 49ers
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants
New England Patriots
Dallas Cowboys
Oakland Raiders

Available in WDW and Online ONLY:
Miami Dolphins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Which of these will you be picking up? What do you think of the $14.95 price tag?

DCL Fantasy Maiden Voyage Exclusives

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Update: 01/28/12 Pictures of packaging and figures from WDW trading event. This set is available in an RSP for guests booked on a maiden voyage and what’s left will be available for sale on the DCL Fantasy ship exclusively when it launches on March 31, 2012. This Maria Clapsis designed set is LE 2500 and $39.95.



Update: 1/14/12 Found the official pictures from the Fantasy site.

Guests who have registered to sail on the Maiden Voyage of the Disney Fantasy will have the first opportunity to pre-purchase select Limited Edition Disney Dream merchandise via the Random Selection Process (RSP).

We first saw some pictures posted on Vinylmation Kingdom that give us a look at the Vinylmation that will be available. We have since found these high resolution pictures.

There will be 2 RSP lots. The first is a 3/3/Jr combo similar to the DCL Dream Donald set. This LE 2500 set will retail for $39.95.

Minnie Mouse is the highlight of this set. This figure has Minnie in a purple dress with a band around the head and feather in the hair. This costume looks like a 1930’s entertainer. The Disney Fantasy ship is “designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930s”, according to the DCL website. A Minnie in this costume will be the feature statue that sits in the Disney Fantasy’s atrium. Here is a model of that statue that was on display at last year’s D23:

Again, just like the Dream Donald, this set also has a statue version of the colorful Minnie figure that represents the statue on the ship. Then there is the Jr figure.

The Jr features the Fantasy logo on a red head and says “2012” on the blue body. The other Vinylmation up for sale on the Fantasy’s Maiden Voyage is an LE 750 9″ that will retail for $49.95.

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This figure matches the style of the previous three ship’s 9″ figures with the bow logo on the head. So, who has a trip booked already aboard the Fantasy? Did you see the Fantasy’s float out the other day?

NBA Teams Explained

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Release Date: First Wave: February 17, 2012 (in parks) Late February (online)
Where: WDW, DLR, Online (see below for specific team)
Price: $14.95

Update: 02/11/12 Added pictures of Jazz and Nuggets figures.


Update: 01/28/12  Some updated pictures below and 2 previously unknown teams added: Spurs and Thunder. We saw this display at last nights WDW trading event.



This will start as an 8 figure Open Window set. They then can then add more teams later on. All the figures have the same basic design. A team colored basketball for a head. The team logo is on the front of the body with the teams colors in back of it and alternate team colors on the sides. They also have wristbands of the team color painted on each arm. For as big as sneakers are in basketball, I thought the feet would have a little more detail. 


 Boston Celtics

WDW, DLR


Online (late February)
LA Lakers

DLR


Online (late February)
Orlando Magic

WDW


Online (late February)
Chicago Bulls

WDW, DLR


Online (late February)
Miami Heat

WDW


Online (late February)
New York Knicks

WDW


Online (late February)
San Antonio Spurs

DLR


Online (late February)
Oklahoma City Thunder


Online (late February)
Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors

Variants: Your Thoughts

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

We have a year’s worth of Variants released now. On this week’s podcast we will discuss the history and quality of Variants and we want your input.

Do we seek them? Do they all make sense? How many times do we like the Variant better than the regular version?

We want to add your thoughts. Post them here or better yet call, leave a voice mail and have your voice heard… 209-28-MOUSE.

Urban 8 Photoshoot

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

There are so many little details around Disney’s Animal Kingdom. So with Urban 6 photos at EPCOT and Urban 7 at DHS, Austin and I decided to take Urban 8 around AK. Many of the pictures here were taken inside the Kali River Rapids queue. As always, you can find some different pics from this shoot on our Facebook page.

This Thomas Scott design sat on the wall and watched us take pictures.
Thomas Scott’s Barricades guarded the entrance to the treasure.
They also protected guests from dangerous turns.
And here they stood watch by Chester’s and Hester’s.
But the Barricades got into a little trouble by the Tree of Life.
The beads design sits atop a ruined hotel sign.
Frenchy gets home on his Schwinn.
Not a Rainforest Cafe, but the Tree of Life will do for this frog.
Casey Jone’s Gnome is right at home in back of Chester’s and Hester’s.
Group shot! Just outside the Kali queue.
Monty’s creation hangs by an antenna for better reception.
What food item temps you the most?
Look what trinket is found on this desk.
Rudos vs. The Dragon
Casey’s squirrel finds a roof top to perch on.
Maria Clapsis designed this Aztec Warrior who slayed a mighty beast.

A Haunting Timepiece

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

Hey Haunted Mansion fans! Not only will you get a whole mystery set released (hopefully sometime this year) but today on the Disney Parks Blog they revealed this:

Wow! Designed by Caley Hicks, this LE 750 pocket watch and 3″ Vinylmation combo is simply amazing. A ghostly figure looms over a tomb on the vinyl. The watch is modeled after the grandfather clock inside the attraction. It will release “in a few months” and will retail for $175.

This will be a day one pick up for me. On an interesting note, Steven Miller wrote that this will be the “last” watch in the Vinylmation watch series. Interesting as there are only 3 others that were released about a year ago. I picked up all three of the Steampark, Park and Urban inspired time pieces (check them out here) and would like to see more. Especially if they are themed as well as this one.

Liberty for Sale, and Cheap!

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

The Playwright sent us this picture from the NYC Times Square store. The Statue of Liberty Minnies are on sale for $6.00!

Anyone going to NYC?