Spotlight On: Amber Gonzalez’ Ladies of Disney

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Amber Gonzalez is back, this time with some her Ladies of Disney set, including a few Minnie platform customs. We asked her what inspired this line.

“The new Minnie mold is what inspired me to make the Ladies of Disney set. It’s perfect for dresses and Dainty shoes 🙂 it brings out the perfect girlie touch . Picked 8 of my favorite girls to bring to life. My next project will be a set of Lady Villains :)”

These figures are $48 shipped each. These are a 1:1 limited edition.

 

VIDEO: “Oz: The Great and Powerful” Playground Opens Early at Epcot

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

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In preparation for the 2013 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the Oz: The Great and Powerful playground near the Imagination! pavilion has opened a few weeks early. We have a video walkthrough of the playground to share with you, including all of the midway games and the playground area:

Episode 115 Popcorn

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Ep. 115 Popcorn

This week interview Mark Hoffmann, the winner of Custom VinylMadness 2013. We preview the Vinylmation in the Tiki Room 50th event catalog. And we talk some Animation, en Vogue and much more. We also have a full release and events calendar.

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Spotlight On: Ryan Branoff’s Stitch and Ugly Duckling

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Our good friend Ryan sent us a few pictures of his latest custom Vinylmation. So here is Stitch and the Ugly Duckling.

“One of my favorite Disney movies is ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and I think at the emotional core of the movie is the scene where Stitch reads ‘The Ugly Duckling’ for the first time. I think it’s a great moment where Stitch realizes that he acts out because he is lonely. I wanted to capture this emotion in the set that I created. The way I tried to represent Stitch is a little bit different than how we’ve seen him in the past. He’s looking calm, and thoughtful. In addition to the 9″ figure, I knew to complete this set that I would need a 3″ Duckling and a picture book accessory. Both I think compliment the 9″ Stitch well and really complete the package!”

– Ryan Branoff

 

PHOTOS: Limited Time Magic “True Love Week” Kicks-Off

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom earlier today and has photos of some of the offerings for “True Love Week” that started today:

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Snow White and her Prince

Inside Town Square Theater, the Princess meet and greet area has been decorated

Rapunzel and Flynn

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Aurora and Prince Phillip

The characters are not signing, again they are using the autograph cards

The Mickey and Minnie meet and greet was also decorated

Minnie made Mickey a Valentine!

The magic wands are covered in roses

A banner up in the backdrop

Tiana and Naveen have a heart wreath as well

Cinderella’s Coach out by the castle walls

C3PO Variant found

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Over on Vinylmation Exchange on facebook, Josh Edwards has shown off a variant colored C3PO from Star Wars Series 1 that he got from a “high up” friend. Check out these pics and see what you think? As we speak someone is showing off the pictures to Mike Sullivan and then we’ll get some more answers, but the piece looks real. Were they going to have both a Chaser Variant and a Variant in the first Star Wars series? Crazy!

Episode 114 Pink Rock Star

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Ep. 114 Pink Rock Star

This week we have a detailed talk about the Urban Redux Super Mystery Chasers. We also discuss the Star Wars 3 and Wild West reveals and the Cutesters en Vogue and Mickey Through the Years releases. Of course we have a full release and events calendar as well.

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Pin Trading Halted at Disney Parks

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Update: 4/2/13 This was our April Fool’s joke. However, just think how easily something like this could happen. hmm…..

Disney has put an indefinite halt on guest pin trading with Cast Members at all Disney parks after a guest was injured at Hollywood Studios in Orlando on Sunday. Read the full story at our sister site Once Upon a Pin.

With pin trading put on hold, is Vinylmation trading far behind?

For more April Fool’s jokes…

2012 Nick and MC quit the podcast. Annemarie and Zoe take over.

2011 Our version of the Nerds Rock Stitch

Annemarie’s Custom Studio Ghibli Series

WDWNT on March 17, 2013

Beginning on April 1st, and continuing for the next twelve days, artist Annemarie will reveal a figure from her new Studio Ghibli custom Vinylmation series. It is a 12 figure series that will cover 9 different movies and will contain some wonderful surprises! Follow Annemarie at her Facebook artist page.

“My hope with this set is to reach the fans of Studio Ghibli but to also hopefully inspire many of you to check out these amazing films, some of which I believe are the greatest animated movies of all time.” – Annemarie

 Yubaba
“Spirited Away”
Proprietor of The Bathhouse and the main antagonist of the animated film.

Wow! The use of Frollo’s hat as her hair is innovative and just flat out amazing.

Howl
“Howl’s Moving Castle”
Mysterious, reclusive wizard.

This is my favorite Studio Ghibli film. This custom is full of color and life. The inclusion of Calcifer in the ear is a perfect way to add to the story. And the detail of the castle in the other ear is stunning.

Kiki
“Kiki’s Delivery Service”
A young witch

Annemarie uses the Minnie platform and Kiki is a perfect fit. Kiki’s cat Jiji is expertly drawn on that tiny space in the ear. And the sculpted broom isn’t half bad either.
Btw, some ? images below have now transformed 😉

Porco
“Porco Rosso”
WWI fighter ace and freelance bounty hunter

Part of what makes this series great is the shading, wonderfully done here bringing Porco to life. Also small details in the ears, like the plane here.

Blue Totoro
“My Neighbor Totoro”
  Leads a Mei to find Totoro asleep.

A wonderful depiction of the small blue creature from the film. Annemarie previously made a 9″ large grey Totoro. 

Mei
“My Neighbor Totoro”
Little girl who meets and befriends Totoro.

Great seamless use of the top of the Minnie canvas between the ears and the bow. Her dress and shoes also fit perfectly onto the Minnie.

Baby Boh
“Spirited Away”
Yubaba’s baby.

Again, a wonderful use of shading and minimal lines in the face to really bring the character across. Nice detail in the ear and the perfect Junior companion.

Baron
“The Cat Returns”
Young girl on the way to the Cat Kingdom.

A wonderful representation capturing the face and suit really well. The large top hat and sculpted cane give this piece added character.

Arrietty
“The Secret World of Arrietty”
A borrower who lives under the floorboards.

Another custom on the Minnie. Very smart use of the bow for her hair clip. Wonderful use of layers for the clip, hair and greenery backdrop. And yes, that’s a real pin accessory.

Ponyo
“Ponyo”
A fish-girl who floats away on the back of a jellyfish.

The idea to use the buzz helmet is great and she even painted on it. Everything just fits for a very pleasing design. The jellyfish painted on the body are beautiful.

No Face
“Spirited Away”
A spirit who attaches himself to Chihiro.

A seemingly simple addition to the series actually has intricately drawn ears, both Mickey arm removed and a sculpted upside down arm attached to represent his giving of gifts.

San
“Princess Mononoke”
A woman raised by the wolves

So good, I had to post both the front and the back. How incredibly rich and detailed are both sides of this vinyl! Again, on a Minnie shaped canvas, the design perfectly takes the form head to toe. The inclusion of a junior with a few Tree Spirits painted on is a great bonus.